CA to WA | Route suggestions and ideas please

Rambler

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 30, 2016
Messages
812
Location
Up SR400 (GA)
Route suggestions please.

I’m Atlanta based and my knowledge of West Coast roads is limited to Interstates, Hwy1, Redding to Eureka through to Mt Shasta.
We’re a few friends (no dates set 2021 maybe!) planning to ride Western/NW Coast region

Start: SanDiego region
End: Seattle region

No Interstates.
Only backroads, mixed surface (off road will need to be max intermediate level to account for other rider capabilities).
Looking for suggestions of a good route - ideal route where 'must ride' roads, and 'must-see' spots are covered.
 

jeckyll

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 11, 2016
Messages
651
Location
Lotusland
So many good roads on the way, I don't think there's necessarily a single best route.

Do you want to stay close to the Pacific? Or are you happy to go inland?


Some big ones that come to mind (that I've ridden).

Cali:
Part of the 101 at least, so you've been on it ;)
Hwy 36. Should be ridden, very good.
Easy to link with the Redwoods hwy.

If going inland route
Hwy 49 North of Tahoe
Bucks lake road

Oregon:
Highly recommend stopping by Crater lake, less for the roads, but because it should be seen.
If coming from Redwoods Hwy, take the small roads
All time favourite is 242 the run through the lava fields
Take "Aufderheide" from Oakridge/Westfir to get up that way
Then 224 North is nice and a good time.

If for some reason you're going to the eastern side of OR, Hells Canyon, through Enterprise and then hit the Spiral Highway in Lewiston, but that's really out of the way. Though I personally love cutting across OR, some of the scenic byways are spectacular. Like the run north on 395 from Morton, east along 402, or just rambling up and over via 206 / 207.


WA:
Bridge of the Gods should be on the list,
then Carson up to Windy Ridge, great run.

From there any way you like into Seattle region. Traffic pretty much everywhere.

Good luck, should be a fun trip :)

Edit - some resources
https://www.bestbikingroads.com/motorcycle-roads/united-states/routes/oregon
More offroad focused: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1sd4fJmcjLAmEPDcEDt3e6aPrr4I&ll=45.263729525686756,-123.38381368129185&z=7
 

Doug C

Active Member
2012 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Mar 12, 2011
Messages
367
Location
Victoria British Coloumbia
Route suggestions please.

I’m Atlanta based and my knowledge of West Coast roads is limited to Interstates, Hwy1, Redding to Eureka through to Mt Shasta.
We’re a few friends (no dates set 2021 maybe!) planning to ride Western/NW Coast region

Start: SanDiego region
End: Seattle region

No Interstates.
Only backroads, mixed surface (off road will need to be max intermediate level to account for other rider capabilities).
Looking for suggestions of a good route - ideal route where 'must ride' roads, and 'must-see' spots are covered.
Pick up a few of the butler maps for California and Oregon lots of choices of different routes depending on how much time you will have. If you have a national parks pass can save a ton of money as well getting access to some pretty scenic views and routes.
In Northern California can’t go wrong with 299 out of Redding and 96 up to happy camp
 
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