The Best Riding Routes in California

Getting a Harley-Davidson® touring motorcycle is the best way to start a new chapter of riding. Maybe you’ve spent most of your motorcycle ownership experience cruising around big cities or neighborhoods. But now it’s time to hit the open road in style and comfort. Biggs Harley-Davidson has provided some of our favorite routes to help get you started. If you’d like to hear our staff’s personal favorites, or if you’d like some ideas from fellow riders, stop by our location in San Marcos, California, serving San Diego and Oceanside.

Idyllwild

Riding around Idyllwild is going to be a blast for the rider who loves variety and a challenge. Located just an hour and a half away from our home base, the Idyllwild motorcycle route takes you in a loop around a beautiful part of the region. You’ll climb to higher elevations, so we recommend you try this one out now, while it’s still fairly warm. The town itself is tucked away into the mountains and offers spectacular views and the charms of a smaller community. Ride through a variety of landscapes, from deserts with palm trees to dense forests to mountain views. Well-maintained, curvy roads make this route challenging, but not dangerous, and it’s perfect for getting out and clearing your head with the crisp, open air of the countryside.

Sunset to Pacific Coast Highway

This one’s a classic. You might have even driven along this route with your commuter vehicle. But now it’s time to experience it without the cage. Ride down the Sunset Strip, past some of the most iconic landmarks of the big city, right on your way to the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the state’s most infamous routes. The Pacific Coast Highway, or State Route 1, runs the length of the California coastline, from Orange County to just north of the San Francisco Bay. The southern part is situated in a much sunnier part of the state, so whether you choose to cruise north or south once you reach the highway, you’ll enjoy a clear view of the Pacific Ocean and the California coastline. 

Ortega Highway

For a fun 30-mile ride through the Santa Ana Mountains, you’ll want to check out the Ortega Highway. From Lake Elsinore to San Juan Capistrano, this route offers twisting roads through stunning California territory. You can stop in one of the towns to get a bite to eat at a local diner or you can even book an overnight stay at one of the many campgrounds along the route. Of course, the ride can easily be done in a day, but there’s lots to do in the area and we wouldn’t blame you for wanting to extend the experience. We also recommend a weekend trip, as weekdays can see a lot of commuter traffic. 

Big Bear

On to the San Bernardino Mountains! One of the best ways to get to the national forest in the area is through the Big Bear route. These open roads offer a beautiful look at one of the states most stunning rolling landscape. Crisp air and lush, green vegetation are abundant, and there are plenty of roadside attractions for when it’s time to take a break. The Big Bear area also offers more than just incredible riding routes. It’s also a ski resort in the winter and you can spend a longer period of time there exploring all that the region has to offer. 

These are just some of our favorites, but we also want to hear about some of your favorite riding routes. Stop by Biggs Harley-Davidson and chat with our friendly staff about where we should plan to take our next vacation. You can also check out the Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles for sale while you’re here. We welcome all patrons from San Marcos, San Diego, and Oceanside, California.