Santa Cruz HD museum

[Bakon]

Cruising up hwy 1 this year. Guidebook list a HD museum in Santa Cruz. Anyone been there?

[04Glider2]

I bet it's the one in the Santa Cruz HD dealer on Soquel St. They advertise it as a museum. There are more than a handfull of antique bike around the showroom in displays. As I recall maybe 10 or 12? Don't hold me to the exact number though.
For a real mid CA motorcycle museum try the one in Solvang. Very nice displays and large number of bikes. Not all HD but some very rare beasts and famous race bikes. Entry is a small donation.
Check it out here:
http://www.motosolvang.com/

[Bakon]

Looks correct on being dealer. Have been to several big ones in country, Wheels though time in Maggie Valley and National in Ameroso Iowa.

Ride will be from Pgh to Vegas (pick up wives) to Santa Barbara to SF to Reno (drop off wives) and back.  Site seeing only on coast.

Worth stopping at you link or too much to see already?  First time out there.

[JohnCA58]

I thought the Santa Cruz dealership was one of those that had closed over the last year 

[04Glider2]

Don't know if the dealer is still there however;
I think you could skip the dealer in Santa Cruz, but Santa Cruz has the old fashioned Board Walk and pier. Amuzement park and carnival atmosphere. Google it to see if it interests you. Nice Italian dinner at Ristorante Italiano also on Soquel Ave.
From Santa Barbara over to Solvang is just over a 30 mile very nice ride and the town is all Danish style buildings and lots of shopping for the ladies while you go through the museum. Very scenic place. I think it is worth the detour if you are traveling on PCH (Highway 1) Probably pics on google or youtube. http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=solvang+motorcycle+museum&aq=f
Further up hywy 1 there is a turn and signs for "Pescadero" 2 miles in from hywy to small town with fantastic old resturant and saloon called Durates super home made meals. (watch for the "Sunami Escape Route Sign). They grow lots of veggies and herbs out back. If you go there the famous artichoke soup if off the chart. The locals get it half and half with artichoke and green chili. You won't be disapointed with the food there. Be sure and have some home made pie for desert.

[Bakon]

Leaving Vegas on Tuesday mining, headed to coast and staying there first night (Ventura). See if on way in or backtrack? San Simeon the next day.

[04Glider2]

BTW after Santa Cruz going north you can start to run into cooler temps and morning overcast and fog. Can be chilly especially in summer. Just so you are ready.
From SF to Reno are you doing the fastest route or looking for a scenic ride? Route 80 fastest but concrete road through the Sierras is choppy from big rig wear and tear and seams between slabs. Gets pretty bumpy for an interstate hywy.
In Sacramento you can change from 80 to 50 and go through Placerville, (SeattleDyna) Tahoe, Virginia City, Carson City and then Reno for some beautiful scenery and big changes from mountains to the high desert. That is a super scenic tour. Maybe a stop in Tahoe for a boat ride on the "Tahoe Queen" a large paddle wheeler..nice break for an afternoon adventure.

[04Glider2]

All stops are on the way north from San Simeon, Hearst Castle is something to see when you are there.

[noliners]

Santa Cruz HD closed a year ago

[14Frisco]

Cruising up hwy 1 this year... Leaving Vegas on Tuesday mining... Ventura... San Simeon the next day.

You can reach San Simeon on Hwy 1 but little further north Hwy 1 is still closed, see http://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php?topic=38345.0
That thread mentions a little workaround via Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd - from San Simeon go back south a few miles to Hwy 46 and head over the hill to either 101 to Paso Robles and quickly off 101 to Lake Nacimiento and onwards.  Once back on Hwy 1 it should be fairly empty since most toursist probably detour up by Monterey so it should be very nice.

(BTW, if you are planning a visit to Hearst Castle it may be best to get tickets online in advance.)

[Bakon]

My trip is first two weeks in August. Hope road is open by then.
Hearst Castle is on list. Keep meaing to go online for tickets, thanks for reminder.

[Quad D]

I can verify that the HD dealership closed some time ago.  I was home on leave for Christmas and it had been closed since well before that.  There is a sports shop in it's place now.  Not that the Boardwalk/Warf/Westcliff Dr. area isn't worth a cruise    Or even Hwy 9 which is a favorite of mine on a sunny day.  Solvang is a very NICE spot too!  FWIW I think the closest actual HD dealer is in Gilroy, there is a telephone booth sized dealership in Watsonville though, don't think they even have a service dept.    If coming via hwy 1 by Monterey stop in and eat in Moss Landing at the Whole Enchilada... or Phil's Fish Market if you can't get into the Enchilada.   If eating in Santa Cruz the El Palomar is nice, but right down the street and a LOT quieter is Little Tampico Kitchen...very good both of them.  And they are downtown SC, which is a nice spot to stretch the legs.