Early morning clouds hug Pine Mountain Ridge, which provides a scenic backdrop along the best part of SR-33. (Photos by the author.)

The charming and eclectic coastal city of Ventura is the launch and landing pad for this diverse 340-mile loop that crosses parts of four California counties along the Central Coast. For this California motorcycle ride, Get an early start with a breakfast burrito at one of the auténtico taquerias on Ventura Avenue, then check out the scenic views of the city, curving shoreline, and distant Channel Islands from Grant Park high above. From here we head north on State Route 33 (Ojai Freeway) toward some of the finest mountain, canyon, rural, and coastal riding in the state.

A little waterfall spills from the cliff onto this gentle curve on State Route 33 in Wheeler Gorge. It?s just north of two tunnels in the background that were blasted through the solid rock in 1931.
The 2024 Honda XL750 Transalp I chose for this ride has ample suspension travel, and its dirt-worthy 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked, tube-type wheels were shod with aggressive (and noisy) Metzeler Karoo Street tires. Out of the box, the Transalp can tackle many levels of dirt, but California had just experienced yet another atmospheric river of rain, so I kept the tires on the tarmac during this trip.

Ventura County | California Motorcycle Ride

In Ojai, a left turn onto Maricopa Highway keeps you on SR-33 past the last gas station (and bathroom, burrito lover...