Northern CA Adventuring - Pixs Posted

[ionbeam]

The 'beams will be arriving in San Francisco on 9/27 for a weekend wedding, then on Monday I’m picking up a motorcycle and we are heading off to explore for a couple of weeks. In the past we had Palm Springs as a base of operations from which we covered Mexico up to the Bakersfield latitude. Two years ago we did coastal Rt 1 from SF down to Morrow Bay then went east and north for 8 days or so hitting the big parks. The most northern line was Rt. 108 from Mono Lake to Sonora. This year we want to go northish and probably eastish; so far this is our riding plan.

We are looking for any suggestions for things to see and places to go in that general direction. If we end up in Oregon for part of the ride that would be all good too. We will probably wander around, generally heading north for a week then travel east and wander back to SF. We have looked at the normal touristy things to see/do but would welcome input from the locals. We have had good luck finding a lot of great roads that connect the sights together.

 

[gregory]

I would say 36/3/299 should be on the list. Of course, 101 up through Eureka (Dinner at Lost Coast Brewery, breakfast at the Samoan cookhouse) and the Redwoods up to Cresent City. I have been wanting to do 96, but it is currently on fire to the tune of 151 square miles at the moment. Napa, Calistoga and the surrounding area has amazing roads. Southern OR on the coast is nice, Gold beach and you can take the Jet boat tour https://www.roguejets.com/ East I would hit Mt. Lassen, Tahoe and the passes in the area. Talk to Doug (Bugnater) for more central eastern roads (Quincy area. 49, 89 ect) The man is a human map!

If you come through the Redding area, let me know.

Let us know as you work out a tenative route so we can refine suggestions for ya.

Greg

 

[Bugnatr]

Yep, one big *** fire near Happy Camp but the coast and the Sierra's are ok. I'll work on a possible route for you tonight. I will be back from EOM by October 4th and we have room at our home if you care to skip a motel. Heck Alan, you are practically family now that you have my right side hard bag so we would love to have you and Mrs. Beam stay a night or two.

Perhaps a rte as I'm sure a few of the norcal gang would like to meet up with you two. Doug

 

[gregory]

Yep, one big *** fire near Happy Camp but the coast and the Sierra's are ok. I'll work on a possible route for you tonight. I will be back from EOM by October 4th and we have room at our home if you care to skip a motel. Heck Alan, you are practically family now that you have my right side hard bag so we would love to have you and Mrs. Beam stay a night or two.Perhaps a rte as I'm sure a few of the norcal gang would like to meet up with you two. Doug

That would be awesome. And if you decide to stay in Redding, your welcome here as well.

 

[LCB]

Heading north out of Napa, 29 thru Robert Louis Stevenson State Park is fun... when you get to Middletown, turn left onto 175... stay on 175 all the way to US 101. CA 20 thru Jackson State Forest is a blast too.

 

[Cav47]

I have torecommend the coastal ride up through the Redwoods. I even paid the 4 bucks to drive through the tree in Leggett. I rode from South San Francisco all the way up the coast on Highway 1 and 101 to Arcata area. Then pushed over to Redding. I made a navigational error and wound up on Alderpoint Rd. Took that all the way to Xenia and some other tiny towns. I tell you this because you SHOULD NOT GO THIS WAY. Take a major road. Alderpoint starts off good and interesting but eventually stops being maintained by the highway department. 299 was the road I should have taken.

Take your time on the trip North. It was so amazing riding in and out of the Fog. Back into the Forest then out to the beach. On top of the Cliffs then down by the water. Capped it off by ripping it up around some Redwoods. Scraping Pegs and boots the whole time. Too bad it is 2300 miles away. It was amazing.

Have a Great Ride.

 

[Bugnatr]

I made a navigational error and wound up on Alderpoint Rd. Took that all the way to Xenia and some other tiny towns. I tell you this because you SHOULD NOT GO THIS WAY.

He speaks the truth for an FJR - that must have sucked but on my KTM those roads are a blast, about as remote as you can get in NW Ca.

 

[Bugnatr]

I agree with riding up to The Avenue of The Giants off Hwy 101 and then up through Eureka ( Farwestfasteddie country) but I also suggest spending a night at the best western in Brookings, we had a ocean view room. Nice beach to stroll on.

Here's a route to look at https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Brookings,+OR/Crater+Lake+National+Park/Lava+Beds+National+Monument,+Tulelake,+CA/Lassen+Peak,+Shasta+County,+CA/Chico,+CA/Portola,+CA/Nevada+City,+CA/South+Lake+Tahoe,+CA/Bodie+State+Historical+Park/Sonora,+CA/@38.2198197,-121.3600061,8z/data=!4m77!4m76!1m5!1m1!1s0x54daa508527f4317:0xb1b3476200f47a9f!2m2!1d-124.2839819!2d42.0526114!1m5!1m1!1s0x54c6170840e5e339:0x902bf2e1452fe3a3!2m2!1d-122.168478!2d42.868441!1m10!1m1!1s0x54c94aaf72a8e46b:0xdb65a8857bf46d7!2m2!1d-121.515656!2d41.734428!3m4!1m2!1d-121.6398533!2d41.1039119!3s0x54cdaeedd74d2fb1:0x157f894f717b8945!1m5!1m1!1s0x54cd525f7e74d583:0xc015df5712f33c88!2m2!1d-121.5049348!2d40.4880933!1m5!1m1!1s0x80831f8dfc236487:0x308eeb8f793a4538!2m2!1d-121.8374777!2d39.7284944!1m10!1m1!1s0x809c14685c6994c5:0xaa51d26bb3746971!2m2!1d-120.4691034!2d39.8104567!3m4!1m2!1d-120.6592402!2d39.5642563!3s0x809c76ef225d10a5:0x145c765ecf66cb81!1m5!1m1!1s0x809b7a7134408b49:0x37bfaa9a5ce0c3cd!2m2!1d-121.0160594!2d39.2615606!1m10!1m1!1s0x80998589eea54fe1:0xdd1b2f46fb23918e!2m2!1d-119.9771868!2d38.939926!3m4!1m2!1d-119.8046196!2d38.7294709!3s0x8099e9c8e472c435:0x9c51ce142789c717!1m5!1m1!1s0x8097ca27a37f074b:0xc088163da7701c8!2m2!1d-119.0134156!2d38.2147788!1m5!1m1!1s0x8090c5d00be20bf9:0x16d807f676254777!2m2!1d-120.3821724!2d37.9829496!3e0?hl=en

Sending pm

 

[bigjohnsd]

For sure take Bugs up on his offer.

He and Gayle are Wonderful folks and he is a human gps let alone a map.

Don't miss the chance to ride the infamous Laporte Quincy Road!

 

[James Burleigh]

Perhaps a rte as I'm sure a few of the norcal gang would like to meet up with you two. Doug

Count me in!

Apart from that, north and east from SF is not my stomping grounds, so nothing to offer. Well, the northern coast is pretty beautiful, and 36 is pretty bitchin'. And have you ridden Skaggs Springs Rd?

 

[SacramentoMike]

Too many ways to go right, few ways to go wrong. The coast, the roads inland FROM the coast, the Sierras, the wine country, Yosemite (a MUST if you haven't), and lots more. Damn sorry I'll miss the gathering I hope the locals throw for you. I'll be somewhere near, um, New Hampshire.

 

[CHIA]

The road to Cecivile from Callahan is fun fun fun!!!

 

[ionbeam]

Thanks for the suggestions so far! I'll be making a list of everything and then see how to link them all together. Our schedule and route probably will be loose, letting the day and the fun dictate our pace.

Also, thanks for all the kind offers! Once I have an idea of how our schedule will play out I will contact people.

We are counting the days and starting to figure out what we can pack on the bike. Last time we were surprised by a too small trunk and the offered large tank bag turned out to just be a handkerchief holder.

 

[Tyler]

There are a ton of roads a bit south of SF, breakfast at Alice's, Santa Cruz to name a few things. I'll work on a route for you as well.

 

[ionbeam]

^^^ Thanks for the offer!

Last trip we took Rt 9 from Saratoga then took 236 through Big Basin Redwoods and arrived in Santa Cruz late in the day, where we sat in non moving rush hour traffic in the rain. There was a time dilation where minutes felt like hours, oh wait, it did take hours to clear the traffic

The new to me motorcycle had a fat *** and the way the cars were jammed together I elected not to have my first lane splitting adventure that afternoon.

We soldiered on down to Monterey that evening. We should have allocated a full day for Monterey. The aquarium was awesome, the sea otters and seals were in the kelp beds that morning. We also discovered that motorcycles are banned from the 17 Mile Drive and arguing with the troll lady in the guard booth only pisses one off :lol:

 

[BigDogRaven]

. I have been wanting to do 96,

You live in Redding and have never rode hwy 96???

You sir, are missing out!!

This is an EPIC road. IMO; better then 36.

Also, on 96 at Happy Camp, take Indian Creek Rd, has other names as well.

This is like 38 miles to O'Brian OR, well worth the trip BOTH directions, back to Happy Camp and continue on 96.

Also, off 96 is south on Scott Creek Rd to Fort Jones.

And yes, this whole area is now a big fire zone, but if you are in Redding you can do that loop in a day for sure.

 

[gregory]

I know, it's the last on the list. Sadly, I have waited too long cuz the scenery will not be the same for some time.

 

[Tyler]

^^^ Thanks for the offer!
Last trip we took Rt 9 from Saratoga then took 236 through Big Basin Redwoods and arrived in Santa Cruz late in the day, where we sat in non moving rush hour traffic in the rain. There was a time dilation where minutes felt like hours, oh wait, it did take hours to clear the traffic

The new to me motorcycle had a fat *** and the way the cars were jammed together I elected not to have my first lane splitting adventure that afternoon.

We soldiered on down to Monterey that evening. We should have allocated a full day for Monterey. The aquarium was awesome, the sea otters and seals were in the kelp beds that morning. We also discovered that motorcycles are banned from the 17 Mile Drive and arguing with the troll lady in the guard booth only pisses one off

Okay... I'll keep it to the Santa Cruz Mtns then... tons of fun roads. And there is a way to ride 17-Mile Drive on motorcycles... but it's a secret.

 

[ionbeam]

Okay... I'll keep it to the Santa Cruz Mtns then... tons of fun roads. And there is a way to ride 17-Mile Drive on motorcycles... but it's a secret.

Tell 'em you are a Stevenson High School alumni. Buy one of the $28 million houses. Make dinner reservations and have the toll troll call and confirm. Shhh, the secret is just between you and me.