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Best Motorcycle Rides Near San Diego

Looking for the best motorcycle roads near San Diego? If so, you’ve come to the right place! San Diego offers an exceptional mix of mountain twisties, desert overlooks, and scenic backroads that make it one of the best motorcycle regions in California. Whether you’re looking for thrilling elevation changes or peaceful, sweeping vistas, San Diego has great motorcycle roads for every rider.

Each San Diego motorcycle route includes:

• Detailed ride description & highlights

• Free interactive San Diego motorcycle route maps (with Google Maps links)

• Downloadable GPX files (exclusive for our Patreon members)

• Best time of year, mileage, and updates for 2025-2026

Below are the best motorcycle rides near San Diego, each delivering a unique look at Southern California’s landscape.

1. Sunrise Highway (24 miles)

2. CA-94: Campo Road (53 miles)

3. Palomar Mountain Ride (24 miles)

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1. Sunrise Highway

• START/END: Pine Valley to Julian
• ROUTE: S1
• DISTANCE: 24 miles
• RIDE TIME: 30 mins
• BEST TIME: Fall (crisp mountain air)
• GOOGLE MAPS: Ride Link
• GPX FILE (PATREON MEMBERS): Download

Sunrise Highway (S1) is one of the most beautiful motorcycle roads in San Diego. Starting near Pine Valley, the road climbs toward Mount Laguna, offering breathtaking overlooks of the Anza-Borrego Desert. As you continue riding north, you’ll ride through pine forests, exposed ridges, and wide-open scenic vistas.

The Sunrise Highway is one of the best motorcycle rides near San Diego because it features long, sweeping curves, smooth pavement, and plenty of pull-offs for photos. Additionally, the cooler temperatures at elevation make it a refreshing escape from the city.

Because of its smooth rhythm and continuous views, Sunrise Highway is a perfect motorcycle ride near San Diego for both spirited touring and epic, twisty mountain adventures.

Click for the Google maps motorcycle route link.

2. CA-94: Campo Road

• START/END: Spring Valley to Lake Henshaw
• ROUTE: CA-94
• DISTANCE: 53 miles
• RIDE TIME: 1.5 hours
• BEST TIME: Year-round
• GOOGLE MAPS: Ride Link
• GPX FILE (PATREON MEMBERS): Download

CA-94 is one of San Diego’s best motorcycle routes, stretching from the southeastern suburbs toward Campo and the U.S. border. This narrow two-lane road winds through rolling hills, rock formations, and quiet ranchland, offering an old-school Southern California riding experience. Motorcyclists will enjoy continuous sweepers, short straights, and minimal traffic once outside the city.

Additionally, roadside stops and historic towns give the route a relaxing, scenic feel. Because CA-94 blends smooth curves with wide-open landscapes, it’s a favorite for riders who want a peaceful yet engaging backroad experience close to San Diego.

Click for the Google maps motorcycle route link.

3. Palomar Mountain Ride

• START/END: Rincon to Lake Henshaw
• ROUTE: S Grade Rd, E Grade Rd
• DISTANCE: 24 miles
• RIDE TIME: 45 mins
• BEST TIME: Spring-Fall
• GOOGLE MAPS: Ride Link
• GPX FILE (PATREON MEMBERS): Download

The Palomar Mountain Loop ride is one of the most exciting motorcycle rides in Southern California. Beginning with the steep switchbacks of S Grade Road (CA-S6), riders climb quickly into the Palomar Mountains, gaining sweeping views of the valleys below. Once at the top, you can continue across the ridge before descending the gentler curves of E Grade Road (CA-S7).

Because the road combines tight hairpins, scenic overlooks, and cooler mountain air, it offers a thrilling experience for intermediate and advanced riders. Furthermore, traffic stays relatively light compared to San Diego’s more coastal routes, making the Palomar Mountain loop an especially enjoyable motorcycle route even on weekends.

Click for the Google maps motorcycle route link.

California Motorcycle Roads

Looking for more California motorcycle routes? Visit our California page for the full list of the Top 7 Best Roads to Ride Motorcycles in California!

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