Road Ride (San Diego): Elfin Forest Loop

Elfin Forest/Del Dios Loop

There are a lot of good routes in San Diego but I think this might be my favorite. The route starts and ends on Pacific Coast Highway and the world famous views that it is known for but the real highlights are Elfin Forest Road and Del Dios Highway out near Lake Hodges.

The loop shown on the map is right around 40 miles but it would be pretty easy to add or subtract miles.

The route can also be ridden clockwise or counter-clockwise. It seemed that more riders were going counter-clockwise on the Sunday that I rode the route. The climbs might be slightly tougher in that direction.

Elfin Forest Road

With the exception of a few miles on Elfin Forest and La Costa, there was either a shoulder or a dedicated bike lane. The ride felt as safe as any other rural route I've ridden in Southern California.

 I was reminded of the riding in the Santa Monica's with the same Coastal Scrub Oak Chaparral that dominates the coastal areas of Southern California. Or at least it used to dominate before most of it was turned into planned suburbia.

This loop has many miles that is bordered by either the Elfin Forest or Lake Hodges Reserves which give a look back at what the area used to look like.

Lake Hodges from Del Dios Highway.