Motorcycle Trip California: 10 Best Touring Rides for 2026

California can hand you the kind of day that makes you forget what time it is: salt air on the coast, cold pine in the mountains, desert heat that feels like a blow dryer, and a diner stop that turns into an hour of bench-racing.

This list is built for touring riders—the folks who care about fuel range, comfort, weather windows, and getting home in one piece. If you’re searching for the best motorcycle rides in California, these are the California motorcycle routes I’d put on your short list first.

I’m ordering these rides by “most iconic for a first-time California trip” first, then branching out into the wilder (and sometimes more remote) stuff.

⚠️ Warning: Conditions change fast in California—slides, snow, heat, and construction. Don’t “send it” on a route you haven’t checked that morning.

1) Pacific Coast Highway motorcycle ride: Highway 1 through Big Sur (Monterey to San Simeon)

If you’ve never done a motorcycle trip California riders talk about for years, start here. Big Sur is cliffside, ocean-to-your-left (or right), and pull-offs that make you shut the bike off just to listen.

Best time to ride: Late spring through early fall, aiming for late morning into afternoon.

Cautions:

• Summer mornings often bring coastal fog; Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park notes that summer mornings bring fog that usually burns off by midday on their park page.Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

• Highway 1 is prone to closures and traffic controls. Before you commit, check Caltrans CA-1 road conditions.Caltrans CA-1 road conditions

2) Pacific Coast Highway North (San Francisco to Point Reyes and beyond)

If Big Sur is the postcard, NorCal coast is the slow-burn masterpiece: tighter roads, quieter stretches, and that “one more mile” feeling.

Best time to ride: Spring and fall for fewer crowds.

Cautions:

• Coastal temps can swing hard—pack layers even when it’s warm inland.

• Expect tight corners, damp shaded spots, and sudden fog.

3) Angeles Crest Highway motorcycle ride (Hwy 2) — The LA Escape

You can be out of the sprawl and into cool mountain air fast. This is a classic SoCal mountain ride with long sweepers and elevation changes that wake you up.

Best time to ride: Late spring through early fall.

Cautions:

• Seasonal closures happen. Don’t assume it’s open because the weather looks nice in town.

• Watch for sand/gravel in corners after storms.

4) Highway 33 (Ojai to the Carrizo Plain side)

Hwy 33 is where the road starts talking back—in a good way. Long, flowing corners through the Los Padres area with views that look painted.

Best time to ride: Spring for green hills; early summer before the heat cranks up.

Cautions:

• Services can be sparse. Fuel up before you head into the quiet sections.

• If you’re making it a full day, plan a real food stop—not just gas-station snacks.

5) Sierra Nevada Passes (Ebbetts Pass 4 / Sonora Pass 108 / Monitor Pass 89)

If you want “high country” California, these passes deliver: granite, forests, and that crisp air that makes the engine feel sharper.

A great starting point for planning is Rider Magazine’s Sierra Nevada ride guide.Rider Magazine’s Sierra Nevada ride guide

Best time to ride: Late spring through early fall (when the passes are open).

Cautions:

• Snow can keep passes closed well into spring.

• Temps drop quickly at elevation—bring a warmer layer than you think you’ll need.

6) Highway 36 California motorcycle run (Fortuna to Red Bluff)

This is the one riders whisper about. Hwy 36 is long, twisty, and remote enough that you’ll feel like you’ve got the state to yourself.

Best time to ride: Summer and early fall when weather is stable.

Cautions:

• Fuel planning matters. Pashnit’s Highway 36 route notes call out limited gas stops and long stretches with nothing but forest and corners.Pashnit’s Highway 36 route notes

• Watch for wildlife, blind corners, and no-guardrail sections.

7) Redwood Country (Avenue of the Giants area)

If you’ve never ridden through old-growth redwoods, it’s hard to describe. The light changes. The sound changes. Everything slows down.

Best time to ride: Late spring through early fall.

Cautions:

• Shaded sections can stay damp and slick longer.

• Tourists stop suddenly—leave space.

8) Yosemite-Adjacent High Country (when Tioga is open)

You don’t need to thread through peak crowds to get incredible mountain riding. Build your route around the open roads and the shoulder-season windows.

Best time to ride: Early summer through early fall.

Cautions:

• Entry lines and traffic can eat your day. Start earlier and ride calmer.

• Weather flips fast—keep rain gear accessible.

9) Mojave and High Desert Long Haul (US-395 style riding)

This one’s for the riders who enjoy distance. Big sky, long sightlines, and that “just you and the motor” rhythm.

Best time to ride: Late fall, winter (milder days), and early spring.

Cautions:

• Heat is no joke in summer. Hydration isn’t optional.

• Crosswinds can shove a fully-loaded touring bike around.

10) Ortega Highway (SR-74) — Quick Hit with Big Views

Ortega is a shorter, more accessible option when you’re based in SoCal and want a ride that still feels like a “real” day on the bike.

Best time to ride: Weekdays, early.

Cautions:

• Traffic can get impatient. Ride your pace and let faster folks go.

• Watch driveways and turnouts.

Before you roll out: California safety + legality (quick and simple)

California has its own riding rhythm. Two things worth getting straight before your trip:

• Lane splitting: It’s legal in California, but it has to be done safely and prudently. The California Highway Patrol lays this out in CHP’s Motorcycles and Similar Vehicles guidance (updated 2026).CHP’s Motorcycles and Similar Vehicles guidance (updated 2026)

• Helmet: Wear a DOT-compliant helmet. CHP covers this in the same guidance above.

For a broader, rider-friendly refresher, the California DMV Motorcyclists Guide is a solid skim before you hit the road.California DMV Motorcyclists Guide

Pro Tip: Pack like you’re going to see three climates in one day—because in California, you might.

Keeping your touring setup solid (without turning this into a sales pitch)

On long trips, small problems become big problems. If you’re running a Tour-Pak or adding luggage, it’s worth understanding what mounts to what so you don’t end up chasing fitment issues mid-trip. Here’s a straight explanation of the hardware: MotorFlagKing’s Harley Tour-Pak rack guide.

And if you like flying colors on your rides, the best time to think about stability isn’t at the rally—it’s during trip prep. A secure, rider-designed setup like MotorFlagKing can help keep things tidy and confident at speed (without sketchy wobble).

Next steps

Pick one route that fits your season, your comfort level, and your fuel range—then build the trip around that ride instead of trying to “do it all.” If you’re still deciding what bike you want under you for the next long haul, MotorFlagKing’s Harley-Davidson 2026 models guide is a good starting point.