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2/19/2025
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Santa Barbara, CA
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Motocross Riders in Santa Barbara
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They all moved to GA
I may be moving to that area temporarily in the next year. I can't believe how there are no tracks in that area. California is the moto state, but it sure is a lot more accessible here in TX. I need to make some friends so we can take turns driving one vehicle to tracks that are so far away.
Yeah it’s a bummer, we had one of the best tracks for years right in our backyard (Zaca) but the land around is mostly private and insuring a track is a complete nightmare in CA. If you do move out here shoot me a message I’m sure I’ll be heading to the tracks in so cal.
If you know the area at all, it really is no surprise that there are no tracks around there.
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I don't know the area at all, just found a lady I can't live without. She says she'll move to TX but I may go live there while she ties up loose ends. I was born and raised in Texas and never had plans to leave, lol. What specifically about the area led to tracks closing down? Other than the typical insurance and financial issues.
If you’re looking to ride track don’t forget about Honolulu Hills out in Taft. If you ride weekends, check their schedule and see when they’re open for practice.
It would be nice to have a place open during the week like zaca was. Helps the people who have weekdays off for sure.
Will do 👍
Hey man, that's great to hear! SB and surrounding areas are beautiful! Not sure if it is still open, but there were some trails to ride in the area. As far as tracks go, Zaca and Piru were the closest. Piru, well that was just a shitty deal for riders and the last owner, but basically the last guy that owned the track sold the property to a construction business and they let the permit expire so it will NEVER be a track again. Zaca, the family of the property owner said they didn't want the track there anymore.
While the area is beautiful and a regular place the wife, kids and I visit, SB and surrounding areas are not moto friendly. Nor would they EVER allow a motocross track anywhere near the area which sucks because the weather there is just about perfect all year round. You pretty much have to drive pretty far north, east or south for any tracks. Honolulu Hills might be the closest track I can think of and it's really good. There's also DT1 which is a bit further, American MX when they are open is really really good and more of an old school type of track, and if you are looking for some really fun small turnout races Los Banos usually races at the little fairgrounds on Saturday's during Summer.
Once Zaca and Piru closed I pretty much only rode LACR. Still made for a very long day of 4 hours driving minimum.
Time to get yourself a mountain bike, and surf board!
There’s definitely some fun trails in the area, a couple buddies I rode with growing up bought Honda 450l’s and ride up in the mountains above SB regularly. The valley behind SB where Zaca was located is literally perfect for motocross tracks, tons of rolling hills and great weather but the cost of land is INSANE not to mention that he fact that no one is going to insure a track.
I’ve never ridden Honolulu hills but I’ve heard great things. I’m stoked to try it out!
I'm from Bakersfield, so about 2 hours away from SB. Not much left around here now that Piru, Zaca, Porterville and Gorman are gone. I have heard the state received funding to fix the water well for the Gorman track, but who knows when that will be done (if at all). We basically ride DT1 (Tulare) or Honolulu Hills in Taft.
LACR was the go to after Zaca closed but now they are going through that insurance nightmare. I finally broke down and got a mountain bike a couple years ago and now its my go to. There are some fun trails in the area and you can head down to Simi/Thousand Oaks for some more flowy jumpy stuff. I also got a dual sport and have been hitting west camino and divide. None of it is the same as moto but driving 20 minutes to go ride makes up for it and im riding mtb a couple times a week.
This. The TX boy ain't likely gonna embrace that cold Pacific though. The other choice is to do gnar off-road. Yes you'll have to drive distance for anything worth while.
There is some gnar MTB downhill around SB, but also a lot of good back country trail riding. I'd suggest a long travel ebike. Embrace the mountains while you have the chance. I was forced to H-Town(8yrs) and had to take up riding tracks. Love it, but I'd much rather have the extreme mountain trails I rode my DB on for 70 - 100 mile all day loops. Throw in the mix of nearby MTB riding. IME, paradise lost.
If you have seen the TV show Portlandia, that is basically what the SLO/SB area is like. I lived there most of my life and have no desire whatsoever to move back. People think CA is a moto mecca, but most of the scene is concentrated in a couple of areas (and the central coast is definitely not among them).
SB, better to visit than live there. Long ago it lost nearly all of the ppl that made it a great place to live. He won't find anything like Southern hospitality vibes, for sure. LOL
Florida
Is the MX track at KCRP/Harvick's no longer operating?
Pit Row
If you think SLO/SB are even comparable to Portland then you have literally never been to Portland lol
OP, your best bet is hoping that somebody opens up Castillo ranch again some day, but it's currently for sale on zillow. If you're DYING to go ride, there are some sweet turn tracks behind the Firestone Brewery in Paso, that's always fun.
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8300-Cat-Canyon-Rd-Los-Alamos-CA-934…
Correct
I heard guys were getting their trucks ticketed when riding the turn tracks. Those use to be a blast when I was a kid. Do you know if the narcs are still writing people up for riding back there?
You have to park at/near the brewery, hide your gear bag, and get to scooting when it's time to go. The guys who are getting ticketed are the ones dumb enough to trespass and park AT the riverbed, which is obviously a ticketable offense.
Johnny Law ain't gonna do shit if you park near the trailer barn
So it's legal to ride down there, illegal to park? Or, all of it is illegal but maybe not enforced if you're discreet about parking? I'm book marking this thread for later.
Yeah it’s illegal to ride in the riverbed down there but it use to be a spot that you could easily ride without any problems. I’m not sure about the legality of parking in the area here’s an article the local PD posted on their website.
https://pasoroblesdailynews.com/north-county-city-reports-increase-in-i…
This is not legal advice and I am not a lawyer. The police GENERALLY do not care if you’re riding down there and not causing a ruckus aka driving into the riverbed and clearly in sight.
Very rarely have I driven south bound on 101 and not seen people riding near the bridge. Take that for what it’s worth.
Why? What happened?
White wolf raceway, spillway park, O'neal friday night mx at Ventura county fairgrounds, Santa Clarita riverbed.
Last I had heard they were extending the parking lot into that area. That was a while back though and the Reynolds family are only doing practice days at Honolulu and rarely at American.
American looked good, we wanted to go there but it didnt work out for one reason or another, hopefully get out there sometime soon.
https://search.brave.com/search?q=+trump+2025+epa+standards+change+for+…
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