[m249saw2004]

So here I am, new to the forum but not to riding and not to my wonderful sv650. Thought I would finally write, say hi and ask a question to all riders. In two weeks time two Harley friends of mine (yeah I know about the company I keep) and myself will embark on an epic journey from Santa Monica, to San Jose via the pacific coast highway. While in San Jose, we plan to visit the Winchester mystery house. If you don't know about it I suggest you take a look...

http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/

I have a pretty good route planned and welcome anybody that sees us to join in for as long as you'd like. Finally to the questions. Does anybody know of some good scenic stops or good restaurants along the way? Does anybody have a pre-made route that can be printed off? I really don't want to hand write all the route directions.

On another note, I recently did an LED upgrade on my cluster (soldering and all) and would like to say to anybody attempting it, that its not that hard! with some patience you'll save about $120! I own soldering equipment. ($30 worth to do the job, including the soldering iron) The cost of LED'S was around $12. Totally worth doing it yourself!

Thanks for reading.

 

[jameswing]

Stop in Morro Bay and eat at the Outrigger Cafe, been going there since before I can remember.

If you want to go somewhere less crowded go to Port San Luis near Avila Beach, Nice scenery, and great food at the restaurant at the end of the pier. Also Avila Beach Drive will give you a few twisties after a long slab ride.

There are also elephant seals around san simeon. You will be going by when most of the adults are gone, but the pups and mothers should be there.

 

[doxiedog]

Going north on hiway one,Don't turn left! [the oceans out there]

 

[m249saw2004]

Stop in Morro Bay and eat at the Outrigger Cafe, been going there since before I can remember.

If you want to go somewhere less crowded go to Port San Luis near Avila Beach, Nice scenery, and great food at the restaurant at the end of the pier. Also Avila Beach Drive will give you a few twisties after a long slab ride.

There are also elephant seals around san simeon. You will be going by when most of the adults are gone, but the pups and mothers should be there.

Sounds great! Thanks a bunch, my wife will love the seals, ill love the twisties!

 

[jameswing]

I actually drove from Santa Monica to SLO on 1 today. Ate at Avila. Lots of bikes out, kinda depressing to be in the car.

 

[doxiedog]

I was lucky! My grandmother needed a 15 1/2yr. kid to drive her around. I learned to drive on hiway one. North and south from cambria pines. 1956 ford /Thunderbird motor.

 

[eddiemon]

Hi m249saw2004, Welcome to SVR.

I have been there, it is pretty cool!

Have fun and ride safe!

 

[aram]

I rode the highway one near big sur at 10 at night when I rode my SV from San Diego to Santa Cruz. Completely empty.. it was awesome. Most of one is really boring though.. just a few nice parts.

 

[gotfz1]

Lunch at Nepenthe in Big Sur... if it's clear, 1000' foot views of the coastline. I also don't go up 1 without a run up and down Nacimiento-Fergusson, for the ride and the views. But, I just don't ride the 1 any more unless it's a week day.

I would take the 1 to the 9 to get over to SJ from the coast. Fun road if there's no traffic. It dumps you into Saratoga and you can take Saratoga Ave almost straight to the Winchester House.

 

[rey830]

I grew up in that area (Santa Maria). I would suggest stopping in Ventura and eating at Bodacious BBQ: http://www.marshallsbodaciousbbq.com/ (lunch). Then off to Santa Barbara. Exit Cabrillo Blvd., which will be a beach frontage road. Turn onto State St. (the main drag) and cruise all the way up state st. until you reach the 101 again. You can stop to sight see or for coffee or lunch if you skip the bbq place. There are great missions up there and lots of good looking women! Back on the 101 I'd jump onto the 154 to Solvang/Buelltion (Hwy 246) (Don't take hwy 1 to lompoc-nothing too exciting there. Drive through Solvang, a nice little danish tourist town, and don't forget to eat at either the Hitching Post or AJ Spurs. http://www.solvangusa.com/
http://www.hitchingpost2.com/ http://local.yahoo.com/info-21217093-aj-spurs-buellton
Next stop is my home town, Santa Maria. Eat at Shaws on Broadway or for Mexican food I like Casa Manana (also on Broadway, which is the main drag in town. Take Main St. west to Guadalupe, which will get you back on Hwy 1. Great drive through Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo.
Email me if you have any more questions. i grew up in this area, my parents still live there. You won't be disappointed, but I would take a couple days to really enjoy it. I can also give you hotel ideas/locations.

 

[jraice]

There is only one way to come inland from Santa Monica to SJ you have to check out some of the San Jose area's prime roads.

Here is what I would do.

One road you should experience while you are here is Stage Rd. It connects La Honda (84) and Pescadero Rd, its a mile or so in from the Ocean (and Hwy 1).

Either take Highway 1 and turn at Pescadero or La Honda, then stage to the opposite and either take La Honda (or Pescadero to La Honda) inland and you will come to Alices Restraurant (famous biker hangout, its from some song as well), a good place to stop, get some food and gas and hang out if its a weekend. There will be tons and tons of bikes up there, watch out with the Harleys, I have seen a few Hells Angels there that might want to borrow their rides .

Then take La Honda all the way to 280 and 280 South into SJ or I would take Skyline south to highway 9 and take highway 9 to Saratoga which is just a 10min freeway cruise from any part of SJ.

Seriously though, Stage Road is something you have to experience its such an awesome road (just stay way to the inside, is narrow, bumpy and unlaned but its a blast with AMAZING views of what the coast of CA is all about.

If you like it you can even use Alpine to get to Skyline instead of 84, alpines similar to Stage. Tight twisty and great views.

 

[gotfz1]

There is only one way to come inland from Santa Monica to SJ you have to check out some of the San Jose area's prime roads.

Here is what I would do.

One road you should experience while you are here is Stage Rd. It connects La Honda (84) and Pescadero Rd, its a mile or so in from the Ocean (and Hwy 1).

Either take Highway 1 and turn at Pescadero or La Honda, then stage to the opposite and either take La Honda (or Pescadero to La Honda) inland and you will come to Alices Restraurant (famous biker hangout, its from some song as well), a good place to stop, get some food and gas and hang out if its a weekend. There will be tons and tons of bikes up there, watch out with the Harleys, I have seen a few Hells Angels there that might want to borrow their rides .

Then take La Honda all the way to 280 and 280 South into SJ or I would take Skyline south to highway 9 and take highway 9 to Saratoga which is just a 10min freeway cruise from any part of SJ.

Seriously though, Stage Road is something you have to experience its such an awesome road (just stay way to the inside, is narrow, bumpy and unlaned but its a blast with AMAZING views of what the coast of CA is all about.

If you like it you can even use Alpine to get to Skyline instead of 84, alpines similar to Stage. Tight twisty and great views.

Those are all great roads indeed if you have the time. I like the Mexican Scramble at Alice's, but the one from the song is in Massachusetts

 

[jraice]

Well whats his other option? I guess he could take 17 in through Santa Cruz into SJ but its only an extra 2-3 hours to keep going North to Pescadero or La Honda, Pescadero the little town is a neat place as well instead of stopping at Alices, if you need food/gas.

But yeah regardless the ride up 1 from Santa Monica is going to be a blast!

Some other roads you could look up, not as twisty but unique, that could take you inland are...

From 1 take Freedom Road to the Wattsonville Airport area. Then connect with 152 East, this is a decent short twisty stretch... Then take Uvas from 152, to Mckean and pop out in Almaden. Good median between taking 17 (not a bad road but very dangerous, especially on weekends with beach cars) and getting there quick, or La Honda and taking a long time. Mckean is pretty straight, 50mph speed limit, can go any speed you like. Good views, lots of reservoirs.

 

[m249saw2004]

Thanks for all your input guys. Don't be too disappointed if i don't use your route, idea, or restaurant. They each have their own merit. I'll be sure to post pics when I get back. (If I figure it out)

Keep the rubber side down!

 

[doxiedog]

 

[jameswing]

have a good ride

 

[Blcrider]

Sounds like an awesome road!!

 

[zackman722]

Stop at San Simeon Beach- in March, those big-ass elephant seals hang out (5000 lb elephant seals!) Other than that, just enjoy the ride....

 

[m249saw2004]

Some pics from the trip.


The bikes.

The wife.

Elephant seals.

Me and the wife.

Rest stop in Big Sur.

Coast.

 

[nevenelestate]

Me and the wife.

you two look alike

looks like it was a fun ride