5 of the Best Motorcycle Rides in Southern California
Whether you have a touring bike built for long rides or one of the many motorcycles that get great gas mileage, you should take advantage of some of the most scenic rides you can find. Some paths offer sweet views of the mountains and ocean along your journey in Southern California.
According to Press-Enterprise, you can find a ton to choose from that won’t disappoint even the pickiest of riders. Out of all those listed, here’s just five that you won’t want to miss.
Take your motorcycle on the Ortega Highway
This path encompasses 30 miles of winding roads that go through the Santa Ana Mountains. The journey begins at Lake Elsinore and goes all the way to San Juan Capistrano. Expert riders report that the best time to go on this route is on the weekends because there’s too much traffic on the weekdays. There’s an increase in dangers for a motorcycle rider when traffic is dense.
It’s recommended that you stop at a few lookout spots to enjoy the view and make a pit stop for a bite to eat at The Lookout Roadhouse to get you going for the ride or to celebrate the journey you just ended.
Sunset to Pacific Coast Highway on your bike
This one deserves to be on the list because it’s one of the easiest routes to take and one of the most relaxing you’ll experience on a motorcycle ride in Southern California. According to Discover LA, the path starts anywhere on Sunset Boulevard and takes you past some of the most iconic L.A. scenery.
As you move toward the ocean, you’ll experience some windy curves, open roads, and ocean breezes. The route takes you to the Santa Monica Pier, which would be nice to enjoy the sunset if you take this route toward evening. If you’re in the area for a short time and want to rent a motorcycle, this would be the perfect route to take.
Cruise through Death Valley National Park
This path could be easy or a difficult one, depending on how you look at it. For the most part, it’s an easy route if you prepare and stick to the main road on your first time riding through or if you’re inexperienced in the area.
According to Law Tigers, there are many side canyon roads that you could easily get lost on if you’re not familiar with the route. It’s recommended that you prepare for the extremely hot weather and plan your path well before heading out. Otherwise, enjoy the long and relaxing ride through the main road.
Let your motorcycle idle on Idyllwild Route
This journey gives you more diverse views along the way. From palm trees in the desert to dense woods in the mountains, you get a little taste of everything.
Begin the route on Interstate 10 in Banning, follow the road signs to Highway 243 and then head southeast into Idyllwild. In Mountain Center, you can head west on Highway 74 to take the winding mountain road to Hemet.
Stop for a view around Big Bear Lake
If you’re looking for a Southern California country route, this would be the one to choose. It’s a long mountain ride that takes you from Highway 38 through the San Bernardino National Forest all the way to Big Bear Lake.
Along the way, there are numerous stops to check out the magnificent views of the mountain landscape. Expert riders recommend taking the Seven Oaks Road to a little general store where you can stop and have a bite to eat.
While you may not find some hardcore routes, like Tennessee’s “Tail of the Dragon,” there are plenty of paths that range from easy to fairly difficult to please the experienced as well as the beginning riders. The next time you’re in the Southern California area, be sure to check out one of these paths and see where the road takes you.
