San Diego, CA: Kitchen Creek Road

San Diego, CA: Kitchen Creek Road

Sunshine, blue skies, a winding climb, and a wicked descent: this route crams the mainstays of an epic California ride into a 32-mile loop.

Author:	Bicycling Magazine
Date:	28 Mar 2008 5:00:00 PM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	California (CA)
Distance:	32.85 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 3764 ft Total Loss: 3747 ft Net Change: 17 ft
Difficulty:	6 / 10
Tags:	San Diego, California, Pine Valley, Cleveland National Forest
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

This 32-mile loop is perfect route for a bluebird day. Start with a mocha from Majors Coffee Shop and warm up on a loop through Pine Valley’s idyllic back roads. Once your heart is pumping and the caffeine has set in, descend Old Highway 80 and turn left to begin climbing Kitchen Creek Road, a windy, paved service road etched into the hills of Cleveland National Forest. The road climbs roughly 2,600 feet over the next 13 miles, topping out just shy of Mount Laguna’s summit. The final 8-miles descend back towards Pine Valley past stunning desert views.

-Mapped by Angela Wimberly

TO TRAILHEAD: From San Diego, take I-8 west to exit 45 (Pine Valley). Turn left off the exit onto Pine Valley Rd. Go .4 mile and turn right on Old Highway 80. Continue .1 mile to Majors Coffee Shop.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Dist: 32.85 mi	Points: 717	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
0.00 mi	Start		Then go 0.06 mi
0.06 mi	Turn Left	Old Hwy 80	Then go 0.26 mi
0.31 mi	Turn Left	Pine Rd	Then go 0.06 mi
0.37 mi	Turn Left	Pine Blvd	Then go 0.59 mi
0.96 mi	Bear Left	Pine Blvd	Then go 0.13 mi
1.09 mi	Turn Left	Deer Creek Trail	Then go 0.05 mi
1.14 mi	Bear Left	Deer Creek Trail	Then go 0.05 mi
1.19 mi	Turn Right	Valley View Trail	Then go 0.93 mi
2.12 mi	Turn Left	Pine Creek Crossing	Then go 0.13 mi
2.25 mi	Turn Left	Pine Creek Rd	Then go 0.81 mi
3.06 mi	Turn Left	Old Hwy 80	Then go 2.64 mi
5.69 mi	Turn Right	Old Hwy 80	Then go 7.18 mi
12.87 mi	Turn Left	Kitchen Creek Rd	Then go 11.85 mi
24.72 mi	Turn Left	Sunrise Hwy	Then go 6.77 mi
31.50 mi	Turn Left	Old Hwy 80	Then go 1.35 mi
32.85 mi	Stop

Points of Interest

Kitchen Creek Road

Location: 32.761872°, -116.449585°
Kitchen Creek Road stretches out in the distance, etched into the hillside.

A view from the tandem: not a car in sight

Location: 32.773708°, -116.452675°

Majors Coffee Shop

Location: 32.822192°, -116.528893°
Most cyclists start out from Majors Coffee Shop on Old Highway 80. The liquor store/gas station nearby has huge sandwiches--perfect for a post-ride treat.

Riding through Pine Valley

Location: 32.833154°, -116.534729°

Old Hwy 80

Location: 32.804591°, -116.508980°
Stay alert as you descend - there are some potholes, cracks, and rocks in the road.

A blue bird day in California

Location: 32.730975°, -116.456795°

A switchback viewpoint

Location: 32.781502°, -116.444092°

Gate crossing

Location: 32.795356°, -116.444435°
Pass through the gate and continue on Kitchen Creek Road. The road used to be dirt before the National Parks Service paved it. Look out for cracks and deep potholes along the way.