SF to LA/OC via CA1 Dec 23,24

[gride]

Planning a solo run on a BMW R1200RT down the coast just before Christmas. Overnighting in Cambria.

1st time road trip in California. I'm visiting from Hawaii, and ride an RT as my daily driver at home.

Any tips or tricks you can suggest ? What is a realistic timetable ? I'm sure the weather is a gamble, but reading here there doesnt seem to be fog expected then. I'm doing detailed research and preparation (including combing this forum for nuggets) but I greatly respect the BARF wisdom.

Thanks for all your experience on these pages. It's been fascinating to read.

 

[ejv]

It will have been about 6 months since I went but I did a stretch of 1 from Santa Cruz to Morrow Bay and back in June and there were several stoppages due to road contruction. Lost over an hour on the way south due to that construction. Something to consider.

 

[CDONA]

Check on Hwy 1 @ Mud Creek.
Local tv news from SLO last nite, mentioned that caltrans may close it due to upcoming storms.
This is done a lot now, since they finally got this section repaired.

 

[budman]

Here is my trip report from So. Bay to Cayucos, just past Cambria.

The whole trip from SF to Cambria is doable in a day.

There is still some construction but it is limited to one area. I figure 20 mins is about all the delay you would face.

After Big Sur (Good lunch stop) if you are starting at 9AM or so.

Not much experience with Cambria other than food (breakfast) and gas.

Hope the weather is good to you. Expect a chill, but rain is a maybe.

Have fun! :ride

 

[Butch]

Trip reports

https://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=529077&highlight=Kobaz

And
https://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=535229&highlight=Kobaz

 

[sf250gto]

Note that Highway 1 was closed in two places from Sunday to Tuesday. Caltrans preemptively shuts it down if a major storm is expected.

I recommend Nepenthe for lunch. Not that the food is so amazing, but the view plus the decent food and relaxed atmosphere make it worthy.

In Cambria try Sea Chest for a nice meal...fairly expensive. For dessert or a snack, have a slice of pie at Linn's. There are some nice places to stay on Moonstone Beach.

 

[Butch]

South of Big Sur is Sierra Mar, at the Post Ranch Inn.
Fantastic food, fantastic view, really expensive...

 

[matty]

...

There is still some construction but it is limited to one area. I figure 20 mins is about all the delay you would face...
:ride

Delays are a bummer BUT, if you scoot the front of line, you get wide open Hwy 1 as soon as that light turns green :ride, wide open until you catch the group that was stopped before you.

 

[NoTraffic]

Leave as early as you can. I have done hwy 1 both coming down and return multiple times. There will be fog, no matter what, expect it. It will be in the 30's in certain places past Monterey, dress warm.

If you overnight in Cambria, it certainly is doable. Anticipate a lot of tourists driving rentals who have never driven 1) right on the coast 2) in fog 3) in tight twistys 4) want to take pictures. It's a lot like the road to Hana with only one lane roads in both directions.

If you are experienced, you can overtake them on double yellow but skills permitting. There have been plenty of times I got stuck behind a slow trailer going 15mph for stretches of 2-3 miles because I could not overtake.

Patience is your virtue on Hwy 1. On the return, if you have time, there are eastern routes of 101 where you can go all the way from LA to San Luis Obispo avoiding hwy 101 and 5. Since you are on an RT, gas mileage isn't really a concern but do be vigil on knowing if/when you should gas up. Longest stretch is about Carmel to San Simeon with possibly 1 gas station in between.