Ride a Bay Area Favorite to Alice’s Restaurant
This article was updated February 22, 2025, with new details on Alice’s Restaurant menu, road conditions, and fresh insights on the best Bay Area motorcycle routes.
Riding in the Bay Area might bring to mind gridlocked freeways and the stop-and-go pulse of city traffic. And for good reason—Highway 101 and the surrounding urban sprawl from San Jose to San Francisco can feel more like a commuter’s grind than a rider’s dream, especially on weekdays. But beyond the congestion, a classic motorcycle route awaits—one that winds through towering redwoods, delivers breathtaking vistas, and serves up miles of smooth, flowing curves.
Alice’s Restaurant is a legendary Bay Area destination, perfectly positioned at the crossroads of Skyline Boulevard (CA-35) and Highway 84 (La Honda Road)—arguably some of the best riding roads in Northern California. Originally a general store serving loggers and ranchers in the early 1900s, Alice’s evolved into a beloved roadside diner in the 1970s under the ownership of Alice Taylor, who gave it the name that riders know today. Much like Mulholland Drive and the Rock Store in Southern California, Alice’s has become a must-stop for motorcyclists, offering a welcoming atmosphere, motorcycle-themed menu items, and a weekend parking lot filled with sportbikes, cruisers, and classic cars. Whether coming from Highway 1 along the coast or the valley roads out of San Jose, the ride to Alice’s is as much a part of the experience as the destination itself.. Alice’s makes our list of great motorcycle destinations.
Meet Up At Alice’s Restaurant
Tucked in the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains, motorcyclists, drivers, and bike riders all share a special affection for Alice’s Restaurant, not necessarily for the food but certainly to share a camaraderie with like-minded enthusiasts.
Like the Rock Store in the hills above Malibu, Alice’s has become the place where Bay Area riders gather on weekends. The clientele is a mix of locals and tourists. A high percentage arrive on motorcycles, and of those, judging by a quick look around the parking lot, sport bikes are the most popular models. No matter, people are there to take in the fresh forest air and mingle and share a common love for motorcycling.
Alice’s Restaurant offers casual dining both inside and on the deck, with a menu that blends classic American fare with motorcycle-themed specials. Breakfast runs until 2 PM, featuring traditional options alongside favorites like Alice’s Omelette. Lunch and dinner include specialty burgers named after popular bikes—such as the Harley Burger with bacon and cheddar or the Suzuki Burger with teriyaki and pineapple—as well as standout BBQ items like brisket and baby back ribs. Prices have risen slightly, with most entrées now in the $15 to $20 range, but generous portions and a welcoming atmosphere continue to make Alice’s a favorite Bay Area destination for riders.
Riding to Alice’s isn’t like venturing across US Route 50, the “Loneliest Highway in America,” where gas stations are few and far between. But for those arriving after a long day along the coast, a top-up might be necessary. Luckily, Alice’s has a small filling station next door, offering a convenient—if pricey—fuel stop. Given the winding roads and elevation changes in the Santa Cruz Mountains, having enough gas before heading out is always a good idea. Expensive or not, it’s better than running on empty.
Trace the Santa Cruz Mountains on Skyline Boulevard
Regardless of which direction you travel on Highway 1, a side trip to Alice’s Restaurant is well worth the detour, offering a dramatic change of scenery from the open coastal views to the shaded, winding roads of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The route climbs through towering redwoods, rolling hills, and twisty canyons, making for a ride as enjoyable as the destination itself.
The map highlights the suggested route, which loops above Highway 1 from Pescadero State Beach in the south to Half Moon Bay in the north. Both directions offer stunning views, though the curves feel distinct—tighter and more technical from the south, more flowing from the north.
For riders coming from San Jose or the Peninsula, the best approach is via Sand Hill Road, leading from Menlo Park to La Honda Road (CA-84). This route meanders through dense redwood groves and open ridgelines, eventually reaching Skyline Boulevard (CA-35) at Four Corners, a well-known junction and a popular meeting spot for riders.
All roads on this route are well-paved, primarily two-lane double yellows. The terrain varies, transitioning from open fields to narrow, redwood-lined twisty sections. Skyline Boulevard offers numerous scenic overlooks and turnouts ideal for picture taking.
Traffic can be heavy depending on the season and day of the week, with weekends being busy year-round. Passing slower vehicles is possible, but much of the roadway is marked double yellow no passing. Plan ahead and be patient, especially when following slower vehicles like RVs. If you forget, the California Highway Patrol are often patrolling Skyline Boulevard to remind you.
Lastly, be aware that the area is popular with sports car enthusiasts too, so avoid hugging the center line on curves. Cyclists also frequent the route, often just beyond blind corners, so exercise caution to prevent accidents.
Riders have at least two main routes from the Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1) to Skyline Boulevard and Alice’s Restaurant. Both can be ridden in either direction, but here they’re described heading northbound. With its central location, Alice’s serves as a natural midpoint for the ride.
The South Section – Pescadero Creek Road and La Honda Road
The turn onto Pescadero Creek Road off CA-1 comes up right before the point at which the highway passes the south end of Pescadero State Beach. Take Pescadero Road east away from the coast to begin climbing into the Santa Cruz Mountains. The road is well paved and at first seems unremarkable. But give it time. Lanes become more narrow, confined, with a weaving pattern of sweeping corners.
Further up the way, near Memorial County Park, the turns get tighter and the road takes on a new personality. Still sufficiently paved and marked, but the pace seems to increase as turns come quickly among the passing redwoods. Truly a most enjoyable ride all the way to La Honda Road (CA-84).
At La Honda, make a turn to the north and follow it all the way to the intersection with Skyline Boulevard. In terms of corner thrills per mile, La Honda delivers but with a bit less intensity than the last stretch of Pescadero Road. Still, a fun ride winding through classic northern California hill sides.
Eventually the road opens up to Alice’s Restaurant at the Four Corners intersection where La Honda meets Skyline Boulevard (CA-35).
The North Section – Skyline Boulevard to Half Moon Bay
The Four Corners intersection of Skyline Boulevard and La Honda Road at first looks like a badly designed shopping center parking lot. Cars and bikes line the roadside and even take space among the in the tree-filled median. On one side is Alice’s Restaurant and on the other the Skywood Trading Post.
This north section of the route leaves Alice’s Restaurant along Skyline Boulevard toward Half Moon Bay. The roadway continues the redwood forest theme from La Honda, but with more relaxed corners. Occasionally the trees break away to open views of the hillside.
Watch for the Skeggs Point scenic view pullout. The pullout faces east exposing views of Woodside, Redwood City, and Menlo Park. The cities below are a reminder that city life is mere miles away from the tranquil rural roads in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Keep on Skyline Boulevard through the Kings Mountain area. The road straightens out quite a bit from here, with only gentle turns to provide a distraction from the never-ending redwoods. Soon enough the road opens up to ranches on either side and a sense takes hold that the Pacific is nearby. This stretch of road, less than a mile before the turnoff to Half Moon Bay, has some of the best ocean facing views from Skyline Boulevard. The Upper Crystal Springs Reservoir on the east side of the road also comes into view.
Follow the signs at the junction with California Highway 92 toward Half Moon Bay. Don’t be surprised by the traffic on CA-92; it’s a busy route connecting San Mateo on the east with Half Moon Bay on the Pacific. If traffic weren’t enough, the road itself is largely uneventful saved only by the scenery that shouts Northern California coastal community.
Half Moon Bay is small seaside town, a short 20 miles south of San Francisco, with coffee shops, restaurants, lodging, and plenty of local shopping. Anyone wanting to stay in the Bay Area and in a more peaceful setting than San Francisco, should consider an overnight stay. Enjoy wide open views of the Pacific all day, including occasional whale sightings, morning mist, and afternoon sunsets.
A Northern California Experience
Riders of all kinds will find plenty to enjoy on a ride to Alice’s Restaurant. With its rustic atmosphere, an ever-changing display of bikes and sports cars, and the chance to swap stories with fellow riders, it’s the perfect place to take a break. Whether you’re carving up the coast on Highway 1 or making time on Highway 101, adding Skyline Boulevard and a stop at Alice’s to your route is well worth it.
This relatively short ride packs in everything a motorcyclist could want—towering redwood forests, rolling rural vistas, stunning ocean views, and the charm of Half Moon Bay. Add to that some of the best motorcycle roads in the Bay Area, and you’ve got a ride that’s hard to resist.
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 motorcycles. 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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Resources
| Site | Link |
|---|---|
| The latest on Alice’s Restaurant | http://www.alicesrestaurant.com/ |
| More about Pescadero State Beach | http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=522 |
| Half Moon Bay visitor information | https://www.visithalfmoonbay.org/ |
| California Department of Transportation highway updates | https://roads.dot.ca.gov/ |
