western express- pacific coast

[daveM]

I am planning a ride from St. Louis to Calif. and will pick up the transam into the western express route.  I may have enough time after getting to San Fran to ride part of the Pacific Coast route.  Anyone have info on the route south of San Fran? Does anyone know of transportion options from any of the smaller cities to one of the larger airports for departure back home? For example, Santa Barbara to airport (distance and what transportion is available).  Any words of wisdom for riding the Western Express?  thanks

[wanderingwheel]

Heading south form San Francisco you will encounter an unending series of hills along the coast.  Hopefully you will have a good tailwind and that can make them a lot of fun.

There are no major airports between San Francisco and Los Angeles, so if you need to stop in between, getting back can be a challenge.  This part of California is known as the Central Coast and is still largely unpopulated.  Amtrak does run trains along the coast, some of which accept unboxed bikes, so that is an option.  Once you make it to Santa Barbara, you can probably get a shuttle van to LAX or one of the other LA airports.  Santa Barbara also has a small airport serviced by regional jets.

Sean

[1cycleguy]

DaviM,
I really enjoy the section of the Pacific Coast route from San Francisco to San Diego. In your situation I would take the Amtrak to LA (a shuttle or bus to the airport), or San Diego (this route can be ridden in less than 30 min, or a city transit bus goes directly form outside the train station to the airport) and fly out from there. You can get the train as early as San Luis Obispo or continue to ride through to Santa Barbara. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

1cycleguy

Quote:
To will is to select a goal, determine a course of action that will bring one to that goal, and then hold to that action till the goal is reached. The key is action.

    Michael Hanson

[valygrl]

SF to Santa Barbara is gorgeous.  South of Ventura, things become more populated and less enjoyable, IMO, but still nice.  LAX is very close to the pacific coast route.  

Other transportation possibilities... one-way rental cars or Uhaul from Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo.  I found that a one way Uhaul can be cheaper than a one way rental car.  Amtrak has weird restrictions about which stations allow you to put on/take off baggage, so watch out for that.  Greyhound is a drag, and I don't think that it actually runs on the PCH - i think it's on US101 and I-5 - check this, i'm not sure.

Consider hitchiking.  Seriously.

[1cycleguy]

valygrl:
Greyhound is a drag, and I don't think that it actually runs on the PCH - i think it's on US101 and I-5 - check this, i'm not sure.

I would agree with valygrl! I would only use Greyhound as last resort.

1cycleguy

Michael Hanson
To will is to select a goal, determine a course of action that will bring one to that goal, and then hold to that action till the goal is reached. The key is action.

[daveM]

Thanks for all the responses and info.  After these posts and more map reading I believe my final destination will be Santa Barbara.  Anyone out there know of a paricular bike shop in that area to recommend for boxing and shipping my bike back home for me?  I will pro'ly take the advise of renting a U-Haul or one way car rental for the trip to LA and the airport there for my return flight.  Thanks for the info.  If you can send any other info my way it would be appreciated.  Only 5 more weeks til my leave date and am looking forward to it.  Getting all my gear together and riding every day.  Thanks again to all, Dave M