Expert advice from roadwarrior jamie jensen, who has zoomed along nearly 400,000 miles of highway in search of the perfect stretches of pavement. Martins press was the first guidebook to the old road written in more than forty years, as well as the first to map the route since its decertification in 1985. Go ahead and do it that way if you hate fun, yourself, america, and. So, this road trip offers up a colossal 123miles worth of incredible views from your car window. If youre in need of trip ideas for 2017, consider driving up the iconic pacific coast highway. Tomorrow we will drive south as we continue our adventure. May 11, 2016 the pacific coast highway, otherwise known as route 1, sticks to the ocean like glue. Although the book has the word driving in the title, it really is not a road guide to californias pacific coast. Jan 28, 2005 click here to download the 42 mile ride near anacortes and the 48 mile ride along the oregon coast from bicycling the pacific coast bicycle touring the pacific coast is outlined in one trip or four separate adventures road directions, points of interest, and available restrooms and provisions all built into daily mileage logs elevation profiles and table of essentials overview for each day. While there is not a single major climb, the overall amount of climbing is significant.
Cycling from canada to mexico between canada and the mexican border is one of the worlds most beautiful roads for bicycle touring. How scary is the pacific coast highway open talk forum. Most of the route follows highway 1, also known as pacific coast highway, coast highway, shoreline highway, and cabrillo highway one of the most scenic roads in america. Oct 2, 2016 a road trip down the pacific coast is a onceinalifetime experience. Featuring twist and turns that will thrill your driving skill as well as long rolling stretches of fabulous views of the pacific coastline, whales, seals and shore birds, redwood forests and historic missions, you will feel as if every turn is a picture postcard. An exhilarating driving experience, this twisting, cliffhugging, 123mile 198kilometer route along the central california coast takes about five hours to complete at a leisurely pace. The aa recommends applying for an international driving permit. The pacific coast highway runs northsouth through the state of california, along its western edge. When driving the pacific coast highway, you can drive from the north coast of washington and continue all the way down to the southern tip of california. Misadventures while cycling the pacific coast highway alternate route. If youve ever dreamed of riding part or all of the pacific coast this is a great source of information. Laguna beach is a great stop to unwind before rolling into dana point.
After leaving carmel, the ride south along the pacific coast highway is the most spectacular portion of the route for many cyclists. For major sites like alcatraz and hearst castle, it can be wise to book tickets at. Eagleriders pacific coast highway motorcycle tour explores the best of southern california. Avoid summer weekends, and be sure to book a visit to hearst castle. How to complete an epic pacific coast highway road trip. You will have to opt for highway 101 if travel in this area is in your plans.
Search online for trip reports to see pictures and learn about other peoples successful adventures. Mar 24, 2017 blessed with an idyllic location along the sundrenched pacific coast, the city draws countless visitors, from celebrity hunting tourists to motorists speeding often literally along scenic pch. Its hard to beat the views road tripping along the pacific coast highway pch. Driving along the california pacific coast highway is perhaps one of the. If you have more time to drive the pch, this 10day itinerary is perfect. Bicycle touring the pacific coast is outlined in one trip or four separate adventures road directions, points of interest, and available restrooms and provisions all built into daily mileage logs elevation. Timing is everything in this next portion of the ride. Ben had decided to test out sleeping with just a footprint and a fly in lieu of the. Pacific coast highway motorcycle tour selfdrive motorcycle. In washington, oregon, and at the northern end of california, the pacific coast route follows us highway 101. May 20, 2016 the second leg of the trip starts off in astoria, the northwest corner of oregon and heads south, hugging the pacific coast. Im particularly excited about seeing the lost coast. How to drive the pacific coast highway like a champion.
Pacific coast adventure cycling route network adventure. We have driven the pacific coast highway many times. The scenic pacific coast route travels from vancouver, b. Pacific coast highway with kids california forum tripadvisor. A really handy book for travelling the pch on bike. Sep 14, 2010 an exhilarating driving experience, this twisting, cliffhugging, 123mile 198kilometer route along the central california coast takes about five hours to complete at a leisurely pace. Your hearts explore idea lists explore showroom discover take the home style quiz. California road trip the pacific coast highway youtube.
The second leg of the trip starts off in astoria, the northwest corner of oregon and heads south, hugging the pacific coast. Heres a pacific coast highway map and schedule for 10 days. Highway 1 along the big sur coast is currently closed due to the road washing out and there is no eta on when the road will be reopened. A noholdsbarred look at doing the mighty coast highway on two wheels. Admittedly, you would have to be very brave to cycle through parts of the urban jungle along the way.
The maps in the book arent as detailed as real road maps so i would advise also. Road trip usa pacific coast highway by jamie jensen. The relatively flat section between the resting area and the intersection with panoramic highway gives you a bit of a chance to get ready for the downhill portion of the journey. Ten tips for driving the pacific coast highway in luxury. And that, in the eyes of some locals, is the problem. Pacific coast highway california 2020 what to know before. To help you in choosing your pacific coast highway hotel, guesthouse, inn, bedandbreakfast, resort, motel or other accommodations, weve prepared our pacific coast highway hotels guide. Dec 31, 2016 if youre in need of trip ideas for 2017, consider driving up the iconic pacific coast highway. The pacific coast highway, otherwise known as route 1, sticks to the ocean like glue. Professional traveler jamie jensen traveled more than 400,000 miles to bring you the bestselling travel guideroad trip usa. The ultimate california coast road trip all the best stops.
This winding, scenic road high above the ocean has been seen many times in television shows, commercials, and movies. So far in 2020, we have visited the highway one pacific coast highway in ensenada, mexico. Bike from crescent city, ca to san francisco 412 miles push on down the california coast line all the way down to san francisco. If youre looking for a stunning coastal drive to take on your next holiday in australia, you cant go past the pacific coast road trip from sydney to brisbane.
Jun 14, 2012 professional traveler jamie jensen traveled more than 400,000 miles to bring you the bestselling travel guideroad trip usa. Stretching 90 miles south of carmel from point lobos all the way to hearst castle, big sur is one of the most memorable sections of coastline on the planet, with. Alice starmore has a number of outofprint, elusive books, among them pacific coast highway. Pacific coast highway and 17mile drive california road trip. It has been a great couple days on the northern california coast. Popular things to do include visiting the beaches, biking, and shopping at the local stores. Just an average middleaged guy biking the pacific coast and looking for enlightenment 1,784 miles 2,871 km over 51 days from june 7, 2008 to july 27, 2008. With nearly 650 miles of coastal views, its no wonder that state route 1 more commonly known as the pacific coast highway is considered one of the most scenic drives in the united. Blessed with an idyllic location along the sundrenched pacific coast, the city draws countless visitors, from celebrity hunting tourists to motorists speeding often literally along scenic pch. Day 8 if you want surf lessons later in your trip but before you meet your. Some of the highlights are of half moon bay, santa cruz, monterey, 17 mile. North america, united states, washington, oregon, california year. The classic pacific coast highway road trip road trip usa. Mar 01, 2003 although the book has the word driving in the title, it really is not a road guide to californias pacific coast.
When you imagine driving along the pacific coast highway, you might think of the thrilling stretch of coastal road between san francisco and. Click here to download the 42 mile ride near anacortes and the 48 mile ride along the oregon coast from bicycling the pacific coast bicycle touring the pacific coast is outlined in one trip or four separate adventures road directions, points of interest, and available restrooms and provisions all built into daily mileage logs elevation profiles and table of essentials overview for each day. I dont have this book, published in 1997, and i dont have a pile of doubloons to go get one. Instead, this nice little travel book covers smaller coastal communities where one can visit for a weekend and take a break from the hustle and bustle of life. Searching our website can be especially helpful in finding location names on the pct. Tour diaries, months, pacific coast, north to south locales. Breathtaking cliffs, redwood forests, lighthouses, beaches, and a rugged coastline make this a very popular route. Pacific coast highway celebrates the great american road trip, and gives you the tools, resources, and inspiration to make it your own. Misadventures while cycling the pacific coast highway. Here are some of the best planning tools, locations, and images from the route from san diego ca to port angels wa. Driving big sur on the pacific coast highway road trip usa. Jun 02, 2014 the pacific coast highway runs northsouth through the state of california, along its western edge. In pacifica and half moon bay there are bike paths that mirror the highway. For more information about lodging, activities and dining on the northern coast of california visit this is part six in our continuing series on traveling the pacific coast highway.
Mar 31, 2009 road trip usa pacific coast highway highlights major cities, obscure towns, popular attractions, roadside curiosities, historic sites, and oddball trivia. Average guy biking the pacific coast, by rich trimble. Advice on cycling the pacific coast highway, with information on routes, books, and. Of the many towns listed, only san diego is a large metropolitan area.
Exit the interstates and create your own driving adventures on the west coasts unrivaled scenic highway. Road trip usa pacific coast highway highlights major cities, obscure towns, popular attractions, roadside curiosities, historic sites, and oddball trivia. Why a ride down the pacific coast highway is the best road. For more information about lodging, activities and dining on the northern coast of california visit this is part six in our. Route and accommodations while cycling the pacific coast. State route 1 sr 1 is a major northsouth state highway that runs along most of. Planning a pacific coast highway road trip from san francisco to. The ultimate pacific coast highway road trip travel us news.
Along this stretch of the highway there are side roads you can take for a couple of miles at a time. During the peak tourist season, there is heavy recreational vehicle traffic along u. Canons eos rebel sl3 eos 250d is the latest in the companys line of diminutive dslrs. The bicycle touring blueprint a book that teaches you how to conduct your own bicycle touring. Driving australias pacific coast from sydney to brisbane an anonymous woman getting her road trip on. The pch also referred to as state route 1, cabrillo highway, shoreline highway, or coast highway runs 655. These are just ten of the many places off highway 1 that youll want to experience.
Its renowned as one of the most scenic road trips in america, and of course there are dozens of fun places to stop and check out along the way. From the canadian border to the border with mexico, the routes take you on the highways and the byways through over 1700 miles of magnificent west coast scenery. Review of the pacific coast highway road trips book from lonely planet, which includes a california. Posts about pacific coast highway written by weliketobike.
You can even stretch it out by spending a few extra days exploring some of the cities along the route if you want to. In this expanded tour of the pacific coast highway, jamie takes you from the dense green forests of washington to the gorgeous beaches of southern california. Cycling the highway is a challenge, but it can be done in about 40 days by. Discover the beauty to be found between canada and mexico. Book your tickets online for pacific coast highway, california. I did, however, get to drive up the actual pacific coast highway with the family, and the finally finished starmore sweater.