400 miles with 26,200 feet of elevation gain*
Day 1: San Diego - Pine Valley (50 miles / 5,350 feet* or 64 miles / 6,910 feet*)
Day 2: Pine Valley - Warner Springs (76 miles / 6,430 feet* or 57 miles / 4,510 feet*)
Day 3: Warner Springs - Palm Desert (102 miles / 2,910 feet)
Day 4: Palm Desert - Hemet (57 miles / 5,710 feet* or 88 miles / 8,230 feet*)
Day 5: Hemet - Fallbrook (55 miles / 4,000 feet)
Day 6: Fallbrook - San Diego (59 miles / 1,840 feet)
Locate ride on interactive map.
[Interactive Course | enlarge]
San Diego Christmas Ride - Description:
Hostelling International's San Diego Christmas Ride is a six day tour through Southern California, showcasing the deserts, mountains, and Ocean. Started in 1956, it is one of the longest-running cycling events in the United States.
The trip consists of anywhere between 50 to 100 cyclists on all kinds of bicycles, including road bikes, tandems, recumbents, folding bicycles, and mountain bikes. In the morning the organized critical mass starts together and then separates into smaller groups. Only the main route is officially supported, but many people also ride alternate routes.
[San Diego to Pine Valley* - Route Profile]
San Diego to Pine Valley - Counties Visited:
San Diego County
San Diego to Pine Valley - Cities/Towns Visited:
San Diego, Santee, Lakeside, Alpine, Descanso, and Pine Valley
San Diego to Pine Valley - Climbs:
Mile 29 (cat. 3), 36 (cat. 3), and 46 (cat. 4)
San Diego to Pine Valley - Stops:
Mile 30 (Alpine)
San Diego to Pine Valley - Description:
Day one starts at the University of San Diego and gradually climbs towards Pine Valley. The first part is mainly urban but the second part gets more scenic. A highlight of the day includes Viejas Grade Road, a dirt road that leads through an Indian Reservation. A good alternate climbs Mount Helix and follows Lyons Valley Road.
[Pine Valley to Warner Springs* - Route Profile]
Pine Valley to Warner Springs - Counties Visited:
San Diego County
Pine Valley to Warner Springs - Cities/Towns Visited:
Pine Valley, Julian, and Warner Springs
Pine Valley to Warner Springs - Climbs:
Mile 8 (cat. 3), 12 (cat. 3), 17 (cat. 3), and 65 (cat. 4)
Pine Valley to Warner Springs - Stops:
Mile 43 (Julian)
Pine Valley to Warner Springs - Description:
The second day leads from Pine Valley to Warner Springs. The day starts with a climb up Mount Laguna, the highest point in San Diego County. Sunrise Highway is the official route and Kitchen Creek Road and Pine Creek Road are alternates. The views are spectacular, as far as the San Bernardino Mountains, Salton Sea, Tecate Divide, and Pacific Ocean. After Julian, the main route continues on Highway 79. Alternates include Mesa Grande Road and San Felipe Road.
[Warner Springs to Palm Desert - Route Profile]
Warner Springs to Palm Desert - Counties Visited:
San Diego County, Imperial County, and Riverside County
Warner Springs to Palm Desert - Cities/Towns Visited:
Warner Springs, Borrego Springs, Salton City, Coachella, La Quinta, Indian Wells, and Palm Desert
Warner Springs to Palm Desert - Climbs:
Mile 3 (cat. 3)
Warner Springs to Palm Desert - Stops:
Mile 57 (Salton City)
Warner Springs to Palm Desert - Description:
Day three is the longest day and leads from Warner Springs to Palm Desert. The route follows Montezuma Grade Road down into Borrego Springs. Then it continues towards Salton City, located below sea level (rough road at the county line). Highway 86 leads along Salton Sea and surface roads lead into Palm Desert.
[Palm Desert to Hemet* - Route Profile]
Palm Desert to Hemet - Counties Visited:
Riverside County
Palm Desert to Hemet - Cities/Towns Visited:
Palm Desert and Hemet
Palm Desert to Hemet - Climbs:
Mile 0 (cat. 1), 17 (cat. 4), 21 (cat. 4), and 35 (cat. 4)
Palm Desert to Hemet - Stops:
Mile 25 (Paradise Valley Cafe)
Palm Desert to Hemet - Description:
The fourth day leads from Palm Desert to Hemet. Route options include riding around Mount San Jacinto or riding over the mountain. The official route leads through the desert cities and Banning before turning south towards Hemet. The alternate route starts with a 24 mile climb on Pines to Palms Highway (also known as Seven Level Hill), which continues all the way to Hemet. Alternate options include Idyllwild/Pine Cove/Banning or Bautista Canyon (dirt road).
[Hemet to Fallbrook - Route Profile]
Hemet to Fallbrook - Counties Visited:
Riverside County and San Diego County
Hemet to Fallbrook - Cities/Towns Visited:
Hemet, Temecula, and Fallbrook
Hemet to Fallbrook - Climbs:
Mile 8 (cat. 3), 30 (cat. 3), 46 (cat. 4), and 52 (cat. 4)
Hemet to Fallbrook - Stops:
Mile 30 (Temecula)
Hemet to Fallbrook - Description:
Day five leads from Hemet to Fallbrook. After leaving Hemet, the route continues on Sage Road, Benton Road, and Rancho California Road, which leads through the vineyards and wineries of Temecula. After passing Temecula, the route continues on De Luz Road, which follows an awesome canyon almost all the way to Fallbrook.
[Fallbrook to San Diego - Route Profile]
Fallbrook to San Diego - Counties Visited:
San Diego County
Fallbrook to San Diego - Cities/Towns Visited:
Fallbrook, Bonsall, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, and San Diego
Fallbrook to San Diego - Climbs:
Mile 44 (cat. 4)
Fallbrook to San Diego - Stops:
Mile 36 (Solana Beach)
Fallbrook to San Diego - Description:
The sixth day leads from Fallbrook back to San Diego. The route heads towards the coast, following Olive Hill Road, Old River Road, North River Road, and San Luis Rey River bike path to Oceanside. Then it continues on Pacific Coast Bicycle Route, passing several beach cities and finishing in San Diego.
San Diego Christmas Ride - Pictures:
[Start at the University of San Diego]
[Viejas Grade Dirt Road]
[Mount Laguna]
[View from Sunrise Highway]
[Stop in Julian]
[Paceline on San Felipe Road]
[Montezuma Grade Road]
[Mammoth in Borrego Springs]
[Pines to Palms Highway]
[Rainstorm Ahead]
[Sage Road]
[De Luz Canyon Turn]
[Flooding]
[The Group in Fallbrook]
[Oceanside Pier]
2011 pictures
San Diego Christmas Ride - Personal Notes:
2010:
This trip is about more than pure cycling, and the fact that many people are multi-year return riders speaks for itself. The group experience is an essential part.
I already knew John U. and Susen S. as well as George A. and Julie V. from San Clemente, and I made several new friends.
Here are some statistics:
- Total distance: 399 miles
- Min. / avg. / max. daily distance: 50 / 67 / 102 miles
- Total climbing: 26,230 feet
- Min. / avg. / max. daily climbing: 1,840 / 4,370 / 6,430 feet
- Highest elevation attained: 6,040 feet (Mount Laguna)
- Flat tires: 0
2011:
We had another great trip, this year with perfect weather. Most of the time I was riding with John U. and Jean C. from Orange County, and with Dan S., Bill L., and Michelle H. from Colorado.
Here are some statistics:
- Total distance: 425 miles
- Min. / avg. / max. daily distance: 55 / 71 / 102 miles
- Total climbing: 28,390 feet
- Min. / avg. / max. daily climbing: 1,840 / 4,730 / 8,230 feet
- Highest elevation attained: 6,080 feet (Mount San Jacinto)
- Flat tires: 0
San Diego Christmas Ride - Current Weather:
