Overall Route Rating
speedo-meter speedo-arrow
speedo-meter-grey
4.5 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.5
9 Reviews

San Diego Highway S2

Motorcycle Route Author

profile Image
By Guest (0 McR Points) on Jan 31, 2005

Rider Reviews

See All Rider Reviews
No Image Found
Guest
January 28, 2009
It should be noted that the intersection of S2…
Read More
Thumbsup
Palmer22
85 McR Points
August 3, 2020
Great desert highway!
Read More
Thumbsup

Written Directions

Start your route in Warner Springs, CA which is about 60 miles northeast of San Diego. From Warner Springs, head southwest on hwy 79 and then get on San Diego S2 (San Felipe Rd) heading south. You'll cross hwy 78 and continue on S2 heading south and into the Anza-Borrego Desert Park finally ending up in the town of Ocotillo and at Interstate 8. I encourage you to turn right around (after gassing up) and doing it again in the other direction as you will be amazed at the difference in panoramic views.

Scenery

You will have a fantastic panoramic view of the Laguna and Volcan Mountains. Desert shrubbery, with awesome blossoms in springtime. Part of the route follows the Old Butterfield Stage Route which can be easily accessed. Old stagecoach wheel tracks still survive after almost 150 years. The pink desert hues of the Borrego Badlands can also be seen from an overlook along the highway.

Drive Enjoyment

The road is normally kept in great condition. There are some long straight stretches intermingled with many great, fun twisties. You will need to watch a few of the sweepers, however, as the road is still built in its original desert roadbed and remain flat throughout some of the turns with little to no bank angle

Tourism Opportunities

Not many roadside amenities, pick up gas before you go. There are a couple of gas stations in Ocotillo at S2 and Interstate 8. A couple of campgrounds along the way with meager mini-marts and NO gas. The Lazy Lizard bar is a real gem of a desert pub in Ocotillo. At the other end of S2 in San Felipe, several miles before Warner Springs, The Log Cabin has great food and cold beer but has no normal operating days and hours. Well worth a stop when they are open. Be forewarned that it is VERY HOT in the summer through Autumn. Take lots of drinking water with you always.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
 

Top Images

View All Add Photo Add Video
Share Your Comments ( 9 )
  Earn McR Points
Write a review
No Image Found
Guest
January 28, 2009
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
It should be noted that the intersection of S2 and 78 is not an exact crossing, you need to turn right onto 78 and travel about 500 yards then turn left to pick up S2 again as you travel this route south. There are no gas stops along this route that I know of and during the summer it does get VERY hot. This is probably one of the greatest and least ridden routes in San Diego county.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
1 riders found this road review useful
Palmer22
August 3, 2020
85 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport
Great desert highway!
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
0 riders found this road review useful
lyzzabeth
January 2, 2021
83 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
The views on this ride are staggering!! You should always be prepared for cooler weather with the higher elevations and a long wait if turning towards Julian in the late summer/fall time.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
0 riders found this road review useful