It’s been two years since I’ve seen my Aunt Ann, at my dad’s funeral. So, my wife and I took a road trip to Orange County for her birthday. We drove our usual route from Phoenix to Mission Viejo: I-10 to Palm Desert, CA-74 to Mountain Center, CA-371 to Aguanga, CA-79 to Temecula, I-15 to Lake Elsinore, then CA-74 (again) to The OC. Though much of it is two lanes, it still beats I-10, and is more scenic.
Aunt Ann’s birthday is two days before my Mom’s, so the second leg of our road trip was I-5 to Oceanside, CA-78 to Julian, San Diego County Highway S2 to Ocotillo, I-8 to Casa Grande, then a bit of I-10 to Tucson. Leaving at 6:00 a.m., Tuesday after Memorial Day, I-5 was as “empty” as it ever gets. Traffic picked up on CA-78, through Vista and San Marcos, but not bad. (Westbound was another story.) Through Ramona and Julian, CA-78 is a beautiful drive, but slow, with multiple legit 25 mph curves. ⚠️
The northern end of San Diego County Highway S2 is on CA-79, midway between Lake Henshaw and Warner Springs. The southern terminus is Ocotillo, at I-8 exit 89. If you’re feeling sporty, continue south from Ocotillo, picking up CA-80 along the Mexican border, 56 miles through Calexico, to I-8 exit 143, at the Algodones Dunes. Personally, I drove San Diego County Highway S2 south, from CA-78 to Ocotillo.
South of CA-78, San Diego County Highway S2 follows the Butterfield Overland Mail / Southern Immigrant Route. Roadside signage also refers to the highway as the Great Southern Overland Stage Route of 1849. Bus stops in the middle of nowhere are hilarious, and there are several along the highway. However, the only bus we saw was a prison bus. What traffic there was was northbound. Cruise control set at the 55 mph speed limit, I passed no one. (Nor was I passed.)
San Diego County Highway S2 passes through the small community of Shelter Valley in Earthquake Valley, heads over Foot and Walker Pass into Blair Valley, climbs Box Canyon, crosses Mason Valley, ascends the Campbell Grade, traverses Vallecito Valley — yes, “Little Valley Valley” — and enters Carrizo Valley. Just past the summit of Sweeney Pass, on the east side of the road, is the most scenic part of the road trip: The Carrizo Badlands. Make sure to stop at the overlook. I didn’t. 🤦🏻♂️
When San Diego County Highway S2 enters Imperial County, it becomes known as Imperial Highway. Make sure to enjoy the “wind farm” rending hapless raptors. (To “save” the environment.) Ocotillo is a mile past the bird choppers. We intended to stop at Red Feather Offroad Market & Cafe for lunch — great burgers! — but due to making such good time on I-5 and CA-78, it was only 9:00 a.m. Onwards!
GPS File: San_Diego_County_Highway_S2
Distance: 47.00 mi.
Time: 1h 00m
County Route S2 on Rumble
County Route S2 on Vimeo
Driving San Diego County Route S2 from Preston McMurry on Vimeo.
