Southern California - Hwy 79 Road Conditions

Has anyone ridden Hwy 79 from Temecula through Warner Springs out to Hwy 76? If so, how are the road conditions? Narrow with no shoulder? Lots of traffic? I've ridden 79 through Santa Ysabel and 78 to Ramona and it really stunk. No shoulder with tons of RVs flying by coming back from the desert. Is 79 on the west end the same? I'm hoping to loop Temecula, Warner Springs, and back 76 to Valley Center. Thanks.

I used to drive out there for sailplane lessons. I would not ride a bike on it. If memory serves, it is one lane each way, rough pavement for most of it, hilly, and no bike lane.

But I haven't been on it since 1996, so they may have improved it? But, I doubt the Peoples Republic of Kaleefornia has had the funds to do so.

Have only done 79 from Sunrise Highway (south of Julian) to Warner Springs as part of this ride (http://www.sandiegohostels.org/bike.shtml). I recall no shoulder, but no traffic either, could have been due to the time of year (between Christmas and New Years).

Hmm. Thanks for the info. I don't mind the lack of shoulder. If there's not much traffic it's OK but when combined with heavy aggressive traffic, like on 78, it's becomes less worth the effort.

one of the few roads I wouldn't ride again in southern california unless it was an organized ride or i had at least 5 other riders with me. pretty unsafe in the morning, on the weekends-heck, anytime! lots of fast construction traffic to coachella valley, casino traffic on the way to anza, rv's to ocotillo wells (just like the 78 from ramona to santa ysabel). not really any shoulder to speak of and pavement has good stretches but are outnumbered by the bad stretches. the traffic thins out a little east of aguanga (79/371 junction) but really isn't worth it. the scenery from temecula to aguanga is underwhelming.
that said...the area south of warner springs is fantastic!

The roughly triangular area of julian, santa ysabel, lake henshaw, ranchita, mesa grande, palomar mtn, borrego springs has the best climbs in the county all grouped together and make for an epic day or days of touring/climbing. may be the prettiest area in the county and offers so much diversity in a relatively compact area. even though hwy 76 east of the 15 has its fair share
of blind corners & traffic, it's still better than the 79 east of temecula. you might try one of the roads that head south from the pechanga casino area in temecula that eventually make their way up to the 76, then do the palomar loop. or you can loop around julian via the s2 into the desert & up banner grade, go thru julian, back down to santa ysabel, north to lake henshaw and east to (or past) palomar. maybe buzz around mesa grande. lots of good 40-80 mile excursions (all challenging) accessible from southern temecula or northern valley center area. if in doubt, parking at lake henshaw and striking off in any direction will inspire you in no time. :)