brick1
Well-known member
After touring the California Central Coast for 9 days at Christmas, see report here:
https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=142717&st=0
I had a chance to return for a four-day trip at Easter (April 5-8, 2012). My home base would again be Arroyo Grande, CA, one of five cities glued together close to the massive Pismo beach.
The goal was to not only revisit the area, but to ride roads that I had missed in December. Roads like Carmel Valley Rd, Nacimiento-Ferguson Rd, Lockwood Rd off Hwy 33 and Cerro Noroeste Rd in the same area.
Thursday - April 5
I committed to take alternate routes to Arroyo Grande wherever possible, by avoiding Hwy 101 as much as possible. That meant leaving the west valley of L.A. via Hwy 27 and 118 heading for Santa Paula. I had a bit of unfinished business there. On the way I followed Hwy 118 to BALCOM CANYON RD, a shortcut to Santa Paula, with a 2 mile stretch that climbs then drops down just as quickly. Then I hit South Mountain Road that led me to Santa Paula. The first time through, I missed the statue of the motorcyclists (St. Francis Dam break heroes), and stopped for a photo.
From Santa Paula, I rode to Ojai via 150, then made my way west to Casitas Pass Rd, Hwy 192, a road that meanders through the communities of Carpinteria, Montecito, Santa Barbara. It is a slow, windy road, that tracks through residential, commercial and farming areas. This is one road that I would skip, as it tends to be very busy at times.
My goal was SAN MARCOS PASS RD, Hwy 154, a wonderful climb out of Santa Barbara. The views can be spectacular on a clear day.
You can see Hwy 154 in the above photo
looking at the panoramic view to the south.
From this point on 154, I continued north and stopped at a town called Los Olivos, a small but groovy little town that specializes in selling wine and art. A deli there was a recommended stop for lunch. I arrived on a Thursday, a day they had their BBQ going, cooking some Tri-Tip. I couldn't resist.
I walked around the town and took a few photos of Los Olivos.
After Los Olivos I headed north on a great little road, two actually: FOXEN CANYON RD, and TEPUSQUET RD. Those would take me to Hwy 166, then a short jaunt west and then north along 101 to the Casa Grande at Arroyo Grande.
the view along Foxen Canyon Rd.
Friday - April 6
AT 8:30 am I met AIRHEAD#124 at a gas stop and headed north to meet a BMW K1200 Rider in Paso Robles. We had an ambitious day planned, staying on country roads as much as possible on our way north to the village of Carmel Valley, then a quick run over to see Laguna Seca raceway, then south to Fort Hunter Liggett to catch Nacimiento Rd, a scenic road that dropped down to Hwy 1. From there it was back to the hotel.
From Paso Robles, we We took Nacimiento Lake Rd, that led to Interlake Rd., both fun roads on their own. No photos, here as we were rolling along quite nicely.
We found our way to Carmel Valley Rd, a great road, long and windy, at times rising then dropping. We stopped somewhere along the road.
We stopped for lunch in Carmel Valley Village, at a "biker" friendly restaurant called Running Iron.
Can't say that we were that well behaved, but we did not "cuss" to the friendly waitress.
At lunch we decided to visit Laguna Seca Raceway, and got to see the press intro of the Nissan-GTR. The car sounded great racing around the track. We would be seeing these cars again later.
We headed south from here, again keeping to country roads wherever possible. Here we are crossing a bridge on Arroyo Seco Rd.
From Fort Hunter Liggett I shot video. These are some of the stills from the Contour HD.
Nacimiento Rd starts out open with big sweeping corners, then gets shady, then gets into tight curves. Once a rider is back in sunlight he is descending down to the Pacific.
sunny, sweepers
getting into the tree covered areas
getting into some tighter corners
sun on the horizon can only mean one thing...
water on the horizon
brick1 and AIRHEAD#124
Riding by the most southerly grove of redwoods
Getting closer to some spectacular views
still riding...a way to go still.
taking in the view
looking north on Pacific Coast Highway 1
a favorite angle, looking south
Then it was back to the hotel, via Hwy 1 south. Airhead#124 leads the way. We would pass some of the Nissan GTR's heading north along Hwy 1, back to the Carmel/Monterey area.
Saturday - April 7
After a long day of riding on Friday, I decided to take it easy on Saturday and get to know the local beaches. I visited Avila Beach, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach and Oceano. I had a clear favorite among them. For me...Avila.
The Avila Pier
Avila waterfront
The pier at Pismo
Pismo Beach. Your kids will like it here.
Grover Beach. $5 to drive on the beach.
I respectfully stayed off
Oceano seemed like a poor cousin to the other cities.
Saturday morning there is always a car show across from the hotel.
some classic bikes there also.
Lots of neat cars.
Sunday will continue in part 2
https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=142717&st=0
I had a chance to return for a four-day trip at Easter (April 5-8, 2012). My home base would again be Arroyo Grande, CA, one of five cities glued together close to the massive Pismo beach.
The goal was to not only revisit the area, but to ride roads that I had missed in December. Roads like Carmel Valley Rd, Nacimiento-Ferguson Rd, Lockwood Rd off Hwy 33 and Cerro Noroeste Rd in the same area.
Thursday - April 5
I committed to take alternate routes to Arroyo Grande wherever possible, by avoiding Hwy 101 as much as possible. That meant leaving the west valley of L.A. via Hwy 27 and 118 heading for Santa Paula. I had a bit of unfinished business there. On the way I followed Hwy 118 to BALCOM CANYON RD, a shortcut to Santa Paula, with a 2 mile stretch that climbs then drops down just as quickly. Then I hit South Mountain Road that led me to Santa Paula. The first time through, I missed the statue of the motorcyclists (St. Francis Dam break heroes), and stopped for a photo.
From Santa Paula, I rode to Ojai via 150, then made my way west to Casitas Pass Rd, Hwy 192, a road that meanders through the communities of Carpinteria, Montecito, Santa Barbara. It is a slow, windy road, that tracks through residential, commercial and farming areas. This is one road that I would skip, as it tends to be very busy at times.
My goal was SAN MARCOS PASS RD, Hwy 154, a wonderful climb out of Santa Barbara. The views can be spectacular on a clear day.
You can see Hwy 154 in the above photo
looking at the panoramic view to the south.
From this point on 154, I continued north and stopped at a town called Los Olivos, a small but groovy little town that specializes in selling wine and art. A deli there was a recommended stop for lunch. I arrived on a Thursday, a day they had their BBQ going, cooking some Tri-Tip. I couldn't resist.
I walked around the town and took a few photos of Los Olivos.
After Los Olivos I headed north on a great little road, two actually: FOXEN CANYON RD, and TEPUSQUET RD. Those would take me to Hwy 166, then a short jaunt west and then north along 101 to the Casa Grande at Arroyo Grande.
the view along Foxen Canyon Rd.
Friday - April 6
AT 8:30 am I met AIRHEAD#124 at a gas stop and headed north to meet a BMW K1200 Rider in Paso Robles. We had an ambitious day planned, staying on country roads as much as possible on our way north to the village of Carmel Valley, then a quick run over to see Laguna Seca raceway, then south to Fort Hunter Liggett to catch Nacimiento Rd, a scenic road that dropped down to Hwy 1. From there it was back to the hotel.
From Paso Robles, we We took Nacimiento Lake Rd, that led to Interlake Rd., both fun roads on their own. No photos, here as we were rolling along quite nicely.
We found our way to Carmel Valley Rd, a great road, long and windy, at times rising then dropping. We stopped somewhere along the road.
We stopped for lunch in Carmel Valley Village, at a "biker" friendly restaurant called Running Iron.
Can't say that we were that well behaved, but we did not "cuss" to the friendly waitress.
At lunch we decided to visit Laguna Seca Raceway, and got to see the press intro of the Nissan-GTR. The car sounded great racing around the track. We would be seeing these cars again later.
We headed south from here, again keeping to country roads wherever possible. Here we are crossing a bridge on Arroyo Seco Rd.
From Fort Hunter Liggett I shot video. These are some of the stills from the Contour HD.
Nacimiento Rd starts out open with big sweeping corners, then gets shady, then gets into tight curves. Once a rider is back in sunlight he is descending down to the Pacific.
sunny, sweepers
getting into the tree covered areas
getting into some tighter corners
sun on the horizon can only mean one thing...
water on the horizon
brick1 and AIRHEAD#124
Riding by the most southerly grove of redwoods
Getting closer to some spectacular views
still riding...a way to go still.
taking in the view
looking north on Pacific Coast Highway 1
a favorite angle, looking south
Then it was back to the hotel, via Hwy 1 south. Airhead#124 leads the way. We would pass some of the Nissan GTR's heading north along Hwy 1, back to the Carmel/Monterey area.
Saturday - April 7
After a long day of riding on Friday, I decided to take it easy on Saturday and get to know the local beaches. I visited Avila Beach, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach and Oceano. I had a clear favorite among them. For me...Avila.
The Avila Pier
Avila waterfront
The pier at Pismo
Pismo Beach. Your kids will like it here.
Grover Beach. $5 to drive on the beach.
I respectfully stayed off
Oceano seemed like a poor cousin to the other cities.
Saturday morning there is always a car show across from the hotel.
some classic bikes there also.
Lots of neat cars.
Sunday will continue in part 2
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