Airport In The Sky

Full route from San Marcos to Catalina Island

About time for a real "official" video of the Randonneur Route #3497, Airport In The Sky. Been out to Catalina multiple times of late, once solo, one time with several randos riding in from San Marcos and another with rando buddy John M., when we rode in from San Marcos. Also followed up with several videos, including "Rando Rides Catalina Island" and "Dana Point XP-Catalina" These videos had parts of the Airport route, one included the gravel Divide Road section and not the Airport Road from the top to the airport itself. About time I fixed that, still attempting to have an informational video for each of my listed randonneuring routes.

Early April and it started out with low overcast following the on/off again rain of the last few days. Almost like the "June Gloom" as they call the early AM fog from the coast. I had changed the route from the usual San Marcos starting places and the Dana Point XP start point on San Marcos Blvd. This time it was the 7-Eleven on N. Twin Oaks Valley Road, across from the Post Office. Water inside and bathrooms across the street at a park. In addition, this 7-Eleven was "owned" by our local ride buddy Najib Assam. He's got a new rando jersey, but hasn't signed up yet!

Route goes north on Twin Oaks Valley Road. If you leave before 0700, traffic is sparse. After that time, most heavy commuter traffic is southbound. Instead of going onto Deer Springs Road, Twin Oaks turns left and winds and climbs thru a valley. Filled with horse ranches and nurseries, the only bugger is a active quarry at the far north end. This brings occasional truck traffic.

Stop-sign artwork is where you can get it!

Gentle climbing brings a real fast downhill onto a private road. Sometimes the gate is closed, but offers a step-over on the left side. One short 14% climb to the top and a rocket downhill to Gopher Canyon Road. This is usually a moderate traffic road with mostly OK bike lanes. Can't wait for the right turn to Little Gopher Cyn. Road. Much different as it winds past more country homes, each with several horses. Consider this a very lite traffic area. The turn onto Old River Road had no traffic. With the Elementary School, and busy intersections, Camino del Rey was another matter. Time for a short McDonald's break.

Fill the bottles, grab a cookie and off I flew down Hwy. 76. Usually a big tailwind push toward Oceanside early. Several bikers on the San Luis Rey Bike Trail to Oceanside. Even a few skateboarders at the trail-side Park. No one friendly to ride with, so I managed to pass a few riders.

Still low overcast as Harbor Drive approached the Marine Base Gate. Cars/trucks were lined up 20 deep, so time for the alternate route we usually take on I-5. Yes it's legal to Las Pulgas Road. Fast it was... with the tailwind and traffic push, 25-mph was the cruise speed! A quick required exit thru the Rest Area with re-entry back onto I-5 again.

No riders lurking around the Las Pulgas parking lot, so off northward on the old Hwy. 101, into the Campground and a brief stop at Bathroom #1. This is usually always open, even when they shut down overnight camping. Clouds were still low as a few surfers were walking to Trestles Beach today.

Catalina Express spec sheet. Departs from Dana Point, CA

Sam Clemente town was the usual quiet in the early morning and the downhill was fast and little traffic. Of late, I've been catching the new bikeway at Avenida Estacion. Even if you wait for the red light a bit, it's still safer and faster than trying to cross further up the road. Protected Bikeway launches you to Dohney State Beach. One nice bathroom there with water! Following the route on with the turn onto Golden Lantern, you then ride thru the parking lot and straight into the Ferry Landing. If you've purchased tickets online, you'll just need to pick them up at the window. Coupons are easily available for up to 20% off the round-trip ferry price.

Ferry loads early and leaves on time. There are 3 or 4 different ferry schedules, depending on the time of year. Today it left the dock at 09:45 sharp to overcast skies. A low speed idle out of the harbor, allows the captain to brief passengers on safety procedures. Once clear of the jetty, 4600 horsepower cranks the speed up to 30-knots, leaving Dana Point far behind in the overcast.

Bikes are kept in the fantail. Suggest bringing a bungee cord to strap the bike in. Mild vibration sets in as the passage was calm. Ferry looked to be almost filled up. Capacity of 150 passengers. One brief dolphin display and a few fishing boats today. Catalina was looming far ahead, in which looked to be clearing skies. Sunshine!

Permit needed to ride inland to the Airport

A brief stop at the dockside bathrooms, water refill at the fountain and I was off to the hills. The route time constraints allow no leeway for "hanging around". I already had my permit from previous trips, so it was up, up and away. Avalon has the main waterfront street closed to cyclists, so a jog around a few blocks before the real climbing begins.

The first few hills are in the mid-double digit region and then slowly slackens off. The steepest part is up to the Zip-Line turn. After passing around the "permit only" gate. The road gets a little bumpy and the grade eases off to the 8-9% range. A few twists and turns, several overlooks and bumpy climbing at the top is reached. There is a nice overlook on the right and our other route (Divide Road-gravel) is on the left.

This big boy blocked my entrance to the Overlook

Up and down riding over mixed surface to Middle Road. It's the half-way point to the Airport. Sections of smoother gravel past the buffalo park, as the road winds around, up and down toward the Airport. Some great views on both sides along the road. Slight climb up to the Airport.

Very nice tiled island map outside the mini-store and restaurant. Overpriced everything for a finish receipt as proof of passage. Relax. No reason to hurry back, since the return ferry is at 5:40 PM. Always time to return via the gravel Divide Road or just linger around Avalon Harbor. Of note is the return trip is really bumpy and at the Zip-Line you turn left on a one-way down to Avalon with great views (different route from the way up).

Airport In The Sky: DC Bar & Grill

Several options for the return trip and still get in some more Randonneur riding.
- Hang around the Airport and start a full return "Airport In The Sky" (need good timing here)
- After the return Ferry arrives in Dana Point, grab a start receipt and do a reverse of "Dana Point XP #3392, ending in San Marcos.
- Several other options also available

Airport In The Sky Video

- randorides