Highway 1 - North

Highway 1 North is the shizzle. Forget the tourist crowds of Big Sur; the real magic of Highway 1 starts north of the Golden Gate. Stretching 218 miles from San Francisco to its terminus at Leggett, Highway 1 North is an absolute legend in coastal riding. This isn't just a road; it’s a technical odyssey featuring endless hairpins, smooth pavement, and a rugged, blue-water backdrop that stays with you long after the kickstand is down.

For those in the know, the journey begins with a climb out of Tamalpais Valley. While the main route is iconic, the best way often involves a detour up the Panoramic Highway to Ridgecrest Blvd. Riding the spine of Bolinas Ridge offers views of Stinson Beach that have graced countless magazine covers and TV commercials. From there, you’ll dive through the redwood canopy of Samuel P. Taylor State Park and trace the jagged edges of the Point Reyes Peninsula as you head for a stop in Tomales at Route One Bakery.

Bypass the bottleneck of Bodega Bay with Bay Hill Rd. Then, the list of stops is too many for one day: Point Reyes Peninsula, Goat Rock SB, Fort Ross SHP, Sea Ranch Chapel, Point Arena Wharf & Lighthouse, Mendocino Joss House, Point Cabrillo Lighthouse just to name a few stops along the way.

As you push north toward Fort Bragg and the legendary "Leggett Section," the curves become tighter and the pace more rhythmic. You’ll pass historic gems like the Point Bonita Lighthouse and the Sea Ranch Chapel, but the star remains the pavement itself. This section can be a focused all-day push or a multi-day adventure filled with inland detours that criss-cross the Coast Range.

And in case you're wondering, this photo of s-curves was taken just north of Gualala.

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