Central California

Central California

Dropping down into Central California brings an unbelievable shift. The deep, damp redwood forests open up to rugged, chaparral-covered canyon roads, sunny agricultural valleys, and the soaring, cliffside coastal views of the central coast.

To explore this region using our hub-and-spoke method on quiet roads, here are two phenomenal, contrasting basecamp options that position you perfectly for two iconic, distinct types of California riding.

HUB 1: The San Benito Valley / East Gabilan Range (The Hidden Foothills Hub)

Many riders bypass the inland central valley, which is exactly why you want to head here. Tucked east of Monterey Bay and south of Hollister, this area is a paradise of quiet, empty, roller-coaster ranch roads that twist through golden hills and jagged rock formations.

Pinnacles Campground

4.5

⛺ Campground

• The Pass Campsite: Pinnacles Campground Click to open side panel for more information (Pinnacles National Park)

  • The Setup: Located on the eastern side of California’s newest and smallest National Park, this is an absolute jackpot for your lifetime pass. Your pass gets you a steep 50% discount on tent sites here. It is a stunning, spacious campground shaded by valley oaks, complete with a swimming pool, a small camp store, and wild California condors regularly soaring overhead. It is incredibly quiet at night and puts you directly on the best backroad pavement.

Spoke 1: The Airline Highway Roller-Coaster                   Spoke 1:  Google Map  

• The Ride: Take the bike south directly from camp along California State Route 25 (The Airline Highway). This is a legendary local rider’s secret. It is a long, completely uncrowded, two-lane ribbon of asphalt that perfectly mimics the rolling contour of the landscape, delivering miles of gentle rises, dips, and sweeping blind curves through historic cattle country.             

• Cool Stuff to See & Do:

  • The Pinnacles Chalone Peaks: Before leaving camp, take a short walk to see the massive, jagged volcanic monoliths that give the park its name.

  • San Benito Ghost Towns: As you ride Route 25 south toward Bitterwater, you'll pass abandoned 19th-century homesteads, old wooden schoolhouses, and completely undisturbed valley vistas that feel like old-school California.

HUB 2: The Big Sur Coastline (The Dramatic Cliffside Hub)           Hub 2: Google Map 

If you want to experience the absolute pinnacle of the Pacific Coast Highway—where sheer 1,000-foot cliffs drop straight into the crashing blue ocean—you have to hub right on the coast.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground

4.5

⛺ Campground

• The Campsite: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground Click to open side panel for more information

  • The Setup: While California State Parks don't honor the federal pass camping discount, this hub is worth every penny for the sheer location. It is nestled in a deep, sheltered river canyon just inland from the ocean winds, shaded by a stunning southern grove of coastal redwoods along the Big Sur River. It keeps you right in the action of the coast without being battered by the ocean mist at night.

Spoke 1: The Cabrillo Highway Cliff-Hanger                   Spoke 1: Google Map 

• The Ride: Strip the luggage off the Wing and point the front tire south on US-101 / Highway 1. This is the quintessential PCH experience: tight, technical corners carved right out of the mountain face, massive concrete bridges spanning deep ocean gorges, and endless panoramic views of the Pacific surf.

• Cool Stuff to See & Do:

  • Bixby Creek Bridge: Located just north of camp, this iconic, soaring concrete arch bridge is one of the most photographed structures on the west coast. Pull over at the north viewpoint to stretch your legs and snap a photo.

  • McWay Falls (Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park): A short ride south leads to a quick, flat overlook trail where you can see an unbelievable 80-foot waterfall dropping from a granite cliff directly onto a pristine, untouched sandy beach cove below.

  • Nepenthe Pitstop: Ride up to this historic, cliff-perched restaurant for a simple, classic American burger or a hot coffee on their outdoor deck, sitting 800 feet directly above the ocean waves.

Pinnacles National Park

4.7

🏞️ National park

Splitting the difference is exactly how you get the best of both worlds out here—one day tracking the rugged coast, and the next sweeping through the empty, sun-baked canyons inland.

Assuming you use a central base camp along the Monterey/Salinas corridor, here are two distinct, perfectly balanced day loops that capture both sides of the region.

Loop 1: The Big Sur Coast & Redwoods (The Blue Highway)

• Vibe: Sweeping ocean cliffs, towering redwoods, tight engineering, and pure salt air.

• Distance/Time: ~150 miles | 4–5 hours riding time (but plan for a full day with stops).

The Route

1. The Launch: Head south out of Carmel-by-the-Sea directly onto Highway 1. The drama starts immediately at Bixby Creek Bridge—pull off early to grab your photos before the marine layer shifts.

2. The Coastline Twist: Twist through the cliffs down to Big Sur. Keep an eye out for the ancient redwood groves lining the canyon floor as you transition from open ocean views to deep forest canopy.

3. The Rugged South: Push past McWay Falls down to Lucia and Ragged Point. This southern stretch has some of the tightest, most technical pavement on the coast, clinging right to the cliffside.

4. The Turnaround & Valley Return: Once you hit the flats near San Simeon, pivot back north. You can re-ride the coast from the opposite perspective (which puts you on the inside lane against the mountain, a completely different feel) or slice inland if you want to slab it back via the 101.

Rider's Note: Fuel up before you leave Carmel. Gas along the actual Big Sur coast can hit eye-watering prices. Watch for random gravel in the pullouts where tourists wander over the white line.

Loop 2: Pinnacles, Canyons & High Desert Ranches (The Golden Country)

• Vibe: Open sweepers, dramatic rock monoliths, wide valley floors, and absolute isolation.

• Distance/Time: ~160 miles | 3.5–4 hours riding time.

The Route

1. The Valley Warm-up: From the Monterey area, cross over into the Salinas Valley and take River Road south. It runs parallel to the 101 but hugs the base of the Santa Lucia mountains, cutting right through acres of vineyards.

2. The National Park Pass: Cut east on Highway 146 straight into Pinnacles National Park. The western entrance is a dead-end for cars looking to cross the park, but the approach road serves up excellent curves and dramatic views of the towering volcanic rock formations.

3. The Bitterwater Sweeper: Hook into Airline Highway (Highway 25) heading south. This is pure, uninterrupted ranch land. It's fast, wide-open, and gives you plenty of room to let the bike breathe with almost zero traffic to contend with.

4. The Canyon Cutback: Take Interstate 198 West out of Priest Valley, cutting through the canyon back down to King City, then follow the quiet secondary roads northward through the valley floor back to base.

The Verdict

• Day 1 tests your focus with technical, low-speed turns and jaw-dropping heights.

• Day 2 lets you relax into long, rhythmic sweepers and empty country lanes. Together, they give you the complete picture of Central California riding.