Where to Ride In San Diego
Unofficial HDF Chaplain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 18,045
From: san diego
Get some directions to go to Idyllwild , a fantastic ride thru the back roads of San Diego county and into the high country. You will need a whole day, but you will be blown away. One of my very favorite rides. Great little restaurants up there, outside BBQ, with music on the weekend. Have fun wherever you go, great riding here! Around 200 or so miles round trip, and it will go fast. I do it in a day all the time.
Last edited by harleycharlie1992; May 11, 2018 at 05:39 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,967
Likes: 7,068
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Sure.
Since you live around water, there's no reason for you to repeat this when you're here.
That leaves mountains and/or deserts. As many have already stated, Julian is in the lower mountains. (About 4226' ASL)
There's a new "biker friendly" restaurant opening up in Julian today. "HEROES."
The desert is going to likely be warm. (A LOT warmer than anything Florida can muster.)
Some here can give you "road-by-road" routes for a day of amazing rides. (I'm talking WORLD CLASS motorcycling roads.)
There are 4 micro climates in San Diego County.
Coastal ele. 0 to 750' ASL (beach to 4 or 5 miles inland)- mild temps both day and night
Inland ele. 750' to 1700' ASL (4 or 5 miles to 35 miles inland) Warmer during day, cooler during night
Mountain ele 1700' to 6400' ASL (35 to 60 miles inland)- As cool as the coast, without the "night & morning low clouds and fog". Cooling off further at night.
Desert ele 2000' to -250' ASL (>60 miles inland)- Temps can be 120+ by Memorial day, falling to 100F at night. (No, I'm NOT kidding.) This I would avoid, unless we get a cold front during your stay.
Now that that has been done.
What are your favorite types of roads?
Empty 2 lane haul *** roads?
Winding mountainous roads?
Cruising from bar to bar? (not recommended.)
Cruising the beach?
Wide open stretches?
Huge sweepers?
Stop & go city? (Yuck!)
Peg dragging?
We have all of these, and more all year 'round.
Since you live around water, there's no reason for you to repeat this when you're here.
That leaves mountains and/or deserts. As many have already stated, Julian is in the lower mountains. (About 4226' ASL)
There's a new "biker friendly" restaurant opening up in Julian today. "HEROES."
The desert is going to likely be warm. (A LOT warmer than anything Florida can muster.)
Some here can give you "road-by-road" routes for a day of amazing rides. (I'm talking WORLD CLASS motorcycling roads.)
There are 4 micro climates in San Diego County.
Coastal ele. 0 to 750' ASL (beach to 4 or 5 miles inland)- mild temps both day and night
Inland ele. 750' to 1700' ASL (4 or 5 miles to 35 miles inland) Warmer during day, cooler during night
Mountain ele 1700' to 6400' ASL (35 to 60 miles inland)- As cool as the coast, without the "night & morning low clouds and fog". Cooling off further at night.
Desert ele 2000' to -250' ASL (>60 miles inland)- Temps can be 120+ by Memorial day, falling to 100F at night. (No, I'm NOT kidding.) This I would avoid, unless we get a cold front during your stay.
Now that that has been done.
What are your favorite types of roads?
Empty 2 lane haul *** roads?
Winding mountainous roads?
Cruising from bar to bar? (not recommended.)
Cruising the beach?
Wide open stretches?
Huge sweepers?
Stop & go city? (Yuck!)
Peg dragging?
We have all of these, and more all year 'round.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,967
Likes: 7,068
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Get some directions to go to Idyllwild , a fantastic ride thru the back roads of San Diego county and into the high country. You will need a whole day, but you will be blown away. One of my very favorite rides. Great little restaurants up there, outside BBQ, with music on the weekend. Have fun wherever you go, great riding here! Around 200 or so miles round trip, and it will go fast. I do it in a day all the time.
So, the next time you ride to Idyllwild, try this route~
15 North to
79 South to
Sage Rd North
it becomes "State" in downtown Hemet.
Turn East onto Florida and enjoy more twistys as you go "up the hill" to Idyllwild.
Got a female friend you really want to impress? Take her to the "Ramona Bowl" in Hemet during the Ramona Pageant. I'm not kidding on this. She'll be butter in your hands. The play is going on NOW, as it does every year. Beware, guns are involved. Heck of a good show. Got horses too, and they run 'em.
Unofficial HDF Chaplain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 18,045
From: san diego
Charlie~ I was just in Idyllwild last Sunday, the restaurant you are referring, "JoAnne's" is now gone. Demo'd. In it's place is a central park with benches and a large flag pole in the center. Concrete planters are there now. Going to miss JoAnne's as it was a perfect venue for motorcycling.
So, the next time you ride to Idyllwild, try this route~
15 North to
79 South to
Sage Rd North
it becomes "State" in downtown Hemet.
Turn East onto Florida and enjoy more twistys as you go "up the hill" to Idyllwild.
Got a female friend you really want to impress? Take her to the "Ramona Bowl" in Hemet during the Ramona Pageant. I'm not kidding on this. She'll be butter in your hands. The play is going on NOW, as it does every year. Beware, guns are involved. Heck of a good show. Got horses too, and they run 'em.
So, the next time you ride to Idyllwild, try this route~
15 North to
79 South to
Sage Rd North
it becomes "State" in downtown Hemet.
Turn East onto Florida and enjoy more twistys as you go "up the hill" to Idyllwild.
Got a female friend you really want to impress? Take her to the "Ramona Bowl" in Hemet during the Ramona Pageant. I'm not kidding on this. She'll be butter in your hands. The play is going on NOW, as it does every year. Beware, guns are involved. Heck of a good show. Got horses too, and they run 'em.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 56
From: California
If youre going up to Julian, make sure you hit Sunrise Highway while youre in the area. 55 mph, great views and curves. My favorite when I lived in San Diego.
In julian Apple Alley has great pie. Try the Apple Carmel pecan.
In julian Apple Alley has great pie. Try the Apple Carmel pecan.
Last edited by arthur; May 11, 2018 at 11:07 PM. Reason: Spelling
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,175
Likes: 2,483
From: Nor Cal
Spoken like a True NON-Californian 
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,967
Likes: 7,068
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Here's a map of " motorcyclists roads" in San Diego County. Figure 65ish miles top to bottom and 100ish East/West.
Last edited by NORTY FLATZ; May 12, 2018 at 10:59 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 354
Likes: 119
From: Penna.
Definitely ride the Sunrise Highway up to Julian, what a great ride. Lots of directions to go after Julian. I couldn't ride that road enough. You could go down to Borrego Springs, in the desert but it's getting pretty hot about now.
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