uberskier

Great story. Unfortunately, it was so good, I had to spend some time on Google street view checking out some of those roads. Looks like a lot of fun!

5CHN3LL

Here's a map of the road from Julian, at approx. 4,200 feet, down the mountain via Highway 78 (the Banner Grade). It's a very fun 7 miles each way...and that doesn't even include getting to Julian, which is an entirely different mountain road.

5CHN3LL

In spring - if we've gotten any rain and there is something to see - this is my extended loop (it starts and ends on the 8 freeway, 20 or 30 miles east of where I live).

If you can get out to the desert when all of the flowers and cactus are blooming, it's amazing. If I need to cut it short (or the road is getting busy), I take the 8 back to San Diego...but if I have another 2 hours, or if the roads are still clear, I go back the way I came.

Everything from Julian all the way southeast to where the highway intersects the 8 is two-lane, back-country road. I have never seen highway patrol - most of it is supposed to be patrolled by aircraft, but I'm generally out there before the law gets up.

JayG

I did part of that route coming back from Palm Desert Sat afternoon in our Targa. Nice weather, car running great. The only bummer was the group of 10 bikes that were holding me back a bit. Had a few times I could have passed 1 or 2 , but I didn't want to be in the middle of their pack. I flashed them a few times hoping they would pull over for a sec so I could fly by, but they didn't get the message. Oh well, still a nice ride

One of my favorite parts is the last leg before I get home, Highland Valley road from Ramona to Rancho Bernardo
It's 5 minutes from my home in RB, so whenever I feel the urge (at least once every 2 week), its up and back to Ramona either in the 996 or my 986 S, sometimes I'll even do a run in one and then swap at home and do it again in the other

Some great roads in the San Diego area and I always look forward to the next PCA back road tour

This is a pic of part of the road leading into Palm Desert, it's a blast going up or down the mountain (it was a bit overcast when I took the pic)

DTMiller

I too took a winding path today. Past the track wheels, around the kids' bikes, scoot by the Miata, duck under the spare parts bin and look under the workbench to confirm that the battery tender light is green. Yup!

Grrrrrrrrrrr.......

Dennis C

Great story!

I washed my 911 yesterday and took it out for a spin through town and down through the canyon by my house - with the top down! 58 degrees and sunny in December!

We are lucky to have the luxury of driving these cars every day.

911 carrera blue

Very nice and articulate writing, California roads are a lot of fun!!

WanderingPurist

It's either Malibu or Lake Hughes for me...with ACH thrown in occasionally.

The last time we did Julian, we got salt on our underbody and sandblasted our front hood and bumpers...and the locals didn't seem so happy about all the noise created by all those Italian and German horses...

We need more posts like this!

👍

5CHN3LL

The pack in front of me had a marginal rider in back - he was definitely the slow guy in their group. If I'd closed up, he probably would had pulled off so I could pass, but I could see he was already pushing it, and I was worried about making him nervous and having him dump the bike. Even with Capt. Slow ahead, we outpaced the sport bike behind me.

JayG

I know exactly what you mean. It was a similar situation with the group in front of me.

What part of SD do you live in?

Have you driven Engineer road? Some great twisties and not heavily traveled

Brainfry

Hey Schnell,

Nice write up. Great roads/routes for sure. I'm in Mission Hills… let's hit Julian sometime and beyond!

B

silotwo

Thanks for sharing this Schnell. Very engaging read and those of us who drive these cars can surely relate. Love the looks of your 996 by the way.

John@Fabspeed

Great post! I love the more positive threads. That road looks like a lot of fun to drive. You should GoPro it for other's who don't have such nice roads to see!

Cuda911

I've done that exact drive many times, always a blast. Hopefully will be back up and running soon enough to do it again!