Central California Run - Self Drive Tour
8 Days / 7 Nights
Seasons -
Spring, Summer, Fall
Temperature -
60° to 80° F /
16° to 27° C
Reservations must be booked and paid in advance
Day 1 : San Jose Arrival
Arrive in San Jose and transfer to your hotel. Overnight.
Day 2 : San Jose - Monterey
This morning you will pick up your motorcycle and start your exciting trip through Central California. From San Jose you head west towards Saratoga, where you enter Hwy 9 west. Explore the Santa Cruz Mountains and travel one of the most scenic routes this area has to offer all the way to Santa Cruz. Have a cup of coffee at Alice’s Restaurant at the famous Skyline Boulevard before you continue your ride down the coastal Hwy 1, which will take you to Monterey. In Monterey enjoy life at Cannery Row or visit the Bay Aquarium. Overnight.
Day 3 : Monterey - Mariposa
From Monterey you ride the incredibly beautiful roads of Big Sur and cross throughout the agricultural fields of the Central Valley into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. On curvy narrow back roads you are heading to Mariposa, your hub for Yosemite National Park. Overnight.
Day 4 : Mariposa - Modesto
Today you are riding through one of America’s most scenic National Parks. There are only a few places on earth that can possibly match Yosemite Valley. Ansel Adams' photographs do justice to the place, but there is nothing like being there. The tremendous granite monoliths of Half Dome and El Capitan are surrounded by sheer drops with amazing waterfalls and Glacier Point offers a spectacular view from above. Start in Mariposa on Hwy 140 and continue past El Portal until you hit Hwy 41, which you enter (left turn). Enjoy a spectacular ride – follow Hwy 41 all the way to Moccasin. Here you ride up to Hwy 132, which will take you all the way to Modesto. Overnight.
Day 5 : Modesto - Santa Rosa
You ride up north to Sonoma County, home of well-known wineries and hot springs. We suggest taking Hwy 99 from Modesto to Lodi, where you enter Hwy 12, which will take you all the way to Santa Rosa. En route to Santa Rosa you might want to stop in Napa, Sonoma, and some of the famed wineries, such as Glen Ellen or Kenwood. You overnight in Santa Rosa.
Day 6 : Santa Rosa - San Francisco
Today you head south to San Francisco. From Santa Rosa ride a scenic loop and continue west on Hwy 12 (Hwy 116) until you come to Hwy 1 (PCH). Ride along the coast in Sonoma and Marin County, through the Redwoods up to Hwy 101, which will take you into San Francisco.
Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and enjoy the beautiful city by the bay. Overnight.
Day 7 : San Francisco - San Jose
After a morning in San Francisco you head back to San Jose. Take Hwy 1 (PCH) and enjoy a ride along the Pacific Ocean. Breathtaking views of the coves and inlets of the Pacific coastline are yours. In San Gregorio you turn on Pescadero Road and travel through the San Mateo Hills. Enter Hwy 280 (south), which will take you all the way to San Jose. Upon arrival in San Jose it will be time to return your motorcycle and transfer back to your hotel. Overnight.
Day 8 : San Jose Departure
Today your exciting trip will end with your departure flight back home.