Thread: Headed to Octillo

I am headed to Octillo Wells next weekend and was looking for some incite on the best way to get there. I'm leaving out of San Marcos and Google maps shows straight through. I have a 36 foot trailer and from the satellite the road looks a bit narrow and steep.
Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks all.

Camp at Pole line rd. I don't know were SM is but I come from Orange County and Come over Ortega hwy. to the 15, to the 79 south to the S2, to the 78. The worst part is the the real curvy area on the 78 about 2 miles after I turn left off the 78 but other than that its easy driving but I'm pulling a 21 ft'r.

Yeah google maps has me taking the 78 all the way from the 15.

Can't be worse than tha backroad to Isabella.

Take 78 to Santa Ysabell....That's where Dudley's bakery is, don't forget to stop there.

Then hang a left onto 79 heading North. Then a left on S-2 South which will take you back down to 78. Take a left on 78 heading East.

Do not take 78 past Santa Ysabel with a trailer that big, you will regret it. 78 up to Julian isn't too bad, but heading down Banner grade on 78 won't be any fun. 79 to S2 to 78 is much flatter and straighter.

X2, stay off Banner grade with a rig, on some of those corners you can read your own plates. Been doing that drive for 17 years.

Originally Posted by fords4life

Take 78 to Santa Ysabell....That's where Dudley's bakery is, don't forget to stop there.

Then hang a left onto 79 heading North. Then a left on S-2 South which will take you back down to 78. Take a left on 78 heading East.

Wouldn't that be a right on S-2 South if you're coming from Santa Ysabel on 79? (I know, there's one in every crowd, right?)

Originally Posted by dezzrats

stay off Banner grade with a rig, on some of those corners you can read your own plates.

Originally Posted by SteveBricks

Wouldn't that be a right on S-2 South if you're coming from Santa Ysabel on 79? (I know, there's one in every crowd, right?)

Yeah something like that.....If you go left you'll end up in the pastures off of Lake Henshaw.

Thank you everybody.

Took the 33' loaded through Julian last year, against advisement I might add (in the snow), and it was fine. Took a long time though. hehe Wife enjoyed the coversation. Beer was cold when I got there too. hehe Went back for some apple pie. It was well worth it. There was a place that had some sweet a$$ apple cider. I think it was a candy store on the west side of the main drag, about mid-town. Well worth it. Lunch at the place across the steet, with the apple pie, was great too.

Maybe we will make it back there again. Was a great few days for us. (horrible weather didn't keep us in - had the F250 hehe)

GoBig,

fords4life is correct

Only thing I would add - may be worth dropping onto the 15 S and cutting through Poway Road or Scripps Ranch to the 67. This will take you through Ramona and turns back into the 78.

I don't really care for the 78 between Escondido and Ramona. You get knuckle heads speeding through there and cutting corners at times.

Have fun.

Thank you all. I ended up joining a group of Rvs and headed the 76 to the 79 to the S2 all without a problem.

Originally Posted by GO Big

Thank you all. I ended up joining a group of Rvs and headed the 76 to the 79 to the S2 all without a problem.

Glad to hear you made it nice and safe.

I believe the signs say keep the fifthwheel to kingpin wheelbase under 50' but I am not sure. Having lived here my whole life I am not afraid of banner grade but I would still avoid it if over 60' total on a holiday weekend or if you are in a hurry.

I go 15 to scripps poway then through ramona and then 78 all the way to Ocotillo Wells with my 25 footer.......Never had any problems. Ya just have to drive like you have sense and hope everyone else is lol. Mine is a bumper pull though.......