Southern California - PCH through Laguna Beach

How hectic does the riding get through Laguna? I have only driven through this area, but would like to take the bike out. I am thinking about Newport Beach to Dana Point.

depends on when you go. the earlier the better, especially now that it's beach weather, you get more people flocking to the beach. I don't ride on PCH unless its before 9 a.m.

plenty of people ride it, but it still gets hairy sometimes.

IMO it's the single worst section of PCH that one can ride. Not only is it tight w/ parked cars and narrow lanes, but the pavement just sucks. Luckily the nastiness isn't that long. That being said, the earlier you find yourself on it. the better.

Thanks for the tips. I probably won't ride it just yet!!

go very early in the morning.

Best be ready/able to clip-in real fast & in as little space possible on an incline too.

Never fails riding through LB that you hit a red light and get squeezed in between parked cars and stopped traffic on a hill. Makes for some interesting moments.

Be safe...it can be downright scary through there on weekends.

Another early morning PCH rider here as well. There is an alternate if you wish to try it. Take a look at Nyes Place to Highland then to Glenneyre St. Glenneyre parallels PCH and will get you all the way to Forest. You can then dodge through to Cliff Dr. via Beach. This will put you back onto PCH at the art museum. From there north Laguna on PCH is no big deal.

Later,
HB

I ride it regularly...SB pavement is better because it isn't as gouged by vehicles with ground clearance issues coming from the uphill side.

Ride before 9am, or be prepared for intense intervals all the way to Dana Point.

If traffic is heavy, I just take up a traffic lane and try to keep up...usually not a problem through Laguna Beach proper...if there's space for me to move over, I give a look to the car behind me before I move over and give a left thumb up when they pass as a way of thanking them for putting up with me.

I generally find it more difficult to keep up SB because of the way street-parking and streetlights are laid out..but find that traffic usually moves slower through the high-speed areas than the NB...

I agree with deitman. I haven't been down there in years, but I still remember that stretch vividly. If you have to ride it, take the lane! It's the only safe option.

Thanks guys for the input. I like Heckboy's alternate route.

I always think that riding through the slower traffic is easier than the early mornings there where traffic is faster.