Get Ride Ready
PCH, Big Sur, Yosemite, and the Giant Sequoias. California's greatest roads.
Live Weather Along the Route
Los Angeles
Live forecast temporarily unavailable
Check forecastBig Sur
Live forecast temporarily unavailable
Check forecastYosemite
Live forecast temporarily unavailable
Check forecastLive data via Open-Meteo. Cached for 10 minutes. Falls back to seasonal guidance when unavailable.
Seasonal Guidance
Temperature Range
10–32°C | Coastal fog at Big Sur, warmth inland, cold at Yosemite
Best Season
April – October (avoid June marine layer if possible)
Watch Out For
PCH coastal fog reduces visibility, Big Sur cliffside exposure, Yosemite summer crowding, June marine layer on coast
California delivers three distinct climates in one week. LA is warm and dry, Big Sur brings coastal fog and crosswind, and Yosemite can be cold at elevation. Layers are essential.
What You'll Need
Layers for fog. Sun protection for valleys. Versatile.
Helmets
Touring Full-Face
California PCH fog reduces visibility significantly on some mornings. A clear visor option and good peripheral vision matter more here than extreme ventilation.
Shoei GT-Air III
Sport Touring
Integrated sun visor for bright California days. Quiet at PCH speeds.
Jackets
Mesh with Windproof Layer
Southern California is warm. Big Sur is windy and foggy. San Francisco is cold. You need a layerable setup that handles all three.
Rev'it Airwave 3
Mesh Touring with Liner
LA warmth and SF fog handled by the same jacket with different liners.
Alpinestars Andes V3 Drystar
Waterproof Adventure
Good for Big Sur wind and potential coastal rain.
Gloves
Summer + Wind Layer
Pack summer gloves and a windproof option. Big Sur and SF mornings are significantly colder than LA.
Rev'it Sand 4
Adventure Touring
Good for most California conditions — warm but protective.
Held Sambia 2-in-1
All-Season
Waterproof option for Big Sur fog and SF bridge crossing.
Boots
Adventure Touring
California touring involves significant time on foot — Yosemite, beach stops, winery visits. Boots that transition well are worth it.
Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex
Adventure Touring
Works in Yosemite forest and on PCH cliff roads equally well.
Forma Adventure Low
Casual Adventure Boot
Relaxed enough for Californian beach towns.
Andy's Ride Setup for Yosemite & California Coast
Shoei GT-Air III
Integrated visor for California sun. Quiet on the long PCH stretches.
Rev'it mesh with liner
LA to SF via Big Sur — three different climates in one jacket.
Summer + windproof
SF Golden Gate crossing is cold. Always.
Sidi Adventure 2
Walked Yosemite Valley and ridden PCH on the same day.
SPF 50+, every day
California sun through a visor still burns. Do not skip this.
What to Pack
California delivers three distinct climates in one week. LA is warm and dry, Big Sur brings coastal fog and crosswind, and Yosemite can be cold at elevation. Layers are essential.
- 01Lightweight moisture-wicking base layers
- 02Fleece for SF fog and Yosemite evenings
- 03High-SPF sunscreen (UV in Southern California is intense)
- 04Polarised sunglasses
- 05Layers accessible — not buried
- 06US power adaptor
- 07Credit card with zero foreign transaction fees
- 08Phone mount + charging cable
- 09Layers for Big Sur and San Francisco coastal sections
- 10National Parks Pass (covers Yosemite and Sequoia)
- 11Yosemite accommodation — book months in advance in peak season
- 12US travel insurance
Ready to Ride?
View the Yosemite & California Coast TourAndy's Picks for Yosemite & California Coast — Buy on Amazon
The specific helmet, jacket, gloves, and boots I recommend for this tour. All available on Amazon UK.
Shoei GT-Air III
Sport Touring Full-Face
Integrated sun visor. Quiet at motorway speeds. The touring helmet for warmer climates.
Rev'it Airwave 3
Mesh Touring Jacket
Maximum airflow for desert and summer riding. Add the liner for altitude sections.
Alpinestars Andes V3 Drystar Gloves
Waterproof Touring Gloves
Full waterproofing without losing feel on technical roads.
TCX Infinity 3 Waterproof
Waterproof Touring Boot
Excellent value, comfortable for long days, CE Level 2.
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Kit Up for Yosemite & California Coast
MaximoMoto carry a full range of touring and adventure gear — jackets, helmets, gloves, boots and more — at competitive UK prices with free shipping over £69.
Gear for American Long-Haul Touring
Comfort over distance matters most on US tours. Mesh ventilation for heat, quality gloves for long days in the saddle.
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One of the UK's largest motorcycle gear retailers — massive clearance pricing on helmets, jackets, boots and accessories.
Shop GhostbikeSome links may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we believe are useful for riders.
We only recommend gear we'd use ourselves. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission if you purchase, at no extra cost to you. This never influences what we recommend.