SC Route - Day 2

76.8 miles - 3205 ft climbing

After a coldish night, we woke to a chilly morning and were a little slow to pack up. When we were nearly ready to leave the Dos Picos County Park, a neighboring camper came over to offer us coffee, observing that we appeared to be travelling light. We accepted 2 enameled mugs of coffee and chatted with our neighbor, originally from North Dakota, now a Californian, and spending the weekend camped with his 5 children. That park really did look like paradise for kids.

We headed back to Highland Valley Road to get on route, a little climbing and a fun downhill, several wineries and fruit orchards. Just before Escondido we rode over a berm to join the official SC route at a wildlife refuge. Lots of hikers, cyclists, and runners were out. We detoured into Escondido to partake of its culinary delights (McDonalds, Starbucks, and the gas station Food Mart). From there we took a use trail beside the highway to rejoin the route around Lake Hodges where a lot of people were out cycling and hiking.

We made our way up past the dam, across the bridge, and onto the trails to Del Mar. These are part of both the San Dieguito trails and the Coast to Coast trail. After a series of switchbacks where the trail is just a little too narrow to make all the corners, we popped out besides an upscale golf course and fancy Del Mar homes (mansions?). Down to the Ranch Market & Deli for lunch, then south along the beach, up the long climb past Torrey Pines, thru UCSD, along the connecting bike path to the sketchy parts of Mission Bay, thru beach traffic across and down to Dog Beach. We then wound along the twisty Ocean Beach bike path to the uber steep Hill Street.  Our glasses were fogging but we made it to the top without stopping, a triumph.  Finally past the San Diego harbor and bridge to Coronado Island to Chula Vista. 

It would be uncomfortable to make an urban camp in the city. While beautiful, many areas feel a little sketchy. We were debating where we would stop for the night when we found ourselves opposite the Rambler Hotel, a modest place with a serious dedication to a 1970s theme. There we booked a room and grabbed dinner.