Best Route to L.A.

[Mokupono]

I'm heading down to L.A. on Friday and was wondering what would be the best route to take. I'm not in a big hurry to get there but I also don't want to be riding for 12hrs. I want to take the most scenic route. I know Hwy. 1 is nice but some stretches are way slow.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[flynbmw]

At least take Hwy 1 between Monterey and Cambria (or San Luis Obispo). One of the best motorcycling roads in CA. This time of year there will not be much traffic.

 

[SilverBird]

At least take Hwy 1 between Monterey and Cambria (or San Luis Obispo). One of the best motorcycling roads in CA. This time of year there will not be much traffic.

What he said. It's only 75 miles and it's not really slow.

Hugo

 

[Spurber]

Hwy 1 is really nice but the traffic can tire you out if you got a long ride ahead of you.

There are a lot of roads that you can do but you said you are not looking for a 12 hour day so I would suggest 2 awesome long roads: Hwy 58 which you can do at a pretty good clip as far a backroads are concerned and Hwy 33 which is just spiritual.

You can slab 101 to 58 grab some food and get ready for the good part.

Hwy 33 will drop you around Ojai and if you are looking good on time you can make a route for the .Rock Store

I was in Pasadena 2 weeks ago and psuedo slabbed up to Ojai, did Hwy 33. Stopped off at Jim's place off of Hwy 166 home of the
Rev Pack, then I ate in Maricopa... :barf i matyred myself already so nobody who reads this thread should have to. I didn't try all of the cuisine Maricopa had to offer but the other 2 places didn't look that great either!

Caught 58 to 101 then slabbled it home. All told it was about 9 hours with lunch and picture stops but I had the afterburners on from Salinas to around the San Jose airport where traffic got heavy.

 

[morthrane]

I'd check to see that 33 is open right now. Last May when I went through there, I saw signs that mentioned the pass is sometimes closed off due to snow.

 

[pashnit]

Dude! I've been asked this a whole bunch of times.
http://www.pashnit.com/roads/cal/CoastalMtnRide.htm

Digest this for awhile. Miles of smiles. You can easily make Ventura in one day despite the inland route.

 

[flynbmw]

"pashnit" has a great way to go also. Been there, done that one too...

 

[Inkman]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but all the roads suggested are by far the best ones to take. But it will take you all day to do.
Ya just have to decide if ya want the view and the great roads or the quick shot down and the shit view from Hwy 5.
Can ya leave a day early or after work and at the very least do 25 and also hit 58? Those two are worth the trip...period!! Plus a room on fri in Oilrigville shouldn't be too much $$'s. Then you could take 33 south, although you'll be much dissillusioned after doing 25 and 58.
Just my 2 cents...

Al

P.S.........that little stretch of road called hwy 229 is a kick from Paso Robles down onto hwy 58. I'd recommend that you do it if at all possible.

 

[Mokupono]

I took a look (finally!) at pashnit's website and found that SF to LA route. I think this is how I'm going to do it:

• Get up at 4am for a 5-6am departure from Foster City
• Take 101 S to 25
• From 25 to G14 all the way to San Luis Obispo
• Depending on my time, either take 101 or back onto 58 and 33 into Ventura
• Finally 101 into L.A.

Of course I'll be stopping for pix and eats along the way so I figure 10hrs. max?

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'll post the pix when I get back.

 

[pashnit]

Mok, also make sure you check weather.com before the ride. Highest point will by Hwy 33, elevation tops out at around 5100 ft for the portion of the ride.

Nice thing about that route is it's surrounded on two side by freeways, so if you do find you have to high tail it and make time, you can. 33 is just an added bonus. Hwy 25 & 58 are probably the highlights of that entire ride. Last time I made that trip, I didn't even know about the Hwy G14 section, and ended up heading straight south from Hwy 25 across Hwy 198 and onto Indian Valley - Peachtree Rd. A one-lane goat trail that really slowed my progress/pace.

The Hwy 229 shortcut from Inkman is also a good suggestion. Webpage: http://www.pashnit.com/roads/cal/Highway229.htm

It cuts over to Hwy 58. Make sure ya gas up before hitting Hwy 58.

The southern section of Hwy 229 is where I shot this pic just before hitting Hwy 58. I was low on gas, and had to backtrack and gas up in Santa Margarita, but definitely a great ride.