Ask any biker what the best route to ride in the USA is, and the likelihood is that California State Route 1 will be up near the top of their list.
This 655-mile route runs along the majority of the Californian coastline, from Interstate 5 in Orange County to US Highway 101 in Mendocino County, and has made it into ‘top ten best rides in the USA’ lists time and time again, and it isn’t hard to see why.
State Route 1 (SR1) was built in numerous stages with the first being constructed in the 1930s in the Big Sur region. This section has become a popular route for its scenic beauty and challenging stretches of road.
To ride the entire route, it’s recommended that you give yourself around three days if you want to revel in the stunning scenery and enjoy the road to its fullest. If you are strapped for time and can only make the journey one way, then it’s worth going from north to south – this way you’ll be on the ocean-side of the highway all the way and you can experience the majority of the dramatic scenery within the 240-mile stretch between Monterey South to Santa Barbara.
LENGTH: 695 miles
BUILT: 1934
The route consists of hundreds of hairpins and there are some steep drop-offs, so you need to pay attention to the twists and turns of the road.
There isn’t much room for error if any oncoming vehicles veer onto your side of the road.
The riding conditions are good, but there are a couple of points along the way where regular landslides and erosion can result in the road being closed temporarily in parts.
One of the ‘must see’ stop-offs along the way is the Bixby Bridge – Big Sur’s version of the famous Golden Gate Bridge. Soaring 280ft above the Bixby Creek Gorge, it’s a reinforced concrete open-spandrel arch bridge, offering some of the most amazing panoramic views in the region.
The SR1 has a lack of ‘gas stations’ and refreshment stops, so make sure you fill up where you can as there are areas where phone service will also drop off, leaving you all but stranded should you run out of fuel.
Most of the traffic along this route occurs during the months of July and August, so if you are looking for a peaceful ride without the hassle of other tourists then avoid this time of the year. Instead go in one of the quieter months to enjoy the SR1’s winding design and the daunting prospect of miles upon miles of challenging road with no guardrails and drop-off edges!
The more you know
- The Bixby Bridge cost $200,000 to build – a substantial amount back in 1932.
- Along the way, you can visit Julia Pfieffer Burns State Park where there is an 80ft waterfall that cascades from the granite cliffs down to the beach.
- The SR1 is broken into five sections, one of which is the famous Pacific Coast Highway.
- In 1964 after state highway renumbering the route was officially designated as Highway 1.
- The entire route is designated as a ‘Blue Star Memorial Highway’ to recognise those in the US Armed Forces.
- The road also takes in the world-renowned wine region of Sonoma County – a must-visit area for any keen wine drinker.
- It’s essential to check the weather in the area before you travel – it isn’t unheard of for fog to suddenly descend in parts, slowing down drivers and interrupting a smooth ride and unimpeded views of the scenery.