Photo: Ryan Mayer ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Highway 1 from the bridge to the beach.
From the Golden Gate to the Santa Monica pier along Highway 1: Big Sur and the Bixby bridge, redwoods, Hearst Castle, Santa Barbara and the Malibu canyons. Plus two loops away from the ocean: Napa and Lake Tahoe over a 2,200 m pass. American touring-class motorcycles, an easy pace and plenty of stops; the most accessible tour in the catalogue in terms of experience, though not of impressions.
- The Bixby bridge and 140 km of Big Sur
- Carson Pass at 2,613 m on the way to Tahoe
- The Pfeiffer redwoods and elephant seals at San Simeon
- Malibu Canyon and the finish on the Santa Monica pier
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · 60 km, the bridge
San Francisco and the Golden Gate
We meet in San Francisco, collect the bikes and ride across the Golden Gate to Sausalito and the Hawk Hill viewpoint. About 60 km through the city and the Marin hills.
Overnight: Hotel in San Francisco - DAY 2 · 280 km, vineyards
Napa and the Sierra foothills
East through Napa and its vineyards, then Highway 49 past the gold-rush towns around Placerville to the foot of the Sierra Nevada. About 280 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Placerville - DAY 3 · 260 km, pass at 2,613 m
Carson Pass and Lake Tahoe
Highway 88 up to Carson Pass at 2,613 m, down into Hope Valley and a loop of Lake Tahoe at 1,897 m: Emerald Bay, Incline Village, South Lake Tahoe. About 260 km.
Overnight: Hotel in South Lake Tahoe - DAY 4 · 400 km, freeways
Back to the ocean: Monterey
The longest day: via Sacramento and the San Joaquin valley, over Pacheco Pass and through Gilroy to Monterey Bay. In the evening the 17-Mile Drive and Carmel. About 400 km, partly on freeways.
Overnight: Hotel in Monterey - DAY 5 · 190 km, Big Sur
Big Sur
The signature Highway 1 day: the Bixby bridge, Pfeiffer Big Sur, McWay Falls, the Ragged Point cliffs and the elephant seals at San Simeon. Finish in Cambria. About 190 km, unhurried.
Overnight: Hotel in Cambria - DAY 6 · 230 km, the central coast
Hearst Castle and Santa Barbara
Hearst Castle in the morning, then Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo and Highway 1 via Lompoc and the Santa Ynez vineyards to Santa Barbara. About 230 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Santa Barbara - DAY 7 · 180 km, bikes returned
Malibu and Santa Monica
Ventura, Point Mugu and the Malibu canyons: Mulholland Highway and Latigo Canyon, then down to the Pacific Coast Highway and the finish on the Santa Monica pier. Bikes returned in Los Angeles. About 180 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Santa Monica - DAY 8 · Departure
Departure from Los Angeles
Breakfast and departures; LAX is 20 minutes away.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
One-way Harley-Davidson Road Glide or BMW R 1250 RT hire
7 nights in 3–4* hotels with breakfast
Lead rider and GPS tracks
Motorcycle insurance with a capped excess
Hearst Castle entry
Two group dinners
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Fuel
Lunches and remaining dinners
One-way drop fee (around 300 dollars)
Single supplement
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
A category A licence and at least 3,000 km, ideally a little more for heavy cruisers. Ivan explains the quirks of American traffic, freeway rules and four-way stop junctions in advance.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Full riding kit: helmet, protection, gloves and boots
- Rain gear and waterproof covers
- Documents and insurance for your chosen riding format
- Compact soft luggage without unnecessary weight
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.