Destinations

DESTINATIONS

Newcomb’s Ranch

Angeles Crest Highway, California

IF EVER THERE WAS A HIGHWAY TO motorcycle heaven, the Angeles Crest, with its twists, loops, ups, downs and multi-radius curves snaking through the steep terrain of the San Gabriel Mountains just north of Los Angeles, would have to be it. But there’s more to State Highway 2

—referred to locally as“The Crest "— than lean angles and adrenaline. There’s also Newcomb’s Ranch, which can either be a stopping point on the 130-mile loop that encompasses the Angeles Crest and Angeles Forest Highways, or a destination in itself.

Rustic-mountain in style, Newcomb’s Ranch is a 50-year-old restaurant located 27 miles from the bottom of the mountain where, on any given Sunday morning, you're likely to find large numbers of leather-bedecked riders standing out front, styrofoam cups of java in hand, scrutinizing the up to 250 bikes that accumulate there.

What’s especially fun about this is the great variety of machines that show up and the willingness of their riders to talk about them, whether they be Guzzis, BSAs, touring bikes, sportbikes, or the latest trick piece from the R&D department of one of the Japanese manufacturers.

And when the talking's over, there's always breakfast or lunch to be had. The food isn't fancy, but at $3 to $7. it isn’t expensive, either.

But best of all is The Crest itself.

Just remember to watch out for deer, burros and the California Highway Patrol. -Jon F. Thompson

Information Newcomb’s Ranch Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends 818/440-1501