What happens when MotoQuest Managing Partner Kevin Hagerty goes into retirement? Same thing that happens when so many other folks switch gears: they concoct new ways to have fun! For those of you who don’t already know him, Kevin has lived in Southern California for 45 years and has ridden almost every road and trail in the region. When he showed us a map for a hypothetical tour he put together, well… this happened.
MotoQuest is proud to introduce the latest addition to our guided adventure line-up:
Southern California Inland Explorer Adventure
January 23 – 30, 2021
This all-paved Southern California Inland Explorer motorcycle adventure was specially curated to share some of our favorite regional serpentine roads with you over six days of riding. Carve canyons or cruise at your own pace through countless impeccable curves!
Our first two days of riding will have us traveling along twisty roads from one hotel to the next: Long Beach to Borrego Springs, California, through historic Oatman, Arizona, and into Laughlin, Nevada. The next three nights will be spent in Palm Springs, California, allowing us to spend more time enjoying the spectacular out-rides and less time on packing and unpacking. Our final day of riding brings the whole crew through yet another fresh set of curves and back to our Long Beach, California facility.
Here’s the plan:
Day 1 – Arrival in Long Beach, California
Check into the hotel, meet the staff, and finalize motorcycle paperwork. Meet the rest of the group at the welcome dinner this evening. Stay in Long Beach, California.
Day 2 – Long Beach to Borrego Springs, California – 171 Miles
Riders, start your engines! Lean into the infamous curves of Ortega Highway as we make our way inland. Stop in the quaint gold mining town of Julian, which attracts motorcyclists and pie lovers from far and wide. Wind our way downhill into the desert valley of Borrego Springs. Stay in Borrego Springs.
Day 3 – Borrego Springs, California to Laughlin, Nevada – 313 Miles
Three states in one day! Cruise through Ocotillo Wells, California and past sand dunes as we continue east and then north along two-lane thoroughfares and Lake Havasu, Arizona, current home of the London Bridge. We’ll take a side trip to meet free-roaming burros in the old western town of Oatman, Arizona before making our way into Laughlin, Nevada. Stay in Laughlin.
Day 4 – Laughlin, Nevada to Palm Springs, California – 320 Miles
Hope you’re ready for a great day of desert riding! We’ll ride past the Mojave National Preserve, through Sheephole Valley Wilderness, and then through Joshua Tree National Park, all before arriving in Palm Springs. Unpack and relax, as we’re staying in Palm Springs for three nights.
Day 5 – Palm Springs Out-Ride Day – 236 Miles
Leave your luggage behind and enjoy a jaunt with the group, or relax in town. For those joining us on the road again, our first stop: Pioneer Town, an old western movie backlot that’s well preserved and ready for you to say “Howdy!” as you channel your inner Roy Rogers. The ride continues through Johnson Valley, up to Big Bear Lake, and then south through the San Bernardino National Forest before returning to our hotel in Palm Springs.
Day 6 – Palm Springs Out-Ride Day – 279 Miles
Leave your luggage behind and enjoy another jaunt with the group or relax in town. The roads we’re riding today were selected by our team members with intimate knowledge of this area. The curves over Mt. San Jacinto through Idyllwild and down to Hemet will keep you on the edge of your seat! We’ll cruise through the agricultural hills around Sage, through scenic wine country, and out toward Fallbrook, and into Old Town Temecula. We will return to our hotel in Palm Springs.
Day 7 – Palm Springs, California to Long Beach, California – 149 Miles
Pack everything back into your bags, because we’re cruising through the curves again on our way back to where the adventure started. Stay in Long Beach, California.
Day 8 – Fly home, or keep the dream alive. Your next motorcycle adventure awaits!