Top 3 "must visit" tracks in Southern California?

dirtnasty
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12/17/2016 9:23am
My thoughts on the honors.... Best Dirt: Cahuilla Creek Biggest Jumps / Fastest Layout: Pala Most Convenient: Milestone Overall Coolest and Most Badass: Glen Helen Haven't...
My thoughts on the honors....
Best Dirt: Cahuilla Creek
Biggest Jumps / Fastest Layout: Pala
Most Convenient: Milestone
Overall Coolest and Most Badass: Glen Helen

Haven't been to a couple of these in a while though, so my opinion may be warped.
+1

Milestone is not a "must visit" track. Its very average. Its appeal is that it is convenient to get to for anyone in the beach cities. If you're going through the trouble of flying from the bay to visit tracks I would leave it off the list.
Highsider
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12/17/2016 1:16pm
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Zaca Station for sure. Cal City, Cahuilla, Glen Helen
Am I wrong Zaca is a "call ahead" "appointment only" situation?
12/17/2016 6:19pm
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Zaca Station for sure. Cal City, Cahuilla, Glen Helen
Highsider wrote:
Am I wrong Zaca is a "call ahead" "appointment only" situation?
You are 100% right. Also it is $40, just in case OP accidentally showed up with less.

My favorite tracks are

1. Glen Helen

2. Zaca Station

(These are the only tracks I've ridden in SoCal)

3. LACR looks like it could be the most fun you could have on a dirtbike on a good day, but from what I can tell it's pretty far out there.
erik_94COBRA
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12/17/2016 8:18pm
MBR wrote:
A few pictures with my trip with RaceSocal last time. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/17/164476/s1200_race_socal_1.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/17/164478/s1200_race_socal_4.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/17/164479/s1200_race_socal_1_1.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/17/164480/s1200_race_socal_1_2.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/17/164481/s1200_race_socal_3.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/17/164482/s1200_race_socal_2.jpg[/img]
A few pictures with my trip with RaceSocal last time.











What track is this at?

The Shop

Jon Bingham
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12/17/2016 8:29pm
the panorama shot is LACR, the big air shot is Starwest
12/17/2016 8:57pm
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Zaca Station for sure. Cal City, Cahuilla, Glen Helen
Highsider wrote:
Am I wrong Zaca is a "call ahead" "appointment only" situation?
Call or text ahead. I usually send him a text the day before with my name, bike and number on my bike. Last time I went was $40, but it's worth it
12/18/2016 2:54am
-glen helen and cahulla creek were the best 2 tracks we rode in California a couple of weeks ago
- pala pro track was fun but would be a little intimidating for anyone intermediate level or slower
- thought milestone was garbage!



slipdog
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12/18/2016 6:00am
I rode Comp edge yesterday for the first time and found it to be average at best, Maybe I'm spoiled with the work that Jack Azevedo at AMP and Zeb Armstrong at REP do up in NorCal, but Comp's prep and layout could have been a lot better.
Anonymous (not verified)
12/18/2016 9:53am Edited Date/Time 9/1/2026 6:11pm
Definately depends on skill level. Lots of these tracks aren't very fun if you aren't on your game. Leaving milestone and perris off the list would be a good idea, unless you are stuck in either shitty city.
MBR
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12/18/2016 11:45am
MBR wrote:
A few pictures with my trip with RaceSocal last time. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/17/164476/s1200_race_socal_1.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/17/164478/s1200_race_socal_4.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/17/164479/s1200_race_socal_1_1.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/17/164480/s1200_race_socal_1_2.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/17/164481/s1200_race_socal_3.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/17/164482/s1200_race_socal_2.jpg[/img]
A few pictures with my trip with RaceSocal last time.











What track is this at?
Panorama LACR, rest from Pala. Now when I think about it, some of the jumps in "national" tracks are pretty big so it can take a while to get the nerves to jump those. The "Vet" tracks are good for all skill levels. Here is a little clip from LACR. https://instagram.com/p/BLaZy0Fgf5N/
12/19/2016 10:07am
Always personally loved Piru. It's small but fun. Not too busy either.
Dirtysmile56
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12/19/2016 10:19am
Always personally loved Piru. It's small but fun. Not too busy either.
I always try to hit Piru! The dirt is epic! That place gets some of the best ruts I have ever ridden. I dig the elevation and the way the track steps up and down the mountainside. I used to hit I-5 aka Hungry Valler/Gorman all the time too. Especially when Trittler was running it. Have you been there lately? I heard Perris has been really good lately too. Heading down for A-1 with bikes. Can't wait to do some So Cal riding.
mx_563
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12/19/2016 12:45pm
a bit off topic but since there's a lot of So Cal insiders on this thread....anybody know where McGrath's childhood home was at? Was it Murrietta or Menifee? I thought I heard somewhere that it was for sale.
slipdog
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12/19/2016 1:05pm
mx_563 wrote:
a bit off topic but since there's a lot of So Cal insiders on this thread....anybody know where McGrath's childhood home was at? Was it Murrietta...
a bit off topic but since there's a lot of So Cal insiders on this thread....anybody know where McGrath's childhood home was at? Was it Murrietta or Menifee? I thought I heard somewhere that it was for sale.
It was Murrietta which is just below Mennifee, you could see his Sx track off to the side/behind the house just off the 215 freeway.
mx_563
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12/19/2016 1:19pm
slipdog wrote:
It was Murrietta which is just below Mennifee, you could see his Sx track off to the side/behind the house just off the 215 freeway.
what's the cross street?
slipdog
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12/19/2016 1:41pm
mx_563 wrote:
what's the cross street?
That I couldn't tell you, last time I was at his house was the early 90's. It was pretty much a frontage road next to the 215, as best my foggy memory can recall.
mx_563
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12/19/2016 8:09pm
MX114 wrote:
That's crazy driven right past that on the 215 and never knew it. The movie "showtime" from the 90's showed Jeremy riding there if it's the...
That's crazy driven right past that on the 215 and never knew it. The movie "showtime" from the 90's showed Jeremy riding there if it's the same house.
NATEP231
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12/19/2016 10:47pm
UpTiTe wrote:
ZACA isn't SoCal, sorry.
MBBadgers wrote:
But it is:

Address: Zaca Station Rd, Buellton, CA 93427

Southern California residents living in ZIP codes 90000 to 93599.
UpTiTe wrote:
I always considered it central cal, but I guess there is no CenCal.
God when I hear the word "cencal"



12/20/2016 8:27am
Have to travel to California for work sometime in January and can possibly extend my stay for a day or two. Would be a very good...
Have to travel to California for work sometime in January and can possibly extend my stay for a day or two. Would be a very good opportunity to visit a track or two that I won't otherwise get to visit. Any thoughts on tracks not to be missed?


Am thinking of using one of these bike rental/setup outfits for the trip:

http://californiamotocrossholidays.com/

http://www.mxvacations.com/
1. Glen Helen

2. http://www.cahuillacreekmotocross.com

3. Perris Raceway
Alan_Hess
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12/20/2016 9:32am
Glen Helen
Zaca Station
Cahuilla

dr516
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Visalia, CA, USA
12/20/2016 12:24pm
MBBadgers wrote:
But it is:

Address: Zaca Station Rd, Buellton, CA 93427

Southern California residents living in ZIP codes 90000 to 93599.
UpTiTe wrote:
I always considered it central cal, but I guess there is no CenCal.
NATEP231 wrote:
God when I hear the word "cencal"[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/19/164868/s1200_image.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/19/164869/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
God when I hear the word "cencal"



All about V town baby not much more cencal than Visalia
seth505
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12/20/2016 12:43pm
My favorites are Pala, 212land and Perris but I always inform people that I like Perris due to the jumps, it's not a outdoorsy glen helen type track.
12/20/2016 12:59pm Edited Date/Time 12/20/2016 1:01pm
1. Glen Helen

2. http://www.cahuillacreekmotocross.com

3. Perris Raceway
+1

Could sub Cahuilla for Pala...

Glen Helen is usually open Thursday for practice.
Perris is $30/day to ride but has the tackiest dirt in So.Cal (in my opinion)
GH is $25/day - you already know what to expect
Cahuilla has been hit or miss for me on track conditions, loamy and flows
Pala has been consistently good. Very different tracks, something for all levels.

Check the distances between whatever tracks you choose. I.e., nearly 100 miles between Comp.Edge and Cahuilla...

Fly into San Diego and work your way North.
Or, fly into Ontario and work your way South

Have fun, good luck!

Doug


NV825
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12/20/2016 1:09pm Edited Date/Time 12/20/2016 1:10pm
It's unfortunate Elsinore tried to put lipstick on the pig that is their dirt/new layout. The old track still had the same crappy dirt, but they had really fun big but safe jumps with basically freestyle ramps for lips since it was so rock hard. Just had to give it about 20 minutes after they watered before jumping on the ice rink.

My top 3 would be Glen Helen, Cahuilla, and Pala in no particular order. Is Racetown 395 still open outside of Adelanto? That track would be right there with the other 3 for me with great dirt and layout, but it's not necessarily close being out on the brink of the mojave desert.

I never made it to LACR, Zaca, Piru, and few others, but they look pretty bitchin too.
12/20/2016 3:18pm
NV825 wrote:
It's unfortunate Elsinore tried to put lipstick on the pig that is their dirt/new layout. The old track still had the same crappy dirt, but they...
It's unfortunate Elsinore tried to put lipstick on the pig that is their dirt/new layout. The old track still had the same crappy dirt, but they had really fun big but safe jumps with basically freestyle ramps for lips since it was so rock hard. Just had to give it about 20 minutes after they watered before jumping on the ice rink.

My top 3 would be Glen Helen, Cahuilla, and Pala in no particular order. Is Racetown 395 still open outside of Adelanto? That track would be right there with the other 3 for me with great dirt and layout, but it's not necessarily close being out on the brink of the mojave desert.

I never made it to LACR, Zaca, Piru, and few others, but they look pretty bitchin too.
Didn't mention Elsinore for all of those reasons, it's complete shit for the past 5-6 years.

Racetown 395 is back to it's legacy name, Sunrise MX. Only open Saturdays, $30.
https://www.ridesunrisemx.com/

Doug

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