Southern California - San Diego ride recommendations?

I have to go to San Diego in 2 weekends and was looking to bring my bike and squeeze in a road ride of 40 miles or so. I'll be a bit inland, near the 805 and Adams ave (normal heights neighborhood). Any recommendations for a good ride on an early morning?

Elfin Forest - Highland Valley Road - Ramona & Return (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=6915+Quail+Pl,+Carlsbad,+CA+92009&daddr=Harmony+Grove+Rd+to:Harmony+Grove+Rd+to:W+Via+Rancho+Pkwy+to:Rustys+Hacienda+Ln&hl=en&geocode=%3BFQvg-AEd54ME-Q%3BFT3v-AEdj6ME-Q%3BFWTn-AEda_8E-Q%3BFbQL-AEdAFoH-Q&mra=mr&mrcr=0&via=1,2,3&sll=33.060184,-117.069068&sspn=0.027839,0.054331&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=33.092404,-117.147388&spn=0.215149,0.434647&z=12). This is one of my favorite gems. Keep an eye out for the turn-off for the new Lake Hodges stressed-ribbon bridge, so you don't have to ride for a mile on I-15.

Pine Valley - Cuyamaca - Sunrise Highway/Mount Laguna Loop (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=San+Diego+County+Rd+S+1&daddr=Old+Hwy+80+to:15027+Highway+79,+Julian,+CA+92036-9530+%28Lake+Cuyamaca+Restaurant+%26+Str%29+to:sunrise+highway+to:Mount+Laguna+to:32.838906,-116.495247&hl=en&geocode=FXgV9QEdwGwO-Q%3BFbIw9QEdNKIN-Q%3BFWtQ9wEdrCUN-SH8esXy3JXHkg%3B%3B%3B&mra=dme&mrcr=3&mrsp=5&sz=16&via=1&sll=32.841069,-116.492629&sspn=0.013954,0.027165&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=32.911874,-116.484261&spn=0.21559,0.434647&z=12). An island of mountains in our little coastal desert--plenty of climbing and not much traffic.

Santa Ysabel - Julian - Engineers Rd - Lake Cuyamaca & Return (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Santa+Ysabel,+California&daddr=Mountainbrook+Rd+to:Mountainbrook+Rd+to:CA-78%2FCA-79%2FJulian+Rd+to:Wynola+Rd+to:33.041767,-116.617813+to:15027+Highway+79,+Julian,+CA+92036-9530+%28Lake+Cuyamaca+Restaurant+%26+Str%29&hl=en&geocode=%3BFVsU-QEdrPgL-Q%3BFRwT-QEdAAgM-Q%3BFQoM-QEdfxYM-Q%3BFdr4-AEdb2UM-Q%3B%3BFWtQ9wEdrCUN-SH8esXy3JXHkg&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=5&sz=13&via=1,2,3,4,5&dirflg=w&sll=33.03637,-116.588717&sspn=0.107643,0.217323&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=33.046371,-116.596184&spn=0.215262,0.434647&z=12). Lots of up-n-down; a little too steep to call it rolling hills. Very scenic and light traffic.

PCH - San Luis Rey Bike Path - Gopher Cyn - Twin Oaks Parkway (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=6915+Quail+Place,+Carlsbad,+ca&daddr=Oceanside+Pier,+Oceanside,+San+Diego,+California+92054+to:Dentro+de+Lomas+to:Dentro+de+Lomas+t o:vista+del+mar,+bonsall,+ca+to:Gopher+Canyon+Rd+to:San+Elijo+Rd+to:6915+Quail+Place,+Carlsbad,+ca&hl=en&geocode=%3BFWmA-gEdnNoA-Q%3BFQyl-wEdAXAD-Q%3BFVKW-wEd-JYD-Q%3B%3BFSJl-wEdIeoD-Q%3BFUkm-QEdWwsE-Q%3B&mra=ls&via=3&dirflg=w&sll=33.166008,-117.226181&sspn=0.222441,0.434647&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=11) Gmaps won't let me drag the route to the SLR Path, which is immediately north of the 76 (Mission) and runs parallel.

North to San Clemente through Camp Pendleton & Return (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=6915+Quail+Pl,+Carlsbad,+CA+92009&daddr=Poinsettia+Ln+to:Carlsbad+Blvd+to:Old+Pacific+Hwy+to:33.39046,-117.591133+to:Basilone+Rd+to:S+El+Camino+Real&geocode=%3BFXwz-QEd5igC-Q%3BFfVI-QEdUckB-Q%3BFYVT_AEd5mf_-A%3B%3BFYdx_QEdI9b9-A%3BFWSe_QEdS6f9-A&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=4&sz=13&via=1,2,3,4,5&dirflg=w&sll=33.376699,-117.583237&sspn=0.107225,0.217323&ie=UTF8&ll=33.296673,-117.398529&spn=0.429296,0.869293&t=h&z=11). A great ride if you want to make miles and not see many stoplights. Riding through a military base, so bring your driver's license. Also Gmaps refuses to recognize the road that goes through, so you don't have to go out of the way on Basilone Road--just ride through the coastal campground and follow all the other bicycle traffic. (It's a pretty popular ride, so there's always someone passing through.)

And of course there's always Palomar Mountain. :)

San Diego Velodrome Saturday morning public session. Open to all track and road bikes.

I'm in a similar situation, visiting for a few days with my bike in tow.

On calmarchris' recommendation I did my own version of that Elfin Forest ride; just finished it actually.
Quite nice, mostly rolling hills with a few short sections of stomach-punch climbing with trap-door descents over the crest.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/15601813

If I had known where I was going, I would have explored more around the El Camino del Norte section. It looks like some fun, low-traffic riding into that hill.

Elfin Forest is better than a kick in the head with a cold boot, but you really should try to make it out to Highland Valley Road to Ramona--that's a neat ride. There are several corners on it that apex at the crest of a blind hill, which is a real thrill when you're doing 50-60 on a motorcycle, and still pretty neat when you're pedaling.

Another gem I forgot to mention is Twin Oaks Grade - Lilac - Couser - Pala Fruit Stand (for water/bananas) & Return (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=6915+Quail+Pl,+Carlsbad,+CA+92009&daddr=Pointsettia+Ln+to:San+Elijo+Rd+to:Gopher+Canyon+Rd,+Bonsall,+San+Diego,+California+92084+to:Li lac+Rd+to:33.344009,-117.127819&hl=en&geocode=%3BFbNN-QEdt80C-Q%3BFW4e-QEdRAAE-Q%3BFfBk-wEd8-gD-Q%3BFYiy-wEdi24F-Q%3B&mra=dme&mrcr=2&mrsp=5&sz=13&via=1,2&dirflg=w&sll=33.341858,-117.121124&sspn=0.110997,0.217323&ie=UTF8&ll=33.256202,-117.124557&spn=0.222212,0.434647&t=h&z=12).

all of the previous posts are excellent recommendations and showcase the
san diego region if you feel like driving. if you don't, Ray R's post about the
sd velodrome is a good one since it's only about 2 miles away from your base camp.
some other suggestions if you don't want to do a velodrome:

riding north/northwest up the coast towards encinitas & back-involves dropping down
into mission valley (north) via texas st. and heading west on friars road then north towards
uc-san diego via one of three conduits (morena/mission bay dr/mission blvd-
la jolla blvd). once at ucsd, head north on torrey pines rd and you'll come in contact with
the coast. turn around whenever you like.

riding west through downtown san diego to cabrillo national monument-head south on
park blvd and make a right on presidents way which takes you through balboa park.
wind your way through the park (heading west/northwest) and you'll eventually
ride over a bridge and make a left on 6th street. head south downhill into downtown
and make a right on ash st. take it to harbor drive at road's end where you'll make a right.
follow harbor drive past the airport on your right. you may-depending on your riding
style and comfort level-want to take the multiuse path on the south side of harbor drive
which will take you past the dicey, high-speed airport exits but you will need to use the
crosswalk/light to (legally) get back on the north side of harbor. follow harbor to scott
street and make a left on scott st. then a right after the lane merge on canon street.
follow canon st. to the top of the hill (fresh & easy grocery store), bearing left at catalina
(stop light). follow catalina (209 hwy) south to the end of the peninsula. if there are no
clouds, you'll have an outstanding view of downtown san diego to your left. at road's end,
there is a entrance booth ($3-4 entrance fee for bikes-don't remember exactly). if you
haven't been before, pay the fee and make a right down to the tidepools. great descent
and excellent climb back up. once back up, turn right and head towards the lighthouse
for a great 360 degree view. return the way you came, substituting a left on grape street
for ash street on the way back.

riding east/northeast-from adams, descend via texas st. into mission valley. make a right on friars road
and head east (turns into mission gorge rd once over the 15 fwy). stay on mission gorge for
several miles, making a left on junipero serra trail/mission trails region park entrance (just
past jackson dr). junipero serra rejoins mission gorge after the scenery ends. make a left
onto mission gorge. left on west hills parkway. left on mast blvd. then right onto the 52
freeway. disclaimer-they have been widening the lanes on the freeway the last 8 months or so
and had the bike path (separated by concrete barriers) on the south side of the freeway last
time i checked. it could be on the north side by now. normally, headed west, you'd be on the
north side with a wide shoulder. regardless, start the long ascent to the pass then a great downhill
to santo road (must exit!). left on santo, then right on clairemont mesa blvd. cross over
the 15 fwy, then left on murphy canyon road. follow murphy canyon south onto a bike path
paralleling the fwy into the stadium parking lot. stay on the path and exit the lot in the
southeast corner onto rancho mission rd. right on ward rd. right (west) on camino del rio.
camino del rio takes you back to texas/qualcomm way. make a left onto texas st/qualcomm way
and struggle up the hill to adams.
hope this helps. enjoy san diego!

Elfin Forest is better than a kick in the head with a cold boot, but you really should try to make it out to Highland Valley Road to Ramona--that's a neat ride. There are several corners on it that apex at the crest of a blind hill, which is a real thrill when you're doing 50-60 on a motorcycle, and still pretty neat when you're pedaling.


I'm not used to the geography here and found myself looking at my scribbled route sheet a number of times today. I'd like to see it, but it may have to wait until I can find a tour guide.

One other thing I should have mentioned, wow nice asphalt! The roads here are like smooth silk ribbons compared to the crumbly chip-seal I'm used to working with. I am a chicken descender, but still managed 40mph on 4 different slopes in a 30-mile loop. Confidence inspiring to not be skittering around.

Check google maps and do a ride connecting Balboa Park, Cabrillo National Monument, and Mount Soledad. It should be about 50 miles, with plenty of places to stop, look awesome, and drink coffee.

Some basic rides are at the bottom of this page
http://www.efgh.com/bike/rides.htm

Some basic rides are at the bottom of this page
http://www.efgh.com/bike/rides.htm

what he said. particularly http://www.efgh.com/bike/rsdbay.htm. only 25 miles, but probably add another 5 from where you are staying. it's a pretty cool ride where you catch a ferry on the way back. it also gives you an opportunity to roll around coronado which is neat too.