An improved process for the production of a higher hydrocarbon from solid biomass is provided. Solid biomass that has been digested and hydrodeoxygenated in a liquid digestive solvent in the presence of a hydrothermal hydrocatalytic catalyst is separated to an organic rich phase and an aqueous rich phase containing diols. At least a portion of the aqueous rich phase is contacted with an acidic amorphous silica alumina catalyst producing monooxygenate-containing stream comprising water, organic monooxygenates, and unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons. At least a portion of the monooxygenate-containing stream is contacted with a solid acid condensation catalyst to produce a higher hydrocarbons stream. At least a portion of the organic rich phase is also contacted with a solid acid condensation catalyst to produce a higher hydrocarbons stream.