ORANGE COUNTY - RIDE #1

Along the Pacific and up to Mt.Palomar Observatory

This is one of our longest rides (250-300 miles) of the mot diverse and one of our favorites. We start early (7 or 8:00 am in Summer is recommended) and within 30-45 min we are cruising along the Pacific Ocean. This ride then takes us from the beach and resort “surf cities” south of Seal beach, Huntington beach…in Orange County to Oceanside then to the twisty roads of Mount Palomar in San Diego County.

Huntington Beach (aka Surf City), Newport Beach, Balboa Island, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Oceanside are among the wealthiest Beach communities along the coast of Orange County. They have that East Coast feel mixed with the cool surfer attitude found everywhere along this side of the Pacific rim. Capistrano & Oceanside are also host of two splendid Spanish Missions: San Luis Capistrano & San Luis Rey de Francia.

Another 20 min or so on the 5 Fwy between US Marine Camp Pendleton and the Ocean: it’s pure bliss! Going East on the 76 is another extremely enjoyable experience as this long winding road crosses various places including the Pauma Indian Reservation until the foothills of Mount Palomar, where CalTech/JPL run the Mt Palomar Observatory. 10 miles of a XL twisty mountain road offering a mind bugling view of the Pauma Valley all the way to the Ocean.

You don’t want to miss this ride!!