Pacific Coast section 5, I-5 between San Clemente and Oceanside

[James Miner]

I'm confused about the route between San Clemente and Oceanside.  The route on my app shows using I5 in this area, however per the signs at the on-ramp at the South end of San Clemente, bicycles are prohibited.  Has anyone ridden this stretch and able to clarify?  Thanks for your help.

[ChloeNash]

May I ask which app you use? In my application, there is no such thing!

[James Miner]

I'm using the Bicycle Route Navigator, Pacific Coast Route, section 5.  It's the area that passes Camp Pendleton.

[John Nelson]

There have been a lot of back and forth rules about whether or not you can ride through Camp Pendleton, who can ride through Camp Pendleton, which direction you can ride, whether or not you require an advance permit and/or sponsor. I rode through years ago, but there have been many changes since then. Best check the current rules if you want to ride through. If you cannot ride through, you are allowed to bypass it on I-5. Maybe the signs are out of date. Even if some policeman is ill-informed and tries to tell you that you can't, what's he going to do? He'll really have no choice but to let you continue and complete that short stretch.

I'd suggest you just wing it and see what the conditions are on the ground when you arrive.

And read this: https://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/blog/pre-registration-process-required-on-pacific-coast-route/?utm_medium=bitlink&utm_source=BE&utm_campaign=20180502_BB_Mapping

[James Miner]

Thanks, that helps.  I assumed that the base grounds would only be accessible active duty personnel, and wouldn't have even considered I might be able to get through.  Since I'm kind of a rules guy, I'll at least try to reach out to Camp Pendleton, if that doesn't work out, I'll do the I5 thing as suggested.  Again, the insight is much appreciated...

[aggie]

There is a bike trail off of Christianitos Rd that takes you south of San Clemente to the Old Pacific Coast hwy through San Onofre state park.  It parallels I-5  to Las Pulgas road.  You then take I15 south to Harbor Drive and get off the interstate.  Going through Camp Pendleton requires either a military ID or pre-approval which is not practical for a 1 time trip.

[James Miner]

It parallels I 15 or I 5?

[amywally]

According to our blog post from 2016, "Caltrans has stated it is legal to ride on the shoulder of I-5 between Las Pulgas Road and Oceanside, exits 62 to 54."

https://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/blog/pre-registration-process-required-on-pacific-coast-route/?utm_medium=bitlink&utm_source=BE&utm_campaign=20180502_BB_Mapping

Also, according to most recent StreetView imagery, the southbound entrance ramp at Las Pulgas Road and the northbound entrance ramp at Harbor Dr. both have signs that state "no pedestrians" but do NOT say "no bicycles". If bicycles were not allowed, it should explicitly say "Pedestrians, Bicycles, Motor-Driven Cycles Prohibited." (See northbound entrance ramp at Las Pulgas Road for an example.)

There are certain sections of I-5 where bicyclists are allowed, and other sections where bicyclists are not allowed. If you pay attention to the signs at the onramps, it should make this clear. Once you enter a legal section of the interstate, in a few miles you should see a sign that says "Bicycles, motor-driven cycles must exit" where bicycles become prohibited again. That's where you need to exit.