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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PoopyMoose
September 18, 2012
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Saw this ride while we were planning a 4 day wekend ride from Las Vegas through the PCH and Yosemite and let me tell you, it FAR surpassed our expectations!

We knew the ride from Vegas to Bakersfield would be the "same old, same old" (it was like riding in the Vegas area) but we wanted a change of pace ... and this road delivered in Spades! Lots of twisties (good ones even a loaded Goldwing can do) and scenic views a plenty.

The only downside of the trip (hence the 4 grade) involved road construction about 2/3 of the way from Bakersfield. The wait for the pilot truck wasn't bad (under 10 minutes) but the RUSH of the construction workers at quittin time going back to San luis Obispo (SLO, what a fitting name for a GREAT laid back "small" CA town, BTW!) intent on "killing" just about anything foolish enough to venture onto "their" road (yes, I am including our group in that warning!) ... being passed in a twisty "no passing" zone and run off the road twice really lessend the ride overall.

Save for the inconsiderate nature of "some" locals, it was a GREAT start to a memorable weekend!
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Guest
April 22, 2010
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport
Answer for DeDe below... 166 is a really nice road with beautiful scenery, but not exciting in the way 58 is. You can go much faster than on the 58 as there are fewer corners and long straights. The back-track to Pismo from Atascadero isnt really all that bad (it can be freeway all the way..maybe 30 minutes if there is traffic in SLO) and you wont regret it.
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tonyvalk
June 7, 2020
39 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
No services once you leave either Buttonwillow or Santa Margarita. One of three good east/west roads between I-15 and 101 in south central California
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