Overall Route Rating
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4.3 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.3
10 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By manvsbike (5 McR Points) on Jan 11, 2015

Rider Reviews

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Herrick
2 McR Points
January 16, 2016
Twists then a 60-80 mph for 6 miles across the…
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SJ_Phil
154 McR Points
April 20, 2021
We did a variation of this route riding CA-74 up…
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Written Directions

Leave Indio, CA heading west on Route 111 until you get to Palm Desert, CA. From here look for Hwy 74 off to the left. Get on Hwy 74 and head west untill you meet up with ca hwy 371 near Anza Ca. follow the 371 until it dead ends at ca hwy 79. Head west on ca hwy 79 through to old town of Temecula, CA.

Scenery

This route gives you great scenery and a change of pace from riding the highway while still giving access to the wooded areas of Southern California. While riding through indio, it is primarily desert. At the bottom of the 74 there are switchbacks that are great for sportbikes and cruisers alike. Once you reach the top of the 74 you will come upon a View Point that allows you to see the entire desert including palm springs and the salton sea. Further in, you will be greeted by lush trees and foliage surrounding the road. The 371 takes you through the hills and down into the flat lands of Anza as well as bringing you to the hills just outside of Temecula. It is a great route for those who are bored of seeing the desert and like a calm ride.

Drive Enjoyment

Most of the roads are maintained fairly well, there are a few potholes but all are small and easily avoidable, even in a pack. Through the switchbacks the road has been recently repaved.

Tourism Opportunities

There is a nice family owned Cafe at the corner of the 74 and the 371 called the Paradise Valley Cafe, Depending on the amount of business you might wait for your order, but it's worth the wait. there are pleanty of gas stations and areas yto stop along the way.
 

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Herrick
January 16, 2016
2 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Twists then a 60-80 mph for 6 miles across the top of a mountain range. eat at the Timber mill restaurant in Idyllwild Great food .
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SJ_Phil
April 20, 2021
154 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
We did a variation of this route riding CA-74 up to Mountain Center and then taking 243 to Banning. Incredibly beautiful area, especially at elevation. And the ride up 74 leaving Indio was well-beyond AWESOME. I have a pic but it's too large to upload. We were stopped at the first vista point above the desert floor. You can see most of the twisties going down the mountain...Oh man it was fun! Got on it early enough to avoid traffic. I could ride this 10-mile section all day...with a grin on my face.
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SJ_Phil
May 26, 2021
154 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Rode this a few weeks ago after Joshua Tree. What a gas! The first leg up the switch-backs was so cool. Great road surface. And without too much traffic, one can twist the throttle enough to get the big smiles. Finally up into the higher elevation and going through the Thomas Valley, the scenery changed to small Family Ranches. There were some scenery vista points where one could lookout to the Salton Sea on one side and Lake Hemet on the other. We chose to continue the ride through Idylwild and down to Banning before heading back up I-15 towards Wrightwood and ACH. The roads were pretty standard two lanes in good condition. The wind was another story. There were some cheek puckering moments...js
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