By far the best parts of the oregon coast bike route are the sections off the highway. On day 3 we will reach the pacific coast, at twin harbours state park just south of grays harbour, and will follow highway 105 as it meanders around the many bays and inlets that make up the southern washington coast. It is some of the most beautiful stretch of amazing views anywhere in the world. Many cyclists use either the adventure cycling association maps, or the book bicycling the pacific coast, while completing this route. Twelve days biking and camping alone along the pacific coast. The pacific coast highway is home to something of a holy grail for cyclists the hiker biker sites. The 27 miles of winding, paved bike paths that circle mission bay are carfree and provide a great experience for family bike rides and sightseeing. So much so, in fact, that the pch is consistently ranked among the most beautiful drives in the united states. Thats the kind of day the book author thinks you will arrive in time for lunch and have the afternoon to explore. When theres so much to see like on the pacific coast i preferred the shorter days.
The ultimate pacific coast highway road trip travel us. Oregon and california have official pacific coast bicycle routes. The complete guide from canada to mexico is published by mountaineers books. The scenic pacific coast route travels from vancouver, b. If you are thinking of taking a long cycling trip along the west coast, you might consider picking up a copy of the fourth edition of bicycling the pacific coastadmittedly, you would have to be very brave to cycle through parts of the urban jungle along the way. And the best way to explore the city is to get lost in its. Once you leave that wellworn thoroughfare youre treated to the splendors of the oregon coast undiluted by exhaust, loud engines, or inconsiderate drivers. Biking the pacific coast highway travel tips from cycling. From canada to the mexican border, bicycling the pacific coast is the most popular guidebook to bicycle touring this gorgeous edge of the u.
Biking is horrifying madness, i dont know where people like you come from, but i will grudgingly accept that you exist. This beautiful route along the historic and beautiful pch has had accidents and even fatalities to cyclists over the years, but the beauty of the pacific ocean and santa monica mountains keeps riders coming back in spite of the potential danger. It includes the misty wild beaches oregon, the rain forests of washington and the unequaled beauty of the fabled california coast. Cycling on californias pacific coast highway youtube. The bike route is about 370 miles and if you plan to bike the entire route, expect to spend 6 to 8 days. Advice on cycling the pacific coast highway, with information on routes, books, and accommodation options through washington, oregon and california. Bicycling the pacific coast is a 1984 bicycle touring guide by vicky spring and tom kirkendall, published by the mountaineers books. I never tire of it and i never take it for granted.
A complete route guide, canada to mexico, 4th edition spring, vicky, kirkendall, tom on. But cycling the usa west coast is not too heavy to also pack in your pannier, and worth getting if you want to know more about the places youre passing through, or might have time for some diversions off the main pch route. You could spend a week just trying all the side routes and island hopping but my focus was on staying on route and schedule as i was meeting a group in san diego ca on september 14th to ride the southern tier route from san diego ca back to florida. To help you in choosing your pacific coast highway hotel, guesthouse, inn, bedandbreakfast, resort, motel or other accommodations, weve prepared our pacific coast highway hotels guide. We set out 67 days ago from vancouver with little experience of cycle touring and unsure of what to expect. How to bike the pacific coast from canada to mexico the six fifty howtobikethepacificcoastfromcanadatomexico52d55fa34a. Put pacific coast highway on your bucket list you wont regret it. Nothing went right on our pacific coast tour and it was still perfect. Its a road that has long captivated the imaginations of cyclists and road trippers alike. Why, when, and how the pacific coast bicycle route stretches from the border of washington and canada all the way to the border of california and mexico. Driving up the pacific coast highway and highway 1 on a west coast usa road trip is an. Jul 12, 2011 4k scenic drive us route 101, pacific coast, oregon 3 hour of road drive with relaxing music duration. Bicycling the west coast in 1909 is the awardwinning story of two young men who cycled the pacific coast from santa rosa to seattle. Jun 29, 2019 heres some travel tips and blogs from biking the pacific coast highway.
Now, i am led to believe that some of the campgrounds may have reduced or stopped hiker biker sites due to budgetary cuts. I already love pacific coast highway, so to be able to walk a part of the road that is now closed to drivers and has been converted into a trail was just too awesome. California guided motorcycle tour ride free motorcycle. Mar 24, 2017 blessed with an idyllic location along the sundrenched pacific coast, the city draws countless visitors, from celebrity hunting tourists to motorists speeding often literally along scenic pch. Cycling the pacific coast highway and baja california. The views were spectacular and we had good weather. Beginning in santa monica, the route uses some beautiful bike paths that go right through the middle of the sandy beaches, and then youll ride through residential and industrial areas before rejoining the pacific coast highway south of the city. Cycling the pacific coast continues the trusted legacy with an allnew, completely reridden, and fully comprehensive guidebook from bill thorness, featuring the most current, uptodate beta on this amazing route. Pacific coast highway or pch as its called is famous for many reasons. Note that as you depart carpinteria the wellsigned route south directs you onto the 101 fwy for only a short distance to the ralph fertig memorial bicyclepedestrian path trailhead. Now, i am led to believe that some of the campgrounds may have reduced or stopped hiker biker. Make the most out of your adventure with this stepbystep pacific coast highway road trip itinerary. Coast san francisco starts overview san francisco starts self guided bike tour.
A noholdsbarred look at doing the mighty coast highway on two wheels. Mountain biking in san diego san diego biking coast. And that, in the eyes of some locals, is the problem. Be the first to ask a question about bicycling the pacific coast.
Vancouver, canada to astoria, oregon 286 miles7,683 elevation gain. Though its definitely not necessary road wise as you literally just follow highway 1011, someone gave me the book a week or two in and i found it useful as it laid out all of the hikerbiker sites. Several routes to cross america were available to me when cycling from alaska to argentina, but in the end, i decided on the pacific coast route. We spend the day hanging out at the famous local surfing spots on the pch highway and 2 of the most visited bike hangouts. Misadventures while cycling the pacific coast highway. Average guy biking the pacific coast, by rich trimble.
The good, the bad, and the ugly on the oregon coast bike. Having biked the route from north to south in 30 days this past june, id highly recommend it to anyone looking to dip their toes in the world of bicycle touring. Especially on sunny days, driving along the pacific coast highway pch is a privilege and pleasure every time. Eventually youll make your way to long beach, a city with excellent bicycle infrastructure, including the shoreline bike path. Cycling the pacific coast continues the trusted legacy with an allnew, extensively resarched, completely reridden, and comprehensive guidebook. And for 33 years, our very own bicycling the pacific coast was the most popular guidebook to this venerable routeuntil now. Other mustsee sights include powells city of books and the portland farmers market. Cycling the north pacific coast, vancouver bc to san. Pacific coast highway or pch, segments of california state route 1. From the canadian border to the border with mexico, the routes take you on the highways and the byways through over 1700 miles of magnificent west coast scenery. Pacific coast route delivering what it promises, the pacific coast route takes you from washingtons border with canada all the way down to san diego, hugging the water practically the whole way. Each rolling ride during vbts california wine country bike tour offers something new to be explored. The lost coast is a remote stretch of the california coastline so rugged that it forced the coast highway inland.
I love cycling road and mountain but have never done any trips longer than a day. Lets face it, the pacific highway route takes you from wilderness to sfo and lax on the same trip. Read cycling the pacific coast the complete guide from canada to mexico by bill. Buy the book online via amazon, indiebound or thorness website at. The book, cycling the pacific coast highway shows many different day rides and side routes to the san juan islands. There are the aca maps, a book called cycling the pacific coast, as well as just. Biking is horrifying madness, i dont know where people like you come from, but i. Uss iowa and manhattan beach pier are notable landmarks, and travelers looking to shop may want to visit redondo beach pier and shoreline village. Breathtaking cliffs, redwood forests, lighthouses, beaches, and a rugged coastline make this a very popular route. Jan 28, 2005 from canada to the mexican border, bicycling the pacific coast is the most popular guidebook to bicycle touring this gorgeous edge of the u.
Cycling the pacific coast ebook by bill thorness 9781594859878. Pacific coast highway, parts of new zealand state highway 2 and all of new zealand state highway 25 and new zealand state highway 35. Bike from san francisco to santa barbara, ca 382 miles. Canada to mexico route for cycling the pacific coast and overnight motels and camp sites. Lets face it, the pacific highway route takes you from wilderness to sfo and. I am a huge fan of thorness other book, biking the puget sound.
I used the book referenced in 2008 and by now it has to be out of date. Davids pacific coast bicycle tour faq helder land words. I later realized that riding the pacific coast highway and the baja divide were very separate challenges. Mar 30, 2016 biking the pacific coast bike route ep. With no road or cell phone signal for miles, the lost coast is a rare stretch of undeveloped coastline. This winding and scenic road, rising high above the ocean has been seen many times in television shows, commercials, and movies. I dont know that i will ever bike the whole pacific coast, but the book breaks the whole route into manageable segments so you could plan to do portions of it as your schedule allows.
Bill thorness is author of the new book cycling the pacific coast. For the first half, north of san francisco, i mostly. How to bike the pacific coast from canada to mexico the six fifty. All work pretty well, and its unlikely anyone of them will lead you astray. Powered by create your own unique website with customizable templates. Road trip usa pacific coast highway ebook by jamie jensen. Bill thorness is author of the new book cycling the pacific coast, which offers a wide range of insight and travel advice for bicycling from canada to mexico. Adventure cycling pacific coast bike tour route maps bike. Rather than write yet another bike touring travelogue there are already many good. Pacific coast highway continues to santa monica where youll connect to the marvin braude bike trail, which extends to redondo beach. Pacific coast highway california 2020 what to know before.
I set to drive there on the windy roads and attacked the trail in crazy winds, here is all of the information. Tom kirkendall and vicky spring guide you turn by turn along the length of pacific coast bicycle route all 1816. The oregon coast bike route follows highway 101 along the oregon coast and is very popular among biking entusiasts. The weather is mild, scenery is absolutely beautiful and there are convenient services for food and lodging all along the route.
A west coast usa road trip is one of the classic american road trips. How to bike the pacific coast from canada to mexico. Apr 19, 2018 bill thorness is scheduled to speak about his book at books, inc. The book warns you about what you are getting yourself into.
You can go bike riding on the pacific coast highway in san diego, along historic 101, and experience fantastic views of the pacific ocean in san diego. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Pacific coast highway, or pch, stretches up the san diego coastline and passes through some of the areas most beautiful beach towns like del mar, leucadia and encinitas. Pacific coast highway california 2020 all you need to.
California motorcycle tour,california pacific coast highway big sur yosemite sierra nevadas harley motorcycle tour. Dont be in a hurry because of all the great pic opportunitys. The book covers a nearly 2,000mile 3,200 km route from vancouver, british columbia to tijuana, mexico, following mostly united states highway 101 and california state route 1. A really handy book for travelling the pch on bike. When i heard about this spot, i was instantly excited about it and had to go experience it for myself. This book is in its fourth edition, and should not have so many errors in it, still. Much of the 1,853 mile route is on shared roads, though there. A simple route to follow, it involved cycling along the pacific highway 101 and highway 1. Cycling the usa west coast pacific coast highway travel. In pacifica and half moon bay there are bike paths that mirror the highway. There are a number of ways someone could choose to ride down the pacific coast. As i left the shop with my new bike, it sunk in that i would be spending hours on end riding this bike through various weather and road conditions for 2,000 km.
Welcome to pacific coast highway going north and south on the santa ana river bicycle trail the section of pacific coast highway that goes through the southeast corner of the city of huntington beach is also, the southern most entrance, with mile marker 0 starting after you get onto the path to the 29 mile orange county section of the santa ana river trail. The full olympic discovery trail begins in port townsend and heads east along the stunning coastline, through olympic national park and finally arrives at the pacific ocean near the most. Washington, oregon and california the pacific coast route is considered by many to be the jewel of american cycling routes. Misadventures while cycling the pacific coast highway alternate route categories bicycle touring misadventures north america usa or, the other title i considered. The pacific coast bicycle route covers 1,854 miles of coast from vancouver, british columbia to san diego, california. Pacific coast highway section the lonely planet cycling guide to the usa west coast has a special section devoted to the pch, border to border, which takes up 87 of the books 384 pages. Just an average middleaged guy biking the pacific coast and looking for enlightenment. Apr 22, 2019 the second mountain biking destination takes you north all the way up the pacific coast to the olympic adventure route of the olympic discovery trail. It features the most uptodate info on this amazing route. The weather is perfect, and the terrain is surprisingly varied. Theyd frequently hang out in town or at highway onramps to hitchhike. Im looking to ride along a stretch of the pacific coast highway that would take me about a week and a half.
It was designed to closely parallel the pacific crest trail and the two trails cross 27 times as they pass through the states of washington, oregon, and california. Mar 07, 20 by the hairpin a couple years ago, megan bernard biked from eugene, or, to san francisco. Jun 27, 2014 cycling the north pacific coast, vancouver bc to san francisco complete garmin map data the pacific coast highway is probably the most popular cycling tour in the usa and for good reason. My partner, tom, and i cycled the portion from eugene, oregon to san francisco, ca last october with our 40 pound australian shepherd mix, indy. Cycling the pacific coast highway cycling the pacific coast highway is one of the most amazing cycling experiences in the world. After leaving carmel, the ride south along the pacific coast highway is the most spectacular portion of the route for many cyclists. If youre only cycling the pacific coast highway and you really only want to carry one book, then bicycling the pacific coast is your number one choice.
Mar 15, 2020 biking in san diego is great any time of the year. This books is a fairly complete guide to bicycling the pacific coast. Its waterfront views are the stuff of legend, and its access to mind blowing natural habitats is nearly unparalleled in the lower 48. I chose a road bike and added a bike rack, bell, lock, mirror, and a pump to it. The route starts in santa barbara and follows the pacific coast bike route through montecito, summerland and carpinteria. Pacific coast adventure cycling route network adventure. Book your tickets online for pacific coast highway, california. At least according to bill thorness cycling the pacific coast guide. Route and accommodations while cycling the pacific coast.
942 1244 799 545 1072 657 83 1292 1012 12 737 975 1063 1441 772 280 1432 1527 209 1036 605 857 53 1489 56 524 92 914 16 916 948