Touring - Victoria BC to Los Angeles: need 411

Hi All,

1. When is the best time of year to do it?
2. Are there plenty of motels along the route (pacific hwy 1)?
3. Is it doable in three weeks?

Thanks,

Bernman

Hi All,

1. When is the best time of year to do it?
2. Are there plenty of motels along the route (pacific hwy 1)?
3. Is it doable in three weeks?

Thanks,

Bernman

(1) Now is the best time for any trip! More seriously, any time after late May early June (when the rains in the northwest finally recede) is a good time to start.

(2) Motels yes...but why bother with motels when there are so many state campgrounds available for a song, especially in Oregon and Northern California. But if you are budgeting for them, they are there in the numerous small towns along the way.

(3) The coast highway is gorgeous. In northern california as the summer proceeds, the interior heated valleys suck in moist air from the coast and it is foggy. I never got further south than Santa Cruz, so I can't say about anything further south.

(4) Thats a heck of a haul for three weeks thru country that probably deserves three months. I think you'd be better off enjoying a 3 week ride at a relaxed pace (and ending where you are) than a pell mell rush thru some of the most beautiful scenery in North America. Take time to see the Washington and Oregon Cascades, for example; not just their coast ranges.

roughstuff

1. I did the route in June and it was very wet through Washington and Oregon, some rain mainly heavy fog. When I got to California it was clear everyday, except in San Francisco and Santa Barbara.
2 & 3. Going west from Port Angeles, Wa will be a little tricky but if your doing this in three weeks you're probably a strong rider. It's possible to do in three weeks.

The best suggestion I can give you is to buy Bicycling the Pacific Coast by Kirkendall & Spring

I definately agree that this time of year is ideal for riding in that region. I did Seattle to Vancouver and back last August and there wasn't a cloud in the sky for two weeks. If you have the time I definately recommend doing some riding on Whidby Island. That was my favorite part of the whole trip. As far as the Olympic Penninsula (sp?) goes, avoid 101 up towards Port Angeles at all costs. The scenery might be nice but the shoulders are either nonexistent or covered in broken glass and every second vehicle is a logging or coal truck. That's my two cents. Best of luck to you.

JLahr