California Highway 25 (Airline Highway)

Written by Steve Johnson (with some additions)

California Highway 25 (aka CA-25, SR25 or “Airline Highway”) cuts its way between the Gabilan and Diablo Mountain Ranges of Central California, offering cyclists a way to travel north-south through the state while avoiding the heavily trafficked US-101.

Wide open road along Highway 25

Airline Highway gets its name because before the advent of radio communications, airplane pilots had used the highway as a visual aid.

The most enjoyable portion of Highway 25 starts in the south where it intersects with Highway 198 (near Peach Tree Road).

From Coalinga take CA-198 west From San Lucas take CA-198 east

From there, it’s a 51 mile stretch north to the town of Tres Pinos. Along the way, there are no services, no rest stops, only farms and cows. There’s no gas along Highway 25 until you hit Tres Pinos.

To start at the north end of CA-25 (just south of Gilroy) exit Hwy 101 to Hollister.

Coming from the north (Gilroy) From the south thru San Juan Bautista

If you’re driving Hwy 101 from the south, skip the additional CA-25 mileage. Instead take the CA-156 exit toward the historic town of San Juan Bautista. Later you will take the signed CA-156B exit right into Hollister and begin your CA-25 outside of the city.

Towards the south, it officially ends at CA-198, but if you have time to add you’re your scenic road trip… Peach Tree Road and Indian Valley Road connect that southern starting point (CA-25 & CA-198) with San Miguel (northern San Luis Obispo County).

CA-25 and then some! Mission San Miguel Arcangel

Difficult to just keep driving/riding? You’ll travel along the San Andreas Fault. Check out the effects of faulting in Hollister! You’ll be tempted by historic mission towns at both ends of your trip. You’d have to pass by the eastern (better) half of our newest national park, Pinnacles!

The landscape is so beautiful here, you don’t want to ride fast. Some wide sweeping curves, too.

Drive in the spring for gorgeous, yellowy hillsides flanking both sides of highway.