There are only a couple of bike routes that can be done from San Diego CA to Yuma AZ and they are really challenging, especially considering the mountain pass. You go from sea level to just over 4000 feet in elevation. It’s a wicked ride with lots of hills and heat. There are often strong crosswinds and you get sand blasted from the bike. The route is a bit tricky for the first 22 miles, but I suggest you start at the Hotel Del Coronado to help you work the route. The wind along the Pacific is strong and always blows.
Now starting from Hotel Del you travel south on Hwy 75 about 9 miles and a beautiful ride with the wind at your back. This will be the last beauty for a while, the warm up will be nice considering the future ahead. Once you reach Palm Ave. you are ready for your journey east through the lower part of the state. Take Palm Ave to Beyer Blvd North to Orange Avenue East which becomes Olympic Parkway. Turn left on Hunter Parkway 1 mile to East Otay Lakes Rd then 7 miles to Hwy 94 which you will have to endure.
Then you’ll take Highway 94 to I-8 for about 50 miles of hard, dry, hot, long driving, and just before you get there, you’ll take old Highway 80 for about 10 more miles, which then connects to I- 8 for a while. about 10 miles over the 4,000 foot pass, that’s quite a climb. Next, you’ll get off at Highway 98 and it will take you to Calexico for about 38 miles, but it’s more downhill and refreshing, considering the dusty desert and winds. But now you are on the plains and you can have a good trip through the desert.
After Calexico it’s another 20 easy but pretty boring miles to Evan Hewes Hwy which is like a back road for a while and then you’ll hit 186 Hwy and go north to Araz Junction and follow Araz Rd. to Yuma Crossing State. Park, where you will travel to Yuma, AZ on Business 8 or Fifth Street. You did 177 miles, not bad for a 12 hour drive, now I suggest cruising across town to Barnes and Noble as it’s a great pick up point with an air conditioned cafe. In the meantime, I’ll prepare for my second day of traveling to Phoenix on my Ride Across America.