Guy Boutin's Motorcycle Touring and Travel Pages

Adventures in Sport Touring with the Honda ST 1100, 1300 and the BMW 1200RT

Exploring North America...One Road at a Time

                               California (The Hotel)

The list of roads in the Hotel California is a long one.   Awesome riding out there.  Thousands of miles of great roads, in every kind of terrain.  Coastal, mountains, desert and farmland.  Even scenic rides through such cities as San Francisco.   I rarely look at my riding as a challenge or some kind of quest, my goals are vague.  I just want to ride new roads, and see as many different places as I can.  I ride because I love it, and I love adventure.  One of the few things I wanted to do for sure, when I entered this life chapter, was to ride all the lower 48.  Last I counted I've done that 4 times over.  I've spent quality time in each, not just blasting through on some interstate.  I've treated California somewhat differently.  In this case I have a plan and  have been methodically crossing off the roads on the Pashnit site.   I don't know if I will ever get all of them, but I'm going to ride as many as I can.  Each year I pick 2-4 different roads, and I'm off to a good start.

California SR 33 (2007)  Located in Southern California (south of Bakersfield), this road connects the Cuyuma with Ventura.  A great ride with hundreds of tight curves over the San Madre Mountains, elevation about 6,000 feet.  Not much traffic the day I was there ( mid week)  Good road surface.  At the south end of the highway you'll find the intresting city of Ojai.  I don't know how the 2007 fires affected the area so good idea to check before heading that way.

California SR 74 (2007)  Another great Southern California road.  I used it to escape the San Diego area and head for the desert.  Steep climbs, and lots of curves over the Santa Rosa Mountains.  Long U back curves in the mountain peaks.  About 60 miles of outstanding and challenging riding.  Prepare for climate change as you cross from coast to desert or vice versa.  Once again, I don't know the status of the road after the 2007 wild fires.

The Pacific Coast Highway, California Route 1 (2001)-  Many lists start with this awesome road.  Mine is no different.  This road weaves and bobs along the California Coast, where the Mountains flow to the Sea, in a crashing white cap spectacle.  You ride between mountains and water, amidst colors you will not find anywhere else. It offers challenging switchbacks, and hills.  I refrain from serious sport riding on the PCH.  I want to savor my surroundings.  The PCH is unmatched in the east.  The east coast of the U.S. is well developed, precluding any great riding.  I long for the day I will return to this great highway.  It is a road that must be ridden over and over to fully appreciate.

California SR 36 (2006)- I continue to whittle away at the roads in the Pashnit Site. SR 36 is in the top 3 roads of all time.  Great curves of every type.  Switchbacks, sweepers,  sharp cresting hills.  The route is 130 miles from the coast to Red Bluff over the mountains.  Good scenery, lots of challenge, little traffic.  One thing I can't figure out is how so many roads in the Hotel are void off traffic, given the number of people living there-not that I'm complaining.  SR 36 is what I call a destination road, meaning its worth a 2,000 mile slab ride just get there to ride it.  Some of the pavement is choppy at the high elevations, and look for Caltrans to have sections under construction especially near the mountains peaks.  What a great road.

California SR 199 (2006)  After a dreadful 3 days in rainy Oregon and Washington, I broke across the mountains on this route to the coast.  A great ride with lots of good curves through canyons and timberland.  The ride through the Redwoods in the National Park, is also excellent.  The route can be busy with touristy traffic, because it connects the Redwoods with the coast.  Good leaning but not a whole lot of elevation.

California SR 62 (2001)- Why this road through the desert?  Because its different.  No traffic, a guy can go on auto pilot.  The desert has its own beauty.  Mile after mile of emptiness.  Just the rider and his bike.  The only challenge is keeping your bike below 100.  A good ride just to think.

California SR 96, The Klamath River Road (2002)-  THE sport riding road of all time in my opinion.  Anything you want can be had.  Switchbacks? All you want.  S's? This road is like spaghetti,  Low traffic? Don't worry.  Hairpins?  More then a beauty salon.  Length?  Over 150 miles, almost 200 if you continue on SR 299.  Oh yeah, and scenic.

California SR 58, San Luis to Mckittrick (2003)- This highway has a good mix of riding.  The western portion is very twisty with a few banked curves.  Many tight turns on the east end.  Very easy to touch down.  Not much traffic.  A nice long run out across the Carrizo Plains for pure speed.  A great series of whoop de doos come at you, east of the valley.  I found myself looking far down the line as I topped them, and then running up the short inclines to the crest at 90 giving me the "roller coaster" effect.

California SR 168 ( 2003)-  Just across the line from Nevada you will find this sport riders dream. I don't know if its not the most challenging road I've ever tackled.  SR 168 takes a rider from the desert and introduces him to the Sierras.  The road surface is good as it snakes its way through the hills.  Very tight curves.  You will have U backs, right and left angles, and dips that reduce your ability to see ahead.  The day I was on this road, traffic was void.  Many of the curves are coated in a fine dust.  The way these curves are spaced make it a attention getting ride, and hard to get in rhythm.  You may get 3 tough changing radius curves in a row, then suddenly a sharp left and a dip.  Do not let yourself  get lulled into thinking you know what's coming next.  You must bring all your skills to the ballpark when you take on 168. The highway is perhaps 50 miles in length, but elevation is not all that great (comparatively speaking).  I had a really good time on this road.

California SR 108 (2003)-  Perhaps the most scenic road I've ever been on.  The road to Sonora Pass.  Beautiful scenery.  Snow was piled high as I worked my through the Alpine forest.  Crystal clear water seemed to be flowing everywhere.  Excellent pavement ruled the day.  Prepare yourself for a long uphill run, and after reaching the crest, an equally long downhill.  Traffic was not a factor the day I was there.  Lots and lots of good curves.

California SR 70 (2003)-  The Feather River Road.  A nice road through the Feather River Canyon.  Much of the road feels as if it was cut into the bluffs.  As a rider leans the curves of 70, the water of the Feather River follows him.  Many times I could see the road down below me, as I negotiated what seemed liked hundreds of U curves.  It was a lot of  fun and only had to pass a few cars.

California SR 3 (2003)- In the hills and trees of the Trinity Mountains you will find this tricky, but rewarding road.  I found its downhill twisties the most intense I've ever sampled.  Very tight, with limited sight.  Good riders, will find little difficulty scraping pegs for the entire run.  The road is not especially wide and you have to be on constant lookout ofr anyone straying over the yellow line.  The curves came at me in a sequence that made it hard for me to pick and hold a line, they seemed to disappear down the hills.  If you like to be tested I suggest taking a ride on it when you're in the area.  Great riding.

California SR 88 (2004)-  The highway to Carson Pass does not disappoint.  It has been my experience roads over the Sierra passes are good.  High mountains means lots of curves and 88 has both.  Expect traffic on the weekends.

U.S. 89, banks of Lake Tahoe (2004)-  Experiencing this road is worth putting up with the traffic, because it treats you to great views of this beautiful lake.  The road is sporty if you catch it with little traffic, but I suggest slowing down so you can sample the vistas and beauty of the area.  

California State Route 49 (2005)- I discovered this route in 2005.  I ran it south to north.  Traffic was a nuisance in the southern portions, but after clearing Auburn it thinned out and the highway became very technical.  SR 49 can be intense and a few miles later relaxing.  I enjoyed the many gold rush towns it passes through, on its way to Yuba pass.  Pavement surface is good for the most part, and the vistas are excellent when the route turns into the Sierras.  A good ride in through the Gold Country.