Leisure Time Places

Cool California Motorcycle Tours

Bikers can locate a number of organized tours that provide breathtaking rides on California's backroads.

In California, motorcycle tours are quite popular. After all, few states have as many miles of scenic roads as The Golden State.

From the beaches of Southern California to the giant redwood forests of the North, California is a haven for those who long to be on the open road. The views are amazing!

Guide Services
While bikers can certainly ride the roads of California on their own, many choose to employ a guide service for their California motorcycle tour.

Why use a guide? First of all, if you hail from a different area of the country, guide services can provide you with a top-quality bike for your chosen tour. There's no need to ship your bike or ride all the way to California.

Guide services know the ins and outs of motorcycling riding in California. They've traveled the best and most scenic roads. They know which towns and accommodations are biker-friendly.

Maps only show the primary and secondary roads. Guides know the great backroads of California. That gives you an opportunity to experience small towns and the best of California's natural beauty on lightly-traveled roads.

Destinations
In Southern California, riding along the coast is breathtaking. It's also cool and comfortable during the toasty summer months.

A coastal ride from San Diego all the way to Santa Barbara is a popular itinerary. Stops in picturesque and quirky towns like Newport Beach, Venice Beach, and Santa Monica make it an all-around enjoyable tour.

Southern California's mountain ranges, like the San Gabriel and the San Bernardino mountains, make for great twisty rides along sometimes precipitous roads. Small towns like Big Bear Lake and Idyllwild make the adventurous ride worth the trip.

The coastal roads of Northern California are equally as awe-inspiring as those to the south. Don't miss Big Sur and Monterey, south of San Francisco.

Eastern California also has plenty to offer for those who chose California motorcycle tours as part of their next vacation. The foothills of the Sierra Nevada range are stunning. Yosemite is a must!

The Mohave Desert of southeastern California can be sweltering in the summer but can be a comfortable ride during the cooler spring or fall months.

What Should I Expect?
Those who sign up for California motorcycle tours should expect to have lots of fun with like-minded individuals who share their interest in biking.

You should be willing to travel in groups, though some tours allow you to separate from the group and meet again at a designated location. Sometimes, it's advantageous to stay with your guide.

If you've already organized a group of riders, contact guide services that are eager to arrange custom tours for you and your friends.

You'll be provided with a well-maintained and comfortable bike, suitable for the kind of roads you'll be traveling. Bikes are insured but, in most cases, you'll have to purchase your own medical coverage for the driver or passenger in case of an accident.

Many extended tours include at least 2 meals per day, so you'll only be responsible for incidentals and alcoholic beverages.

Reservations
Determine the area of California you wish to explore and find a company that offers that itinerary. California motorcycle tours can often be booked online and most of the guide service sites can answer any questions you may have about the tours.

Posted by Pat on Sunday, July 24, 2005