Here's a great day trip in San Diego County. Because it includes a run through the desert, you'll either want to get an early morning start or avoid the summer months. From the I-15, this trip runs about 150 miles, and anywhere from 3 to 4 hours.
- Head south on I-15 to the 79 south exit. Fill up at the gas station there. Head right on Pala Road to head down to 76. Take a left at the T and head east on 76.
- The "cheesy store" is on the left just past Valley Center Road (where S6 comes up from the south). This is where the "southerners" (O.C. and L.A. types) and "lowtherners" (S.D. types) meet when they ride together.
- Go 76 to S6 (South Grade Road). S6 heading up the mountain is classic Palomar: tight lowspeed turns that require full attention. If you're new to this road, take it easy as some turns draw in and will surprise the snot out of you. This road claims a lot of bikes, and occasionally draws the ire of the ground and aerial CHP, so stay alert.
- At the top of the hill at the T, turn left and you'll see Mothers, a favored hangout for sportbikers. Mothers is a vegetarian restaurant, so don't get your tastebuds set for a cowburger. If you want meat in your food, wait till you get to Motorcycle Springs. (For you sci-fi types, head down to the end of S6 to visit the Palomar Observatory.)
- Turn right out of Mother's parking lot and head down S7 (East Grade Road). Beautiful medium-speed curves with no harsh surprises. Miles and miles of smiles. As with all the San Diego backroads, watch for cows! At the T at 76, turn left.
- In only a few miles, turn right on Center Loop Road (if you miss the first one, there's a second one; hence the "loop" name). In about 50 yards, turn right on Mesa Grande Road. Fun road with fast and slow sections mixed together. Pretty bucolic scenery, especially in the fall. Because parts of the road are tree-lined, be careful in post-rain rides as piles of wet leaves can cause your bike to slip.
- At the T, take a right on 79 towards Santa Ysabel (if you want, visit the mission just off the road on the left). At the next T, take a left on 78/79. Just after the left, pull into the gas station on the right and fill up.
- Continue east on 78/79. After a few miles, Wynola Road will be on the left. Don't turn down it yet. Instead, pull into Motorcycle Springs on the right and take a break at this mini-museum (there'll be a motorcycle perched at the top of a couple of poles with a human-size skeleton riding it). They serve sandwiches and the owners will talk your ear off about bikes if you want.
- After your break, continue down Wynola Road. Another nice, lowspeed rural road. Take it easy as there tends to be a bit of dirt in the road from the steep embankments.
- At the T, turn left on 78 and head down Banner Grade. Banner Grade is a medium speed twisty road that is usually debris-free and loads of fun. Don't hug the yellow line as cars tend to drift towards the center around the blind curves.
- Continue on 78. There will be a fork in the road and to the left is S3 (Yaqui Pass Road); there may also be a sign for S22 and Anza Borrego.
- When you hit the traffic circle, travel counterclockwise and then exit the traffic circle onto S22 (you're effectively making a left turn onto S22). Gas up on this road if you want.
- Head up S22 and onto Montezuma Valley Road (also known as the "Glass Elevator" for its spectacular view of the desert). This is a medium-speed curvy road that's really fun and usually very clean.
- At the T, turn right on 79 and take that road back to I-15. Return from whence you came, reflecting the whole time on how much fun you had.
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