Cycling in the United States It is a fantastic experience. There are so many beautiful areas where you can fully immerse yourself in nature and everything around it. Although everyone soon thinks of Colorado and Boulder There are many more beautiful places. For example, Los Angeles already has a number of beautiful places. hidden places. What’s more to the north, you can cycle a wonderful route, the famous Highway 1. In a nutshell: Highway 1 in California is amazing. You can actually drive all the way from Leggett in Northern California to Dana Point in Orange County, Southern California. This route is not only a favorite for car owners and holidaymakers with campers, but also for cyclists. We’ll take you on a journey.
Highway 1 is amazing!
Highway 1 is a staple in the USA. Basically, every road trip in California runs through Highway 1. It’s stunning views, winding curves, and you’ll definitely have to get your feet moving a bit as it’s hilly. Although most trips in San Francisco start and end in Los Angeles, it’s more than worth it to also take the northern part of this route.
Highlights
The highlight of this route is definitely the Point Reyes Lighthouse. If you start in Leggett, you are already almost 300 kilometers into the journey. Point Reyes is probably one of the most photographed places in the USA. It is a white lighthouse with a red roof that you reach by climbing a lot of stairs. Going up and down is already a pretty workout. The view is truly spectacular. It is worth making the detour if you are traveling from north to south. You will also encounter the Point Arena lighthouse at an earlier point. It is definitely a photo opportunity. The Tomales Ecological Reserve is also a nice stop. The nature is beautiful.
Through the trees
The further you get to San Francisco (about 400 kilometers on the route), the more you see the trees. Here is ‘Redwood Country’. One of the most beautiful places is the Muir Woods State Forest, where you drive along the road down. You also drive past Mount Tamalpais State Park. Here you can also take a short detour on the Panoramic highway. Just for the photos alone you would do it, but the view and the surroundings are absolutely fantastic. The northern part of Highway 1 doesn’t often go past the sea. It is in that respect a different, but no less beautiful part of the route. Before crossing the bridge: make a stop in Sausolito. A nice artists’ village and a perfect stop for lunch or a coffee.
Are we going to San Francisco
The ride to San Francisco and especially the route over the Golden Gate Bridge is beautiful, but it can definitely be chilly too. There is a Pacific Stream that often brings fog and with it cold to this part of the route. For the fans of Alcatraz: the reason that prisoners in Alcatraz actually did not escape is the cold of the water and the distance to the shore. So dress warmly if you are cycling here. Immediately after the bridge you follow highway 1 along the coast.
View of San Fran
Surfer's paradise
Now you’re going along the first stretch of Highway 1 towards Los Angeles. This is often overlooked on road trips, because it’s not quite as interesting as the stretch from Monterey Bay. Still, it’s worth doing on a bike. You start here on the longest stretch that leads along the coast towards Santa Cruz and then continue towards the highlight: Big Sur. But first the stretch to Santa Cruz: here you pass through Half Moon Bay. Not bad for lunch, they would say. From here to Santa Cruz you really get into surfer’s paradise. The University of Santa Cruz is sometimes also known as the University of Surfer Cruz.
Monterey and beyond
Once you’ve turned the bend at Santa Cruz, you’ll reach Monterey. Not to be confused with Monterrey in Mexico. It’s much quieter here. The town has a nice aquarium and the boardwalk there is a great place for a lunch stop with a view. It’s also a good idea to stop here for a quick recharge before continuing on. The most famous and most well-documented stretch is ‘Big Sur’. If you’re in Monterey, the Monterey Canning Company (the red building) will definitely stand out. This building is famous from the books of John Steinbeck. If you’re a fan of Steinbeck, a stop in Salinas (just before Monterey) at the Steinbeck Museum is a must.
Big Sur
We could talk for hours about Big Sur. From Bixby Creek bridge to Ragged Point and beyond to San Simeon/Hearst Castle. It is truly stunningly beautiful. Because the road runs so close to the ocean, you have magnificent views at almost every point along the way. By the way, don’t forget to stop along the way because at several points you can also see the seals and seals along the route. Nice! A stop at Hearst Castle is also recommended, although you will have to book in advance. William Hearst, a newspaper magnate and the namesake of Hearst Magazines (now owner of Bicycling), had a ‘modest residence’ there.
Morro Rock
Once you leave Big Sur, you reach Morro Bay and then Morro Rock. This strange phenomenon attracts quite a few visitors every year. You can cycle there and even walk and drive quite a way, but ultimately it’s mostly beautiful to look at from a distance. You can do this well from the bay, where you have several good eateries, coffee shops and places to stay.
Holy ground
The road between San Francisco and Los Angeles (and further on towards San Diego) sometimes also coincides with Highway 101, also known as El Camino Real. This is a former pilgrimage route, so you will encounter many names with ‘San’ in them: San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria. There you will often also find an old mission post. Of course, great efforts have been made to convert the inhabitants of this area. That has not been entirely successful. But the remaining mission posts are already a route in their own right. Especially those of San Luis Obispo (a fun student city, abbreviated as SLO) and Santa Barbara are well worth visiting.
SLO county 
Mission San Luis Obispo
Wine Country
Beyond San Luis Obispo you arrive in the wine region of Southern California. The north with Napa and Sonoma is most famous, but you can also find beautiful vineyards in the south. You drive right past them and it is definitely worth stopping for a short mini glass. We won’t blame you for that. Here too, Highway 1 is great.
Lompoc – Santa Barbara
From Lompoc it gets busier. You’re now really close to Los Angeles. Around Lompoc the nature is beautiful, but you also have to deal with Vandenberg AFB. It’s located on the coast, so you only see the inland there. Further on, near Santa Barbara it gets nice again, but you also drive a bit over the 101. The traffic is a bit of a challenge there. Santa Barbara is definitely worth a stop, even just because of the mission post, the series, and the fact that you can do celebrity spotting there.
Go to Malibu
In a previous article we already wrote about the stretch around Malibu. The stretch between Santa Barbara and Ventura is a bit less beautiful, but once you get off the 101 near Oxnard, it’s pure enjoyment.
To Santa Monica
In the end, you literally ride the last stretch over the beach, via the beach bike path. In Santa Monica and further on in Venice Beach, you can really relax and enjoy everything that happens. Venice Beach is a nice place where eccentric people gather. Santa Monica is more for families and a bit more upscale. However, the best pasta lunch is at C&O trattoria. Trust us on this.
Stay and more
If you drive the entire route, you can choose from a variety of accommodations. Not only hotels, but there are also plenty of (well-equipped) campsites along the coast. Often with all the amenities, but sometimes more basic ones. In all the villages, there is a good inn where you can stay and you are never more than 25-30 kilometers away from a good place to sleep. The same goes for food and drink. If you drive the entire route (almost 1200 kilometers), you will have to be on the move for a while. But it’s also worth it. You will also pick up 12,000 meters of elevation gain. Pretty cool.
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.