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Cuyahoga Falls, OH
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Significant other is currently interning at NASA Ames, which may result in a more permanent living situation. It is near San Francisco. This visit is not only to see her, but to scout potential living situations.
Dirtbikes and motorcycles have always been a big part of our lives. And having lived in Ohio our whole life, I always heard about how California is sort of the mecca of dirtbike riding, so I am really excited to visit. I am renting a convertible mustang for the 5 days i'll be there, and we plan on driving all around. The only things we have planned so far is driving highway 1, visit Metcalf Motorcycle Park, see the computer history museum, and to go hike some Redwood Forests. As a curious tourist, and potential local citizen- where should we go and what should we see?
Dirtbikes and motorcycles have always been a big part of our lives. And having lived in Ohio our whole life, I always heard about how California is sort of the mecca of dirtbike riding, so I am really excited to visit. I am renting a convertible mustang for the 5 days i'll be there, and we plan on driving all around. The only things we have planned so far is driving highway 1, visit Metcalf Motorcycle Park, see the computer history museum, and to go hike some Redwood Forests. As a curious tourist, and potential local citizen- where should we go and what should we see?
- Checkout Highway 9 out of Saratoga up to Skyline boulevard for a nice drive. If you're into moutain biking there's a number of trailheads at that junction. This is just an example, but many many other great rides too. https://bayarearides.com/rides/saratogagap/
- After finishing your ride (or drive), don't stop there...head up Skyline Blvd. to Alice's to grab a bite to eat. Oh, and it's a mini-street bike motorcycle/car show every weekend. http://www.alicesrestaurant.com/
- And one of my favorites for driving/riding. Very rural, but good twisty roads. Head out to the Mt. Hamilton Lick Observatory (https://www.ucolick.org/main/visit/info.html) on the Eastern side of the Valley for some great views at 4,000 ft. or so. Some of my buddies still ride (road bike and motorcycle) this route all the time. Don't stop there, continue the drive out to the Junction Bar and Grill. http://thejunctionbarandgrill.com/. If you want to continue the drive and checkout the moto scene in the Livermore area, visit Club Moto http://www.clubmoto.com/ and Diablo Ranch MX http://www.diablomxranch.com/ while your're out in the Livermore Valley.
The Shop
I will also be sure to check out big shark lake.
Smoke is also a little bit of a concern. When I was in Glacier, it was during forest fires (I know- when aren't there fires?) and it really hindered some views.
What do you do about dirtbike storage/ cleaning/ maintenance? What is your living situation like? That is a big concern for me. Out in Ohio, you don't need to make a lot of money to have a garage. I would imagine it is different in California. How has your experience been on that side of things? Did SpaceX set you up pretty well?
Unless you have a hard-on for sitting in traffic and looking at depressing office buildings, I would get the fuck out of San Jose and head to the coast. Drive the 1 to Monterey Bay Aquarium. Perhaps go farther South to Carmel and even Big Sur. The farther you can get away from the valley the better. As someone who lived and worked there for well over a decade I can guarantee you will be sorely disappointed. Especially in the summer. It is a giant shithole of shit.
Spend a day in San Francisco. Ride the trolley. Have dinner in Chinatown. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and drive over to Sausalito. Santa Cruz is halfway decent for a quick visit. There's a fun zipline park at Mount Hermon.
Traffic absolutely sucks up there so I would try to get as far away from the valley as you can, especially in the summer. You definitely don't want to be spending your precious vacation time stuck in traffic.
Metcalf is limited. In the past, it wasn’t even good as an MX track. It has some trails (had?) but is small and not great. You could get a fix but it wasn’t very fulfilling.
Metcalf is what you make it. Have had some fun off-road HS races there too. It’s convenient, cheap, and I had no problem stringing some 30-45 minute challenging loops together with some creativity. I like off-road better anyway so it worked out ok. Would finish the day usually with a couple motos on the back track MX track.
I have Prairie City OHV in my “backyard” now, but prefer Metcalf OHV over it. Not talking about the prepped moto track (Hangtown at PC) which is awesome.
Pit Row
Be wary of SF though. Crime has exploded. Car burgluries are a virtual guarantee. So always valet if possible and of course there's the human shit and needles all over the sidewalks thoughout the city.
That aside it is an insanely beautiful state with tons to do. I live in HB but my sister lives in the Bay area and we go up there a few times a year. Got to recommend Tahoe. One of my favorite places in earth. You should hit Santa Cruz as well and if you can time it with a decent swell you can watch guys drop into huge waves at Steamers Lane and hit the surf museum.
A million other places to see ... never enough time
OP, the desert down by San Diego is also Amazing, if you know where to go. It's vast and lawless, but there are some fun tracks out there if you know where to go. Sounds like that's too far for you though.
I'll 2nd the Bodega Bay area/ Pt. Reyes as well.
Spend your time doing research on living options to figure out if its even feasible for the two of you. Then take advantage of the all the local stuff like the City (San Francisco) the Santa Cruz Mtns, the coast and everything in between. San Francisco is like no other American city. Oakland has a great music scene and even better dive bars. Santa Cruz rocks. No offense, some people appreciate it, others dont. But you have to check it out.
Its also Motocycle Mecca.... You may give up the dirt for a couple of years to bump start careers, but plenty of street riding all over the Bay Area. I gave it up for a short time when I was young starting my career, a few years until I could afford the secure space for dirt toys wasnt a huge price to pay. In addition, there is a lot more than just dirt bikes to enjoy in the bay area from climbing, surfing, kiting, sailing, skiing, mtn biking blah blah blah YEAR ROUND. Lots of ways to get your adrenaline rush other than just dirt bikes if it means building a future.
If it is feasible and you appreciate all the Bay Area has to offer, it can be a fantastic place to live. But it is more expensive than just about any place in the US excluding Manhattan, so you have to appreciate it or you will be miserable.
Byke - you coming down for Stonybarf 12.0? CJ aka Oaklandf4i
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