Overall Route Rating
speedo-meter speedo-arrow
speedo-meter-grey
4.78 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.78
55 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

profile Image
By Guest (0 McR Points) on Jul 31, 2000

Rider Reviews

No Image Found
Guest
March 8, 2009
Did this ride and then some. Started out from…
Thumbsup
No Image Found
Guest
January 7, 2013
Wife and I planned a 10 day riding vacation over…
Thumbsup

Written Directions

The directions to this route are pretty straight forward since it stays on one road, highway 1, the whole time. My description of the "Roadside Amenities" above, describe the route from north to south. Start the route in Monterrey California and simply follow highway 1 south through Big Sur and down to the route's conclusion in San Simeon California (where you'll find the Hearst Castle).

Scenery

This world-class scenic route takes you along the famed California Route 1 starting (or ending) in Monterey California and ending (or starting) in Morro Bay. The route is 1 of original 9 routes to be selected by the US Department of Transportation as an "All American Road" which is a designation given to only the cream of the crop roads that are categorized as America's Byways (The list of All American Roads has grown over the years. As of July 2016 there are 31 All American Roads). The route is part of a stretch of Route 1 that has been honored time and time again as a classic American roadtrip road by countless books, magazines, websites, etc. Along this route you will see coastal scenery that will leave you breathless. Opposite the ocean, inland scenery is as inspiring with its display of rolling hills, rock outcroppings, picturesque waterfalls, redwood forests, flowered meadows, lush valleys, and majestic coastal mountains. Along the route you will see a number of lighthouses, 18th century Spanish missions, and a variety of animal life including sea lions, sea otters, sharks, bat rays, gray whales, brown pelicans, and peregrine falcons as well as monarch butterfly winter sanctuaries.

Drive Enjoyment

Overall the road quality is very good and the number of turns, climbs and descents alone should give it a five star rating. However, its overwhelming beauty and popular attractions also lead it to be a sometimes constricted route and at times leading to traffic bottlenecks in some of the towns along the way. However it still is one of the best roads in America and therefore deserves its four star rating.



Watch this video of Pacific Coast Cruise; Hwy 1.

Tourism Opportunities

You can plan a weeks vacation along this route in terms of the number and quality of amenities available. There are seven state parks along the way, a state reserve, a botanical area and many historical areas of interest. At anyone of these state parks you will find many opportunities for hiking and beach exploring. Monterey California offers a walking tour as well the Cannery Row district with its restaurants, museums, and aquarium. Pacific Grove is known as Butterfly USA due to its choice as a winter home to a vast number of monarch butterflies coming in from as far as Canada. Carmel-by-the-Sea offers shops, cottages, galleries, restaurants, and a preserved 18th century Spanish mission. You will also cross the much photographed Bixby Bridge (you've probably seen this bridge in a few movies, postcards or TV commercials). It arches 256 feet above the meeting of the Bixby Creek and Pacific ocean. Tours of the lighthouse in Point Sur State Historic Park are offered on most weekends. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park offers outstanding hiking trails leading to many waterfalls and trout filled streams. Don't miss one of California's most visited tourist site - Hearst's paradise. This mansion/castle was built for publisher William Randolph Hearst at the beginning of the 20th century; taking nearly 30 years to be completed.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather . - Monterey Bay Area Guide
 

Top Images

Share Your Comments ( 55 )
  Earn McR Points
No Image Found
jtshnazy
October 15, 2013
2 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport
Hands down the best ride I've ever been on, I started in monterey and ended up in pismo ca. I've done this ride 3 times since 2007 I'm from fresno ca and it's a must do ride every couple years. This year I plan on a week of camping from frisco to Santa Barbara along highway 1 partying and relaxing along the way. The views are breathe taking the people I've met are cool and I love my state I'm so glad to have this place in my backyard
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
3 riders found this road review useful
No Image Found
PoopyMoose
September 17, 2012
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Took this route as the "destination ride" of a 4 day weekend from Las Vegas and were not disapointed! We started in San Luis Obispo (SLO, a fitting moniker for a delightful "small" CA town) and rode nawth to Monterey, enjoying many stops along the way. Fuel up in SLO/Monterey as the fuel costs "soar" right along with the views on the PCH. Losts of traffic on the route but no one make us feel rushed ... I think we ALL were enjoying the road! Final thought, don't roll into Monterey at 5pm on a Friday ... the final miles were "a parking lot" (and Goldwings don't take to splitting very well when loaded!) ...gawd, how I hate rush hour traffic!
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
3 riders found this road review useful
No Image Found
Guest
October 16, 2009
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
The route 1 and 101 is a great ride. picked it up in Aberdeen Wash and went to Sdiego. Mostly 101 but some side trips onto route 1. It topped off a great ride from Texas to Carlsbad Caverns to Grand Canyon to Zion National park (another great ride area), then wiggled our way to Seattle. After 101, we spent a few days in Sdiego with my son and Grand kids then back across to San Antonio. The 101 was the best.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
3 riders found this road review useful