Pearl Avenue Climb

We don't rate roads as safe or unsafe: crash counts can't say how risky a ride is, and roads people like to ride draw more riders, so they see more crashes. What the records show: no bike crashes were reported along the climb from 2021–2025.

How long and steep is the Pearl Avenue climb?

2.4 miles (3.9 km) at 12.3% on average, climbing 1,558 ft (475 m) from 148 ft to 1,706 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 19.6%. That makes it a Category 2 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 38.5255, -123.08959, where Pearl Avenue leaves Austin Creek Road, and tops out on the road at 38.51183, -123.1187.

Is Pearl Avenue paved?

Yes, by its OpenStreetMap tags.

How is the category worked out?

From the climb's shape only: length in metres × average grade (%) of 16,000 or more for Cat 3, 32,000 for Cat 2, 64,000 for Cat 1 and 80,000 for HC. It describes how hard the climb is, not traffic or crashes.

Where does this data come from?

The climb is found from OpenStreetMap roads and USGS 3DEP elevation (every climb, not a list of famous ones). Access is from OpenStreetMap tags; gates and closures change, so obey posted signs. Crash counts are police reports in the California Crash Reporting System (CCRS) on data.ca.gov, counted where their map location is within 100 ft of the climb. The forecast is from the National Weather Service.

• Fort Ross Road from Cazadero HighwayCat 2 · 5.3 mi at 4.7% · 1,319 ft · starts 0.8 mi away
• Old Cazadero Road from Cazadero HighwayCat 3 · 1.3 mi at 10.1% · 686 ft · starts 0.8 mi away
• Moorheart Ridge RoadCat 2 · 5.7 mi at 6.5% · 1,952 ft · starts 1.1 mi away
• Scanlon RoadCat 3 · 0.8 mi at 12.7% · 568 ft · starts 1.4 mi away
• Old Cazadero Road from Scanlon RoadCat 3 · 1.3 mi at 11.1% · 741 ft · starts 1.5 mi away
• Pole Mountain RoadCat 3 · 1.4 mi at 10.8% · 787 ft · starts 1.5 mi away
• Kidd Creek RoadCat 3 · 1.7 mi at 10.8% · 974 ft · starts 2.0 mi away
• Redwood Heights DriveCat 3 · 0.5 mi at 22.9% · 623 ft · starts 2.1 mi away