The Bay Area isn’t just for movie sets and billionaires—it’s also where you can find some of the best routes in the world for scenic motorcycle rides! Around this iconic city, you don’t have to choose between mountains and the sea: you can do both! Take a drive down the coastal highways with the sun kissing your face or explore the twisting roads leading to mountaintops.
As fellow motorcycle lovers, our nationwide team of motorcycle attorneys at Law Tigers is eager to tell you about our favorite San Francisco motorcycle rides. Read on to discover some unforgettable routes. Enjoy!
The Skyline Loop
You can’t pass up on the Skyline Loop when you’re looking for day rides in San Francisco. It’s an 85-mile route that leads you along the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains. Your first stop off of Skyline Boulevard should be Alice’s Restaurant. In this quaint locale, you’ll find a hot spot for fellow bikers where you can drink and chat with some new friends before you go.
After Alice’s Restaurant, you’ll take Route 84 south toward the Pacific Coast Highway until you get to Route 1 and turn back north up the coast. As you cruise along, you’ll pass dozens of natural beaches dotting the shoreline, rugged cliffs plunging into the sea, and magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean.
Before you make it back to San Francisco, be sure to stop in Half Moon Bay, the historic beach town where bootleggers used to smuggle spirits hidden by the thick fog that covers the bay.
Pacific Coast Highway
If you’re looking for a long ride through the California wilderness, try the Pacific Coast Highway route south of San Francisco. The ride is 480 miles long and may take you a couple of days, but the breathtaking scenery will make you never want to leave.
To start, you’ll take Route 1 out of San Francisco, hugging the coastline as you work your way down to Monterey Bay. Here, you can make a stop at Cannery Row, the famous street full of quirky shops, hotels, and eateries. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is well worth visiting if you enjoy marine life.
Farther south is Big Sur, the most jaw-dropping stretch of the coastal highway. You’ll want to ride slow past the enormous cliffs reaching out to the ocean, hugged by towering redwoods and wild beaches. You’ll find plenty of stops to make for hiking or admiring majestic seaside waterfalls.
The last leg of this lengthy route is a seaside panorama as you cruise down the One toward Los Angeles. About halfway down, you can stop at the opulent Hearst Castle (San Simeon) for a taste of how celebrities lived during the Roaring Twenties.
California North Coast
Following the coast north out of San Francisco will bring you to Bodega Bay, the beginning of this 243-mile route into Northern California. You’ll ride up Route 1 with the magnificent Pacific Ocean on your left, sweeping forests and cliffsides on your right, and tiny seaside towns breaking up the long drive. Drive carefully here—the turns can be dangerous at high speeds, especially near the cliffs.
Once you get to Leggett, you’ll switch to the 101 and ride deeper into the towering redwood forests. Eventually, you’ll find yourself driving your motorcycle through Humboldt Redwoods State Park along the Avenue of Giants in the shadows of gigantic redwood trees. There’s a tree along the way that’s big enough to ride through!
From Leggett to Eureka is a long drive through an ancient forest, but you can find plenty of stops for good food and once-in-a-lifetime pictures.
Law Tigers Support Riders Nationwide
Exploring the Bay Area is a dream, but remember to stay alert when you’re on the road. If you’re involved in a motorcycle accident and need to seek compensation, please know that our team at Law Tigers will have your back. Call us today at 1-888-863-7216 for a free case evaluation, no matter where you live in the U.S.
