Best Motorcycle Rides in California

Whether you’re a long-time California resident, new to the state, an experienced motorcycle rider, or brand new to bikes, California has some of the best rides in the world. There are so many great rides that it can all feel overwhelming when you’re trying to figure out which road you want to take; whether you ride a Honda, a Harley, or anything else, we’re here to help you choose your next ride.

Pacific Coast Highway

No list of the best motorcycle rides in California, or the USA in general, is complete without mention of the Pacific Coast Highway. If you were to choose to take on the entirety of the PCH, you could start in San Diego, ride through Los Angeles and San Francisco, see the Golden Gate Bridge, ride straight through the west coast of Oregon, and eventually end up all the way in Seattle, Washington, seeing the entirety of the Pacific Coast.

Suppose you want to keep it entirely in California. In that case, however, a popular starting spot is Dana Point, where you can cruise up through the Redwoods National Park before circling back and returning home. This is a classic American ride where you can choose how far you want to go.

Motorcyclists often make a road trip to see the entire PCH or just a day trip, staying on CA Highway 1 and enjoying the twisty roads and incredible scenery. One of the best towns to stop in along the way is Cambria, featuring phenomenal restaurants, lovely beaches, and trails to stretch your legs after a long ride.

Big Sur

A 70-mile stretch of HWY 1 along the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Big Sur is more than worth its entry on this list. It contains a stunningly beautiful stretch of the PCH following the California coastline, featuring some of the best views of the Pacific Ocean in the entire state and some incredible riding conditions, with long straights to take in the views but no lack of tight corners to really take advantage of what your bike can do. Nobody should miss out on this California route, which can be enjoyed in a single afternoon.

Yosemite National Park

“I knew my destiny when I first experienced Yosemite.”

-Ansel Adams

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of North America, Yosemite National Park attracts people from all over the world to bask in its glory. A motorcycle trip is one of the best ways to experience the park. A place that is actually impossible to put into words or even adequately captured on film, Northern California’s Yosemite National Park is a place everyone should have on their list of places to see. There is absolutely nothing on Earth like Yosemite; you can hardly take a step in any direction without seeing something genuinely breathtaking or awe-inspiring.

Tioga Road is one of the most popular routes for motorcyclists and gives one of the best overviews of the entire park on a bike. The Yosemite Valley Loop takes riders to the heart of the park and allows for views of El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and more. And that’s just the start of potential routes through Yosemite; it’s a boundless paradise for motorcyclists of all skill levels.

Yosemite creates poetry in the hearts of all those who experience it. You can find endless quotes about the beauty and splendor of the park. Everyone who steps foot (or wheel) into Yosemite comes away changed by what they have witnessed. Seeing the park in whatever way you can should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Angeles Crest Highway

If you’re looking for something a bit shorter that stays in Southern California, the Angeles Crest Highway, just north of Los Angeles, takes riders through the Saint Gabriel mountains with incredible views of the Mojave Desert. It features plenty of curvy mountain roads that will give any moto enthusiast the thrill of the Golden State.

Ortega Highway

Another of the most famous motorcycle routes you can find in Southern California, the Ortega Highway takes riders through the Santa Ana Mountains along some of the best switchbacks America has to offer, ending after 25 miles at the magnificent Lake Elsinore. It is one of the shortest California motorcycle roads, but certainly, every rider in Southern California owes it to themselves to check out.

Joshua Tree National Park

Featuring some of the most incredible views in the entire state of California, the loop around Joshua Tree shows a biker, the titular Joshua Trees, Mojave yuccas, and some of the biggest rock formations found in the entire world. The loop takes riders through the Cholla Cactus Gardens, where the Mojave Desert connects with the Colorado Desert.

The cholla cactus is an incredible sight; just be careful not to touch them. Not far from the Cholla Cactus Gardens, you can see the San Andreas Fault with your own eyes from the awe-inspiring vistas at Keys View. Widely regarded as one of the best motorcycle roads in the world, California motorcyclists should have the Joshua Tree loop on their must-see list.

Death Valley

A place deserving of its name, Death Valley also features some of the best riding in California. However, it is a good idea to take this trip in the cooler months, as Death Valley is one of the hottest places on Earth. If you choose to brave Death Valley, you will find some incredible twists and dips that will challenge any motorcycle enthusiast.

Palomar Mountain State Park

Considered one of the most technical roads in Southern California, the Palomar Mountain route is not for the faint of heart. This ride will have any experienced moto enthusiast grinning ear to ear as they navigate the many sharp turns and snake bends. The rider will likely be unable to take their eyes off the pavement as they work their way through this route, so it’s recommended to plan plenty of time to make stops so you can enjoy the wondrous scenery the State Park has to offer.

Sonora Pass

If you’re seeking a ride through the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, you can do no better than the Sonora Pass. Unique in its extreme elevation gain, which is steep on both the east and west sides, the Sonora Pass is a great way to see the Sierra Nevadas. You’re unlikely to run into much traffic, but you will experience unmatched views and incredibly fun motorcycle riding.

Mendocino National Forest

Just outside of Sacramento, the Mendocino National Forest is one of California’s best motorcycle routes. Featuring winding mountain roads and breathtaking vistas with incredible views, Mendocino is a top-notch ride for Northern Californians. Wildlife lovers may be fortunate on their ride and catch sight of the Tule Elk, the smallest subspecies of elk in North America, but still a massive animal that can only be found in California.

Highway 101

For motorists in the Bay Area wanting to take a tour through wine country, HWY 101 is the way to go. Motorcycle and wine enthusiasts alike will love to follow HWY 101 through Napa Valley and explore many of California’s fantastic vineyards and even better scenery. 

Sequoia National Park

The final route on this extensive list is HWY 198 through Sequoia National Park. The 75-mile route from Grant Grove Village to Lemon Cove shows some of the state’s best sites, which is saying a lot for California. Giant sequoia trees are breathtaking marvels of the natural world, and in the national park resides General Sherman, the largest known single-stem tree in the entire world, standing at over 275 feet tall, with a circumference of 102 feet. Lovers of the natural world would be remiss not to witness the majesty of the sequoia trees.

Conclusion

California has some of the best riding in the country for motorcyclists. You can experience everything from challenging, snaking roads deep in the mountains to unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean to some of the natural world’s greatest wonders, both as gigantic as the redwoods and sequoias and as small as the grapes on the vines in wine country. California’s roads have something for everyone.

If there is anything that you should take away from this piece of writing, it is that there is a whole wide world of possibility, just in the state of California. So get out there and start exploring, and should adventuring go wrong, contact The Advocates for your personal injury needs.