Northern California - Need advice on Half Moon Bay Rd

Hi, I was hoping someone with cycling knowledge of the Bay Area can help me out. I am doing a short tour (SF to SD) with my girlfriend in a few weeks. We are flying into the SF airport, and want to cut south directly, cross west and join up with RT 1 at Half Moon Bay. By the looks of it, this is doable if we take RT 92, or "Half Moon Bay Rd." Has anyone biked this stretch before? My gf has never done any touring, and I don't want to scare her if there's no shoulder, super fast scary traffic or some really brutal grades (there are mountains, so I understand that there will be a climb.) The alternative would be to bike north out of the airport, which looks to be a 10-15 mile detour. Thanks in advance!

Highway 92 has no shoulder and fast traffic. Bicycles are allowed on Hwy 92 west of I-280, but this is not a very pleasant route, especially near Half Moon Bay. The route through Pacifica will be more fun.

Or, more broadly, what would be the most beginner-friendly way to get from the airport to Hw 1?

Johnny, thanks, I'm beginning the get the sense that 92 is not the way to go. Could you be more specific about the Pacifica route? Any streets to prefer, or to avoid? Does it make sense to try to avoid the "Devil's Slide" that I keep hearing about? I have a three ring touring bike but my gf has a 2 ring road bike. Is this something that might be crushing to the spirits on the first day, or doable?

Or, more broadly, what would be the most beginner-friendly way to get from the airport to Hw 1?

I don't think there is a "beginner-friendly" bicycle route from SFO to Half Moon Bay. All roads heading west from the airport are uphill and most will have some amount of traffic. Devils Slide is not steep, but it is narrow and can have fast car traffic at certain times of the day. Hwy 92 will be worse, and bicycles are not allowed on Hwy 92 east of I-280, so just getting to the bicycle-legal part of Hwy 92 will take some route finding.

I don't have a detailed map of the area handy, but I think Sharp Park Road is the easiest way in to Pacifica from the east.

Remember that the area directly east (and south) of SFO is called the Santa Cruz Mountains. As far as mountains go, they are pretty mild, but they still are real mountains.

Hwy 92 is definitely no good for bikes, especially new riders. Too many cars and trucks, going 40-50mph on roads with poor shoulders. Do not go there.

The problem with Pacifica is Devil's Slide. It's a few hundred yards with no shoulders, but it's pretty scary.

I think your best bet is to cross the coastal range on Old La Honda Rd in Woodside. This puts you on Hwy1 about 8 miles south of Half Moon Bay. It is scenic, safe and the easiest climb over the mountains (1,300 ft or so).

If you need detailed route mapping, I can probably find something on Bikely for you. Let me know.

Sounds like a nice ride for the two of you! I'm in Half Moon Bay, let me know when you're coming through, maybe I'll ride down to Santa Cruz with you!

FWIW, here's a thread that has some pictures of "devil's slide" and Pacifica:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=505223

Devil's Slide is a few hundred yards of narrow road with no shoulders and lots of traffic. Hwy 92 is maybe 10 miles of narrow road with no shoulders and lots of traffic. If those are your only 2 choices, I think the answer is pretty easy.

Highway 84 through Woodside is a less extreme route, but that is some distance from the airport. You could take the Bay Trail along the bay shore south of the airport to Redwood City, then maybe Edgewood and Canada to Woodside. This route will be somewhat longer than via Pacifica to Half Moon Bay, assuming that you really want to get to Half Moon Bay. Highway 84 does have no shoulders and steady traffic on weekends, but it is not so bad on weekdays.

Do not take Tunitas Creek Road. That is steep (downhill) and bumpy and slippery.

FWIW, here's a thread that has some pictures of "devil's slide" and Pacifica:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=505223

...and keep in mind that post was written by someone who was a bike messenger...

If Devil's Slide freaks him out, then it's not for mere mortals.

If you need detailed route mapping, I can probably find something on Bikely for you. Let me know.


Thanks SesameCrunch, I think my smartest plan is to get down to Woodside and then take one of the scenic routes.

What would you say is the best way to get from the airport to Woodside?

Thanks SesameCrunch, I think my smartest plan is to get down to Woodside and then take one of the scenic routes.

What would you say is the best way to get from the airport to Woodside?

Here you go. This is a pleasant route.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/SFO-to-Hwy1-via-Woodside

Here you go. This is a pleasant route.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/SFO-to-Hwy1-via-WoodsideAgreed. That'll be nice.

The Eastern stretch of Old La Honda is a pretty steep climb, but it's short, very pretty, and almost no traffic. Coming down the Western side is a bit nerve-wracking (steep, blind corners, a bit more traffic), but once you get onto 84, you're rewarded with a nice, long descent.

Also, if you're looking for a bit more climbing for the day, you can make the turn onto Pescadero Creek Road and take that out to Highway 1.

In any case, it sounds like a pretty cool trip. Please pop back in here and share the ride report afterward. :)

The Eastern stretch of Old La Honda is a pretty steep climb, but it's short, very pretty, and almost no traffic. Coming down the Western side is a bit nerve-wracking (steep, blind corners, a bit more traffic),...I don't really agree with this. The eastern side of OLH is longer (1230 ft over 3.3 miles, average grade of 6.5%) has more traffic (but still pretty minimal) than the western side (I can't recall the last time I saw a car on this stretch of road.) The western side has a shallower grade and is nice if you take it slowly. It's not terribly steep and has minimal traffic. Just keep an eye out for debris in the heavily forested area of the roadway at the top and cyclists ascending. You'll be rewarded with nice views of the ocean (and the skull carved into the rocks on your left) once you get out of the redwoods.

- SteveE

Agreed. That'll be nice.

The Eastern stretch of Old La Honda is a pretty steep climb, but it's short, very pretty, and almost no traffic. Coming down the Western side is a bit nerve-wracking (steep, blind corners, a bit more traffic), but once you get onto 84, you're rewarded with a nice, long descent.

Also, if you're looking for a bit more climbing for the day, you can make the turn onto Pescadero Creek Road and take that out to Highway 1.


"Steep" is relative. I think the east side of Old La Honda Road is the easiest route over the mountains (if you don't want to go through Pacifica and Devil's Slide). The west side of Old La Honda is easy if you slow down and stay to the right. There are lots of houses on Old La Honda Road (both east and west) and there can be cars on the road at any time of day and most of the road is pretty narrow.

Pescadero Road is route between La Honda and the coast, as long as you really don't want to visit Half Moon Bay. Pescadero Road is a little hillier than staying on Highway 84, but there is also less traffic.

Pescadero Road is route between La Honda and the coast, as long as you really don't want to visit Half Moon Bay. Pescadero Road is a little hillier than staying on Highway 84, but there is also less traffic.

84 from Pescadero out to 1 has a pretty good shoulder. On weekdays, non-commute hours, there will be little traffic on either road. On weekends, there will be noticeable traffic on both roads (more on 84) but a good number of cyclists out as well. There is no shoulder on most of Pescadero so I avoid riding at commute hours.