California is plum full of goat trails. Many in the coast region were carved by loggers, ranchers and enterprising fortune seekers up and over mountain ranges. Over time, many of these paths were widened, just enough, and paved. Then everyone went home. That was decades ago.

This tour focuses on the Pacific Coast Range that stretches northward from San Francisco. This is a low range, but offers deserted backroads and mountain passes through picturesque valleys and redwood forests. Our tour will dive into the heart of the Coast Mountain Range.

This Pashnit Tour is more suited for experienced riders. California Backroads can be bumpy, dirty, sandy, tree-shaded, super-twisty, narrow and all other manner of backroad goodness.

This tour begins in Sausalito, California, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. We'll meet at Caffe Trieste in which is located right on San Francisco Bay. The twisties are only a moment away and 2571 ft. Mount Tamalpias overlooks our meeting place.

Riders will begin arriving at 7:00 AM, but try to make it no later than 7:30 for the safety brief. We like to get an early start to avoid the traffic, and spend the majority of our time riding! Your tour guides will plan to arrive at around 7:00.

Make sure your bike has a full tank of gas when you arrive at the coffee house.

We'll leave beautiful Sausalito and ride into the Marin Headlands. This short one-way loop out to the Point Bonita Lighthouse is one of the most beautiful roads in the Bay Area. Shadowed by the Golden Gate Bridge, this region has graced many a book cover with photographers flocking here to capture the Civil War Fortifications still in place guarding San Francisco Bay. With views of Angel Island, Alcatraz & downtown San Francisco, it's the perfect start to a great weekend together!

After skipping north, we'll ride up into the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Our destination is Ridgecrest Road, also known as Bolinas Ridge. Once we reach the top via a twisty convoluted route appropriately called Skyline Drive, the views in all directions are just amazing! Especially looking out across Point Reyes and the Pacific Ocean!

As we make our way north through pastoral Marin County, you might think you were in another state. Rolling green hills covered in dairy cattle grazing lazily round out the scene. We can connect numerous roads in Marin County and come up with a fun backroads trail up through Bodega Bay making northward. Fairfax-Bolinas, Sir Francis Drake, Marshall-Petaluma, Wilson Hill, Bay Hill Rd. We'll be gluing a bunch of these together for the less-traveled path.

Our second day together starts off with full tanks of gas and open road. Time to take advantage of the surrounding terrain. Our route today will begin with one of the most beloved sections of road in all of California. The twisties start up moments after our morning launch through a wonderous stretch of coastline along the Pacific Ocean. A few minutes north of Fort Bragg is a 22 mile stretch of Hwy 1 that defies the senses. Riders are often befuddled that such a road could even exist! Perfect tarmac, light traffic, and endless twists and turns as we ride up and over two mountain ranges arriving in the midst of a Redwood Forest.

After a run up Alderpoint Rd to the much exalted Highway 36 (often called the Best Motorcycle Road in California), we'll make our way to historic Ferndale. A personal favorite, Mattole Rd begins its serpentine pursuit of the Ultimate Goat Trail title. Twisty, layered in brilliant green grass, bucolic farms and backwood homes offer a glimpse of life far removed. Lovingly referred to as The Lost Coast, Mattole Rd is a 50 mile stretch of little used pavement. Quite simply, you've no reason to be out here. Turns are meandering, tight, bumpy, and incredibly scenic, almost bordering on a spirital experience!

Options. There are a plenty. Based from the Redwood Empire, our last day typically finds us gathered around maps and discussing routes southward. There are quite a few options, and we often take a different route every single tour. We can ride the '22 Mile Section' of Hwy 1 back out to the ocean and ride to Fort Bragg, or try out Branscomb Rd up and over the range.

We may opt to dive into the belly of Mendocino County where Goat Trails abound. Branscomb Rd, Comtche-Ukiah Rd, Orr Springs Rd, Mountain View Rd, Fish Rock Rd or Mountain House Rd.

Maybe, just maybe, we'll make it far enough south to ride the Granddaddy of them all- Geysers Rd. The list is endless and we've got the whole day to find out where the winds will lead us!

Book this tour !!

See pics from 2008 Ride

Meeting Place:
Sausalito Bakery & Cafe
571 Bridgeway St, Sausalito, CA
Meet 7:00, Safety Brief 7:30, Depart 8:00AM

Lodging - 2 Nights:

Day 1: Fort Bragg
Day 2: Garberville

Contact Info:
Tim Mayhew - Cell: 530-391-1356
Tim Regher - Cell: 209-609-3216
Contact via email

Arriving early? If you are arriving early, Tour Participants often stay at the Holiday Inn - Mill Valley at the junction of Hwy 1 & 101.

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Click to see the pics

Click to see the pics

A Personal Note from your Tour Guide: Years in the making, we keep talking about a Goat Trail Tour. California BackRoads can be a lot of fun to ride and explore. Little or no traffic, incredible views across a mountainous terrain and of course on this tour we're never far from the endless blue of the Pacific Ocean. This entire tour takes place in the heart of the coastal redwood forest so come prepared, excited, and full of anticipation! You'll be in awe at times as these giant trees reach over 350 feet in height. You can ride this tour on any bike, but keep in mind a goaty road is just that. Some riders love them, some riders loathe them. Some bikes are more well-suited than others. This tour is for those who want to feel the love! It's three days of sharing stories, kicking tires, forgetting about our lives, our jobs, our responsibilities- whatever they may be, and just riding. You, the bike, the road. And yes, I'll be riding the Hayabusa! My goat trail explorin' machine! -Tim