The Long Way to Carpinteria 2026
Event Details
The long way to Carpinteria
Saturday, July 11th, we’re taking the long, scenic way to one beach: PCH along the ocean, a climb into the Santa Monica Mountains, the flowing back roads through Ojai, and a drop down to Carpinteria for lunch. The destination is simple. The route is the whole point.
Plan for a full day in the saddle. This is roughly 300+ miles round trip and a full-day ride, about 8 to 9 hours from kickstands-up to back home (KSU 7:50 AM, back not before 3:30 PM, often later). It’s a mix of freeway, open coast, and tight canyons, so come rested and ready to ride all day. The payoff is some of the best riding in Southern California packed into one day.
Know before you go
- Distance: 300+ miles round trip
- Duration: full day, about 8 to 9 hours including stops
- Fuel: a tank good for ~120 miles between fill-ups is ideal; top off at every gas stop
- Bring: water, snacks, sunscreen, and a layer, it’s cool on the coast and warm inland
- Pace: highway slabs plus technical canyon roads, ride within your limits
Top 5 moments on this ride
- PCH through Malibu. Once we drop onto the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, it’s wide-open ocean cruising past the Malibu Pier and Zuma Beach, the Pacific on your left the whole way. Pure California postcard miles.
- Encinal Canyon Road. We peel off PCH in Malibu and climb Encinal Canyon, a quiet, beautifully paved ribbon of switchbacks and sweepers up out of the coast into the mountains, one of the best wake-up roads around.
- The Mulholland crest & Rock Store country. Ridgeline twisties through the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, past Lake Eleanor and Paradise Falls, the classic SoCal motorcycle playground.
- The Ojai Valley Scenic Overlook. CA-150 from Santa Paula serves up long, flowing sweepers through citrus groves before cresting at the Dennison Grade pull-off, the postcard view down over the whole Ojai Valley. We’ll stop for photos and a breather.
- The CA-150 drop to Carpinteria. The final descent out of the Ojai hills back down to the ocean, opening up to the coast just before lunch on the sand.
Ride Plan
Check the route on Google Maps.
- 7:30 AM Meetup: Circle K, 17966 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. Please fill up as soon as you arrive, KSU no later than 7:50 AM.
- Ride (mostly highway) up to the coast, then onto PCH through Santa Monica and Malibu
- 9:15-9:30 AM regroup: Chevron on PCH, Malibu
- Encinal Canyon Rd off PCH into the Santa Monica Mountains and Mulholland
- HWY 23 to HWY 126, gas stop near Santa Paula
- HWY 150 toward Ojai, photo stop at the Ojai Valley Scenic Overlook (Dennison Grade)
- Ojai for a gas & rest stop
- HWY 150 down to Carpinteria State Beach for lunch
Back not before 3:30 PM; the actual time might vary.
Get ready for the ride
- Proper Riding Jacket
- Proper Riding Pants
- Proper Riding Gloves
- Proper Riding Boots
- Leathers are recommended
Bring a backpack with water and what you might need on a long ride, we will clock 300+ miles.
Ground Rules
We would like to remind everyone, that each rider SHOULD and MUST ride within their limits. If the group goes at a speed you don’t feel comfortable with, you should not be attempting to keep up.
You are encouraged to go at your own pace and the sweeper will be with you always. The group will always stop at important points for everyone to regroup.
Please, don’t feel ever like you are holding the group. We ride to enjoy our motorcycles, among friends, and we want you to be safe.
- Safety meeting mandatory before the ride
- Adhere to indications given during the safety meeting
- No passing on the right side of the road
- Ride your own Ride; don’t push beyond your comfort zone
Disclaimer
By participating in this event you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from this group function without regard to negligence. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold the group’s Host, Organizer, or any of the group’s Assistants or Co-Organizers liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your person or property arising directly or as a consequence of a group activity. You also agree that your membership and/or participation in this group is based on an “at-will” basis. A general safety meeting will be held before the departure of this ride and all riders must be present to attend. Please have ‘in case of emergency’ a contact number programmed in your phone and/or placed on your bike.