California Moto Trip

lugnut262
Profile picture for user lugnut262
Posts
38
Joined
8/9/2019
Location
Rochester, MN US
lugnut262
Was able to talk the wife into roadtripping from MN to CA in January for Anaheim 1, and trying to put together a plan to get some riding in while out there. We are planning to be out there for a week or so and want to try to see a variety of tracks.

For sure plan on hitting Pala and Glen Helen, but any other tracks that are a must? Was hoping to get some input so I can make sure to add those to the list.

Also, any recommendations on areas to stay or things to see while we are out there are appreciated!

THANKS
|
AHarmon237
Profile picture for user AHarmon237
Posts
213
Joined
5/1/2018
Location
Chattanooga, TN US
AHarmon237 8/24/2022 11:31am
8/24/2022 11:31am
LACR is a must!
10
jpred
Profile picture for user jpred
Posts
71
Joined
10/23/2014
Location
CA US
jpred 8/24/2022 11:34am
8/24/2022 11:34am
Cahuilla, Perris, Elsinore
7
mtl
Profile picture for user mtl
Posts
1243
Joined
9/26/2011
Location
CA US
mtl 8/24/2022 11:35am
8/24/2022 11:35am
If you take the northern route to SoCal you can hit Hangtown/estreet/MMX/Argyll in norcal. I'd also recommend taking the drive on the Pacific Coast Highway from SF to Santa Cruz as a rad way to head towards LA.
8
SmokinJoe439 8/24/2022 12:14pm
8/24/2022 12:14pm
Lacr perris cahuilla are fun elisinore is okay unless it's groomed which it won't be during the week. It's like baked dry hard pack.

I wanted to go check out barona oaks but my friend didn't want to drive down to San Diego area.
3

The Shop

See All »
lugnut262
Profile picture for user lugnut262
Posts
38
Joined
8/9/2019
Location
Rochester, MN US
lugnut262 8/24/2022 12:19pm
8/24/2022 12:19pm
Was planning on swinging through Denver on our way out to visit some family, but might have to look into that route! Always heard the PCH was a beautiful drive.

Will definitely look into the other tracks. Looks like a guy could stay Riverside-ish area and be fairly centrally located.
quadzrulebro 8/24/2022 12:21pm
8/24/2022 12:21pm
Cahuilla Creek and Perris Raceway, for sure!
5
lugnut262
Profile picture for user lugnut262
Posts
38
Joined
8/9/2019
Location
Rochester, MN US
lugnut262 8/24/2022 12:26pm
8/24/2022 12:26pm Edited Date/Time 8/24/2022 12:27pm
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
Lacr perris cahuilla are fun elisinore is okay unless it's groomed which it won't be during the week. It's like baked dry hard pack. I wanted...
Lacr perris cahuilla are fun elisinore is okay unless it's groomed which it won't be during the week. It's like baked dry hard pack.

I wanted to go check out barona oaks but my friend didn't want to drive down to San Diego area.
Wife wanted to swing down to San Diego for a night at some point so that might be a great suggestion. Hoping for great riding weather in January, be a nice change of pace from the start of MN winter Laughing
SmokinJoe439 8/24/2022 12:57pm
8/24/2022 12:57pm
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
Lacr perris cahuilla are fun elisinore is okay unless it's groomed which it won't be during the week. It's like baked dry hard pack. I wanted...
Lacr perris cahuilla are fun elisinore is okay unless it's groomed which it won't be during the week. It's like baked dry hard pack.

I wanted to go check out barona oaks but my friend didn't want to drive down to San Diego area.
lugnut262 wrote:
Wife wanted to swing down to San Diego for a night at some point so that might be a great suggestion. Hoping for great riding weather...
Wife wanted to swing down to San Diego for a night at some point so that might be a great suggestion. Hoping for great riding weather in January, be a nice change of pace from the start of MN winter Laughing
Well barona oaks was the track they raced on in the Disney movie motocrossed. They are closed currently opens back up in October.

Choose your route wisely that time of year you don't wanna get stuck on a mtn pass.
Falcon
Profile picture for user Falcon
Posts
12379
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA US
Falcon 8/24/2022 1:11pm
8/24/2022 1:11pm
Here are my SoCal recommendations with some notes. I have considered dirt, interesting layout, and historical significance:

1) Glen Helen - terrific layout, national-caliber, good prep, meet pros. Unique.
2) Cahuilla - epic dirt, natural terrain, great parking.
3) Pala/Fox Raceway - like Glen Helen but busier. Better dirt, not as well laid out.
4) Barona Oaks - my hometown track and nostalgic favorite. Hardpack clay surface; great in the morning, tough in the afternoon.
5) Perris - steeped in tradition, great dirt, pissed off neighbors whose homes you may actually be able to roost.
6) Lake Elsinore - ah, Lake Elsinore. LE has... well, a nice personality. $40 to ride.

Obviously, your travel needs and personal preferences will dictate what you do.
4
RMT
Profile picture for user RMT
Posts
1269
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
USA, CA US
RMT 8/24/2022 1:42pm
8/24/2022 1:42pm Edited Date/Time 8/24/2022 1:45pm
Please don’t come all this way out here from MN and stay in Riverside!
4
El Capitan
Profile picture for user El Capitan
Posts
317
Joined
7/11/2022
Location
Huntington Beach, CA US
El Capitan 8/24/2022 3:00pm
8/24/2022 3:00pm Edited Date/Time 8/25/2022 8:15pm
Pala (mid-week is awesome) and Elsinore (hard pack doesn't bother me). I'm too slow for GH, but you definitely need to check that place out! Barona merits consideration. Stay in Huntington Beach (Pasea or Hilton)----20 minutes from Anaheim.
1
mattyhamz2 8/24/2022 3:10pm
8/24/2022 3:10pm
mtl wrote:
If you take the northern route to SoCal you can hit Hangtown/estreet/MMX/Argyll in norcal. I'd also recommend taking the drive on the Pacific Coast Highway from...
If you take the northern route to SoCal you can hit Hangtown/estreet/MMX/Argyll in norcal. I'd also recommend taking the drive on the Pacific Coast Highway from SF to Santa Cruz as a rad way to head towards LA.
Lugnut, I’d recommend this over anything else. Definitely hit GH and Pala while in SoCal, but I highly recommend the NorCal tracks over most of the SoCal tracks if you do go that route. Hangtown, EStreet and MMX are some of my favorite tracks.
2
quadmx301
Profile picture for user quadmx301
Posts
506
Joined
9/23/2014
Location
Murrieta, CA US
quadmx301 8/24/2022 3:22pm
8/24/2022 3:22pm
Whatever you do, don’t miss Cahuilla
5
Langhammx 8/24/2022 3:28pm
8/24/2022 3:28pm
quadmx301 wrote:
Whatever you do, don’t miss Cahuilla
100% accurate

Glen Helen isn’t one of my personal favorites, but it’s iconic and probably on the top of his list.
But Cajuilla, Pala, Perris and LACR would be my suggestions.
I doubt I’ll ever ride Elsinore again, it’s just not worth the drive for me.
4
Dirtydeeds 8/24/2022 3:31pm
8/24/2022 3:31pm
Do yourself a favor and go ahead and skip Elsinore. Maybe try the others and figure out which one you’d like to ride again.
2
walent215
Profile picture for user walent215
Posts
2521
Joined
12/6/2014
Location
Ridgecrest, CA US
walent215 8/24/2022 3:34pm
8/24/2022 3:34pm
Cal City Mx Park if you like smaller crowds.
Its an hour and a half drive North from Glen Helen area though but it is a good track to visit as well.
2
coastie44
Profile picture for user coastie44
Posts
559
Joined
1/19/2013
Location
NorCal, CA US
coastie44 8/24/2022 3:41pm
8/24/2022 3:41pm
And make sure you have contingency plans. NorCal and SoCal can be soaking wet in January, although NorCal is probably a bit wetter. Given the long term drought, it's not as high a liklihood as in the past, it can happen.

In wet weather times, Hangtown is horrible, but E-street and MMX will be off the hook (in NorCal), and I expect LACR would be the cats meow in SoCal.
3
viking174
Profile picture for user viking174
Posts
155
Joined
11/10/2020
Location
Huntington Beach, CA US
viking174 8/24/2022 3:48pm
8/24/2022 3:48pm
Perris will be the safe easy bet. Stay in Huntington or Newport. Easy drive to San Diego as well.
2

Pit Row

See All »
Falcon
Profile picture for user Falcon
Posts
12379
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA US
Falcon 8/24/2022 3:53pm
8/24/2022 3:53pm
coastie44 wrote:
And make sure you have contingency plans. NorCal and SoCal can be soaking wet in January, although NorCal is probably a bit wetter. Given the long...
And make sure you have contingency plans. NorCal and SoCal can be soaking wet in January, although NorCal is probably a bit wetter. Given the long term drought, it's not as high a liklihood as in the past, it can happen.

In wet weather times, Hangtown is horrible, but E-street and MMX will be off the hook (in NorCal), and I expect LACR would be the cats meow in SoCal.
True.
In January, Elsinore may be underwater, and Cahuilla may be under a foot of snow. Well, a few inches, anyway.
lugnut262
Profile picture for user lugnut262
Posts
38
Joined
8/9/2019
Location
Rochester, MN US
lugnut262 8/25/2022 4:44am
8/25/2022 4:44am
RMT wrote:
Please don’t come all this way out here from MN and stay in Riverside!
Thanks for the advice! I haven't put much thought into where we are going to stay yet. Wanted to figure out our riding plan first.
lugnut262
Profile picture for user lugnut262
Posts
38
Joined
8/9/2019
Location
Rochester, MN US
lugnut262 8/25/2022 4:50am
8/25/2022 4:50am
Plenty of tracks open during the week, correct? Looking forward to seeing a variety of tracks, should make for some awesome riding.
Slaughter612s 8/25/2022 5:49am
8/25/2022 5:49am Edited Date/Time 8/25/2022 6:03am
mtl wrote:
If you take the northern route to SoCal you can hit Hangtown/estreet/MMX/Argyll in norcal. I'd also recommend taking the drive on the Pacific Coast Highway from...
If you take the northern route to SoCal you can hit Hangtown/estreet/MMX/Argyll in norcal. I'd also recommend taking the drive on the Pacific Coast Highway from SF to Santa Cruz as a rad way to head towards LA.
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Lugnut, I’d recommend this over anything else. Definitely hit GH and Pala while in SoCal, but I highly recommend the NorCal tracks over most of the...
Lugnut, I’d recommend this over anything else. Definitely hit GH and Pala while in SoCal, but I highly recommend the NorCal tracks over most of the SoCal tracks if you do go that route. Hangtown, EStreet and MMX are some of my favorite tracks.
+1 to this here are the current hours/prices:

-Riverfront-Tuesday Thursday (nights) Sunday day. $40
-E street-wed sat sun all day $40
-Mmx 2 diff tracks sand main- wed afternoon on sand main sat/sun $40
-Hangtown-currently Friday sat sun $40 plus 5$ Lovely state park fee.
@repracing @mmxracing @estreetmxpark
Cheers
1
CarlinoJoeVideo
Profile picture for user CarlinoJoeVideo
Posts
7517
Joined
11/30/2013
Location
Portland/Los Angeles, CA US
CarlinoJoeVideo 8/25/2022 6:25am
8/25/2022 6:25am
Rather than staying in Riverside, consider staying close to the beach cities if your budget can afford it for a few nights. It’s more driving but it will be a wayyy nicer experience for you and the lady.

Huntington Beach - Glen Helen and A1

San Clemente or Oceanside or carlsbad - Fox

San Diego- Fox

Temecula wine country- Cahuilla
4
brocster
Profile picture for user brocster
Posts
4547
Joined
6/9/2009
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA US
brocster 8/25/2022 6:42am
8/25/2022 6:42am
Post back in this theead when you here in the So Cal area, where you are riding and on what days if you’d like to meet with people to ride.
2
183Matt
Profile picture for user 183Matt
Posts
856
Joined
10/9/2019
Location
Mineral, CA US
183Matt 8/25/2022 7:18am
8/25/2022 7:18am
brocster wrote:
Post back in this theead when you here in the So Cal area, where you are riding and on what days if you’d like to meet...
Post back in this theead when you here in the So Cal area, where you are riding and on what days if you’d like to meet with people to ride.
Same thing if you plan to ride in nor-cal.
1
lugnut262
Profile picture for user lugnut262
Posts
38
Joined
8/9/2019
Location
Rochester, MN US
lugnut262 8/25/2022 7:29am
8/25/2022 7:29am
brocster wrote:
Post back in this theead when you here in the So Cal area, where you are riding and on what days if you’d like to meet...
Post back in this theead when you here in the So Cal area, where you are riding and on what days if you’d like to meet with people to ride.
Definitely will do brocster and 183Matt, would be awesome to find some guys to ride with!
Sacko
Profile picture for user Sacko
Posts
209
Joined
7/16/2018
Location
Canyon Lake, CA US
Sacko 8/25/2022 10:26am
8/25/2022 10:26am
lugnut262 wrote:
Plenty of tracks open during the week, correct? Looking forward to seeing a variety of tracks, should make for some awesome riding.
Not so much anymore, unfortuntely. Not sure of anyone open Mondays, GH and Pala open Tuesdays, Elsinore is the only track open Wednesdays (I think) (maybe Cahuilla actually as well) until night, perris has lights on Wednesday nights, Thursday Glen Helen is open, not sure of anyone else, Pretty much everything is open Fri-Sun.
Sacko
Profile picture for user Sacko
Posts
209
Joined
7/16/2018
Location
Canyon Lake, CA US
Sacko 8/25/2022 10:28am
8/25/2022 10:28am
Also, I've never been to most of the NorCal tracks but from what I hear there's some good tracks up there and if you can swing it on your trip, I think it would be well worth it to start in Nor Cal and work your way down.
1
Ramrod
Profile picture for user Ramrod
Posts
4982
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Ontario CA
Ramrod 8/25/2022 10:42am
8/25/2022 10:42am
CarlinoJoeVideo wrote:
Rather than staying in Riverside, consider staying close to the beach cities if your budget can afford it for a few nights. It’s more driving but...
Rather than staying in Riverside, consider staying close to the beach cities if your budget can afford it for a few nights. It’s more driving but it will be a wayyy nicer experience for you and the lady.

Huntington Beach - Glen Helen and A1

San Clemente or Oceanside or carlsbad - Fox

San Diego- Fox

Temecula wine country- Cahuilla
This is great advice.

I just hit up Laguna, Newport and Huntington with family this spring...your beaches and ocean views rock. To mix moto into that as well would be unreal.
3
viking174
Profile picture for user viking174
Posts
155
Joined
11/10/2020
Location
Huntington Beach, CA US
viking174 8/25/2022 2:00pm
8/25/2022 2:00pm
I live in Huntington Beach, I ride Perris and surf Newport and Huntington weekly. Your lady can shop , go to the beach , eat good food in corona Del Mar and have a great time here. Perris will be your safest bet by far. Not to mention this area is dirtbike hevan . It’s all here. SD is a skip away .
3
1

Post a reply to: California Moto Trip