VFRworld - View Single Post - Ride Suggestions for California coast into Oregon?

Lgn001 · 05-29-2008, 06:04 PM

I know of a couple of decent bike roads out there. Highway 199, almost at the CA/OR border, goes from Crescent City, CA into Grant Pass, OR. Once you are in Grants Pass, you are right next to Highway 5, and there are lots of ways over to the Bend area. I don't know about camping in the area, but Oregon usually has somewhere not too far away, no matter where you are.

If you want a serious amount of winding road, like over 100 miles of it, you can take Highway 36. It runs into Highway 101 (northern part of PCH) between Rio Dell and Fortuna. There tends to be a bit of gravel here and there from patches to the road, so be on the lookout. When you get to the Highway 36 / Highway 3 fork, take Highway 3 to Hayfork/Weaverville. Once you get to Weaverville, it is a short ride to one of several lakes, all with camping. I have no idea if reservations are required, but it is an annual tourist destination. From there, you can take Highway 3 north, which will bring you into Yreka, CA, about 15 miles from the Oregon border.

If you want something less twisty but really scenic, take Highway 299 off of 101. It starts in Arcata, slightly north of the route mentioned above. It follows a river in a ravine all the way to Weaverville, and is curvy enough to be satisfying. Once you hit Weaverville, same thing as above.

An option to Highway 3 north is to go west to Highway 5 in Redding, CA. Highway 5 at that point crosses over Lake Shasta and has a lot of scenic curvy road.

It has been a few years since I've been up there, but I do not remember any gas stations between the PCH and Weaverville. Ditto for Highway 3 north from the lake area to Yreka.

One other thing; Highway 1 up the coast can be a major pain due to RV's and slow drivers. Highway 101 is an alternative route, and is scenic. Northern CA can be blazing hot sometimes, but a person from Phoenix will probably not care. Highway 36 is rural, and there is no sun protection. 299, since it is a ravine, does have some.

Definitely keep your eyes open for the California Highway Patrol (and others). Although most of them park in plain sight, there are lots of nooks and crannies along the way.

I think that's it. Have a good trip!

PS Highway 96 can be problematic. Some of the locals will occasionally set up miniature road blocks and try to collect tolls when they run out of drinking money, and will get unruly if you do not want to play. Don't ask...

05-29-2008, 06:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lgn001 Most Royal Deluxe Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Last Online: Yesterday 10:07 PM Location: Russian River by Ocean, CA My Ride: 1983 CB1100F 2000 SV650 2007 VFR View my Photo Gallery Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 20 Thanked 50 Times in 41 Posts	I know of a couple of decent bike roads out there. Highway 199, almost at the CA/OR border, goes from Crescent City, CA into Grant Pass, OR. Once you are in Grants Pass, you are right next to Highway 5, and there are lots of ways over to the Bend area. I don't know about camping in the area, but Oregon usually has somewhere not too far away, no matter where you are. If you want a serious amount of winding road, like over 100 miles of it, you can take Highway 36. It runs into Highway 101 (northern part of PCH) between Rio Dell and Fortuna. There tends to be a bit of gravel here and there from patches to the road, so be on the lookout. When you get to the Highway 36 / Highway 3 fork, take Highway 3 to Hayfork/Weaverville. Once you get to Weaverville, it is a short ride to one of several lakes, all with camping. I have no idea if reservations are required, but it is an annual tourist destination. From there, you can take Highway 3 north, which will bring you into Yreka, CA, about 15 miles from the Oregon border. If you want something less twisty but really scenic, take Highway 299 off of 101. It starts in Arcata, slightly north of the route mentioned above. It follows a river in a ravine all the way to Weaverville, and is curvy enough to be satisfying. Once you hit Weaverville, same thing as above. An option to Highway 3 north is to go west to Highway 5 in Redding, CA. Highway 5 at that point crosses over Lake Shasta and has a lot of scenic curvy road. It has been a few years since I've been up there, but I do not remember any gas stations between the PCH and Weaverville. Ditto for Highway 3 north from the lake area to Yreka. One other thing; Highway 1 up the coast can be a major pain due to RV's and slow drivers. Highway 101 is an alternative route, and is scenic. Northern CA can be blazing hot sometimes, but a person from Phoenix will probably not care. Highway 36 is rural, and there is no sun protection. 299, since it is a ravine, does have some. Definitely keep your eyes open for the California Highway Patrol (and others). Although most of them park in plain sight, there are lots of nooks and crannies along the way. I think that's it. Have a good trip! PS Highway 96 can be problematic. Some of the locals will occasionally set up miniature road blocks and try to collect tolls when they run out of drinking money, and will get unruly if you do not want to play. Don't ask... Last edited by Lgn001; 05-29-2008 at 07:18 PM.