Victoria BC to San Fran, LV, Grand Canyon

[Cowgirl]

I'm planning my first big ride for this May/June. I'm planning on leaving Victoria, BC around the middle of May and heading south around the Olympic Peninsula and down the coast to San Francisco and points south - I'm not sure how far south yet. From there I want to head to Death Valley and Las Vegas then on to the Grand Canyon. Turn north there and go up through Utah and Oregon making sure to take in Hells Canyon and then end up back to BC to take part in the BCBTR mid-June. I'm going to play most of it by ear - no reservations or hard and fast deadlines. I'll stay in hotels for the most part - not a camper - so I'm looking for can't miss spots and cheap accommodation. I've ridden off and on for more than 30 years - pretty steady for the last 6 or 7 - and have done a couple of 2/3 days trips but nothing epic. I'm riding my new V-Strom 650 so I'm not afraid of some gravel but nothing too extreme. One of the things I might like to try is a track school in CA where I can stop for a couple of days, rent a bike and take a course or even an off-road course suitable for the Wee. Any and all suggestions welcome

This plan has all gone to shit - see post #15 for the new plan!

[wannamaker]

I took the coast route from SF last Sept. to Victoria. The Curley Redwood lodge in Cresent City, Ca has resonable rates and good food within walking distance. Lots of cheap motels in Eureaka, Ca. I've stayed at the Lamplighter. The Columbia Motel in Astoria has good rates as well. They all have parking right in fron of your room. They're old school motels but clean and resonable. Hope this helps. You're in for a great ride!!

[Cowgirl]

This is exactly the kind of info I'm looking for - I much prefer older, funky motels over the chains. Guess I'll have to start keeping a list on the ipad
I'll also take any route suggestions - I'd like to get some riding in on gravel - not just the main roads.

[Eyes Shut]

Hi SunshineCowgirl!

A couple of comments:

-Death Valley and Las Vegas tend to be flaming screaming hot in June, so be prepared for high temps in those areas. If you ride early in the morning, it's much more pleasant.

-Check out the Lost Coast area in California, off of Hiway 101, between Ferndale and Weott. It's a beautiful section of the coast. The road is paved, but narrow and has some rough areas -- though all should be doable on your bike.

-Be sure to take the section from Leggett to Fort Bragg on Hiway 1 (it's where Hiway 1 separates from 101).

-If you need to place to stay in Santa Barbara, we have space. We are in the Tent Space thread, under GSWayne.

[Cowgirl]

Thanks very much, I'll be sure to take in those rides. I'll keep the heat in consideration but I do like it hot And thanks for the offer of a place to stay - I may just take you up on that
I've rethought the no camping - I've been offered some great gear so there may be a few nights under the stars after all.

[Uglyprimate]

Plenty of "funky" in northern Arizona. Follow the old route 66 through Seligman, or worst case scenario, the business route I-40 through Flagstaff.

I think the Teepee motel is still open over around Williams.

[RocknTroll]

Fort Bragg CA a couple blocks east of highway 1

Colombi Motel
647 East Oak St
Fort Bragg
707 964 8015

North end of Lake Issabella, west of Death Valley

Kern Lodge
67 Valley View Drive
Kernville, CA
800 924-8817
This ones within stumblin distance, right next door, to the Brewery
‎

What ever you do do not stay in Baker CA, kinda on the way to Las Vegas / Death Valley, but if you go through check out the Big Thermometer


Have a great trip!!!!

[thetourist]

Following your general route.

Thru Yosemite, over Tioga Pass is a scenic route to hwy 395 that feeds you into DV. Lee Vining has cozy mom & pop motels. Hwy 36 is a fantastic curvy mountain road all the way to Laser Nat Park but may take you away from your destination. You could do a zig zag, east on 36, south on 395, west over Tioga and back east over Ebbets or Sonora Pass. Some variation of that would get you back toward Death Valley and thru Yosemite on some outstanding roads.

Over by Vegas I've stayed in Kingman at the Motel 6 on west edge of town. Caliente, north of Vegas on hwy 93 is full of small motels and good food. 93 is my favorite route north from Vegas.

A good restaurant in Cameron at east end of Grand Canyon and expensive motel. 89a thru Jakes Corner is very scenic route to Zion.

Cedar City thru Minerville to Great Basin Park is a great road thru that area. A truck stop on hwy 50 at the UT/NV border has $55 rate and was clean. Food manageable but a better restaurant in Baker.

Eureka has a good motel. Northwest end of town on the right. Has a drive thru entrance. North from Eureka to Carlin and Elko to Mt Home is my favorite route to south ID. Mt Home motels are bleak. Ontario OR had a newer $35 motel 6 about five years ago. This sets you up for a trip into Hells Canyon.

Wendover, UT motel 6 was $22

Lots of long gravel roads in the Great Basin area. If you hit Hells Canyon at the right time in June you can meet a bunch of ADV riders. Check the NW forum for the Hells Canyon ride. Some amazing scenery and roads in this area.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=622989

[durtwurm]

Hmm. Looks interesting! The Wee will be a good bike for your trip. I have done many long trips and find it easy if one is prepared and you will be. Last fall I did 3500 miles on my old BMW R100RS without a hitch, on your Wee the trip would have been even easier. (The ole RS does have a great fairing and since it was in the thirities most days it helped; a lot.) Motels are less expensive in towns that are not tourist attractions, and also if they are off the beaten track a little. I usually do a blend of motels and camping as I like camping, but a shower and a little TV at a motel is nice after riding all day. I like your thoughts on no deadlines, ride two hundred miles a day or five hundred. It makes it funner!

[maiden.jade]

Hey, if some reasons you miss the ferry and need a place to crash, feel free to contact me. Mount Vernon to Anacortes ferry is about 30-35 miles. Unless you are planning to return via Port Angeles then nevermind.

[Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by maiden.jade

Hey, if some reasons you miss the ferry and need a place to crash, feel free to contact me. Mount Vernon to Anacortes ferry is about 30-35 miles. Unless you are planning to return via Port Angeles then nevermind.

Thank you very much, when I figure out my route I'll let you know

[ghostryder]

If your going through UT may I suggest staying in Torey, there is a cool place called the chuck wagon lodge or something like that. Great place to stay, pretty cheap, they ave laundry facilities and a few good rides around there. http://www.bobpalin.com/howlongtotorrey.htm
Someone suggested the lost coast.....this is a MUST if you are in the area. Be sure to gas up on the way out there. It is a pretty good ride, and there is limited fuel on the way out. Hwy 1 along the coast is great, and so is Avenue of the giants (redwoods). Also if you find yourself going across Hwy 50 in Nevada may I suggest getting the passport book when you start, It gives you something to do while crossing the big nothing, and it makes you stop in and meet the people of the little towns.....I have done it twice and have had a blast.
If this is your first long trip I suggest scheduling a stay over, more that one day, every 3 or 4 days. Catch up on laundry, personal things and minor repairs that your bike may need. Hope this helps a bit.
Oh yeah....forgot if your going up through OR...crater lake.....you have t o swing by there...it is amazing.

[Eyes Shut]

Originally Posted by Uglyprimate

I think the Teepee motel is still open over around Williams.

Are you thinking of the Wigwam in Holbrook? Yes, it's still open:
http://www.galerie-kokopelli.com/wigwam/

[squiffynimrod]

If you need to stop in Baker City, OR you will not be disappointed. Stay at the Bridge Street Inn http://www.bridgestreetinn.net/index.html, very reasonable and the nice ladies there make a great breakfast. Spend the evening at Barley Brown's Brew Pub, only 5 short blocks away (stumbling distance) http://www.barleybrowns.com/home. On the way back stop for a nightcap at the Geiser Grand http://www.geisergrand.com/, make sure you look around there and see the little museum in the basement. This was one of the highlights of last summer's BMWMOA rally trip I took. Glad I stopped there for the night.

[Cowgirl]

OK, now my plans are all gone to shit and I'm starting again
Trip 1
I'm going to leave May 15 from Victoria and head south around the Olympic peninsula and down the coast past San Francisco. Along the way I plan to explore the Lost Coast (thanks everybody!) and maybe do a little wine touring in the evenings. Back in Victoria by May 28. Still looking for adventure and accommodation suggestions.
Trip 2
Leave Victoria June 12 and wander toward Clinton BC for the BCBTR June 17-19. After that head south toward Ouray, CO - be there for the July long weekend. Hell's Canyon, OR and the Grand Canyon on the way? Then head west for Las Vegas and Death Valley (yeah, I know, it's gonna be HOT!!) Maybe follow the Continental Divide. Back in Victoria by July 12. What shouldn't I miss?
Thanks for all the help so far - it's all in the book