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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Guest
February 10, 2009
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
I did the 58 / 33 loop afew times, awesome riding!! The only trouble was some cows on the shoulder that got loose. Very beautiful, miss riding in CA!!
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GatorBob
April 29, 2019
42 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Standard
I did the highway and then cut thru Soda Lake road which was fantastic. I like the lack of traffic on this loop. Do yourself a favor and cut thur on the Soda lake road which give you some tarmac and dirt.
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Guest
December 21, 2008
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
Went thru in late September, found the busle of Bakersfield to have all the vehicle traffic. The further west I rolled, the fewer vehicles I found. I ceased seeing any vehicles after 20 miles or so. cruised near 80, up to the sharp 90 degree turns out in the valley. The view of the valley as I climbed the western side was beautiful. The flat valley with the straight roads melded to the rising, twistys, a rough in places, but no loose stones in most of the corners. A very enjoyable ride.
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