Palomar Elite

California is an interesting state, both unfriendly to the car and dependant on it, constantly pushing for higher MPG, lower emissions, and to remove classic cars from the roads, many automotive enthusiasts from California have sought refuge in states like Nevada, Arizona, and Texas. But today I was reminded why California is such a great place for automotive enthusiasts on a short business trip to the San Diego area to visit clients. After visiting my last shop in El Cajone I started to make my way home on Historic Highway 80, the main freeways clogged with traffic in the late afternoon, I decided to take an alternate route home. Historic Route 80 eventually works it way around to the Highway 79 north. Highway 79 is mostly a winding two lane highway, that takes you through the Cleavland National Forest, the reservations of many Native California tribes, and about million miles from the congestion and crowds that are most peoples vision of Southern California.

(Photo Mission Santa Yasbel Asistencia)

Heading North 79 merges for a short time with Highway 78 at the cross roads in Santa Ysabel 78 will take you to Julian a small mountain community known for their apple pies, and tourist attracting antique stores. Santa Ysabel Asistencia the mission for which the town is named is along on the right hand side of the highway, it was established as a outpost of the San Diego Mission in 1818 and the current chapel was built in 1924. Santa Yasbel is also a nice place to stop and grab a bit to eat and one of the cafes along the highway. Along the way you will also discover a NHRA drag strip and a Motorcross track tucked in among the Oak Trees and Farms.

(Photo Highway 79)

Leaving Santa Yasbel and the road is fairly straight, passing Highway 76 that takes you past Lake Henshaw and on to Pala Casino and Resort. A little further up the road you come to San Felipe Rd, if you have time and you like history you can visit Warner’s Ranch that was once a stop on the Butterfield Stage Route, there is little there, so I recommend pushing on north on the 79. About 20 miles or so will take you to the Oak Grove Butterfield Stage Station, about 20 miles to the northwest, is the only surviving building from the stage line, and is also a National Historic Landmark. (

(Photo of Butterfield Stage Stop) In Warner Springs there is a small resort community with golf, a few restaurants and one of the only gas stations along the whole route. There is also a airport that specializes in glider rides and you can many times see a number of gliders floating lazily above the valley as you descend into Warner Springs. Oak Grove is about 18 miles along the route after leaving Warner Springs so if you have a need to visit the Stage Station now is your chance… I stopped to stretch and take some photos. From there the road follows the hills and is headed more west then north, towards the city of Temecula. The first signs of urban sprawl are the mini storage and track homes. It is a good place to stop and get fuel, food, and if you chicken out you can jump back on the 15 freeway and save over an two hours on the trip. Downtown Temecula is like going back in time to the old west, only with trendy shops, yuppies, and bikers everywhere. Now the I-15 is overlapped a major portion of the 79, but if you follow Old Town Front Rd north, that will turn into Jefferson Ave, from there turn Left on to Kalmia St, and then Right onto Washington Ave. Washington then turns into Palomar St and takes you through the city of Wildomar and on to Historic Lake Elsinore by sticking to the Right and on to Mission Trail.

It is hard to believe that Lake Elsinore was once the play place of Hollywood’s elite stars. If you follow the lake around the street will change name several times, but just keep as close to the lake as you can until you come to Highway 74. At this point I had to get back on the I-15, however, if you are in the mood for an adventure, you can always turn Left and take the 74 (Ortega Highway) and end up at the Pacific Ocean in Dania Point. Ortega is a epic road and takes you through some amazing mountains and hills. The best part about Ortega is it drops you off on Highway 1 the Pacific Coast Highway. Turn Left San Diego and Mexico, Right Monterey and San Francisco. If only I had some vacation time, I would love to keep on driving around California’s best roads.
About the Author:

Michael grew up in the car rich culture of Southern California, and purchased his first car at the age of just 14. He has owned more then 60 cars, motorcycles, and scooters. Michael’s other passions include photography, and travel, having been to over 20 countries and almost every state in the union. Having driven in over 14 countries Mike has great stories, insights, and photos of the world seen from behind the wheel of a car.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – One Reason Not to Flee California: Great Driving Roads

One of the reasons for not escaping from California: Great Driving Roads

California is an interesting condition, both hostile to the car and depends on it, pushing continuously for more MPG, emissions reduction, and to remove old cars from the roads, many car enthusiasts in California have sought refuge in states like Nevada, Arizona and Texas. But today I remembered why California is an ideal place for car lovers in a short business trip to the San Diego area visit customers. After visiting my last shop in El Cajon began to build my house on historic Highway 80, major freeways clogged with traffic in the afternoon, I decided to take an alternative route home. Historic Route 80 works finally forming around the 79 north to the freeway. Highway 79 is mostly a meandering lane road that takes you through National Forest Cleavland, stocks of many native tribes of California and about a million miles from the congestion and crowds that are most peoples vision of Southern California.

(Photo Santa Yasbel Assistance Mission)

79 north joins for a short time with Highway 78 at the cross roads in Santa Isabel 78 will take you to a community Julian small mountain known for its apple pies and antique shops tourist attraction. Santa Ysabel Assistance mission for which the city is called is along the right side of the road, was established as an outpost of Mission San Diego in 1818 and the present chapel was built in 1924. Santa Yasbel is also a good place to stop and catch something to eat and one of the cafes along the road. Along the road you will also find a strip of friction NHRA and a motocross track hidden among oak trees and farms.

(Photo: Highway 79)

Leaving Santa Yasbel and the road is fairly straight, past the highway 76 that takes you past Lake Henshaw and the Pala Casino and Resort. A little more up the road is coming to San Felipe Rd, if you have time and you like the story, visit Warner Ranch was once a stop on the Butterfield Stage route, there is little there, so I recommend pushing into the north in 79. About 20 miles or so take him to the Oak Grove Butterfield stage station, about 20 miles northwest, is the only surviving building of the stage line, and also a national historic landmark. (

(Photo by Butterfield Stage Stop) in Warner Springs is a small resort community of golf, several restaurants and a gas station just along the entire route. There is an airport that specializes in dog sledding and many times you can see a series of gliders floating lazily over the valley as it descends in Warner Springs. Oak Grove is about 18 miles along the route after leaving Warner Springs so if you have the need to visit the station scene now is your chance … I stopped to stretch and take some pictures. From there follow the path of the mountains and heads farther west, then north toward the city of Temecula. The first signs of urban sprawl are the storage and mini track homes. It is a good place to stop and get fuel, food, and if the chicken out you can jump back in Highway 15 and save more than one to two hours for the trip. City of Temecula is like stepping back in time to the old west, only with trendy shops, yuppies, and the cyclists everywhere. Now the I-15 overlaps a significant portion of the 79, but if you follow the Old Town Rd northern front, which becomes Jefferson Avenue, thence turn left on Kalmia St, then right onto Washington Avenue. Washington then becomes Palomar St and takes you through the city of Wildomar and Lake History Elsinore sticking to the right and the Mission Trail.

It's hard to believe that Lake Elsinore was once the playground of the stars of Hollywood's elite. If you follow the lake around the street will change names several times, but only to keep as close to the lake you can until you reach Highway 74. At this point I had to Back to I-15, however, if you're in the mood for an adventure, you can always turn left and take the 74 (Ortega Highway) and ends in the Pacific Ocean Dania Point. Ortega is an epic journey takes you through some breathtaking mountains and hills. The best part about Ortega is that you left on the Highway 1 motorway Pacific Coast. Turn left San Diego and Mexico, Monterey and San Francisco law. If I had some vacation time, I'd keep driving by California's best roads. About the Author

Michael grew up in the car rich culture of Southern California, and purchased his first car at the age of just 14. He has owned more then 60 cars, motorcycles, and scooters. Michael’s other passions include photography, and travel, having been to over 20 countries and almost every state in the union. Having driven in over 14 countries Mike has great stories, insights, and photos of the world seen from behind the wheel of a car.