An Australian motorcycle enthusiast has published a detailed guide for a three-week riding trip through the south-western United States, highlighting scenic roads and attractions from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon. The article, based on trips from 1980 to 2022, recommends renting bikes and purchasing a national parks pass for access to key sites. It emphasizes flexible itineraries and positive experiences with local food and hospitality.
The guide, titled 'Riding Stateside / America The Beautiful #2', appears in Adventure Rider magazine and was published on March 9, 2026. Written by an author known as The Bear, it draws from personal visits spanning over four decades, with details current to 2022. Aimed primarily at US riders but useful for internationals, the outline suggests starting in Los Angeles after flying into LAX airport.
Travelers are advised to stay at the Inn at Venice Beach (phone: 1-310-821-2557) upon arrival, visit the Petersen Automotive Museum at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard (phone: 1-323-930-2277, www.petersen.org), and dine at Baja Cantina (phone: 1-310-821-2252). The next day involves renting a motorcycle from EagleRider in Hawthorne (phone: 1-310-536-6777, www.eaglerider.com), which offers BMWs, Japanese bikes, Harleys, and Indians.
The route begins on Interstate 405 south to California Route 1, then to Interstate 5 and Route 74 through Mount San Jacinto State Park to Palm Desert on Route 111. Options include detours to Palm Springs or Box Canyon Road for desert scenery. The itinerary proceeds to Joshua Tree National Park via Cottonwood Springs Road, where visitors can explore the Cottonwood Visitor Centre and Keys View, offering sights of the San Andreas Fault. The author warns of cholla cacti and recommends staying at Joshua Tree Inn (phone: 1-760-366-1188, www.joshuatreeinn.com), noting its proximity to the park and an on-site Indian restaurant.
Further west on Route 66 via 29 Palms Highway, the path leads through Godwin Road and Amboy Road to Roy’s Motel & Café, then to Interstate 40 and the Colorado River at Needles, Arizona. In Arizona, Route 10 (Oatman Highway) passes through Oatman, described as a donkey-filled tourist town, en route to the Grand Canyon South Rim via Route 64. Aerial tours by helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft are suggested from the rim.
East on Route 64, lookouts include Duck-on-a-Rock Viewpoint and Grandview Point, leading to Page for Antelope Canyon. Access requires a guided Diné (Navajo) tour (phone: 1-928-691-0244, www.navajotours.com), which protects the site and includes cultural explanations. Nearby Horseshoe Bend charges US$5 for motorcycles and involves a half-mile walk to a 1,000-foot overlook of the Colorado River. The route continues on US 98 to US 160 through Kayenta, where the Blue Coffee Pot is recommended for Navajo-style meals.
The guide promotes the America the Beautiful Annual Pass at US$80 (US$250 for non-residents), covering per-vehicle and per-person fees at parks charging US$35. It praises US food quality in diners and advises flexibility in the itinerary, with the next installment covering Monument Valley.