San Franciscans... A little help, please?

[elquicko]

I am traveling to Sausalito, CA for a work trip and have carved out an extra day to do a ride with one of my coworkers.
Was hoping that someone with some experience riding in this area might be able to share a good ride route or two.
I am looking for about a 200 mile round trip (100 miles out, grab some lunch, 100 miles back). A loop would be ideal.
Any suggestions for a nice, scenic ride would be welcomed and appreciated.
Thanks much,
Ryan

[Steve Carlton]

I can make some more detailed suggestions tonight, Ryan.

First off, weather-permitting (a big if), up Hwy 1 is unbeatable. Scenery galore, and racetrack-quality twisties. You could go to Mill Valley, over Mt. Tamalpais to Stinson Beach. From there north to Pt. Reyes Station (good place to eat). Continue north on Hwy 1 to as far as Gualala, and return the same way. You won't be disappointed backtracking. There are loops, but as far as I know, you'll catch some droning on Hwy 101 back. One outstanding option is to head east from Stewarts Point on Stewarts Point Skaggs Springs Rd to Lake Sonoma. The first few miles east are a little rough and tight, after that, nirvana.

[unimog]

I think Steve has given you the best option (North on Hwy 1), and very true in riding it home backwards, it is a 'new' ride, so not boring. And a good tip to stay away from the freeways to avoid the drone.

If you want to head south and make a loop, cross the bridge, take HWY 1 south to Pacifica, continue south to Half Moon Bay and down to Santa Cruz on HWY 1. Make sure to visit Santa Cruz BMW (also some good restaurants in that area). You can loop home via HWY 9 to HWY 35 and ride the crest back to the city. Use HWY 92 west to drop back onto HWY 1 or if you are running late just take HWY 280 to HWY 1 (19th Avenue) to get across the bridge. Of course the normal disclaimer, your ride will very due to commuter traffic.

[Steve Carlton]

Here's a loop if there's nice weather along the coast. Go to MapQuest.com and plot the following:

- Sausalito starting point to Stinson Beach
- add Pt. Reyes Station
- add Stewarts Point
- add Geyserville
- add Calistoga
- add Glen Ellen
- add Sausalito ending point

It shows as 6 hrs, 6 min, 233 miles (but includes unnecessary directions to town centers). Perhaps type in restaurant addresses. Breakfast recommendations:

- Alta Mira in Sausalito (a deck to die for if the weather is nice)
- The Station House Cafe in Pt. Reyes Station (nice outdoor patio)

Lunch recommendation:

- Calistoga Inn (nice outdoor patio)
- there's lots of nice restaurants in Calistoga if you see something that appeals more

At the end of your loop, I'd recommend going to an outlook just outside of Sausalito. At the end of the day, the light should be ideal for a photo:








If you decide to return on Hwy 1, you could go a little farther north first to Gualala, have lunch and turn around. If you do that, change the way you return from Stinson Beach to Sausalito as follows:






I'll work on a route that's not dependent on good weather along the coast. When are you going?

[elquicko]

holy cow, steve!
that's what i call above and beyond the call of duty
...and the same reason i still hang out on this board.
much aprreciated,
ryan
ps - lunch on me if you can make it out for any of the ride.

[Steve Carlton]

You're welcome. How soon are you going? I still want to make an alternate or two for a socked-in coast. You renting a bike?

[elquicko]

steve,
doesn't look like it will happen until january. early planning, huh?
we are coming into town for a jaguar test drive event so the "work" part of the trip shouldn't be too bad either
the good thing is that we budgeted a route survey trip and will come to check out the area on motorcycles first. that trip will hopefully be this spring.
looks like we will be renting bikes. any idea if there is a shop that rents bmw's in the area?
thanks again for your research, suggestions and pictures. i can't wait to come ride.
ryan

[Steve Carlton]

The two closest dealers are BMW of San Francisco and Marin BMW Motorcycles. I know SF rents bikes, don't know about Marin. BMW of SF is a big dealer; I'd contact them.

[acidburn]

Dial me in too if it all works out.
Berryessa / Napa hills area is a good alt route

[gigantic]

DubbleJu also rents bikes in the SF area.

[Deans BMW]

San Jose BMW also rents BMW's.

[Steve Carlton]

How much per day for the R1200S HP Sport?

[motoman]