Overall Route Rating
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4.73 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.73
40 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Oct 31, 2003

Rider Reviews

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Guest
April 8, 2011
Great Ride and like many have said very technical…
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Guest
June 6, 2014
This is a windy road, particularly South Grade.…
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Written Directions

To get to the starting point, you'll need to find route 76 where it crosses I-15 about 15 miles north of Escondido, CA and about 10 miles south of Temecula, CA. Exit I-15 on to Rt. 76 heading east. The route starts about 21 miles east of the Interstate. After you've headed east on 76 for about 15 miles you'll see a sign for Palomar Mtn Rd at this point you'll veer left. About 6 miles further up the road you'll veer left again at a sign that says S-6 (San Diego County Road 6) which is where the fun begins! This part of the route is INCREDIBLE. Take it up the mountain until you come to a 4 way stop sign. There you will see Mother's Kitchen bike bar/diner to the left. You can stop there or take a right and continue this time on E. Grade Road. This is a great road to and will take you all the way down to Lake Heneshaw. After passing Lake Heneshaw you'll come to a stop sign. If you take a right you'll be back on 76 and will end up passing where you veered off of 76 and would have made a complete loop. That section of the road is OK but if I were you, I would just turn around and double back on East Grade road and head back down S-6 ... then turn around and do it again and again and again.

Scenery

Don't take this route for the scenery ... you'll need to keep your eyes on the road! Take it for the challenge as it "is the most technical road in Southern California." The scenery is great though as you'll be climbing mountains and have great vistas of the surrounding areas and you'll be traveling through some lush forests. Overall it is much more than just a technical route as it offers some of the best scenery in Southern California! The route is perched up high in a secluded mountain peak in the Cleveland National Forest. In fact it passes right by the Palomar Mountain Observatory (space telescope). And, you know if the government selected a site in southern California for a high powered telescope that they chose an area that not only has exceptional elevation but also is far removed from civilization and resulting light pollution ... so you know this area has to be pristine ... and it is!.

Drive Enjoyment

Rock solid 5 in the motorcycle road quality category. Multiple decreasing radius turns thrown in to back to back hairpin turns, add a few smooth snake turns and a few long sweepers and you have yourself a darn good ride.

Tourism Opportunities

Mobile gas station @ the Interstate 15/State Road 76 interchange. Two different casinos after you start heading east on 76. Several snack/liquor stores. You have to stop at "Mother's Kitchen" at the top of Mt. Palomar. When I was there the parking lot was entirely filled with motorcycles and everyone was hanging out, trading stories, and having a great time.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

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

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Ogr3
April 14, 2013
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
One of the most fun roads I have had a chance to ride. We went during an off season and we only saw a few other bikes.
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Guest
April 20, 2008
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
I rode the Tail of the Dragon in Deal's Gap and I have to say that the Palomar Mtn Road is every bit as technical if not more so than The Dragon. The change in height is also far greater making for two completely different rides going up and going down. A definite must fo those who's goal is to ride America's best motorcycle roads
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Guest
February 15, 2008
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport
I live in Southern California and saw this listing on MotorcycleRoads.com and decided to check it out. I was absolutely blown away by this road! --went up and down the west side of the mountain about 4 times, then hung out at Mother's Kitchen for a while, hooked up with some other riders and headed down the east side to the lake -- incredible ... can't believe I lived only a few hours away from this area/road and never tried it. I'll be doing this one a couple times a year!!
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2 riders found this road review useful