I'm looking to ride the California coast from North to South and need advice on getting around/through SF and LA. I want to stay on STATE highways, keep as near the coast as is reasonable, and would like to avoid bad areas.

If anybody can offer any help within those 3 requirements, I'd sure appreciate it!! Thanks in advance.

I've posted this in other places (I call it "setting tip-ups").

 

go north on 101 then south on highway 1 (i know they join in some points but thats the best i could do.)

 

Stay away from the 880 near S.F. I'd go down from the coast and cross over at Golden Gat Bridge and then stay on the 1 all the way down past Santa Cruz, Monterey, all the way to San Louis Obisbo. One of the greatest rides ever. From there I would stay on the 101 or hunt down some smaller nicer roads to take if you have the time. The 101 is nice when it's near the ocean. When you are near L.A. take PCH. You can get to it around Oxnard. A.k.a highway 1 again. Check out Neptunes Net (Ventura Count line)and the Rock Store. As well as Cold Springs Tavern in Santa Barbara (off the 154).

http://www.coldspringtavern.com/

http://www.neptunesnet.com/

http://www.neptunesnet.com/

And aswell as a bunch of othe places.

 

http://www.rock-store.com/