Cupertino, CA through Big Basin, Half Moon Bay and San Francisco to Mill Valley, CA

125.39 Miles | 3:29 Riding Time

It’s Tuesday, May 28, 2024, and it’s Day 48 of my cross country motorcycle trip.

Today was different, because I wasn’t riding completely solo. I was accompanied by my brother-in-law, Scott, who was driving his Porsche Boxster. It worked out well, because we both like the twisties, and neither one of us is a real speed freak. We started out from Cupertino, and the plan was to head over the Santa Cruz mountains, through Big Basin Redwoods State Park to the coast, up the PCH, over the Golden Gate Bridge, into Sausalito and stay in Mill Valley.

“On August 18, 2020, the CZU Lightning Complex Fire swept through 97% of the park's property. The fire destroyed all historic structures and radically changed the landscape. The park now looks very different from how generations of visitors experienced it, but it is steadily recovering. Most of the old-growth redwood trees survived, new plant life is vigorously growing, and many animals have returned to the area.” (From the Park’s website)

From RT-9, we connected up with Big Basin Way (RT-236), which is a super-twisty road that goes through the center of the park and we we just how dramatically the fire impacted the area. My GPS said to make a right on Jamison Creek Road, and what a wild ride that was. It just kept climbing with steep switchbacks and sections that were only one lane. We passed a few intrepid (or maybe they were just gluttons for punishment) bicycle riders heading up this road—hat is off to these folks. The climb up was worth it because we got to ride down the Empire Grade, Pine Flat and Bonny Doon Roads to connect with RT-1 just north of Santa Cruz.

The PCH from Santa Cruz to Half Moon Bay was beautiful—I thought at least as nice as the southern portions by Big Sur. Into San Francisco for a bit, and over the Golden Gate Bridge. The north side of the bridge had a strong wind blowing and the afternoon rush was just starting. We got to our Hotel and went over to Fish on the water in Sausalito for dinner. It was a great to get back on the road again after my break in Cupertino.

The Route