BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I don't know specific routes, but having lived there (before I was a long-distance biker), I think a road ride from San Rafael or Mill Valley to Point Reyes could be pretty amazing: start in the city, go over the mountains, through redwoods, to the sea. That area (Marin County) has a very moderate climate that would permit such a ride many months of the year.

Many years ago I rode Seattle to San Francisco after a brief foray with bikes on ferries up in the San Juan Islands.  It was a great trip- wide shoulder, prevailing tailwinds, no bugs at night.  Never used our tent, or a campground.  I would do it again.

In the fall of 2014, I cycled down the Pacific Coast. Through the state of Washington, my group of four traveled on our own with support.  From Astoria, OR to LA , we cycled 3 weeks averaging 70 miles a day with America by Bicycle, a tour company.  You can do one week segments with this company. If you are considering travel with a tour company, I would suggest you check them out. I am happy to share more if you are interested. http://americabybicycle.com/

A few of us rode from San Francisco to St. Louis Obispo.  It was a pretty spectacular ride.  The difficulty is finding places to stay at reasonable distances. Flew our bikes to a shop, but probably would just use the plane next time.  Stayed at a USA Hostels in San Fran. Pigeon Point Lighthouse Pick a  place in Monterey Big Sur River Inn Ragged Point Inn and Resort Any hotel in SLO will do.  Feel free to ask any questions.

Thanks for all of the good suggestions. Now all I need to do is make some decisions. I think it's gotten tougher instead of easier!

I've biked in Sonoma County twice and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. A decade ago friends and I rented a house in Bodega Bay for a week and rode a lot of the surrounding mountains and farm/wine country. More recently I spent half a week in Jenner, just north of Bodega Bay, and rode a similar mix of roads. I would recommend renting a house in Jenner and planning out whatever mix of flat wine-county riding and mountain riding (e.g., the King's Ridge and Geysers loops) suit you. Also, the River's End restaurant in Jenner is excellent.

Not really a tour but a nice day trip. I took the Coaster train from San Diego up the coast to the town of Oceanside (about an hour by train, $6-ish, free roll-on bike service) and biked back to the city. It was about 50 miles with a scenic detour through La Jolla. Did it in early March. Probably one of the best rides of my life.

Thanks, rainbow dog. I've been gravitating towards the San Diego area - that sounds awesome!

If you like the desert, I recommend a ride I took many years ago between the Pacific Ocean, near Malibu, and Parker, Arizona.  You will cross some rugged and sparsely populated desert country between the state line and 29 Palms, mostly on Route 62.  From there, I took Old Woman Springs Road (247)  in a Northwesterly direction toward Victorville and ended-up stealth camping near the Bear Valley Cutoff.  Today, there are more indoor lodging choices than existed in 1980.  I then rode the Pearblossom Highway (138) to the Old Sierra Highway and down into the valley.  That is quite a wonderful downhill run, to Granada Hills.  You can then work your way through the valley, which is a grid with any number of parallel roads to avoid the main ones like Balboa and Sepulveda Boulevards.   Then pick-up route 27 near Woodland Hills, ride up out of the valley and then down through Topanga Canyon all the way to the beach. This is another thrilling descent with tremendous views, especially as you approach the Pacific. Whatever you end up doing, it will be fun.  California is a rugged and scenic state with some serious hills in some places.  Being a Pittsburgh rider will definitely prepare you for some of what you will encounter.

Wow, thanks fultonco, for the great detail and narrative!