Originally Posted by JohnnyKillmore

Most of the passes open in April or June in the Sierras. In California the company responsible for the roads is called CalTrans. It is actually a government entity but the contract out so much work it feels more like a private company.

They do have a website for checking road closures, the address is here:

https://roads.dot.ca.gov/roadscell.php

There is also an enthusiast website for all of the paved roads in the Sierra Nevadas, with enough information to waste a few days. It has information aimed at motorcyclists wanting to explore the different mountain passes, including road closure for most of the passes.

Their website is:

https://sierramountainpasses.com/

Even if you follow interstate 80 into Sacramento, please note there is the original, 2-lane highway following right along next to it...the original Donner Pass, much closer to the route the Donner party originally used, that gives that area its name.

There's also a lot of information available about Tail of the Dragon, which is so full of tourists these days I would not recommend it unless you go midday on a random Wednesday. All of the roads around it are amazing and have less traffic. Some routes are getting names added to them like Moonshiner 28 and The Gambler, but any of the roads are probably better.

Definitely add in at least a half-day in Maggie Valley to see the Wheels Through Time museum. It is a must-see for motorcycle enthusiasts. Definitely let them know you came all the way from inland, because all of the exhibits run and they will pull them out and start them for people.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is absolutely worth riding, because it was built for sight seeing so all of the turns are obvious and have a constant arc or warning signs if they tighten up. That, plus a low speed limit, let you see the views better without as much risk, and there are turn-outs to stop for photos every few miles.

There is even an app for the Blue Ridge Parkway -- it is treated as a national park (I think it's called a National Heritage Area) -- because there are old buildings and houses to stop at, lakes to see, famous bridges, and the cultural center in Asheville (along with other music centers and museums). I've ridden around the US multiple times and the Parkway is my favorite area by far.

I could probably keep adding ideas but that seems like enough for one post. Oh, one last thing, is that PCH (Hwy 1 in California) is actually best to the North of San Francisco. If possible, Getting up to Redding, California (actually Red Bluff) at taking Hwy 36, "The Serpent to the Sea" over to Hwy 1, then riding down Hwy 1 into San Francisco, is some of the best riding you can find on PCH. Tiny fishing towns, cliffs and forest, wind-swept hillsides, and even a few giant Sequoias. Mount Tamalpais, then eventually you will be stuck behind a Toyota Prius going 30mph and you will know you are very close to San Francisco.