cyclintom

Weather:

Heading from San Francisco south it gets warmer each day until it's unbarably hot away from the ocean breeze.

May's weather is questionable. Some years it would be summertime-in-Ireland-like and other times it would be winter-in-London-like. Typically bad weather seldon lasts a week and generally speaking there is a weather pattern change between north of Monterey and south.

August is HOT but the Japan Current running along the coast keeps the breezes cool.

May can have very strong winds or not. August generally has a pretty fixed wind pattern of quiet mornings and increasing winds into the afternoon dying off late in the afternoon. Typical sea breeze pattern.

valygrl

Karl, Glad you liked my post!

RE: locks - my opinion is that if someone really wants your stuff they will get it. you can't really lock your panniers - you could lock them to your bike, but they still can
be opened. So, my take on the whole thing is to use a very lightweight cable with a combo lock (can't lose the key), the kind kids use to lock their lockers at school. This prevents the casual ride-away theft, and is very light. The cable is long enough to go around a tree.

The most important thing is to pay attention to your surroundings. If the place is sketchy, avoid leaving your bike, or leave it somewhere you can see it, or ask someone to watch it for you for a few minutes.

I use a handlebar bag that contains all my really important stuff - wallet, passport, phone, plane tix, camera, notepad with important phone numbers - and it never leaves me EVER. Even if I leave my tent in the middle of the night, it comes with me. I always lock the bike to something at night - tree, picnic table, fence, whatever.

Then, when I leave my bike, I just put it out of my mind. Everything else is only stuff, it can be replaced. Don't ruin your trip worrying about it.

This strategy worked for me riding across the US.

Cheers.
Anna

paul2

When I did the northern California coast I never had any problems. The logging trucks were all very courteous, and gave me plenty of space when they passed me.

cyclintom

That's the problem up there. One week the RV Motorhome drivers will give you all the room in the world and the next week they'll be brushing your head with their side mirrors.

The logging trucks are depending on the weight of logs their hauling so if there's plenty of logs they'll try to make more trips than they can and will be speeding like maniacs.

But then I suppose it isn't any worse that in France on the 'D' XXX roads where you might encounter a French driver going 100+ kph around a 1 1/2 lane wide road with absolutely blind curves.

raybo

I have cycled the California coast from Gualala to Laguna Beach. I've done the San Francisco to Laguna Beach route twice. I did it once in April and once in June. The benefit of doing this part earlier is that the coast wild flowers are in bloom.

The prevailing wind is north to south, so most people go in that direction. Expect rain at any time in the northern part of the ride (Washington and Oregon).

I wrote a journal of my first SF to Laguna Beach ride. Click here for journal .

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Wingman115

I took the train from San Diego to Santa Barbra with the bike and I just put it in the baggage car no box.
LA was alittle crazy to get through but it can be done. Just give yourself enough time so your not stuck near Long Beach area near dark.

Shifty

Ovenchips, sorry I missed the May time window that you mention. Like others have said, May in Washington and Oregon can be iffy weatherwise. It will be either wonderful, or cool and rainy.

As far as Northern California, I just want to say that to me it was a spectacular ride. Yes, the roads and drivers leave a lot to be desired, especially with the comparison to Oregon fresh in mind. The guide book does a really good job of keeping you off busy highways where ever possible. But the beauty of this region!!! The giant Redwood groves are worth seeing, and many of the best have low volume roads going through them, like Avenue of the Giants between Eureka and Ligget. It seemed to me that highway 1 south of Mendicino was the worst, no shoulder in places, and traffic volume too. But I loved riding along the ocean so much in that area, when I got bothered by traffic, I'd pull over and sit on a beautiful beach for a while. The towns along this route are charming with nice people and good (very good) food in most of them.

I just wanted to throw in some positives here.

ovenchips

Thanks again, more good stuff. .... i think i'm pretty set on SF - Santa Barbara now & taking a couple days in the middle for the Pinnacles. My previous experience with getting lost in (European) cities suggests that ''me in LA on a bike'' is not a good idea, hopefully / maybe i'll have time at the end to bus there for a day.

Has anyone made the trip from the Pacific route up to the Pinnacles ? ... the Lonely Planet west coast cycling book shows a route from Lucia - Jolon - King City - pinnacles .. any thoughts or better alternatives ?

If not, well, a big thanks for the info so far, it's really appreciated.

I'll have a read of your journal later raybo.

valygrl

Hi again! I have ridden that route.

From Hwy 1, you turn left at Lucia (tiny store with a few groceries, and a motel) and climb a very steep hill (Nacamiento Road). This is about 4-5 miles of 8-15% grade. I did it fully loaded last May, it's do-able, but it is definitely hard. Low gears are helpful. The steepest parts are at the bottom, so don't despair.

After topping out, there are two forest-service campgrounds. The first one, where I stayed, had no piped water, but is by a stream from which I filtered water. I don't know about water at the second one. No supplies are available. After that you ride down (!) through Ft. Hunter Leggett, which sometimes is "closed" to through civilian traffic but even though it was "closed" when I was there, they waved us happily through. The military base is completely and unexpectedly beautiful - grassy meadows, oak groves, wildflowers. No services on the base. Then hang a left to King City (full services, not very attractive) then out east and north to Pinnacles - a couple of moderate climbs then descending rollers. The ride from the campground up on top of nacamiento to Pinnacles was 70 miles, and somewhat hard. Pinnacles has a private pay campground with a store with limited hours and supplies, but adequate to feed yourself - it has ice cream and beer, the essentials (and mac and cheese, pb, bread, etc). There is a web site somewhere with the store and park hours. The campground has hot showers and a pool. It's a couple of miles from the actual park, which is totally worth a visit, especially if you are a rock climber or hiker.

All these roads are very lightly travelled by cars, and very appropriate and enjoyable for cycling.

From there we turned north and looped back to Monterey, but I don't know if you would want to do that. Probably better to head to Carmel, then come back south down the carmel valley (east side of the coast range).

I don't know how to get back to the coast route from this area, you'll have to figure that one out w/o me ;> Look for the Krebs cycling map of the area (google it) if you need a good map.

You will want to find out what "poison oak" looks like, there is a lot of it around all these areas. It's easy to avoid, but gives you a miserable rash if you touch it. Just ask a local or campground host.

Cheers,
Anna

biodiesel

Camp or credit card... Both... The Oregon coast is sparse and you may have to go a long way between towns that have motels. There's great camping and cheap hiker biker sites. Lots of cool cyclists at some of the campsites. The California side has better motels and B&B's but it depends on your finances.
I'd keep it relatively light, the weather is nice enough you don't need to fool with a tent that weighs more than 4 lbs and a midweight sleeping bag rated to 30 degrees will be fine unless you ride in January. Get a set of Arkel Samuri's and the sleeping bag roll should hold bag, tent and pad.
Another tip... though it's a well travelled route i found very few bike shops along the way. Bring a few extra tubes, a spare folding tire and some kevlar spokes just in case.

cradduck

I live on the south LA/north OC border and plan on riding from LA-SD or LA-OC this coming summer as well. The coastal areas of Long Beach are not bad at all and they are a pretty small stretch. PCH breaks away from the coast in Long Beach and goes through some areas that I wouldn't make it a point to travel. I don't know on how the books have you travel through LA, but I use the light rail a lot for visiting friends in the LA/Hollywood area and it is super cheap.

If you can stick to the coast (Ocean Blvd) there are a lot more things to see and it is a much nicer area. I believe that the distance through Long Beach is much shorter taking Ocean instead of PCH and it will will put you directly into Seal Beach/Orange County and areas where you can seee bikes at nearly all time of day or evening.

I am a big, goofey looking white guy and I have never had a problem with anyone while traveling or working in LA. I know what areas to avoid and I agree it is better to pack it in early for the night in some areas.

In fact, the only place that I have been attacked or jumped in my whole life was while I was riding my old mountain at night bike in Redmond, Washington. Go figure.

ovenchips

Thanks once again - that should keep me going for a while now

E-mailed both Krebs & the Adventure Cycling Assoc. and they're both ok about sending maps over to the UK, which is a real help as they're not in the shops here

And i'm not too sure why it didn't come up when i looked before, but i was digging round on the crazyguy website again today and found a journal of the exact route in the Lonely Planet book. Link here ... https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ...doc_id=129&v=0 .... in case anyone else is planning something similar

Nice trip raybo

Cheers all

Karl

Toronto girl ryder

I am interested in doing this ride next year as well...get in touch sanlevrier at hotmail.com

dogpound

I went from bandon OR to monterey in May.
Then I lived in Big Sur all summer.
I think may was is a great time as the traffic gets worse and worse as summer goes on.

cyclintom

The dangers in the USA are generally from stupid drivers and inside of inner cities. Other than that you'll not only be safe but have others looking out for you as well.

And don't underestimate the value of an Irish accent either since people in the US tend to become fascinated by accents. For a conversation often you'll have people bending over backwards to help you.

Even the old fools driving motorhomes will go out of their way to be friendly after they're parked.

Don't overestimate the dangers since you'll be in far more danger from traffic in Ireland than from people in general in the USA.

cyclintom

Remember that Mousey is from Ireland where the weather is liquid.

cyclintom

I would suggest that instead of going up Nacimiento Rd (steep ain't the HALF of it) you instead ride through Carmel Valley and on to King City via that route. It is MUCH more moderate and after the initial section to the village of Carmel Valley has very light traffic and moderate climbs.

I just was looking at that road during the last Sea Otter Classic after the races. I intend to do the loop from Carmel Valley village to Arroyo Seca and back around via Fort Romie Rd, River Rd., Monterey-Salinas Highway and back over the Laurales Grade which is a LONG way down.

If you intend to go to King City you take the Elm Rd turn which is well marked and go to Metz Rd and ride that down to King City. I don't know the roads into the Pinnacles from there but that route is FAR better in my estimation.

paxtonm

Pinnacles/Carmel Valley/Big Sur are in my back yard -- ridden them all. The inland routes are worth covering, but not at the expense of riding south on Hwy 1 through Big Sur. Not to be missed. Nacimiento-Ferguson Grade Road is an exercise in self-inflicted pain.

Other posters have covered it: it is safe from both human and animal predators. Know poison oak. Camping is usually fine. If there are a lot of homeless looking people camped, keep an eye on your stuff.

What I haven't seen covered: I'd opt to do it after Labor Day, which is the first weekend in Sept. Kids are back in school, weather is still balmy and traffic is waaaay down. Campgrounds won't be as crowded, and you might not have as much company. That would definitely be my preferred window.

Don't even think of skipping Santa Cruz. You'll love it.

cyclintom

How about riding from Santa Cruz to Monterey (via Elkhorn Slough of course), through Pacific Grove and over Carmel Valley Rd to King City - do the Pinnacles and then return to Highway 1 via Nacimiento grade?

I agree that you shouldn't miss Santa Cruz but I would also suggest that rather than staying in the camp ground near Aņo Nuevo that you stay in the Hostel at Pigeon Point and then do a day ride down to Aņo Nuevo.

paxtonm

Cyclintom's right about Pigeon Point. Worth a night. He's also got a pretty good inland loop, but at the expense of missing the best of the Big Sur coast. Kirk Creek Campground (national forest service) is a great spot to spend a night. Sites are on the ocean side of the highway, and some sites are on the blufftop with a 180-degree unobstructed ocean view. Epic. There's a city park in Monterey that allows camping if your route does take you through Pacific Grove. Getting to King City from there is beautiful -- Carmel Valley, Arroyo Seco. There's camping at the park on the west side of King City. The ride from there to Pinnacles Campground is nice, too. I often see pronghorn antelope, wild turkey, deer and coyote on that section of road. There are also California Condors calling Pinnacles home now. Nice campground, and there's a pool there in the warmer months.

valygrl

don't forget the Tarantulas.....

paxtonm

OOOOH! Tarantulas! See 'em on every ride in the fall. Harmless buggers, but they look like something right out of a nightmare.

Mr_Super_Socks

I did Vancouver to San Diego in 2002. I would strongly recommend you disregard people's statements about avoiding northern california. For me, this was one of the highlights of the whole route. It is stunningly gorgeous.

If you are concerned about traffic, don't go in summer when the motor homes and tourist clog the roads. and get started at 6 am every day - moto-tourists don't get their behemoths moving until 10 or later.

I left Vancouver in early March, hit some headwinds in Oregon, some snow in Seattle and rain all over the place. but the campsites were awesome and the solitude was magnificent. don't skip northern CA - it's beautiful.

Travelinguyrt

I did the section SF to Malibu 0ct/Nov 04, a bud in SF did a short leg with me to get me up andthru the gawdawfull stretch near Pacifica.Devils Landslide or something like that
Having riden nearly 4k KmS in Europe just months earlier,nothing prepared me for the sights along the way south from SF, it will knock your senses silly
I camped mostly cept for 2 nites once in Carmel at a fancy small hotel owned by a former movie star and singer, and one nite at Cambria so I could revisit hearst castle

Along the coast the sea lions can be Very noisy all nite but it was a minor prob

The Pidgeon Point Lighthouse hostel is usually sold out for weeks

Traffic that stretch I did not find to be hazardous at all, and as for being along, I was only alone when I wanted to be............there were lots of others on the road at the same time

Don't let your age be a factor, I'm older, in fantastic shape according to my cardiologist and just got back from Tanzania, and the climb up Kilimanjaro, and didn't sweat that a bit

The book mentioned is THE BIBLE for the PCH ride

Best of luck and do it

dogpound

I know that devils road you speak of, I near got blown right off the road, it was the scariest part of my entire ride.