Need some California advice

bigman99 · 01-22-2013, 07:55 AM

Four guys renting bikes out of LA in early March. We want to ride the coast HWY North to San Fran but may want to go South to avoid crappy weather. If we go south bound, what advice can you guys offer as far as destinations, roads etc. We ride mostly pavement but a short ride through hard dirt/gravel is fine.

Just looking for interesting roads, sites etc.

Thanks

HeyWhatever · 01-22-2013, 07:59 AM

Octillo Wells near the Salton Sea is BLM land with free camping and plenty of off road riding. I did it a few years ago. Be prepared for heavy winds... other than that it is really beautiful and camping/ riding is FREE!

hankgs · 01-22-2013, 01:28 PM

Josuha Tree Natl Park is cool too...

DG K3 1000 · 01-22-2013, 02:27 PM

Check pashnit.com - it is a site virtually dedicated to roads in California and you can find all you want or need.

ohpyramids · 01-22-2013, 05:51 PM

You may also want to check out some of the butler maps for southern california. Honestly, you could spend a few days enjoying the canyons in los angeles alone!

samthg · 01-22-2013, 06:30 PM

Got some time? This will get you started. http://byways.org/explore/states/CA

Then jump into regional/west here on ADV, and ask away. We'll make sure you see the good stuff, and some not-the-good-stuff if need be

.

David13 · 01-23-2013, 01:53 PM

That time of year the coast road has the least amount of traffic. So you can enjoy it. But it will not be all warm and toasty, it will be cool and probably a bit rainy.
If you are interested in the coast, probably going north is your best riding bet. If you want deserts, etc., then go inland to Joshua Tree, 29 Palms, Ocotillo Wells, the Agua Caliente hot springs on highway 2 south of Julian (a San Diego county park).
dc

GSF1200S · 01-23-2013, 02:29 PM

I second the suggestion of Octillo even on pavement. I went from San Diego out there on my 1200 Bandit and it was awesome in a middle of nowhere open kind of way. Its been a few years, but I cant imagine it has changed much. I cant give you much in the way of highway suggestions since its been awhile, but anything out there should be nice.

Watch out for jack rabbits! I was headed back towards the mountains to get back to the freeway (8) towards San Diego and the shrubbery on the highway started moving in towards the road. I thought to myself "man, not much reaction time here" and literally about 8 seconds later a jack rabbit ran out in front of me and I nearly hit him. Full panic stop and swerve- no good! This was just after dusk, so..

If your looking for twisties, anything in the Julian area is fantastic. Lots of highways to explore. Taking 79 down from Temecula would be a nice highway ride..

4Rider · 01-27-2013, 10:26 PM

Big man-

If it looks like you will be heading south, pm me and I can give you a list of routes to take out of San Diego, Imperial County etc. March should be good weather.

You didn't say how much time you will have, but there are at least a weeks worth of rides just in the local area. Hot springs, Slab City, Palomar Mountain, Agua Caliente, Corrizo Gorge and Idyllwild are just a few you can look at. Ocotillo Wells and the Temecula Wine Country as someone already mentioned as well. Don't overlook the coast along San Diego County, the Cabrillo Monument, Sunset Cliffs and Torrey Pines are also worth your time.

Mark

montanaman · 01-28-2013, 07:16 PM

Try and ride thru Death Valley. Unbelievable scenery and even tho there are posted speed limit's ..well.. lets just say there there are not many bogies there..

Joshua Tree is great too.

Angeles Crest Hwy is a must do but snow at the higher elevations will stop you at Newcombs Ranch or sooner..

Anywhere on PCH is awesome ... Malibu Canyons and of course the "Snake" if you really want to get a knee down..

bigman99 · 02-04-2013, 07:52 AM

Thanks for all the replies. Going to go through through the links and start to figure out a route.

Awesome stuff.

bigman99 · 02-04-2013, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Rider

Big man-

If it looks like you will be heading south, pm me and I can give you a list of routes to take out of San Diego, Imperial County etc. March should be good weather.

You didn't say how much time you will have, but there are at least a weeks worth of rides just in the local area. Hot springs, Slab City, Palomar Mountain, Agua Caliente, Corrizo Gorge and Idyllwild are just a few you can look at. Ocotillo Wells and the Temecula Wine Country as someone already mentioned as well. Don't overlook the coast along San Diego County, the Cabrillo Monument, Sunset Cliffs and Torrey Pines are also worth your time.

Mark

Thanks Mark. I will pm you next week when I can get the guys I'm riding with together on a general list of what they want to see.

wheatwhacker · 02-04-2013, 02:47 PM

http://goo.gl/maps/DBDXT

There is something for everybody here. Desert, mountains, party, monuments and awesome riding.
There is free camping behind the bar in Ventucopa. Make it a "must stop"

01-22-2013, 07:55 AM	#1
bigman99 ^OP n00b Joined: Jan 2011 Location: Ontario Canada Oddometer: 4	Need some California advice Four guys renting bikes out of LA in early March. We want to ride the coast HWY North to San Fran but may want to go South to avoid crappy weather. If we go south bound, what advice can you guys offer as far as destinations, roads etc. We ride mostly pavement but a short ride through hard dirt/gravel is fine. Just looking for interesting roads, sites etc. Thanks

01-22-2013, 07:59 AM	#2
HeyWhatever HTFU ! Joined: Aug 2010 Location: Here, Now Oddometer: 227	Octillo Wells near the Salton Sea is BLM land with free camping and plenty of off road riding. I did it a few years ago. Be prepared for heavy winds... other than that it is really beautiful and camping/ riding is FREE! __________________ Piglet: Because Hogs Are For Old Farts!

01-22-2013, 06:30 PM	#6
samthg Sam...I am. Joined: May 2010 Location: seal beach, ca. Oddometer: 884	Got some time? This will get you started. http://byways.org/explore/states/CA Then jump into regional/west here on ADV, and ask away. We'll make sure you see the good stuff, and some not-the-good-stuff if need be.

01-27-2013, 10:26 PM	#9
4Rider Dedicated Lurker Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Bottom Left Corner far from Maine Oddometer: 138	San Diego rides Big man- If it looks like you will be heading south, pm me and I can give you a list of routes to take out of San Diego, Imperial County etc. March should be good weather. You didn't say how much time you will have, but there are at least a weeks worth of rides just in the local area. Hot springs, Slab City, Palomar Mountain, Agua Caliente, Corrizo Gorge and Idyllwild are just a few you can look at. Ocotillo Wells and the Temecula Wine Country as someone already mentioned as well. Don't overlook the coast along San Diego County, the Cabrillo Monument, Sunset Cliffs and Torrey Pines are also worth your time. Mark __________________ '02 BMW R 1150 GS-A, '07 BMW G650 X-Challenge, '09 BMW G650 X-Country, '03 KLR 650 '04 KTM 400 EXC '02 Kawi KDX220, '01 TW 200

01-28-2013, 07:16 PM	#10
montanaman Traveler Joined: Oct 2003 Location: CA,AZ,MT..USA Oddometer: 171	Death Valley if you want to go fast !! Try and ride thru Death Valley. Unbelievable scenery and even tho there are posted speed limit's ..well.. lets just say there there are not many bogies there.. Joshua Tree is great too. Angeles Crest Hwy is a must do but snow at the higher elevations will stop you at Newcombs Ranch or sooner.. Anywhere on PCH is awesome ... Malibu Canyons and of course the "Snake" if you really want to get a knee down.. __________________ Quit dreaming, get on and start living.

01-22-2013, 01:28 PM	#3
hankgs Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Oddometer: 1,440	Josuha Tree Natl Park is cool too...

01-22-2013, 02:27 PM	#4
DG K3 1000 Adventurer Joined: Feb 2007 Location: New Westminster, BC Oddometer: 35	Check pashnit.com - it is a site virtually dedicated to roads in California and you can find all you want or need.

01-22-2013, 05:51 PM	#5
ohpyramids Latebird Joined: Feb 2011 Location: Los Angeles Oddometer: 15	You may also want to check out some of the butler maps for southern california. Honestly, you could spend a few days enjoying the canyons in los angeles alone!

01-23-2013, 01:53 PM	#7
David13 Studly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Los Angeles area (SoBay) Oddometer: 540	That time of year the coast road has the least amount of traffic. So you can enjoy it. But it will not be all warm and toasty, it will be cool and probably a bit rainy. If you are interested in the coast, probably going north is your best riding bet. If you want deserts, etc., then go inland to Joshua Tree, 29 Palms, Ocotillo Wells, the Agua Caliente hot springs on highway 2 south of Julian (a San Diego county park). dc

01-23-2013, 02:29 PM	#8
GSF1200S Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2012 Location: Moab, Utah Oddometer: 342	I second the suggestion of Octillo even on pavement. I went from San Diego out there on my 1200 Bandit and it was awesome in a middle of nowhere open kind of way. Its been a few years, but I cant imagine it has changed much. I cant give you much in the way of highway suggestions since its been awhile, but anything out there should be nice. Watch out for jack rabbits! I was headed back towards the mountains to get back to the freeway (8) towards San Diego and the shrubbery on the highway started moving in towards the road. I thought to myself "man, not much reaction time here" and literally about 8 seconds later a jack rabbit ran out in front of me and I nearly hit him. Full panic stop and swerve- no good! This was just after dusk, so.. If your looking for twisties, anything in the Julian area is fantastic. Lots of highways to explore. Taking 79 down from Temecula would be a nice highway ride..

02-04-2013, 07:52 AM	#11
bigman99 ^OP n00b Joined: Jan 2011 Location: Ontario Canada Oddometer: 4	Thanks for all the replies. Going to go through through the links and start to figure out a route. Awesome stuff.

02-04-2013, 02:47 PM	#13
wheatwhacker It's raining here Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Cork, Ireland Oddometer: 2,706	http://goo.gl/maps/DBDXT There is something for everybody here. Desert, mountains, party, monuments and awesome riding. There is free camping behind the bar in Ventucopa. Make it a "must stop" __________________ European bike sales and storage. https://www.facebook.com/motofeirme

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