Reuthers
Highway 1 / USA
Self Drive Motorcycle Tour

Welcome to Los Angeles.

After collecting your Harley-Davidson motorycle from the rental office you start your trip north along Highway 1 and eventually reach Malibu. You then head into central valley farmlands of California and the coastal hills of the Los Padres National Forest. Travelling through beautiful countryside, you stop at Santa Barbara's Stearns Wharf for lunch before visiting Solvang, the Danish capital of America. Here you will see windmills, horse drawn carriages, horse ranches, and wineries. You continue north through lush green hills, farmland, and cattle ranches before reaching Morro Bay.

In the morning you continue your ride with the Pacific Ocean on the left and the majestic Santa Lucia mountains on the right. This is the Big Sur, or El Sur Grande, a wonderfully scenic region that we cover during today's ride. Stop at Point Pinos Lighthouse, the entrance to Monterey Bay. Your journey continues through Castroville, where Norma Jean (Marilyn Monroe) was once crowned Artichoke Queen. Finally you reach Half Moon Bay and Pacifica, where you head north toward San Francisco and our hotel.

Day 4 is a rest day in San Francisco. You may wish to explore the city on foot or using some of the city's famous cable cars. Highlights include the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the world's longest suspension bridges, the Haight-Ashbury district, Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, Nob Hill, Union Street, and Lombard Street. You may also wish to visit Alcatraz, famous as an official US Army prison and then as a Federal prison.

You start the day by riding over the Golden Gate Bridge and a photo stop, heading into Marin County and the artist town of Sausalito. You journey now takes you through stunning scenery as we pass Mount Tamalpais and miles of redwood groves. On a good day the snow-covered Sierra Nevada range can be seen. You hit the Pacific and the Wild Coast, passing through Muir Beach, a small hamlet where ocean-view homes oppose the bluffs of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Continuing north, you pass through Fort Ross and Gualala, stopping in Mendocino, a renowned haven for artists, writers, woodworkers, potters, etc. You will be able to buy gifts and souvenirs here if you wish. A highlight of the day is Leggett, with its "Leggett Drive Through Tree". You spend the night in Laytonville.

Day 6 continues your journey along Clear Lake, the largest natural lake in California, and the outskirts of the Mendocino National Forest. You travel through the forested hills, turning south. Passing Sacramento you travel to Placerville, a gold rush town, and then on to Camino in the heart of the El Dorado Wine Country. You route now takes you through the Eldorado National Forest and into South Lake Tahoe and Stateline, where the California- Nevada State Line can be found. If you feel like trying your luck, Stateline has many world-class casinos.

Your day begins with a journey through the Toiyabe National Forest toward Genoa, the oldest permanent settlement in Nevada and one of the most attractive villages in the American West. From Genoa, you continue north to Carson City and Virginia City. Virginia City, which was once a boom town, now stands as a monument to the riches that could be obtained during the gold rush.

Day 8 starts as you head east and then south to Yerington, situated along the banks of the Walker River and surrounded by picturesque mountains full of ghost towns and old gold mining camps. You continue to Hawthorne, with the landscape slowly changing into a desert environment, before reaching Tonopah, an old mining boom town. You will be able to get a real feel for Nevada's colourful history here.

Right in the morning you continue south to Goldfield with the best old buildings in Nevada and then head south to Beatty, a picturesque desert town in the Amargosa River Valley. You continue through Amargosa Valley, Indian Springs, and into gambling capital Las Vegas.

This is a rest day and gives you the opportunity to spend time in Las Vegas sightseeing, taking in some of the many shows, or visiting the casinos.

You leave Las Vegas, heading for Baker, where you have lunch at the Mad Greek Restaurant. From Baker you continue south to Barstow and detour to the old silver mining town of Calico. Back on the main road, you reach Barstow, once a small mining and railroad town in California's Mojave Desert. Barstow's Main Street is part of the original Route 66. This is where you stay for the night.

On your last day "on the road" you continue on to Victorville, where you descend into the greater Los Angeles basin and return your Harley-Davidson motorcycle to the rental office.