105 miles with 9,000 feet of elevation gain*
Locate ride on interactive map.
[Interactive Course | enlarge]
[Route Profile]
Oceanside - Mount Palomar - Oceanside - Counties Visited:
San Diego County
Oceanside - Mount Palomar - Oceanside - Cities/Towns Visited:
Oceanside, Bonsall, Valley Center, and Pauma Valley
Oceanside - Mount Palomar - Oceanside - Climbs:
Mile 42 (cat. 1), 70 (cat. 3), 82 (cat. 4), and 87 (cat. 4)
Oceanside - Mount Palomar - Oceanside - Stops (Self-Supported):
Mile 42 (Pauma Valley) and 54 (Mount Palomar)
Oceanside - Mount Palomar - Oceanside - Description:
Oceanside - Mount Palomar - Oceanside is a scenic back country century with some solid climbing. The ride starts in Oceanside Harbor and leads east on San Luis Rey River bike trail. Next North River Road and Old River Road head towards Bonsall. Then West Lilac Road crosses Freeway 15 and gradually ascends towards Valley Center.
Eventually Woods Valley Road and Lake Wohlford Road lead to Valley Center Road, which continues down Rincon Grade (passing the casino). Pauma Valley marks the start of the big climb. The first seven miles are on Highway 76 and the second seven miles on South Grade Road.
The top of Mount Palomar is the farthest and highest point of the ride. To make the return to Oceanside more interesting, the route back is slightly different. After an amazing descend, it follows Highway 76 to Cole Grade Road, a short but steep climb.
Then Valley Center Road leads back to Valley Center, from where Lilac Road and Old Castle Road continue on to Freeway 15. Gopher Canyon Road, Little Gopher Canyon Road, Old River Road, and North River Road head back towards Bonsall, and the bike trail back to Oceanside Harbor.
Oceanside - Mount Palomar - Oceanside - Pictures:
[Start in Oceanside]
[View from Freeway 15 Bridge]
[Susen, John, and Bob]
[View from South Grade Road]
[Top of Mount Palomar]
Oceanside - Mount Palomar - Oceanside - Personal Notes:
This is a ride Bart B. and I had planned for a long time, and when we finally set a date, he got injured. Nonetheless, we started with ten of the Renegades, and Bob N., John U., Susen S., and I rode all the way up Mount Palomar.
Oceanside - Mount Palomar - Oceanside - Current Weather:
See also Top Bike Climbs in California.