Here are some other pointers that will help
make your trip trouble free:
Unless you're driving
a super rugged vehicle,
do not attempt to come up Nate Harrison Grade.
Please note that there are
no
gas stations on Palomar Mountain.
A. From San Diego, Orange or Riverside
County via the 15 freeway (note: See Section D if you're coming from
Temecula via Pechanga Parkway / Pala Rd):
-
Exit 76 East
-
Travel about 20.7 miles til you come to a
slight turn off on your left called
"Palomar Mountain Road", also called "S6" or "South Grade Road".
Note:
This is a scenic drive with spectacular views, but rather steep and
winding. If you'd like a milder grade (e.g. for trailers), continue east
on 76 for another 9 miles and turn left onto "East Grade Road" (County
Road S7) before reaching Lake Henshaw; see Instructions C below.
-
Travel up the mountain for 6.8
miles til you come to a stop sign.
-
Turn
left and continue for a few yards. Ahead on your left you'll see a
general store and a restaurant; turn left onto the road just before
the general store - that's
State Park Road.
-
Google Maps says the
"Destination will be on the left" in .9 miles. This is wrong!
-
Keep
going for about 3 miles. You'll eventually reach the park
entrance/boundary and a big sign on your right. Before long
you'll come to a stop sign and a small building on your right; that's
the park HQ (a.k.a. kiosk). If there's someone at the kiosk, he or she
will take your day use fee. If the kiosk is unattended, you may self
register through the "iron ranger" in the island between the entry and
exit lanes.
B. From Escondido and Valley Center:
-
If you live in Escondido, you can use the above directions, but it's
actually quicker to go through Valley Center.
-
Take Valley Center Road (aka County Hwy S6) til you reach 76. Turn right
(east).
-
Travel about 5 miles til you come to a slight turn off on your left
called "Palomar Mountain
Road", also called "S6" or "South Grade Road".
Note:
This is a scenic drive with spectacular views, but rather steep and
winding. If you'd like a milder grade (e.g. for trailers), continue east
on 76 for another 9 miles and turn left onto "East Grade Road" (County
Road S7) before reaching Lake Henshaw; see Instructions C below.
-
Travel up the mountain for 6.8
miles til you come to a stop sign.
-
Turn
left and continue for a few yards. Ahead on your left you'll see a
general store and a restaurant; turn left onto the road just before
the general store - that's
State Park Road.
-
Google Maps says the
"Destination will be on the left" in .9 miles. This is wrong!
-
Keep
going for about 3 miles.
You'll
eventually reach the park entrance/boundary and a big sign on your
right. Before long
you'll come to a stop sign and a small building on your right; that's
the park HQ (a.k.a. kiosk). If there's someone at the kiosk, he or she
will take your day use fee. If the kiosk is unattended, you may self
register through the "iron ranger" in the island between the entry and
exit lanes.
C. From East County via 79 north (through Julian) or 78 west
-
Follow Google's instructions to where you turn left onto 76 West off 79
North.
-
Travel 4.5 miles and turn right onto SR 7, also called "East Grade
Road".
-
Proceed up the mountain for
11.4
miles til you come to a junction of several roads. On your left will be SR 6 (South Grade) --- keep going
straight for another 100 yards. Ahead on your left you'll see a general
store and a restaurant; turn left onto the road just before the
general store - that's State Park Road.
Google Maps says the
"Destination will be on the left" in .9 miles. This is wrong!
Keep going for about
3 miles.
You'll
eventually reach the park entrance/boundary and a big sign on your
right.
Before
long you'll come to a stop sign and a small building on your right;
that's the park HQ (a.k.a. kiosk). If there's someone at the kiosk, he
or she will take your day use fee. If the kiosk is unattended, you may
self register through the "iron ranger" in the island between the entry
and exit lanes.
D. From Temecula via Pala Rd
-
Follow Google's directions to where you turn left (east) onto 76 after passing
through Pala Mission.
-
Travel 13.7 miles til you come to a
slight turn off on your left called
"Palomar Mountain Road", also called "S6" or "South Grade Road".
Note:
This is a scenic drive with spectacular views, but rather steep and
winding. If you'd like a milder grade (e.g. for trailers), continue east
on 76 for another 9 miles and turn left onto "East Grade Road" (County
Road S7) before reaching Lake Henshaw; see Instructions C below.
-
Travel up the mountain for 6.8
miles til you come to a stop sign.
-
Turn
left and continue for a few yards. Ahead on your left you'll see a
general store and a restaurant; turn left onto the road just before
the general store - that's
State Park Road.
-
Google Maps says the
"Destination will be on the left" in .9 miles. This is wrong!
-
Keep
going for about 3 miles.
You'll
eventually reach the park entrance/boundary and a big sign on your
right. Before long
you'll come to a stop sign and a small building on your right; that's
the park HQ (a.k.a. kiosk). If there's someone at the kiosk, he or she
will take your day use fee. If the kiosk is unattended, you may self
register through the "iron ranger" in the island between the entry and
exit lanes.
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