Motorradfahren in San Francisco

Rent a Motorcycle From EagleRider and Enjoy The Ride from Alice's Restaurant to Half Moon Bay

San Francisco, Kalifornien

If you are looking for a short, refreshing ride just outside of San Francisco, California, look no further than the highly popular Skyline Loop. This is a must-ride for motorcyclists, as this 85-mile loop offers incredible views of the San Francisco Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and the serene redwoods scenery. Running along the backbone of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Skyline Loop is a very popular ride among local motorcyclists. Watch your speed on this road as it has several sharp turns and twists, and there may be lots of mountain bikers on the road.

You can easily make this a day’s motorcycle ride if you're wanting to soak up the scenery like a local. The Skyline Loop has several points of interest along the way, and the beautiful scenery will entice you to stop and take photos often.

Alice’s Restaurant

Hopping on Route 35 at the Upper Crystal Spring Reservoir Vista Point, make your way South following Skyline Boulevard. Here the road will cut across the renowned Californian redwoods as it meanders through the green mountain country. Ride slowly and take in the views, leaving the hustle and bustle of San Francisco behind. Soon, at the intersection of Skyline Boulevard and Route 48, you will spot a long-time favorite place for local motorcyclists to gather, gab, and grab lunch – Alice’s Restaurant.

Alice’s Restaurant is an old, quaint, local hot spot imbued with to motorcycle culture. Its interior, as well as its menu, are motorcycle-themed, and you will likely see dozens of bikes parked in front of the building. On weekends, there may sometimes be closer to a hundred bikes in the parking lot. Alice’s Restaurant is an iconic motorcycle hangout in the San Francisco area, so dedicate at least an hour for your visit and sample one of their delicious meals. It's also quite a treat to chat with other riders as well. There is one gas pump at Alice’s, so fill up if you forgot to do so before leaving.

Half Moon Bay

After a visit to Alice’s Restaurant, follow Route 84 South. The road will continue to twist and turn, eventually joining Route 1, the Pacific Coast Highway. The PCH is easily the most iconic road in the entire USA.  Skirting the rugged coastline of the Pacific Ocean, Route 1 offers incredible panoramas of the sea and the wild beaches dotted with tiny seaside villages and communities.

Half Moon Bay is a very popular stop, a quaint Californian beach town situated in the aptly named bay. Half Moon Bay, famous for its bootlegging history when the fog of the Pacific hid the smugglers in the nearby caves, now offers elegant dining, craft breweries, and golfing with ocean views. If you're looking for a great place to eat with a view of the bay, try either Sam's Chowder House (the Dungeness crab is fantastic) or Barbara's Fish Trap.

With more sunlit oceanside scenery along the way, Pacific Coast Highway will take you back to the heart of San Francisco.

Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1)

Kalifornien

Considered by many to be the most beautiful road in the world, the Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1) is a bucket-list ride for any motorcyclist. Meandering along the shores of the thunderous Pacific Ocean, this road offers countless sweeping curves, dramatic scenery, and breath-taking views of the wild and rugged Big Sur. As this route is over 480 miles long, we recommend you break up the journey into two or more days and make it a long weekend getaway ride.

Along the road there will be plenty of scenic lookout points, charming seaside towns and communities, historic towns, and natural landmarks to explore. Here cliffs tumble straight into the lapping waves of the mighty Pacific, and sea animals line the isolated coves, providing much entertainment to visitors along the famous Route 1. The best time to travel the Pacific Coast Highway is in the summer when the road is sun-drenched, offering unobstructed views of the ocean and the awe-inspiring Big Sur mountain slopes.

Here is what’s not to miss along the way:

Monterey Bay

As you leave San Francisco, jump on Route 1 and ride south enjoying the ocean vistas and the gentle twists of the two-lane road unfurling before you. Once you reach Monterey Bay, drop the kickstand here for a bite to eat and a wander through its downtown famous for its quirky Cannery Row, a street lined with cafes, hotels, and interesting shops. Cannery Row is the perfect place to stretch your legs and order up a meal of fresh seafood. If you’re fond of sea life and like seeing it up close and personal, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is excellent. Monterey Bay is a good place to fill up your gas tank before heading to Big Sur, where facilities are scarcer.

Big Sur

Starting near the Carmelo River some 150 miles south of San Francisco, Big Sur is the most spectacular stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway. The entire ninety-mile section of the road here feels much more remote and rugged than other stretches, as the ocean meets Big Sur’s gargantuan rock and cliff towers, wild beaches, and enchanting redwoods. Take your time and ride Big Sur at a leisurely pace to truly enjoy the incredible scenery at every mile.

As you travel further, stop at McWay Falls, a stunning natural cove with waterfalls plunging down the cliffs. The waterfall used to pour directly into the ocean, but a fire and subsequent landslide turned the cove into a small beach. You can spot the falls right from the road, and there is a small parking area where you can leave your bike and take in the view. You can follow the McWay Falls Trail through the tunnel under Route 1.

If you plan to break this ride in two parts, spending the night in Big Sur can make a magical experience. The Treebones Resort is a popular overnight spot in Big Sur offering a campsite, yurts for rent, and great dining options. In the morning there’s no rush to get back into the saddle as the thick fog that rises from the ocean regularly obscures the morning view.

Hearst Castle

Big Sur ends roughly at San Simeon, a small seaside settlement made famous by the Hearst Castle estate. Built by William Randolph Hearst, the publishing tycoon, Hearst Castle was a place frequented by the Hollywood stars of the twenties and thirties. This luxurious mansion used to host such Hollywood actors as Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, and Charlie Chaplin. Hearst Castle is now open for visitors and makes for a fascinating stop along the Pacific Coast Highway. The San Simeon pier is also a good place to stretch your legs and admire the view of the ocean.

Another place to get off the bike is the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery just five miles north of San Simeon. Here the elephant seals come year round to birth, mate, and molt as the seasons turn. Quite often there are volunteer docents on the boardwalks who will answer questions and educate visitors on the life cycle of the enigmatic animals.

As you get closer to Los Angeles, stop in Moro Bay or Pismo Beach to sample oysters, a local delicacy, and take a break before entering the city. Moro Bay oysters are famous due to the town’s annual oyster festival. Pismo Beach is known for its tranquil seaside beauty and monarch butterflies that come here to winter.

Once in Los Angeles, consider finishing your trip on the Santa Monica pier, an iconic location where both the Pacific Coast Highway and the historic Route 66 come to an end.

RIM OF THE WORLD SCENIC BYWAY - CALIFORNIA

Kalifornien