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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Hey, It's Tim!
April 9, 2022
65 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Exceptionally pretty route. Minimal traffic with just enough twists & turns to keep it interesting, but still let you relax & enjoy the ride.
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SJ_Phil
May 6, 2020
154 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Hit this road last summer. Camped in Lake Margarita. Road condition was excellent. Low traffic. Buttery twisties put a big smile on my face.
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lyzzabeth
June 6, 2020
83 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
I took this recently and was not disappointed! Beautiful scenery and a well maintained road the whole way into Santa Margarita! I jumped on the 101 south and combined another ride by taking the 166 back, dropping down the 33 into Ojai before heading home.
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