Top 6 Spots to Stop on the Ortega Highway - San Juan Capistrano to Lake Elsinore

[@brucebarnes9638]

I rode the Ortega Hwy from Murrieta to Dana Point computing to work for over 10 years. I could have taken the freeways but why bother. That was the best work commute I ever had!

[@Princess_Peach_Pie]

We just drove through this weekend to witness the devastation of this area due to the airport fire. It is so sad to see the areas burned as well as the properties lost as well. I stopped at the candy store and the people are so nice and so resilient. They had just been able to get back into the building per the notice so they weren’t completely stocked but had the most delicious peanut butter cookies I’ve ever had. The chocolate chip cookie my husband had looked divine. This place will come back and recover.

[@reneejones7807]

Happy to hear it survived the fire and is reopening!

[@sixbladeknife44]

I used to live in that area in another life, there’s def. a unique aura about that place.

[@Corgis175]

I've been on the Ortega Hwy in part. Been to San Juan Caspistrano many times including the missions and love the shops there. Been to Caspers Wilderness Park with friends and we trailed our horses in using their corrals for a nce 3 day visit and rail riding.

[@mobiltec]

You missed one of the greatest places to visit along the Ortega Highway. Turn south on the divide and follow the road until you find Hang Gliders setting up and launching off the mountain. I spent 30 years living and flying in and around Lake Elsinore. I also skydived at the south end of the lake all that time. I moved to Lake Elsinore in the 70s when we didn't even have a stop light in town. It was a very small community then. Not like now. Now it's way over built. I still have many friends living there and most of them are looking to get out due to the crowds. But the flying is still very popular there.

[@cynthiarenfroe8004]

Ortega hwy can be a very dangerous hwy as people often drive too fast through here ,,yes there are interesting places to see ,, but to trave the Ortega you really have to be careful as there have been bad accidents on it ,, so drive safely

[@chuniquepaceno470]

Thanks, appreciate the tour, which I could very well do now that I know it exists.

[@mikebavoso26]

Travel the Ortega Highway for years in the winter. Best you have sleeping bags some flashlights and food and water. Sometimes the emergency vehicles can't get to the accident due to the road only being two lanes and very narrow, with traffic backed up. There's a bridge that not too wide. Large vehicles, like motorhomes trucks with long travel trailers and the like, can only pass one at a time unless you have a lot of nerve and are a good driver.

[@joyservando4249]

You’re not allowed to pass anyone unless they go in turn out it’s yellow solid lane

[@bluelife1503]

Crazy to think how many bodies are still not found since the Cleveland national forest is and always been a dumping site… my godsister Erica was found there and they never found her killer… besides that love the Ortega the views and the cruise

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Sorry to hear about your godsister.

[@pudster4115]

The lookout roadhouse has since closed but you can still pull in and enjoy the view

[@cardiffchris]

if you have a 4x4 or Dual Sport Motorcycle, check out Main Divide Truck Trail. 45 miles of scenic dirt road. Access from Ortega Hwy.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I've driven near there on S Main Divide. Awesome views. Will definitely have to check out the truck trail if we get the chance.

[@ManuelRodriguez-zo9fb]

Do you guys know the exit for dirt bike riding place at Ortega high..?

[@ManuelRodriguez-zo9fb]

Do you know the exit at Ortega high for dirt biking motorcycle ride off road?

[@ThinkingBetter]

I had a colleague who sadly died on his motorcycle on an early Sunday morning race where he drove with some friends making KZbin videos with GoPro cameras. I warned him on the danger just a few weeks earlier when he showed me his too dangerous driving videos. This is not a place to race as you are facing unpredictable dangers around every corner from rockslides, tire debris and sudden slow moving traffic.

[@redsky7527]

Bad to the bone bbq in Capo on one end and the little Mexican take-out place at the other end in Elsinore. Might as well grab a bite on your way ;)

[@pudster4115]

Hell's kitchen has since burned down. I do not know if they are planning to rebuild

[@justinvas2216]

Bluejay campground ?

[@danielceballos6559]

I work at the mission

[@uniquetoyz6215]

One place I’ve been curious about but never got info on. Just as you’re leaving San Juan heading East there’s a brick building up on a hill to the left. Any idea the history or what it might of been?

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I think you may be talking about the Eagan House. It was built in 1883 and was owned by Judge Richard Egan. There is a restaurant in there now.

[@Offensively-normal]

Hells kitchen burned down. The lookout closed about a year ago. That fire ripped through everything. I drive that road 5 days a week.

[@KimberlyCachanilla]

Wow you were in my home town!!!! My town is full of history!!! You missed the historic rock house near the Candy store! You need to come to Lake Elsinore and do some videos and explore. Consider following my historic FB group called Reminiscing about Lake Elsinore & Surrounding Communities There’s soooo much history here and deserves to be KZbind

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I'll take a look for sure. Would love to do more in the Lake Elsinore area.

[@andyreyna2198]

Share some ghost stories about the highway lol

[@KimberlyCachanilla]

@@private608 Hello, the group is called : Reminiscing about Lake Elsinore & Surrounding Communities can you try making a new fb?

[@jaimechavez599]

Great video, Taking my boy's out for the drive this weekend?

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I hope you enjoy it, weather should be at least somewhat cooler up there. It is a great drive.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I hope you enjoy it, weather should be at least somewhat cooler up there. It is a great drive.

[@legendarybreed6843]

Awesome job, thank you.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks for watching!

[@davidortega357]

Blue Jay campground view of mount pinos off of Ortega hwy

[@garyashby8894]

Forest Falls off of Falls Valley Dr off of CA38. Monkey face Falls off of CA38. Bonita Falls in Lytle Creek. All have decent access in the San Bernardino Forest and are better than anything the Cleveland's have to offer. Palm Springs Tahquitz Falls has a toll.

[@dabarientos]

Sad, the Ortega Oaks Candy Store closed down.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

We were on the Ortega Highway today and just found out both the candy store and Hells Kitchen closed. Terrible news.

[@dabarientos]

@@SidetrackAdventures Hell’s Kitchen moved down into Lake Elsinore. The landlord wanted to pocket the insurance money after the fire instead of rebuilding. On top of it, the weekend closures of the Ortega Highway was hurting business. I can only guess the Candy Store suffered the same way.

[@mackenziephilippi3121]

The Ortega Oaks Candy Store is OPEN and they have the best cookies

[@thorlaizans3384]

You missed my graveyard. Although it's probably better left a secret place.

[@stevesmith756]

It’s all burned from the Airport fire now