How long do you want to take? Do you want to take public transport for part of it?

My favorite route is up Old Santa Cruz Highway (by the reservoir) and Mt. Charlie Rd then down a number of ways. There are a lot of tiny little mountain roads up there that have hardly any traffic. Crossing 17 is the hard part and the only really easy crossing that I know of is there (although there are probably other places!)

The coast is great, lots of cyclist use it. Devil's slide is the area that you are probably referring to. It is between Pacifica and Montara. I haven't been on it in a while and the road condition is always changing because there are constant mudslides and resurfacing. I think they have Caltrans folks permanently working on that part of the road. What I remember is that there is a fairly short, but also fairly steep climb with no shoulder that is scary because so many people are passing, including RVs and trucks. Then there is a downhill that is quite windy that generally has poor pavement and construction where you are moving fast and traffic is probably moving a little faster. You can take the lane, but it is tricky. The scary part can't be more than a mile or two from what I remember.

Highway 9 is a great way to come down. There is some traffic, but you are going so fast most of the time, that you are moving with the speed of traffic. I believe in the flatter parts, the shoulder is pretty good, but I haven't done the ride in a long time. One of many alternatives is Soquel-San Jose Rd, which is also great. How much traffic there is on either one or the other really depends on the day and time of day. Taking Skyline the whole way seems like a pretty difficult way to go and with a lot of traffic.

Have fun. Let us know what route you choose and how it went!

You can avoid Devil's Slide by taking Skyline Road (35) to the 92 and head to hwy 1 down 92. You can also go down 84, which is gorgeous and takes you through La Honda and San Gregorio.

Hwy 9 is great, too. Meets up with hwy 35. Go down one way and back another. Don't forget to stop in the General Store in San Gregorio :)

yeah some of highway #1 doesnt have a shoulder but just stop and let the few cars that drive by pass you and enjoy the view, stop at beaches and watch the sunset

I just heard on the news they are going to make a tunnel through Devils Slide and leave the road as a bicycle and pedestrian path, now is that beautiful, or what??

To avoid Devil's slide there is an awesome bike/walker path. It's Old Highway One and its closed off to cars. The only thing is that it's partially paved, and parts of it are somewhat choppy. I didnt have any problems, and the views are awesome. It's a very gradual climb that goes over a hill and leads right back out to Highway 1 right after devils slide.

i took pretty well just the coast highway from vancouver to san diego.. some bits are a bit sketch (no shoulder, as you say), but take it easy, be aware, and you should be fine

:D


aw, i'm so jealous. i love california ^.^