Best San Diego Motorcycle Rides

Best San Diego Motorcycle Rides [2024] | Top Places in San Diego to Ride {Maps, Tips, Info}

Last Updated on: 14th April 2023, 03:50 pm

Whether you’re a new motorcycle owner in San Diego or you’ve been riding bikes around the area for years, everyone needs to know where to find the best places to ride. And when it comes to your options, southern California has some of the best routes in the entire country.

Are you wondering which San Diego motorcycle rides are the best?

Don’t miss out on some of the best paths through various parts of San Diego County that take you everywhere from up in the mountains to down in the desert. Learn the top routes, what type of scenery to expect, and how to get there.

1. Sunrise Highway – Among the Best San Diego Motorcycle Rides

Ride Length: 24 miles

Estimated Time: About 35 minutes

What You’ll See: 

Considered one of the hidden gems of San Diego, this beautiful road takes bikers along County Route S1, also known as Sunrise Highway. It has long been considered one of the most popular motorcycle rides near San Diego. As you exit from the I-8 and head north, you’ll begin an ascent of over 2,000 feet toward Mount Laguna.

The trip will lead you past a wide range of comfortable lodges, tasty taverns, and hiking trails. You can even pause your ride to catch a glimpse of your surroundings from the Desert View Overlook. Sunrise Highway ends once you reach the 79, at which point you can either head north up to the city of Julian or head south through Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.

2. Palomar Grade Road – Drive Through Mountains, Forests, & More

Ride Length: 19 miles

Estimated Time: About 35 minutes

What You’ll See:

The first seven miles or so of this great motorcycle ride in San Diego take you along a winding road heading toward Palomar Mountain. It begins at the Oak Knoll campground and leads up to a top-rated restaurant called Mother’s Kitchen, where you can find a great spread of sandwiches as well as other specialties like baked mac & cheese or lasagna. From there, you’ll head south along East Grade Road, which offers a more straight path than the previous few miles.

Riders will pass through the Cleveland National Forest, which boasts scenic views of green trees, an astronomical observatory, as well as nearby campgrounds. Along the way, you’ll see a range of hiking trails, small creeks, meadows, and much more.

As one of the top San Diego motorcycle rides, the entire drive becomes worth it when you can stop to see the view from the Henshaw Scenic Vista Observation Site. You can end your ride a few more miles down the road when you reach the Lake Henshaw Resort, offering its visitors a cabin-style place to stay with an outdoor pool and its own restaurant.

3. California 75 – A Scenic San Diego Motorcycle Ride Through Coronado, CA

Ride Length: 13 miles

Estimated Time: About 30 minutes

What You’ll See: 

Want to take a short motorcycle ride in San Diego that is a bit closer to town? Starting at Cesar Chavez Park in San Diego, you can take the 75 to enjoy a short but enjoyable drive. Travel along the Coronado Bridge over the San Diego Bay until you reach Silver Strand Boulevard and keep heading south.

As you travel this picturesque route, you’ll be able to smell the ocean in the air as you enjoy a view of the coast almost the entire way. Ride past the historic Hotel del Coronado, which has long been considered one of the most famous hotels in the entire country.

Stop by any of the most popular local restaurants such as Miguel’s Cocina or the Brigantine Seafood Restaurant to grab a bite to eat along the way. Once you’ve made it all the way through Coronado, you’ll arrive in Imperial Beach, which offers a great variety of things to do and other nearby activities.

4. Highway 94 – San Diego Motorcycle Ride Along the Mexico Border

Ride Length: 63 miles

Estimated Time: About 1 hour 20 minutes

What You’ll See: 

As one of the longer San Diego motorcycle rides on this list, Highway 94 provides riders with a smooth road and great scenery the whole way. You can start your trip from the Martin Luther King Jr Freeway located in downtown San Diego and pass by suburbs such as Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, and Homelands before you make it out of the city.

Along the drive, you can always take a pit stop at the Jamul Casino to hit a fun supply of slots, table games, and even poker tournaments. Past that point, you’ll head through other areas like Barrett Junction and Potrero while also coming as close as a quarter-mile to the Mexico border before reaching Campo, CA. In Campo, take a break to check out either the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum or the nearby Motor Transport Museum.

At the end of this amazing San Diego motorcycle trek, you’ll find yourself in the city of Boulevard, where you should definitely stop for something to eat at Matthew’s Live Oaks Restaurant.

5. State Route 78 – A Motorcycle Cruise Across San Diego & California

Ride Length: 215 miles

Estimated Time: About 4 hours

What You’ll See: 

Every biker around simply has to try out this amazing route across the state. Starting in the beautiful city of Oceanside, this San Diego motorcycle ride begins right next to the Pacific Ocean. As you head to the east, you’ll ride through areas such as Escondido, Brawley, and Palo Verde.

If you don’t plan on making the whole trip all at once, one of the best places to stop along the way is the Ramona Ranch Vineyard and Winery in the city of Ramona. There you can enjoy wine tastings, gorgeous vineyards, and even a wildlife habitat area.

About 70 miles into the ride, you’ll get to drive through the spectacular Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. This massive desert landscape features incredible views, unique plantlife, places to hike, and so much more. You will also pass by the southern side of the Salton Sea a few more miles down the road.

Yet another neat sight you’ll get to drive past along this fantastic San Diego motorcycle ride is the North Algodones Dunes Wilderness Area. And after all is said and done, you’ll find yourself in Blythe, CA right next to the Arizona border.

6. Montezuma Valley Road – Take this San Diego Motorcycle Ride for the View

Ride Length: 17 miles

Estimated Time: About 25 minutes

What You’ll See: 

Although getting from San Diego to Montezuma Valley Road takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes and is about 70 miles away, the trip is well worth it. This is easily one of the top San Diego motorcycle rides you’ll want to check out.

From start to finish, Montezuma Valley Road offers access to great options for hiking and camping at places like Pacific Crest Trail, Grapevine Canyon Trail, Jasper Trail, Hellhole Canyon Trail, as well as, Culp Valley Primitive Campground and Paroli Homesite Campground. You’ll also get to ride through unique areas like Ranchita and Culp Valley.

But the main reason people take this motorcycle ride in San Diego is to stop at the Montezuma Valley Road Lookout. The panoramic view is breathtaking and will leave you speechless before moving on to the next stage of your journey.

Once you show up in Borrego Springs at the end of the highway, make sure you stop by one of the local watering holes such as Carlee’s or Red Ocotillo.

Need Your Motorcycle Transported Before a Ride?

Now that you know the best motorcycle rides in San Diego, the next step is to decide which one you’ll take first. They all offer various amenities you can enjoy along the way and each one has its own flair.

If you ever find yourself in need of a motorcycle delivery service, trust the team here at Federal Motorcycle Transport. Give us a call today at (309) 550-7543 to learn more or to get a free estimate!

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