California for a week in April - where's the best roads....

[Phil C]

Planning a trip to California for a week next April with a couple of mates. Plan is to fly into either San Francisco or LA, hire a couple of bikes (ideally not Harley's - but it's not a big deal if that's all on offer) and then spend a week exploring some nice roads in the sunshine.

Anyone done it? Recommendations for bike hire companies, routes, places to stay / eat all gratefully received......

Thanks

[aeropilot]

Depending whether you fly in to SF or LAX, go up or down the Pacific Coast Highway.

[black-k1]

Check out here:

http://www.bestbikingroads.com/show_routes_in_sele...

[StevRS]

I'm doing the exact same thing in May - let me know how you get on...

[anonymous-user]

I've done this a couple of times recently, once on a Harley 883 and once by car. The canyons around LA are excellent for riding and you'll love that I'm sure. The Pacific Coast Highway is a must - great road and stunning scenery.

My favourite part is the area just north of San Francisco and that is where I would head if I were you. SF is a great city and worth a look anyway, then the coast road north of there is amazing to ride - twisty and hilly and with great views over the ocean. I would also recommend a cruise through the Napa and Sonoma Valleys - lovely countryside, good roads and great wine!

Good luck with the trip - I'm sure you'll have a great time!

[aeropilot]

And just south of SF there's a nice run up Scenic Drive to a biker cafe (or diner to use US terminology) called IIRC, Alice's (?), worth doing too.

Edited by aeropilot on Wednesday 24th September 08:22

[JonA]

If I were you I'd fly into SF/LA and out from the other city. One week and one airport are going to restrict your route time wise

Your route could be along the pacific coast highway, or your could go inland to track up the spine of interesting locations: death valley, Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon, Yosemite. Other route to take these in would be into Vegas and out of San Fran.

You can rent one-way with EagleRider.com (harley's only though I'm afraid.)
The down-side of one-way routes is that I've not been able to find another company that will rent non-harley bikes 1-way. That said, Harleys are perfect for the job.

[rhinochopig]

A long ride, but head over to Yosemite. We hired a Shelby GTH mustang for the trip and the roads around that area are superb as are the views.

[JonA]

Actually, despite my post above - Yosemite is probably not possible in April.
It's so high I think it will still be covered in snow then.

See the snowfall column here
http://www.yosemite.national-park.com/weather.htm

Edited by JonA on Wednesday 24th September 11:45

[Phil C]

Thanks a lot guys - there's some really good suggestions here. I'll start getting some quotes from the bike hire companies. Has anyone used a particular company and got feedback - positive/negative?

[Pierscoe1]

We spent two weeks driving round there in a rental mustang this year.. awesome place.

Drive from SF out east towards yosemite.. some great and adandoned roads.
We were in Yosemite at the end of april.. and it was great, although the high passes out the north of the park were closed.

Highway-1 is fantastic!

Death valley also has some great roads.. and won't be toooo hot then.

Enjoy

It's the best holiday I've ever done.. and I want to go back every day!

[aeropilot]

My mate who lives near San Fransico is a member of the Bay Area Riders Forum and it may be worth posting up a 'best roads' thread on there for ideas. Local knowledge is best as they say.

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/

[JonA]

Re recommended rental companies - I've used Eaglerider twice, and they were great.

When we blew up one of their bikes, they drove 6 hours to trailer a replacement to us that evening. Thus they prevented us from losing any holiday time.