Overall Route Rating
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4.78 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.78
55 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Jul 31, 2000

Rider Reviews

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Guest
March 8, 2009
Did this ride and then some. Started out from…
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Guest
January 7, 2013
Wife and I planned a 10 day riding vacation over…
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Written Directions

The directions to this route are pretty straight forward since it stays on one road, highway 1, the whole time. My description of the "Roadside Amenities" above, describe the route from north to south. Start the route in Monterrey California and simply follow highway 1 south through Big Sur and down to the route's conclusion in San Simeon California (where you'll find the Hearst Castle).

Scenery

This world-class scenic route takes you along the famed California Route 1 starting (or ending) in Monterey California and ending (or starting) in Morro Bay. The route is 1 of original 9 routes to be selected by the US Department of Transportation as an "All American Road" which is a designation given to only the cream of the crop roads that are categorized as America's Byways (The list of All American Roads has grown over the years. As of July 2016 there are 31 All American Roads). The route is part of a stretch of Route 1 that has been honored time and time again as a classic American roadtrip road by countless books, magazines, websites, etc. Along this route you will see coastal scenery that will leave you breathless. Opposite the ocean, inland scenery is as inspiring with its display of rolling hills, rock outcroppings, picturesque waterfalls, redwood forests, flowered meadows, lush valleys, and majestic coastal mountains. Along the route you will see a number of lighthouses, 18th century Spanish missions, and a variety of animal life including sea lions, sea otters, sharks, bat rays, gray whales, brown pelicans, and peregrine falcons as well as monarch butterfly winter sanctuaries.

Drive Enjoyment

Overall the road quality is very good and the number of turns, climbs and descents alone should give it a five star rating. However, its overwhelming beauty and popular attractions also lead it to be a sometimes constricted route and at times leading to traffic bottlenecks in some of the towns along the way. However it still is one of the best roads in America and therefore deserves its four star rating.



Watch this video of Pacific Coast Cruise; Hwy 1.

Tourism Opportunities

You can plan a weeks vacation along this route in terms of the number and quality of amenities available. There are seven state parks along the way, a state reserve, a botanical area and many historical areas of interest. At anyone of these state parks you will find many opportunities for hiking and beach exploring. Monterey California offers a walking tour as well the Cannery Row district with its restaurants, museums, and aquarium. Pacific Grove is known as Butterfly USA due to its choice as a winter home to a vast number of monarch butterflies coming in from as far as Canada. Carmel-by-the-Sea offers shops, cottages, galleries, restaurants, and a preserved 18th century Spanish mission. You will also cross the much photographed Bixby Bridge (you've probably seen this bridge in a few movies, postcards or TV commercials). It arches 256 feet above the meeting of the Bixby Creek and Pacific ocean. Tours of the lighthouse in Point Sur State Historic Park are offered on most weekends. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park offers outstanding hiking trails leading to many waterfalls and trout filled streams. Don't miss one of California's most visited tourist site - Hearst's paradise. This mansion/castle was built for publisher William Randolph Hearst at the beginning of the 20th century; taking nearly 30 years to be completed.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather . - Monterey Bay Area Guide
 

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Guest
June 23, 2008
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Went this route taking my wife for her first time. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a fantastic time . We stopped at Lucia for lunch and felt like we were in another world with the views. I would take this route again as soon as possible
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7 riders found this road review useful
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Guest
July 29, 2009
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Great road!!! (Although my absolute favorite is still the Trail Ridge Road through the Rockie Mountain Nat'l Park). We have ridden the entire road from Santa Barbara to the Oregon border (and beyond) --beautiful scenery and an all around great riding road for riding. Parts of it are easy enough for even a fairly inexperienced rider but there are sections that require more skill (north of Bodega Bay). Take it at your own pace and you should be fine. (Watch out for motor homes and big trucks in your lane though!) The area around Tomales Bay is very charming. Make sure to stop at the north end of the Golden Gate to check out the display there.
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7 riders found this road review useful
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Guest
August 15, 2010
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
I've done this road in both directions lately. It was foggy and cold on the northbound ride. What was really cool was that the fog, as it traveled up the hillside jumped over the road so it felt like riding in a tunnel. I traveled south last weekend and it was very clear. There are three construction projects going on now. These cause some delays, due to single lane traffic. The wait is seldom more than 5 minutes. This is a great ride either way, but I prefer the northbound route.
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5 riders found this road review useful