San Diego to Long Beach

[Paul2012]

I'll be riding in May next year in your wonderful state, so I want to pick the brains of you southern Californians.

Today I am open fur suggestions how to get from the:

BW 7 Seas at 411 Hotel Circle South in San Diego
to the RMS Queen Mary Hotel at Long Beach
as a one day, one way trip

Info.
Cabrillo Point and Monument is being done as a separate tour.
Avoid the interstate highways
Other scenic bits along the way?

Hoping for lots of help ........... Paul

[BeemerGuy]

Paul - I'm afraid you won't be able to completely avoid the Interstates, mostly because of a military base. I'm not familiar with San Diego but I do know Orange County.
You could take I-15 north to to Ortega Hwy (Hwy 74) West, but for more fun, take the I-5 North and Exit Ortega Hwy and turn right. Refuel at one of the gas stations there, then continue east on Ortega Hwy. Go about 25-30 miles, until you have a long down-hill section, then come to a stop sign @ Grand Avenue. Turn around, and ride back up the hill, stopping at the Lake Elsinore Lookout (red building perched on the edge of the mountainside). Take a break, then continue East back to the I-5. Take the I-5 SOUTH a couple miles and exit @ PCH/Camino Las Ramblas. Stay to the right of the off-ramp and it'll put you onto PCH North in the city of Dana Point (shops/restaurants there). There's lots of places to stop and eat, get coffee, or whatever. Further north, in Newport Beach (around Crystal Cove State Beach) is another shopping center w/a starbucks. A bit further north is the Shake Shack, where they offer all kinds of shakes, but not a restroom. it's perched right on the cliff w/great views. Continue north on PCH, and through Newport Beach there are all kinds of shops and things. Stay on PCH through Huntington Beach (Main street has a lot of restaurants/shops, parking garage one block up/1/2 block right is motorcycle friendly) and Seal Beach (more shops/restaurants). You will cross over a river outlet into LA County/Long Beach. The first major street is 2nd street, turn left. Bear left onto Livingston St (prob won't notice but its where most of the traffic goes) which becomes Ocean Drive. Watch for signs pointing you to the Queen Mary. If you pass the I-710 freeway, you've probably gone too far. Any questions or for clarification, PM me.

[Paul2012]

OK, thanks for that.
I'll pour it all into my magic software and see what it comes up with

[billo]

http://classic.mapquest.com/mq/5-BhVzVahA

[Old Surf Dog]

You could try this route. It's the long way around but you can head to a freeway in a lot of places if it get's too long. Click on the map and it will take you to the interactive map link.

[Paul2012]

Thanks for all your input.

This is what I came up with, a combination of small Freeway chunks, lots of coastline, and a good dose of canyon twisty stuff.
It makes out at roundabout ~265km (that's 164 miles for the old folks)
any comments from you folks?

[billo]

http://classic.mapquest.com/mq/1-PRvdR0LcS0lAuz0eyycy

[Chain Smoker]

I would take the ferry. That way I would have time to shine my chrome before arriving at the Queen Mary.

[Paul2012]

Originally Posted by Chain Smoker

I would take the ferry. That way I would have time to shine my chrome before arriving at the Queen Mary.

Yeah right,
it's a bike tour - you know two wheels on the road with an engine in between, apart from which: hire wings, pick 'em up clean and full, drop 'em off two weeks later dirty and empty