I have an opportunity for a three day ride from San Francisco and wanted to ride the PCH. Trouble is I don't know if I should head north of San Francisco or south. I was hoping that those of you who have ridden the PCH could give me your thoughts on which way to go. Many thanks for your feedback.

 

Head South to Malibu! Awesome once you get back on the PCH from the 101.

 

Three days. I'd head south and plan some stops and sightseeing around Monterey and Pacific Grove. You can't do 17 mles drive on a bike but you can get the same views going around the Pacific Grove coast. Down to Carmel and Big Sur. Seals down by Hearst Castle and food in Morro Bay. Further down to Solvang and the 154 into Santa Barbara. From there you can follow the coast down to Ventura and turn around and head back north or you can cut the trip short and turn around sooner if you're doing a lot of sightseeing.

 

Rode from Hollister down to San Luis Obispo about 3 months ago.There where some areas of road constrution south of Carmel.

 

I'll throw a vote in for north. Stinson beach, Bodega Bay, Gualala, Mendecino, Ft. Bragg...slower pace north of the bay, smaller towns and less commercial. Scenery is spectacular

 

North has my vote as well.

EDIT....If you do go south and make it as far as Malibu make sure to stop at Neptune's Net for some good seafood and usually a parking lot full of nice bikes and cars. At least was that way when I lived out there several years ago.

 

I'm heading that way tommorrow. Headin north from San Diego. not sure if I am gonna stay on the slab to the 10 over to Santa Monica or get off at Dana Point. planning on lunch at Neptune's Net

 

I ride PCH from San Fran to Santa Cruz, Carmel, Big Sur all the time. We took a trip north up to the Big Trees and rode 1 all the way back. All of us are from the south bay area and we had to take several pic ops cause it was so beautiful.
Go north man, go north!

 

North or south, you can't go wrong. The Big Sur coastline to Morro Bay is too beautiful for words. North to the Redwoods is awesome well. Tough decision.

 

Me, I'd head North to Fortuna, take a right and ride Hwy 36 to Redding or Hwy 3 to Weaverville, then turn around and do it all again back. I don't think it's any secret, Hwy 36 is the west coast's equivalent of The Dragon.