Much of California's Highway 1 is not easy biking.  Hilly, of course and much of the road is narrow.  Camping at the state parks is great with $3 per night hiker biker sites.  Still, the road condition keeps one from seeing that many cyclists.  Lots of SUVs thundering along, especially in northern Sonoma County where they are trying to keep the "rural look."  Rural can mean tons of gray "driftwood style" subdivisions.  Businesses must not be allowed since one still has to travel many miles just for a carton of milk.  This means lots of traffic as folks certainly can't walk to the corner store.  Kind of "dysfunctional" neighborhoods, if you ask me. Most of the drivers were courteous, but I was glad to get south of Bodega Bay where road shoulders improve and there is more of a system of alternate routes. 2006 Trip Next

Area around Jenner may be the worst part of the trip. San Francisco Bay Area offers more roads and more choices, including some quiet ones. Photos by region, by subject, contact.