The Pacific Coast regularly features on lists of the world’s best cycling routes – and it’s easy to see why. Stretching for 2,540 km (1,578 miles) along the western shore of the US, the trail follows US Highway 101 as it traces the edge of the expansive Pacific Ocean. On the way it takes cyclists from creative-and-quirky Seattle in the north all the way to the sunny shores of San Diego in the south.
Thinking of taking on this epic bikepacking trip? Here, DK Eyewitness Editor Rachel Laidler rounds up 9 things you need to know before you start pedalling.
Thinking of taking on this epic bikepacking trip? Here, DK Eyewitness Editor Rachel Laidler rounds up 9 things you need to know before you start pedalling.
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View BookIt passes through some incredible scenery...
This coastal cycle ride is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. Running through the US states of Washington, Oregon and California, the route takes you through evergreen forests, past the soaring trunks of giant redwoods and alongside tawny hued hills. But it’s the coast that really steals the show: rugged, wave-blasted cliffs unfold before you, as do tiny sheltered coves and sugar-sand beaches home to basking elephant seals. All the while the ocean – with its rhythmic waves and refreshing breezes – provides a near-constant panorama of endless deep-blue.
...and more than a few famous cities
Great scenery goes hand in hand with super-cool cities on the Pacific Coast. The first part of your ride runs through eclectic Seattle and leafy Portland, both foodie havens; here, hungry cyclists can fuel up for the miles ahead with fresh local produce and leg-reviving coffee. Further down the coast the route hits San Francisco – known for its iconic bridge and cutting-edge galleries – before zooming on towards LA, where the glitz and glamour of Hollywood awaits. At last you’ll reach laid-back San Diego, “America’s finest city”, where you can trade cycling for surfing and end your trip with a dip in the Pacific.
It takes around two months to complete
While the route can be completed in less than this, it pays to have a slower pace when tackling the Pacific Coast. Taking two months will turn the ride from a simple physical challenge into a bucket-list adventure, allowing you plenty of time to explore the sandy beaches, dense forests, seaside towns and world-famous cities scattered along its length. It’ll also grant you some much needed rest days, whether that’s stretching your legs on a walk around downtown Seattle or sipping on a local craft beer as you laze on a sun-kissed Californian beach.
Spring and autumn are the best times to go
While you can technically cycle the route at any time, spring and autumn are much quieter than the summer months, when the roads can become busy with traffic and campsites are full with other visitors. The weather is much milder during these two seasons, too: you’ll miss both the blazing heat of summer, particularly draining once you reach California, and the icy blasts of winter, which love to batter the Pacific Northwest.
Be warned, though, that whatever time of year you go the weather can be changeable, so make sure you bring a good gear for both rain and sun.
Be warned, though, that whatever time of year you go the weather can be changeable, so make sure you bring a good gear for both rain and sun.
It’s a challenge
Not only is the route long, requiring you to spend at least 40 days putting foot to pedal, it’s also hilly – over the course of the trip there’s a staggering 32,700 m (107,300 ft) of ascent. While steep climbs are found along the whole length of the Pacific Coast, some of the toughest lie in California, including a particularly leg-burning stretch between the multicoloured Glass Beach and rugged Marin Headlands.
One great tip is to do the route north to south: travelling in this direction means that you’re likely to have a tailwind giving you a helping hand up those hills.
One great tip is to do the route north to south: travelling in this direction means that you’re likely to have a tailwind giving you a helping hand up those hills.
Accommodation abounds
Thanks to the highway being a well-trodden tourist route, there are plenty of places to stay along the way. The towns and cities you’ll pass through offer everything from budget motels to treat-yourself high-end hotels, with quaint B&Bs and friendly youth hostels available, too. But the most cyclist-friendly accommodation is found in the state parks, where specially designated “Hiker-Biker” areas offer a cheap night's sleep to weary riders. Here, you can hunker down beneath the broad branches of towering redwoods or sleep on the soft shores of a pristine beach.
Road conditions are generally good
As the route follows main highways, the roads are generally in good condition, offering you smooth riding for most of the way. A generous shoulder and the occasional bike path means that you’ve usually got enough room on the road; but be warned that sections of the route – including the famous winding bends around Big Sur – have no shoulder at all, so you’ll have to occupy the main lane of the highway. It’s best to tackle these segments outside of the busy summer period, when the roads can become thick with traffic and room to maneuver is more limited. It’s also a good idea to get a good bit of experience on your bike before you head off on this route; this will give you the skills and confidence you need to tackle any tricker sections.
You don’t have to do the entire route...
Not keen to tackle the whole journey? No problem – the route is easily divided into much shorter segments. One of the best is the much-loved route between San Francisco and LA: pedal from the rust-red arches of the Golden Gate Bridge, past studenty Santa Cruz and lively Santa Barbara, all the way to the golden sands of Malibu Beach. There’s also the 240-km (150-mile) section from beachside Lincoln City to the small town of Bandon, which follows the windswept Oregon coastline past craggy cliffs and secluded coves.
...but you can also extend it
There are plenty of ways to make this bucket-list trip even longer – and even more epic. Why not begin your trip in Canada’s ocean-encircled Vancouver to take in more of the wild, forested beauty of the Pacific Northwest? Or perhaps keep going past San Diego, taking on a section of the 4,864-km (3023-mile) Southern Tier, a cycle route which takes you cross-country from California to Florida.
If you want an overload of adventure, try incorporating the Pacific Coast route as part of the Pan-American Highway, an extraordinary 30,000-km (19,000-mile) journey that starts in Alaska and ends in Argentina.
If you want an overload of adventure, try incorporating the Pacific Coast route as part of the Pan-American Highway, an extraordinary 30,000-km (19,000-mile) journey that starts in Alaska and ends in Argentina.
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