Overall Route Rating
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4.38 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.38
43 Reviews

The Lost Highway 58 - Bakersfield to San Luis Opisbo

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Jul 31, 2006

Rider Reviews

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KCRacin
10 McR Points
March 3, 2018
We (4) were at our hotel in Bakersfield looking…
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Guest
May 18, 2008
Just made this run a few weeks back and it was…
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Written Directions

Na

Scenery

Ask the locals in Bakersfield about Hwy 58 to San Luis Obispo and they'll tell you there's no such thing and then direct you to the super-slab Hwy 46. Don't listen. Beginning about a dozen miles west of Bakersfield, Hwy 58 is a roller-coaster all the way to the coast. Giant sweepers with giddying changes in elevation run through pastoral farmland for more than an hour. Then suddenly the road tightens down into twisting loops as you dive into canyon country. Just as suddenly, it all stops and you find you've arrived at San Luis Obispo's back door.

Drive Enjoyment

The asphalt is a little coarse but unbroken. Cross streets and even driveways are few and very far between. On the western end where turns get tight, they stay predictable with no decreasing-radius turns, gravel in the corners, or other hazards. Needless to say, traffic is non-existent. If you see two cars west of Simmler, it must be rush hour

Tourism Opportunities

It's not that the amenities are bad; it's just that there are none. Gas up in Bakersfield because it's the last you'll see unless you detour into Simmler about half way across the route. In fact, except for the occasional farmhouse, you won't see much of anything. Near the western end, about 30 miles out, there is a campground in Calf Canyon. But it's so remote you may be the only one there. (Not for the faint of heart.)

Motorcycle Road Additional info

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

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J Bonnardel
November 17, 2020
4 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
The wife and I did this route on a Friday in November, and never found another vehicle. As we entered there was a temporary sign from CalTrans "your tax dollar at work" sign.... saying completion to the road in OCTOBER. Are you kidding me? An epic road, zero traffic, amazing weather and BRAND NEW, FLAWLESS BLACKTOP. Amazing. This my friends will go down in my long life of touring as one of the best rides ever. EVER. Hit it now gang. November 2020... its off the chain awesome in both directions.
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SJ_Phil
December 31, 2020
154 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
This is an awesome route. We entered off of Hwy. 33 coming from Ojai. This part of the ride looked like West Texas oil fields. Ugly. Desolate. Within a 10 minutes of getting on Hwy 58, the coutryside turned green with ranch lands. Buttery twisties for 70-miles...and no cars! Stayed over-night at the KOA in Lake Santa Margarita. Good times. Facebook: Motorcycle Camping-West Coast Branch.
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SJ_Phil
December 31, 2020
154 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
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