Riding through the S.F. Bay area

[huchieglide]

Next week I am planning on riding to So. Cal. via hwy 1 starting in Legget. My question is: when southbound after crossing the G.G. bridge should I take the Hwy 1 turnoff and go down thru Pacifica or stay on the 280 and cut over on the 92 or 84. I am just wondering about traffic, ride worthyness, etc. Sometimes those small towns outside of the big ones are just as crowded and full of traffic lights. I have never been in this area so not sure. My original plan is to ride hwy 1 from Legget to San Luis Obispo. Should I stick with my original plan just to keep it simple and have the experience of riding hwy 1 or is it just not worth it and should blast thru the big city area?

TIA, Bob

 

[FJRay]

I don't know about S.F. but watch out for gravel and log trucks on hwy1 from Legget to the coast.

 

[tcfjr]

The section from the south end of the bridge through San Francisco itself is full of traffic and stop lights. Once you get into Pacifica, though, it becomes a very pleasant ride all the way into Santa Cruz, where the traffic picks up again. If it were me, I'd stay on SR-1 all the way to SLO.

 

[exskibum]

I don't know about S.F. but watch out for gravel and log trucks on hwy1 from Legget to the coast.

Recent observation, Ray? Last 2 times I rode that stretch (June '06 going north on XX and September '06 going south on FJR), that section was clean, smooth and new pavement. AND in those conditions, THAT has to be one of the very best sections of twisties I have ever ridden -- the nice rhythmic back and forth kind where it gets technical.

I'd ride 1 all the way down the Peninsula to Santa Cruz and beyond.

 

[Silent]

1's a bit of a mess through San Francisco, but once you get out of the City, you'll be hard pressed to find a nicer ride down to Santa Cruz. 92 tends to clog up big time during the day. It's a single lane each way and one of the main arteries to Half Moon Bay, if you hit it, hit it early. 84's not to bad, but I defiantly prefer 1.

2 Cents from a local B)

 

[twowheelnut]

I don't know about S.F. but watch out for gravel and log trucks on hwy1 from Legget to the coast.

Recent observation, Ray? Last 2 times I rode that stretch (June '06 going north on XX and September '06 going south on FJR), that section was clean, smooth and new pavement. AND in those conditions, THAT has to be one of the very best sections of twisties I have ever ridden -- the nice rhythmic back and forth kind where it gets technical.

I'd ride 1 all the way down the Peninsula to Santa Cruz and beyond.

Gunny!

 

[doctormdj]

I did that trip in 2002 so its been a while. The trip was an amazing one. Take a second and check out the site that some friends and i put together on the trip. Feel free to surf the pictures and you'll get a great first hand look at what you are in store for.

https://www.2002roadtrip.com/

I'm gonna see if i can find our old route that we did. We went from Lafuna Beach... all on back roads through the dessert and up to SF and over the Golden Gate. On the ride back down we certainly spend most of our time on the 1 as the views over the ocean are well worth it but there are few detours we took to avoid the traffic. I'll see if i can gather them and post them online for ya. No promises as that was 5 years ago.

 

[Bounce]

watch your 6 while in the area. i hear that place has the highest rate of rear enders in the whole country.

 

[tcfjr]

watch your 6 while in the area. i hear that place has the highest rate of rear enders in the whole country.

Subtle, Bounce. Subtle.

 

[jwhite518]

Definitely stick to 1 if you have the time, it's a nice ride. For a nice photo op, go to Conzelman Road just north of the bridge. You'll be on the 101 freeway coming off the Marin County portion of Hwy 1. You climb up a hill, then go through a tunnel and head down towards the bridge. Right before getting on the bridge, take the Sausalito exit, then turn left at the bottom. Go up only about a half mile or so and you'll be at a series of pullouts that have good views. Get your shots, then get your $5 bridge toll handy before getting on the bike and going back the way you came.

Cross the bridge in the right lanes, stay away from the center which has no barrier and far too many head on collisions. Watch the speed limit, the really do mean 45 mph there. Follow the signs for 1. You are on city streets for a few miles - first you cross Golden Gate Park, then you're on 19th Ave which is a major thoroughfare. Lights on every block, but they are somewhat timed so it's not too bad. Then you get on I-280 for a few minutes, then take the 1 Pacifica exit. Great view of the ocean at the top of the hill coming down into Pacifica. It's nice riding, though not very twisty, all the way to Santa Cruz. From there to Carmel, traffic sucks. Your reward is 74 miles of sweet Big Sur coastline, motorcycle heaven.

 

[madmike2]

+1 (heh-heh-heh) I rode from Bodega Bay to Ellay on Hwy 1 in 2003. I even rode around Mt. Tamalpais on my way to the Golden Gate Bridge. Unfortunately the '04 FJR hadn't arrived yet so I was on the Concours, but I'd follow the Hwy 1 route. The small section through "The City" isn't that complicated or long in duration and the scenery along the coast was lovely.

Enjoy the trip!

 

[James Burleigh]

Yep. Stay on 1.

Jb

(Man of Few Words)

 

[huchieglide]

Thanks for the input. I will leave gps alone as I had it routed to hwy 1. Hittin it in the AM. Shooting for the Bodega Bay area tomarrow then to Simi Valley on Wed.

 

[Silent]

Jb(Man of Few Words)

:rofl: