L.V. Sage's Blog, page 6

Day Trip: Ojai & Highway 33

Many people consider this ride one of the very best in Southern California and for good reason. The road offers some fantastic riding and the scenery is varied and outstanding.

After picking up your rental bike from EagleRider Newport Beach, find your way to CA-55N to the 405N and then onto Hwy 101N. As usual, the traffic will be an issue, but this is Southern California, so there is no avoiding it. Rest assured, however, that a beautiful ride awaits you once you turn off the 101 and head onto CA-33, the road that leads into Ojai and beyond.

If you stop in downtown Ojai before heading up the 33, be sure and go to the Ojai Deer Lodge located at 2261 Maricopa Hwy. This is a popular spot for bikers, so you’ll have a chance to swap road stories and check out all of the bikes that will likely be parked outside while enjoying some great food. The ambiance of the place is exactly as you might expect: it is very rustic and resembles a hunting lodge inside. They also have patio seating and oftentimes have live music.

Don’t forget that Ojai was the location used as Shangri-La in the 1937 Frank Capra movie Lost Horizon. Although only an aerial shot of the Ojai Valley was actually used in the film, it was nonetheless chosen to represent the mythical paradise and you will see why.

As you head out of Ojai, CA-33 is called Maricopa Hwy. The road has some nice twists and at the top of the ridge, the view of the valley below is stunning and if there is no fog, you will also get a look at the Channel Islands toward the south.

From here, the road has some nice sweeping turns and it is very easy to become distracted by the incredible views, so watch the road and stop if you want to take a longer look. This road generally doesn’t have too much traffic in the way of cars, so take your time and pull over often.

As you head down into the Cuyama Valley, the road becomes steep and a lot of fun to ride. Be on the lookout for the turnoff to Lockwood Valley (FR7N11) and head east to continue toward Frazier Park. This portion of the 33 is insanely fun to ride, but do watch your speed as you can lose control if you don’t actually heed those 10 MPH signs.

Continuing on the 33, you’ll experience thirty miles of beautiful scenery as you pass through the Chumash and Sespe Wilderness areas. Once you reach the end of Lockwood Valley Road, you will have the option of either making a right into Frazier Park which will take you to I5 or turning left toward Pine Mountain Club. If you choose the latter, you will hit Cerro Noroeste Road and can make a fun and memorable loop out of the ride, however you should top off on gas beforehand by turning right at Frazier Park first.

Cerro Noroeste Road will take you through some truly spectacular scenery. Towering pine trees will make you feel as if you are in an alpine forest and the road affords a lot of opportunities to twist on the throttle. The road is a bit tighter at the higher elevation, but heading into the valley it loosens up and baring no traffic, offers you the chance to fly without much worry; however it is wise to watch your speed as you wind around the corners.

When it’s time to head back to Orange County, you will be able to pick up I5 again and then head south on the highways and back to EagleRider Newport Beach to return your bike, another fun and beautiful California adventure under your belt.

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Getting a Motorcycle License

The motorcycle world is notoriously filled with risk takers. The danger and excitement often draws the irresponsible like bears to honey. Sadly, many new riders think that if they know how to ride a bicycle and drive a car, they know how to ride a motorcycle. This mentality can lead to many dangerous situations for both the rider and others that share the road with him or her.

Even if you know how to ride a dirt bike or have some experience riding a street bike, you need to get your motorcycle license before heading out onto the highway. You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll learn and your self-confidence will get a boost before you hit the road legally. You may even get a break on your insurance as well.

One of the best ways to learn to ride a street bike is to sign up for the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) Basic Rider Course. This course provides both classroom instruction and riding practice in a controlled environment, usually a large parking lot.

I took this course back in 2001. At the time, my “experience” consisted of riding on the back of a few street bikes and my brothers’ dirt bikes back in high school. At the first meet-up, I remember the instructor asking the class for reasons one would ride a motorcycle. Many good answers were brought up such as fuel efficiency and parking perks, but when everyone had provided an answer, the instructor asked, “What about for fun?” Yes, we had forgotten about that one…

The MSF provides low cc motorcycles (around 250 or less) and helmets for the riding portion of the course, but you’ll need to dress accordingly, which means jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, a jacket, boots and gloves.

The course starts at truly to most basic level: learning where the controls are, turning the fuel and bike on, finding neutral (raise your left hand). Next, you’ll walk the bike in first gear up and down the course. The riding lessons progress slowly, but by the end you’ll be zipping between cones, braking effectively and leaning into those curves.

In California, you get the additional benefit of having the riding portion of your DMV test waived if you successfully pass the MSF course. You will still have to go in and take the written portion, so stop by one of their offices and pick up the handbook for studying.

Once you have your M1 license, it’s time to rent a motorcycle from EagleRider Newport Beach and practice with some more experienced riders. It is not advisable to strike out on your own, even if you have now successfully obtained your license. The folks at EagleRider Newport Beach will be able to give you some advice and perhaps some suggestions as to where might be a good place to either practice or go out on that first ride with your more experienced friends. Give them a call or stop by to find out more.

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Riding Highway One: Newport to San Clemente

One of the greatest and most accessible pleasures in California is having a beautiful and well-maintained highway that takes you right next to the Pacific Ocean via many picturesque towns.

Highway One traverses the whole of the state and can be tackled in several different ways. One is to break it down into short rides that allow for stops and sightseeing.

After picking up your rental bike from Eagle Rider-Newport Beach, head south by getting on CA-55 S to Newport Blvd and following it all the way down to Coast Highway. Turning left will get you traveling through Newport Beach. You will likely see several other motorcycles on this road, especially if it is a weekend.

Before reaching Coast Highway, you can either start or end your ride with a stop at the Orange County Fair, which takes place in Costa Mesa during July and August. Check their webpage for details regarding live music, exhibitions, food and other events.

Costa Mesa itself also offers some fantastic restaurants like local favorites the Sidewalk Café, Eat Chow and Taco Mesa as well as some impressive newcomers such as Pie-Not and Sidecar Donuts. There is also unique shopping and eateries at both The Lab and The Camp, located across from one another on Bristol St.

The Lab is the original “anti-mall” with vintage clothing shops and record stores as well as some outstanding restaurants like Habana and the Gypsy Den or next-door favorite Memphis Cafe.

Across the street at The Camp you’ll find many eco-friendly stores and health-focused restaurants. I love Black Market Bakery, Ecco and Taco Asylum.

Newport Beach offers some high-end shopping at renowned Fashion Island where standards like Pottery Barn and Z Gallerie mingle with smaller, more exclusive boutiques. There are plenty of great restaurants here as well and there is something for every taste and budget from the very expensive-Sushi Roku, Fleming’s Steakhouse and Fig & Olive to the very affordable-California Pizza Kitchen, Back Bay Tavern and even Chik-Fil-A.

You might also consider exploring the compact and quaint Balboa Island and if you are game, take a small ferry over to the peninsula where you can check out the Balboa Fun Zone, a real arcade and don’t forget to get an iconic Balboa Bar or frozen banana while there.

Continuing down the coast, you will pass through the exclusive areas of Newport Coast and Crystal Cove where there is more shopping and incredible dining at excellent restaurants like Javier’s and Tamarind of London, but the best place to stop at is The Beachcomber, a café located directly on the sand in the Crystal Cove State Park. If you are pressed for time, just make a quick stop at the iconic Ruby’s Date Shack for hamburgers, fries and of course, shakes!

From here, you’ll ride into the arty seaside town of Laguna Beach. The highway narrows and is usually packed with cars, buses and motorcycles, so be alert, especially since car doors tend to fling open all the time, pedestrians are always crossing the highway and cars are darting out from side streets. Laguna Beach is the home of the Sawdust Festival during the summer, an eclectic and fun artist festival showcasing local artists.  Once you pass through Laguna, the traffic should ease and you can enjoy the open road ahead.

Passing through Dana Point you’ll see many surf and specialty shops, but the place to stop is Dana Point Harbor where you can rest, eat, shop or even go out on a whale watching excursion.

Having lived in San Clemente for ten years, I am partial to its sleepy beach town pace and unassuming charms. The weather is always just perfect for riding and the views are unstoppable.  Traveling to the south end of this town, you’ll come across the biker bar Big Helyn’s, located at 3317 S. El Camino Real. This is a local favorite where the staff knows who their customers are (most by name) and the atmosphere can be a bit rowdy (local Marines get Happy Hour prices all day). There is little in the way of food here, so don’t plan on eating here. A great place to end your ride, but remember not to drink and ride.

Heading north again, you can check out the downtown by turning down Avenida Del Mar. This is where most of the shops and eateries are and if you like Thai food I highly recommend Mongkut Thai (212 Ave. Del Mar). Continuing down the road, you’ll reach the San Clemente Pier and the classic restaurant and bar Fisherman’s. You can also stroll the length of the pier and meet local fishermen as well as watch the surfers.

Taking Pacific Coast Highway back to Eagle Rider-Newport Beach is a nice and relaxing ride with plenty of beachfront scenery. If you opt to take the freeway (I-405 N), be prepared for a lot of traffic as you head back into Orange County proper.

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Motorcycle Maintenance: 5000 Miles

So you’ve spent the past six months or so riding your new bike and racking up a lot of road miles and fun. Your mileage has climbed to 5000 and guess what-it’s time for another service maintenance.

At the 5000 mile mark, your bike will need to have another oil change, of course, but you may not need to replace the filter. If it looks dirty or you feel that it might be clogged or affecting the bike’s performance, go ahead and change it, but generally you can replace the oil filter every other time you change the oil.

Inspections and necessary lubrication on the clutch and brake levers, brake pedal pivot points, side stand pivot, cables and chain (if applicable) should be done at this juncture as well.

Several other things should be checked and replaced if necessary at the 5000 mile mark. In fact, the 5000 mile or six month service is fairly extensive, but if you take care of it all, you will avoid a lot of potential problems or dangerous situations over the lifetime of your motorcycle.

This might be a good time to get a certified mechanic like the ones at OC Motorcycle to perform the services and inspections needed as he or she will know exactly what to look for. A well-trained mechanic will likely look at your fuel and exhaust systems. In addition, they will check the cooling, brake and clutch systems. The air filter, cables, lights and signals, carburetor, forks and battery will also be checked over very carefully.  During these inspections, parts will be cleaned, tightened or adjusted and worn out parts replaced.

Remember that if you are not comfortable performing these services on your bike or simply don’t have the time or effort to do it, always make an appointment with a certified mechanic like the ones at OC Motorcycle. It is very important to not ignore these suggested maintenance schedules. Your motorcycle is constantly being exposed to the elements and the bumps and grinds of the road, making it vulnerable to all kinds of problems that can be solved with little money and effort if addressed regularly.

Be sure and always do a cursory check on your cables, fluids, tires and lights before going out to ride anywhere. Paying close attention to your bike will always pay off.

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Motorcycle Maintenance – The Beginning

If you have chosen to purchase a brand new motorcycle, you will need to have it serviced after the first six months or 1000 miles.  This first motorcycle service is extremely important and should be carried out by a specifically trained motorcycle mechanic like we have here at OC Motorcycle.

New motorcycles require service and adjustments at this point in order to keep them running optimally and getting this scheduled should be a priority in order to not cause serious damage (literally) down the road.

A trained motorcycle mechanic will be knowledgeable about what your bike needs at the six month or 1000 mile marker.  This service will likely include an oil and filter change, valve clearance, belt tension check and if the bike has a chain, lubrication will be done as well as a tension check.  The idle speed will be checked as well as synchronization of the valves.  Visual inspections will be made to the brake system and fluid as well as the control cables; the clutch and cables or fluid for hydraulic systems; all signals, switches and lights and fasteners like the axle, handlebars, steering stem and calipers will be checked as well.

You should also be proactive in the health and maintenance of your motorcycle.  Be sure to keep a low-pressure gauge handy to check tire pressure before every ride and check the oil level as well.  This should be done while the bike is still cold and on level ground.  An overall cursory inspection of your motorcycle before every ride will help you to become familiar with your bike’s specifics and you will notice more easily if something has changed or is a potential danger.  Always refer to your motorcycle’s specific owner’s manual for information.

If you need more in-depth help or information, contacting OC Motorcycle is the best option.  There is always someone on hand to help and if they do not know the answer right away can get back to you as soon as they do.

If you have a new motorcycle that needs its first scheduled service, please call to make an appointment.  We have Saturday appointments as well as weekdays.

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Buying a Used Motorcycle

A used motorcycle is oftentimes a better option than buying a brand new one.  For first time buyers, it is a good idea to purchase something less expensive and then work your way up to that shiny new bike after some time in the saddle.  This allows you to get a better idea and feel for what you would like in a new bike should you want to go that route in the future.

In 2001, I made the exciting yet very wrong decision of purchasing a brand new Harley-Davidson Sportster 883C.  My riding experience consisted of taking the California Safety Course and just squeaking by in order to pass and receive my M1 license.  My very patient brother, who had been tasked with teaching me to ride, noticed how careful I was with my Harley and suggested that I was so afraid of damaging the bike that it would be nearly impossible for me to take the chances necessary to learn to ride it.  At around 500 lbs., the Harley was heavy and even the relatively low cc’s were too powerful for a novice rider.  Consequently, I dropped the bike not once but twice, damaging the tank, grips, foot pegs and many other bits and pieces.  Devastated, my confidence dwindled and I ended up selling “Jesse” in 2005.

Whatever type of motorcycle you are interested in purchasing, it is important to think about what type of riding you will be doing.  While a sport bike may appeal to you because of their agility and reputation for racing and high speeds, these bikes can be dangerous for inexperienced riders.  If you have some experience with dirt bikes, you might want to consider a dual-sport bike, which is essentially a street legal dirt bike.  If you plan to use the bike for commuting or some weekend trips, a cruiser is a good choice and most all manufacturers offer some take on this option, which is most commonly associated with Harley-Davidson.  Standard bikes, which resemble sport bikes, but don’t have the forward riding position or power, are also a good option for this type of riding.  When you’re looking at motorcycles for long-distance and extended time on the road, a touring bike is the best choice.  These bikes usually have larger fuel capacity tanks, comfortable seats, storage, windshields, radios, and all the bells and whistles for a luxurious riding experience.

Other things to consider when purchasing a motorcycle are insurance costs as well as how much you will need to budget for proper riding gear that should include a good quality helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and eye wear should the helmet you choose not have a face shield.

Buying a used motorcycle from a reputable dealer like OC Motorcycle is probably a better idea than finding one being sold by a private party.  While you won’t have the option of not paying taxes, you gain many more perks in its place.  The bikes offered at OC Motorcycle are well-cared for, road tested and go through a rigorous 70 point inspection.  OC Motorcycle also has a generous 60 day warranty on all their used bikes.  Current offerings can be viewed here on the website and new ones are constantly being added to the fleet assuring that you will find just the right motorcycle!

OC Motorcycle can also maintain your bike, whether new or used.  A factory-trained mechanic is always on hand to perform oil changes, recommended mileage maintenance, customization and much more.

Remember that a motorcycle is usually not a necessity, so be sure and buy one that you will enjoy riding.  The staff at OC Motorcycle live the lifestyle and can provide excellent guidance and advice in finding that perfect used bike be it a sport bike or cruiser.

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Day Trip: Palomar Mountain Loop

The Palomar Mountain Loop, located in the Cleveland National Forest in Southern California, is known to riders worldwide as “Southern California’s Most Technical Road”. There are plenty of twists, turns and hairpins on this stretch of road that heads up into the pristine mountains where the Palomar Observatory is located.

The Palomar Mountain Loop is especially popular with the sport bike crowd, so if you are on a cruiser, be aware of them zipping past and around you. This road will test even experienced riders, so if you are a novice, I would not attempt this trip until you have packed a few miles under you.

Total travel time is approximately two hours each way. Leaving Eagle Rider-Newport Beach, head south on CA-405 to CA-76E, which is right after you pass the beach town of Escondido. About 15 miles in, you will veer left onto Palomar Mountain Road and ride approximately 6 miles to San Diego County Hwy S-6 and veer left again. At this point, the real ride starts!

When you reach the 4-way stop, you will notice a diner on the left called Mother’s Kitchen. A stop here is essential and when you see all of the other motorcycles parked outside, you will know why! Stop and get a bite to eat while swapping road stories with fellow enthusiasts of all kinds. They are closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays and close every day at 4:00 PM and only serve breakfast on the weekends. NOTE: this is a vegetarian restaurant, so there are no burgers, deli sandwiches, chili or meat of any kind served here. Alternatives include El Rey Mexican Restaurant and the Lazy H Ranch, both in Pauma Valley, about fifteen minutes from Palomar Mountain and Round Up BBQ & Grill in Santa Ysabel, about twenty minutes away. By the way, if you choose to head into Santa Ysabel, do yourself a favor and stop in at Dudley’s Bakery. While their prices have risen dramatically over the years, it is worth it for the delicious bread they bake daily. The Jalapeno Cheddar, Irish Potato and Date Nut Raisin are favorites!

Getting back onto the highway, head out onto E. Grade Road which will take you all the way down to Lake Henshaw. While scenery out in this area is spectacular, you most likely will not see more than glimpses of it as you will need to focus on the road at all times. It is best to stop if you want a more detailed look at anything.

Once you pass the lake, there is a stop sign. At this point, you can make a right and end up back on CA-76 to complete the loop, however many riders simply turn around and do the S-6 again as the road is so much more challenging and fun!

If you want to go on up to the observatory, head over to S. Grade Road and then take a left onto S-7 which will take you to State Park Road and onto the observatory. Palomar Mountain Observatory offers both self and guided tours and there is nice little museum there as well. Check their website for details on tours and information about the massive space telescope there.

Heading back to Eagle Rider-Newport Beach, expect to hit some traffic on the 405, especially near San Clemente. No time of day is immune, so just be prepared. Enjoy the glimpses of the Pacific and the military maneuvers that are often taking place at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside.

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Day Trip: Idyllwild

One of my favorite places to ride to for the day or weekend is Idyllwild.  Located in the San Jacinto Mountain range in Riverside County, this little mountain town is overflowing with charm and beauty. It’s a great place to go when renting a motorcycle from EagleRider Newport Beach.

From the parking lot of EagleRider Newport Beach, it’s a fun and scenic motorcycle ride to the artsy, beautiful town.  The best route is to head out to Paularino and turn right.  The most direct route is to take CA-55N to CA-91E.  After about 35 miles, you will merge onto the CA-60E toward I-215S.  In approximately 18 miles, take I-10E (exit 100) for a short distance before exiting onto CA-243 toward Idyllwild.  After passing through some flat and rather boring scenery, you will finally begin the ascent up to the mountains for a beautiful motorcycle ride.

CA-243 climbs rather significantly and the road is quite narrow in some places.  On the way up, it hugs the mountainside, but on the descent, it can be a bit nerve-wracking on a bike, as there is no guardrail for most of the drive, so be aware of road conditions such as loose gravel etc. as well as your downward speed.  However, the curves and scenery make this road very pleasant indeed, so be sure to look around.  The ancient Ponderosa pine trees are beautiful as well as the spectacular valley views on the way back down.

Once you reach the town proper, find a place to park and set off on foot to explore.  Circle Drive is the main street and there is a lot to see.  At once, you will notice Tahquitz Peak, along with Lily Rock and Suicide Rock, favorites among Southern California rock climbers. You will likely encounter many other motorcycles in town as it has long been a popular destination with bike riders of all kinds, so the town has a great motorcycle riding culture due to the beautiful ride.

Idyllwild is known for its artist community and is home to the Idyllwild Arts Foundation, a fully accredited private high school that prepares students for careers within the arts.  There are several local galleries that are always featuring local art from paintings to sculpture and all mediums in between, so be sure and take in a few exhibits while there.  And if you are an artist yourself, I highly recommend visiting the charming art supply store at the south end of town, Jack Farley’s.  Housed in a beautiful cabin, the welcoming interior features a lovely skylight that floods the space with natural light.  Owners Michael and James have a second location just over the hill in nearby Palm Springs and named the stores after their adopted dog.

Shopping in this town is eclectic and original.  You will find a few of the usual touristy shops here, but for the most part they are more on the unique side.  My favorite is Lady of the Lakes Bookstore, located in The Fort on N. Circle Rd.  This store sells not only books on any and all subjects, but incense, stones and charms, jewelry, clothing, bags, cards and more.  Next door is their sister shop that specializes in handmade soaps, lotions and bath salts.  Be sure to take your time exploring all the offerings in The Fort as most of the shops are worth visiting.

One of the more iconic merchants is Mountain Mike’s Leather Works located at 54360 ½ N. Circle Dr.  Visiting here is an absolute must.  Mike has been hand-crafting leather goods for about forty years and is a true original.  His beautifully designed and lovingly made items range from chaps, moccasins and gun holsters to dreamcatchers, leather cuffs and leather-wrapped stone necklaces.  Mike also offers a line of lotions, scents and bath salts.

You will most likely get hungry while exploring this little town and there is a plethora of amazing places to eat.  The Lumber Mill Bar & Grill features excellent burgers, including their challenging “Paul Bunyun”-three lbs. of beef and 1 lb. of bacon!  As the name indicates, they have a full bar with many beers, cocktails and shots and oftentimes feature live music in the way of a piano player.

Other great places to try are Goodtimes Pub & Grill, Restaurant Gastrognome, Red Kettle, Oma’s European Restaurant and Arriba Enterprise Mexican.  My favorite, however, is Café Aroma, south of town and directly across the road from Jack Farley’s Art Supplies.  Originally a very good coffee shop, it now features some of the finest food in Idyllwild as well as wines from their winery in Temecula, a cozy atmosphere inside and beautiful outdoor seating as well.  The prices are a tad high, but we went there for breakfast and got out fairly cheaply.  I had the Bagel Lox plate, which featured a nice, plump bagel with generous servings of the traditional toppings of salmon, cream cheese, capers and red onions.  The staff was polite and informative and they feature live music daily (except on Tuesdays as they are closed).

If you plan to stay for night or two, you will find all types of lodging ranging from the campground at Idyllwild Country Park to bed & breakfast inns and rustic cabins.  If you are just going up for the day, be sure and head back to Orange County and EagleRider Newport Beach early enough to avoid riding down CA-243 in the dark as it can be a bit challenging riding a motorcycle if you are unfamiliar with it and you will not want to miss the views as you descend.

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Day Trip: Temecula Wine Country

Southern California’s wine country, namely Temecula Valley, is no slouch to her more infamous cousin, Napa Valley.  From Eagle Rider Newport Beach’s driveway, an easy and scenic motorcycle ride will get you to the heart of the quaint downtown as well as several excellent wineries in a little over an hour.

The best route to take going out is by way of CA-74. Ortega Hwy offers some great views and riding as you climb up and over the hill.  From the Eagle Rider Newport Beach lot, take CA-73S to I-5S.  In San Juan Capistrano, exit at CA-74 (AKA Ortega Hwy) and turn left.  There is a gas station on your left to top off or fill up your tank.  Follow the signs to stay on CA-74 and then head south on I-15.  Exit at Rancho California Rd in Temecula and head toward Old Town Front St by turning left.

The first winery that we visited was Falkner Winery, located at 40620 Calle Contento on the left as you continue down Rancho California Rd. We arrived fairly early on a Friday and there were a few other small groups already there.  Most wineries offer two-for-one coupons during the week (some only Monday-Thursday), so check the wineries’ websites beforehand and print out a coupon.

This was my first wine tasting experience, and I was pleasantly surprised.  The wines were all excellent and our pourer, Caroline, was friendly, informative and lovely.  When I mentioned that I was writing a blog for a motorcycle website, she suggested a visit to a winery that housed an extensive vintage motorcycle and bike collection called Doffo, located just up the road at 36083 Summitville St.

Although we didn’t do any wine tasting here, we did stop by and stroll around the open barn where dozens of antique and vintage motorcycles lined the upper portions of the walls.  Worth a stop and they apparently have very good wines as well.

For lunch, we headed back down Rancho California Rd to Old Town Front St and downtown proper.  Parking was available in a public lot behind Pennypickle’s Workshop, a children’s museum, but Main St has ample spaces if you go mid-week or arrive early in the day.

There were several appealing eateries, many that serve handcrafted beers on tap, but we chose a Mexican restaurant called Rosa’s Cantina located at 28636 Front St, Ste 109. At-the-counter ordering is fast and easy and they offer daily lunch specials.  We opted for the pollo plate (one of the specials) and it was generous and delicious.

The downtown is quaint, clean and lined with both unique and touristy shops.  The wooden sidewalks are a nice Old West touch, but watch your footing as you can trip easily!  Many of the restaurants also have misters in the summer months and as you pass by, you’ll be treated to refreshing drizzle.  Remember that it can get very hot in Temecula during the summer, so hats and sunscreen are recommended.

Going back to Orange County, you have two choices:  you can go back over Ortega Hwy or hit the freeway, which is quicker, but less scenic obviously.  If you choose the freeway route, simply head north on I-15 to CA-91 W,  then CA-55 S toward Newport Beach.

Obviously, If you are over the limit, please be safe and get a hotel. There are many wonderful hotels and B&B’s out there, many of whom cater to the wineries and have shuttles. Be safe, wear a helmet, and have a great ride.

Filed under: Media Tagged: bikers, california, day trips

EagleRider Newport Beach Blog 08/11/2015

Read my latest:  Julian and Cuyamaca Bike Ride

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