Some things to consider about running 78. Leaving Escondido through the San Pasqual Valley you soon come to a pretty steep winding climb up into Ramona on 78. Its a long winding climb of I'd guess six percent or more with quite a bit of traffic typical.
And then immediately east of Julian you start down the Banner Grade which is not advised for tractor-semis over 30 foot king pin to rear axle. That said however it's only a 6 percent grade but with some somewhat tight turns. RVs do it all the time though.
Its not a grade to worry about though but just be aware.
Once down in the desert the road is narrow two lane with hardly any shoulder at all. And there is an area of a few miles where you wind back and forth through the bottom of the canyon along stream bed.
Once through that Canyon though it's just a long straight stretch of desert road over to 86.
If I were coming down 15 and did want to use 78 over to the Salton Sea area I would probably continue down to Poway and go up into Ramona from the south side on route 67.
Edit: I would use Scripps Poway Parkway to get up to route 67.