Highway 96, near the CA-OR border, is the longest continuous motorcycle road in California, offering 146 miles of uninterrupted mountain curves. Starting in Willow Creek and running all the way to the I-5 junction north of Yreka (and just south of Ashland, OR), Highway 96 follows the rugged contours of the Trinity and Klamath Rivers. This ride is a steady, rhythmic curvation through the mountains of the Northern California "Motorcycle Wonderland." The pavement is a mix of bro

Comptche-Ukiah Rd is regarded by several of my ride buddies as one of their favorite motorcycle roads in the state. This ride starts at the junction of Highway 1 and Highway 128 along the Pacific coastline north of Point Arena, CA. Head inland from Highway 1 along the Navarro River, following fresh, meandering pavement through the redwood forest for 12 miles, then turn north onto Flynn Creek Rd for another 9 miles to the Comptche General Store. A stop in Comptche is mandatory

Forest Road 1 in Northern California has a distinct Mattole Rd vibe. It’s not for everyone—for some, it’s a "one-and-done" ride, but for others, Forest Road 1 is like no other road you've ever ridden. Known as Titlow Hill Rd on the northern half -off Hwy 299 right outside of Willow Creek, CA at the 2859 ft. Berry Summit- and South Fork Mountain Rd on the southern half, some local NorCal riders also call the southern leg Lamb Creek Grade since it starts at Lamb Creek. My AAA p

Highway 108 - Sonora Pass filled my feed yesterday. It’s open. Early. If there is one road that defines the dramatic beauty of the Sierra Nevada Range, it’s Highway 108. Reaching 9,624 feet at its summit, this isn't just a mountain crossing; it’s an alpine jewel that deserves a spot on every rider's bucket list. The ride truly transforms once you leave the historic Gold Rush charm of Sonora behind and start climbing. This 80-mile stretch of mountain road morphs from oak-cover

Highway 26 in the Sierra Nevada foothills runs parallel to Highway 88-Carson Pass and is easily overlooked. If your goal is to escape the tourist traffic flowing down the hill back into the Central Valley, turn off the main road at Pioneer, CA. Highway 26 offers a rhythmic downhill flow that captures the essence of the Sierra foothills, connecting Pioneer to Mokelumne Hill. Dropping out of the pines and into the oaks, this section of "the 26" is endlessly twisty, shedding ele

Highway 120 - the Eastern leg- from Lee Vining toward Benton near the Nevada border offers a completely different flavor of adventure. This high-altitude desert run is a long-standing Pashnit favorite, featuring smooth pavement and the pungent, camphor-like aroma of springtime sagebrush. As you head east from Highway 395, don't miss the short off-road trek to the rim of Panum Crater, (a short distance from Highway 395 & easy to miss) a 600-year-old volcanic dome that stands a

Highway 58 in the Central Coast Range is often mentioned with an air of reverence in motorcycle circles. Imagine a perfect cocktail of technical curves, two low ranges, and lonngg straights, all framed by sweeping views of the Central Valley. It’s that "middle of nowhere" feeling—the big sky country, the quality pavement, and 72 miles of pure motorcycle bliss—that creates giddy, childlike moments of biker wonderment. The western 72-mile segment from Santa Margarita to Taft (n

Highway 190 is easily one of my favorite roads to ride in California. Now, before you choke on your morning coffee, hear me out. Before you retort, "What about road X, Y, or Z?" let’s break it down. I’ve always described this road to my tour participants as "endlessly twisty," and I mean 250+ curves in just 25 miles. This is pure mountain riding—a steady, relentless climb gaining 1000s of feet in elevation into the Southern Sierra Nevada from the tiny foothill community of Sp

Sherman Pass is the southernmost paved high mountain pass in the Sierra Nevada Range and perhaps the most remote in California. It’s wild, forgotten, and completely off-grid. The route begins with a sign that reads "Next Fuel 75 Miles"—a stern reminder to top off in Kernville before committing to the climb. The ascent is a steady grind through tight hairpins and steep 10% grades. Once you crest the summit at 9,200 feet, the road meanders through high-altitude sagebrush and pr

Pleasant Valley Rd, just west of Nevada City, CA serves as a gateway to the gold-rich history of the Sierra Nevada foothills. Riders know this road as a perfect shortcut between Highway 20 and Highway 49 to bypass Nevada City, but the real prize lies at the bottom of the canyon: the Bridgeport Covered Bridge. Built in 1862 by David J. Wood, this structure was a vital link on the Virginia Turnpike toll road, once resonating with the sounds of freight teams bound for the Comsto

Ink Grade is the NorCal Rossi’s Driveway. (If Rossi has a driveway, this would be it.) If you’ve ridden both (i.e. Highway 229 at Creston is the original Rossi’s Driveway), you’ll get the reference; if not, consider this your marching orders. Tracing its origins back to the late 1880s long before automobiles, this ‘grade’ was carved out of the rugged Howell Mountain terrain by rancher Theron Ink. Originally built with basic tools for horse drawn wagons and to move livestock b

Tepusquet Rd is a rare California gem that feels more like a "ribbon of chocolate" than a backroad. Connecting Foxen Canyon Rd to Highway 166, this 17-mile ranch road is the ultimate backroad experience—but with a twist: it’s mostly smooth, decent pavement repaved a few years back. Riding northbound, the journey begins in the Santa Maria Valley, where farm fields stretch into the distance. Use Foxen Canyon from Santa Maria (west) or Solvang (southeast) to reach Tepusquet Rd.

Hot Creek Geologic Site is a can’t-miss, high-desert detour- located a short distance off Highway 395 near Mammoth, CA, this is where the massive Long Valley Caldera—a dormant supervolcano—reminds you it is very much still active. How many years did I ride up and down Highway 395 and not know this site was tucked behind the Mammoth Airport? Likely 20-plus years. Then I saw a photo of it on the cover of a magazine and thought, "Where is that?" I had ridden right by it countles

Highway 243 is one of Southern California’s most dramatic alpine ascents. Leaving the heat of the San Gorgonio Pass behind, the 243 immediately bites into the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains and begins an energetic climb. For motorcyclists and driving enthusiasts, this ride is a masterclass in rhythm. Hwy 243 is all about the escape; you begin in the arid, boulder-strewn landscape of the high desert heading south from the I-10 freeway, but within just a few miles, the

Lick Observatory atop Mount Hamilton is closed. A series of ferocious storms, culminating in 114 mph wind gusts, ripped sections of the roof right off the historic domes in 2025. Mount Hamilton Rd / Highway 130 is a rite of passage for any Bay Area rider (& bicyclist) . Departing from the urban sprawl of the South Bay, the asphalt immediately transforms into a relentless, 19-mile staircase of over 360 curves. This isn't a high-speed sweeper ride; it is a technical, low-gear w

Highway 172 on the south side of Mount Lassen is a 9-mile loop that’s more than just a bypass; it’s one-lane joy ride back in time. Stretching from the small community of Mineral to Morgan Springs, Highway 172 is actually the original alignment of Highway 36. Long before the modern bypass was built, this was the primary route for travelers heading east from Red Bluff. The road’s history is rooted in the 1860s Humboldt Road, a rugged wagon route that once served as a lifeline

Bonny Doon Beach is a hidden beach. Well, not really. But, you would never know it’s there 11 miles north of Santa Cruz if you’re zipping up highway 1. Ride Empire Grade downhill towards Santa Cruz, and head west towards the ocean onto Pine Flat Rd. Wiggle wiggle downhill while passing by two fun rides: Ice Cream Grade & Smith Grade, when you hit the ocean at Highway 1, there’s parking long Highway 1. Quick walk over the railroad berm and there’s the beach. The county is curr

Highway 1-Legget Section: We’ve arrived at one of the "Top Five" motorcycle roads in California. It doesn’t have a flashy name like ‘Tail of the Dragon’ or ‘Triple Nickle’; we simply call it The Leggett Section. This 22-mile stretch is a gift from the motorcycle gods, defined by an endless cadre of hairpins and tight, blind corners that demand a "Slow In, Fast Out" philosophy. The ride is a baptism of fire, gaining 1,000 ft in elevation up and over the Coast Range as the redw

The Avenue of the Giants is a place you simply have to ride through. No doors. No roof. No windows. Just you, the motorcycle, and the hum of the engine beneath you. Highway 254 is a mere 32 miles in length, and while it parallels the 101 freeway, this road was designed for the soul of a motorcyclist. Ride it at an off-time—first light on a Sunday morning—and you’ll have the entire forest all to yourself. As you roll through Humboldt Redwoods State Park, the scale of the fores

Branscomb Rd is the northernmost "up-and-over" mountain pass before Highway 1 hits the final pass we call ‘The Leggett Section’. Riding Branscomb westbound from Laytonville to the Pacific is a masterclass in Mendocino variety. The journey begins at Boomers Saloon in Laytonville along Highway 101, quickly transitioning from a fast, wide two-lane into the shaded groves of Admiral William Stanley Sate Recreation Area. Here, the road narrows to a single lane as it squeezes betwee