To travel down Highway 1 is to experience the ultimate in California dreamin'. Its enchanting landscapes attract visitors from all over the world. Boasting breathtaking views of the Pacific, areas designated to the preservation of seaside ecosystems, a unique history, and the friendly faces of locals, traveling on Highway 1 is an awe-inspiring adventure with opportunities to learn and fall in love with the west side of the Golden State.
Cycle Highway 1 in California
Though mostly popular as a destination for road tripping, cyclists have for a long time claimed the shoulder as a bike lane, riding Highway 1 from as far north as Legitt and as far south as Dana Point, utilizing campgrounds and hostels along the way as daily destination points. Fundraisers and bike-a-thons draw cyclists from wheeled communities all over; the highway is almost never void of teams of impassioned thrill seekers on a mission to raise awareness or support a cause.
But biking Highway 1 is not an activity reserved for the planned and prepared: it's possible to do sections of this ride as a day challenge, or simply as a way of getting from A to B on a bicycle. The ride itself does not demand any skill or professional level of cycling performance, as Highway 1 is not exclusive to die-hard riders; the truth is that anyone can grab an ordinary bike and go.
That's not to say that the ride is easy; there are inclines and remote spans that demand softer gears and can extract sweat despite the ocean breeze. However, with the array of blues and bouquet of greens that account for so much of the panorama the difficulties of the ride fade into the background of wildflowers and white sand.
Traveling From Pacifica to Half Moon Bay: Devil's Slide
There is, of course, one section of the ride worthy of fear: Devil's Slide. True to its name, this section of Highway 1 is characterized by falling rock hazards and sheer cliffs surrounding either sides of the especially slender two-way highway.
Resting between Pacifica and Half Moon Bay, Devil's Slide is famous for its frequent episodes of erosion and landslides, usual winter storm occurrences which have historically prompted San Mateo County officials to frequently declare it closed to motorists. Recent construction has in fact been undertaken to develop a tunnel which connects Pacifica safely with Highway 1, and which will save any traveler from having to brave the infamous Devil's Slide.
Bypass Devil's Slide, Take Old Pedro Mountain Road
There is another way for the traveler to scale the San Pedro Mountains, if the traveler is without a vehicle and with either a good pair of shoes or a solid set of bicycle wheels. Sometimes referred as 'Old Highway One', the use of Old Pedro Mountain Road dates back to the 1700s, and was paved as early as 1913, when it was used as an alternative route for motor vehicles.
Currently it is closed to motorized vehicles, but remains accessible to hikers, walkers, cyclists, mountain bikers, and adventurers of all types.
In fact, for a road biker seeking to add an abundance of beauty and subtract an element of danger to the journey from Pacifica to Half Moon Bay, Old Pedro Mountain Road is the perfect detour. Though the pavement has degraded to dirt and gravel and poison oak vines decorate the sidelines of the curvy trails, the mountainous surroundings are beyond breathtaking and are complemented by the quiet of nature pleasantly lacking the bustle of passing cars. The conditions are not pristine for slim road biking tires, but with a good set of rubber coupled with a slow careful speed, almost any road bike can survive the pass.
Directions to Old San Pedro Mountain Road
The start of Old San Pedro Mountain Road lies in the coastal town of Pacifica, a popular surf refuge for San Franciscans and East Bay water lovers alike. In order to access ground zero of this 4+ mile route, the following direction should be adhered to.
- Once through the town of Pacifica, make a left at Linda Mar.
- Proceed past the shopping center until Adobe Road; turn right. Adobe Road scales upward through a quaint residential neighborhood.
- Follow Adobe Road until Higgins. Make a left at Higgins.
- Continue on Higgins; it dead-ends into the start of Old San Pedro Mountain Road.
- Once on Old San Pedro Mountain Road, follow the trail. Watch for the signs directing traffic down the slope and onto Highway 1.
Whether you are an experienced touring cyclist or an amateur adventurer, Highway 1 is a respectable challenge. Indeed there is no better way to see the coast than to coast alongside on two wheels. Prepared with the knowledge of Old San Pedro Road as an alternative to Devil's Slide, the ride is destined to be both safe and all the more picturesque.
Rasham Nassar - Rasham Nassar is an emerging writer from the California Bay Area. A graduate from the University of California at Berkeley, Rasham's ...
Join the Conversation