Two Day California Highway 1 Ride
Who dreams of riding the California coast? All of us! The allure of the Pacific coast is hard to ignore. Popular movies, the surf beat, freedom. It gets into one’s psyche. If you haven’t already, make this the season to ride the California coast. It’s everything you imagine and maybe a little more.
California offers over 1200 miles of linear coast, nearly 3000 miles counting bays and inlets. Enough for most any rider to enjoy for days on end. Given the technical nature of the road and considering traffic, planning a ride on the coast should allow for at least a couple days to cover a good part of it but probably not all. The views are so breathtaking there’s no reason to rush. You’ll find plenty of turnouts that offer great photo opportunities.
Let’s take a look at a 400 mile route we call A taste of the California Coast. It’s a two day ride that works for anyone heading south or north and includes some of the most scenic sections of California Highway 1.
Start by find your way to Red Bluff California, just 100 miles south of Oregon on I-5. The ride starts there. Arrive early in the morning around 7 or 8 if possible so you have plenty of daylight. Gas up, have a coffee, and get ready for a twisty ride to the Pacific Ocean.
Red Bluff to San Francisco on CA Highway 1 Tour Plan
Day 1 Red Bluff to Fort Bragg
| Waypoint | Miles to Waypoint | Ride Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Depart Red Bluff |
114 |
2:35 |
|
|
Bridgeville CA |
30 |
0:57 |
|
|
Alderpoint CA |
17.6 |
0:35 |
Good place to stop for lunch & fuel. |
|
Gaberville CA |
66.2 |
1:45 |
|
|
Arrive at Fort Bragg |
|
|
Find a hotel for the evening and place for dinner. Fort Bragg offers many hotel options; The Harbor Lite Lodge is motorcycle friendly and within a reasonable walk to Silver’s at the Warf for dinner. |
|
Daily Miles & Riding Time |
227.8 |
5:52 |
|
Day 2 Fort Bragg to San Francisco
| Waypoint | Miles to Waypoint | Ride Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Leave Fort Bragg heading south |
107 |
2:46 |
|
|
Bodega Bay CA |
34.3 |
0:52 |
|
|
Olema CA |
18.6 |
0:36 |
|
|
San Rafael CA |
18.4 |
0:34 |
|
|
Arrive at San Francisco CA |
|
|
You will find several name brand travel hotels around Fisherman’s Warf with off-street parking and plenty of restaurant choices within an easy walk. Check out the Holiday Inn Express on North Point St. or the Courtyard on Beach St; both are steps from the wharf. |
|
Daily Miles & Riding Time |
178.3 |
4:48 |
|
Enjoy the ride. Let us know what you think. We’re always looking for new ideas.
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by John DeVitis, Editor and Publisher
John DeVitis, Editor & Publisher of American Sport Touring, has been riding and writing about all things motorcycling for decades, with a special focus on sport touring. He possesses an uncanny knack for discovering little-known roads in picturesque locations across the United States and Canada, turning riding adventures into stories that inspire readers to explore. These experiences—both on the road and in digital publishing, including years at MSNBC.com—have shaped strong editorial principles and a clear vision, assuring readers of high-quality content they can trust.
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