San Diego to Borrego Palm Canyon

[er78mph]

Hello and thanks all in advance!!

I am making my way to the desert next weekend and was wondering the best route? Driving in the mountains is a new area and would like the safest option.

[navegator]

Going through Julian on 78 is nicer and less stressful and you can stop at Dudley's bakery in Santa Isabel for some apple pie from Julian or in Julian Pie Company in Julian, the Pie Company is to the left when the road makes a right turn in town instead of going straight, there is a general store on the left front corner it is gray in color at the cross road, the pie company is half a block to the left and across the street there is one heck of a good restaurant, or you can have dinner at the Boars Head, left corner at the cross roads.

For those in the know, Julian is a old mountain mining town, the town barber is a friend of ours and we go once a month at least.

Do not go down to Palm Spring on Highway 74 known as Pines to Palms Highway, I did that once on my 24 foot C and the dingy with adjustable brakes from the cabin, overdrive off, first gear at 30 mph and still managed to smoke the brakes, that is one steep hill, never again.

navegator

[1320Fastback]

We're going to Truckhaven in January from Oceanside. Being life long local desert rat I know Montezuma Grade like the back of my hand but will not go that way with the trailer. I use Hwy.78 and turn left on Borrego Springs Road. Sure it takes longer but is way less stressful.

[navegator]

Depending on the RV type and length and what type of engine power you have there is a way to go down on S-22 from Ranchita, be aware that there can be very strong wind gusts at Ranchita and down the hill.

Gas powered engine, as soon as the down grade starts slow down to 30 to 35 miles per hour and down shift to first gear you are going to use first gear all the way down to the bottom, you are not going to ride the brake at all, do not even put your foot on the pedal unless there is need to slow down even more, on the stretches that look flat you will maintain the speed and not up shift, since you will need to slow down at the next down part and speeding and slowing with the brakes will only heat the pads up and eventually lead to NO brakes, maintain the same speed until the bottom.

This also applies to Diesel units that do not have Jake brakes or engine retarders, use the same as a gas powered engine, do not pump the brakes at all,let the engine do the braking, pumping the brakes will eventually overheat the brakes.

For Diesel units with air brakes , Jake brake or engine retarder down shift and engage the Jake brake or engine retarder at the start of the grade and do not pump the air brakes unless absolutely needed, let the engine do the braking, pumping the brakes will eventually set the parking brake, and that is a rude stop.

Just take it slow and enjoy the view of the Salton Sea and of Borrego Springs, you might even get to see a Big Horn sheep on the slopes, there are look outs and pull troughs, do not mind the idiots that have "get there ittis", you probably will pass them at the next look out.

Used to go for the $50.00 dollar Buffalo hamburger at the airport in Borrego Springs, that is what the pilots used to say , of course mine was a lot cheaper.

Coming in to Borrego you make a 90 right turn on to the main drag, there is a gas station on the right side, it is advisable to fuel up before heading back up, the next fuel is Santa Isabela up the mountain, again going up, down shift and take it easy in order not to overheat the transmission by down shifting and up shifting, it is a long up hill grade.

navegator

[Mr_Mark1]

ER78, you don't mention what kind of RV that you have. There are limits when going through the mountains. Hwy 78 through Julian is a no go if you have a RV 35 ft. or longer; very tight twists and turns and signs stating no large vehicles, 30 ft. from king-pin to axle.

Actually, if you want the easy way, I would take 8 Freeway to Hwy 111 (north) just past El Centro then hit the 78 hwy through Westmorland. Follow the 78 until you get to the inspection station, then when leaving, make a left and follow 78 to Borrego Springs. If you continue forward when leaving the inspection station, it turns in to hwy 86.

You can still get to Borrego Springs going north on Hwy 86 and then making a left on S22. But, S22 has some very severe dips that can damage your RV unless you are traveling very slow. We made the mistake of taking S22 in our '08 Dynasty. One of the dips came up on me before I realized it and I think the front of the RV came off of the ground. Thank goodness we didn't have any damage.

We are actually going to Borrego Springs from Palm Springs in a couple of weeks, we like to stay at the 'Springs of Borrego' RV park. Very nice, beautiful views and it runs $80 or so a night. If you sign up for their Email newsletter, you can get $30 off of your second day.

Good luck and safe travels,
MM.

[the_bear_II]

The most direct route using Montezuma Hwy is a typical two lane curvy mountain/desert road. If this is your first time on that type of road in an RV...Don't know what you'll be driving...it can be a daunting task. The best thing you can do is to read up on proper braking and hill climbing techniques for RVs. Search through the forum posts and you'll find tips and techniques.

The safer routes would take you way south or way north and add hours to your trip time.

If you take it slow and easy using the proper techniques and watch out for other drivers you'll be Okay. I would only do the drive in day light and when you are wide awake.

[Tiger4x4RV]

As a former Chula Vista resident, I usually went to Borrego Springs via this route: to El Cajon on the freeway - then Hwy 67 through Ramona - left on 79 at Santa Ysabel - right on S2 - left on S22 through Ranchita. This route involves a lot of twisty 2-lane and the big Montezuma Grade down the hill into Borrego Springs. I had memorized every turnout along the way! My truck with a sturdy Allison transmission and tap-shift mode did fine. Gear down down down for that hill!

If you want to avoid Montezuma Grade, stay on S2 through San Felipe Valley, turn left at Scissors Crossing (Hwy 78 junction), then left again on Borrego Springs Road and go into town that way. Folks who drive at unsafely high speed are often encountered on Hwy 78 in this area.

There pretty much is no totally easy totally safe way into Borrego Springs. You will have mountains, you will have 2-lane roads. Stay safe. The reward of being there makes the journey worthwhile.