Sunny California doesn’t get its idyllic stereotype for nothin’ — it’s always beautiful in this beachside city with jaw-dropping scenery.
And, yes, it’s riding weather all year long! There will always be a huge community of bikers in LA — from Café-hoppers to Knucklehead-riders — and the roads, my friends, will always be open.
Following is your guide to the best motorcycle rides in and around Los Angeles; the City of Angels is a haven for any type of OEM preference, from Harley-Davidson to Ducati.
Southern California has the best weather year-round, hands down; that’s why everyone moves here. Beautiful 80º weather in the city with a cool breezy 65/70ºs down by the beach is perfect, especially given that it hardly ever rains and it certainly never snows (unless you’re looking for that sort of thing and ride up to the mountains).
With weather this perfect, there’s never a good reason to not ride. In the summer, I wear a perforated armor jacket to get some air flowing, and in the winter, I just layer up a touch. If you have had your bike stored, waiting for warmer days, check out this article on de-winterizing your bike and get back up and running.
My favorite roads in LA are probably everyone’s faves. Locals and tourists alike know that there is one ride that’s not to be missed: the glorious quintessential Pacific Coast Highway ride. But my favorite way to get there actually starts in Hollywood. Starting from anywhere on Sunset Boulevard, you can go west all the way to the beach.
Winding through Bel Air, notice the temperature change as you finally see the ocean come up around the corner and — boom! — it leads you straight to the coastline. It’s so easy; pickup Sunset Boulevard anywhere and just head west. When you reach the ocean, take a right onto Pacific Coast Highway and cruise for another 30-40 minutes before you get to the best stop for food and drinks at Neptune's Net.
My second favorite ride goes the opposite direction to Angeles Crest Highway.
This two-lane highway is just a little north of Los Angeles and heads into the Angeles National Forest. Yes, we have a beautiful national forest just north of the bustling city. To get there, take Angeles Crest Highway — the entrance is off of Foothill Boulevard in La Cañada Flintridge — up for 40 minutes and stop off at Newcomb's Ranch.
This is an amazing scenic route with wide, winding roads. It's a fun, easy ride featuring a pine forest that makes you feel like you're a million miles from the city. It’s important to note though, that this is in the mountains and it does snow sometimes. So be sure to check the weather in the winter months. You can also check out this 10-day California motorcycle trip-planning itinerary.
Check out this guide to lane splitting to ensure you stay safe on the road, as CA is the only state where this is legal. One of the key factors that influenced the passing of this bill is that lane splitting is safer than having motorcycles sit in traffic, as it significantly reduces the chance of being rear-ended.
Back to Neptune’s Net for a moment. It’s the friendliest biker bar at the end of a beautiful coastline ride. So friendly that they even made individual bike parking spots out front! This landmark restaurant has been around since 1956 and has appeared in several movies. Neptune’s Net has bottled, canned, and draft beer options, as well as fried seafood and a selection of other dishes. Grab a beer and some fish and chips and sit outside on a picnic table to take in the ocean air. The last time I went there, I crossed the street to sit on some rocks and watch the surfers catch waves.
An alternative would be to go to Paradise Cove in Malibu, located off the PCH coastline close to Zuma Beach. It feels like a secret place, and it does cost $10 to park a bike there — because it’s private cove parking! There’s a fancy restaurant there with some amazing food and inside seating, as well as outside tables right in the sand. You can bring your swimsuit and lay out on a beach chair or private cabana sipping tropical drinks for a day trip that feels like you’re on an island getaway.
Last but not least, I have to re-mention Newcomb's Ranch. This is the destination spot at the top of Angeles Crest Highway. It’s a real biker bar up in the mountains. You can’t miss it because it’s the only thing up there, and the expansive parking lot is full of bikes.
You'll also spot new and vintage car enthusiasts taking long weekend drives out of the city. If the restaurant is closed, the outdoor seating area will still be open if you need a place to take a break and eat any food you've packed. If you make it up there when they're open, Friday-Sunday, they have a big menu of breakfast and lunch items. I’ve heard the Egg McNewcomb's sandwich is delicious.
The out-of-the-way scenic routes are not the best place to find shopping. But if you’re already beachside, you can head to Deus Ex Machina in Venice. This is a motorcycle-friendly shop with gear and apparel and the coolest custom bikes you’ll ever see. Check out the bikes in the parking lot around back and also on their website, where they list all their custom builds.
True confession: I had a Deus Ex Machina bike as my screensaver on my phone for a year before I bought my first motorcycle. And yes — it’s still my life goal to have a custom bike built by them. But, I digress. This place is not just a shop; it has a really cool café with amazing coffee, paninis, and pastries and an overall very hip beach vibe.
The Golden State has a diverse landscape, from beaches to forests to mountains. Riding a motorcycle along California’s highways is a spectacular experience.
The roads offer something new to see with each mile passed. If you don't have the right bike (or a bike at all) to experience all CA, consider renting a motorcycle from Twisted Road. Here are all the currently available motorcycles for rent in LA.
