I will be heading to San Bernardino from Barstow.
I'm more interested in interesting and added value than I am in easy, quick or efficient.
I therefore wondered if diverting off I-15 on to CA-138(E)/CA-18(S) and heading through the San Bernardino Mountains would be a worthy diversion.
Any thoughts or tips?
Thank you.
Contributor 
18,112 posts
125 reviews 
130 helpful votes Hey there, LDN! Good to see you planning another trip.
The 138 is more scenic, although I'm not sure there's a lot to do. There is some easy hiking near Crestline (which is a cute little town). For me, eating at restaurant that's railroad/Bear themed (Bear Family Restaurant in Crestline) is better than eating at Denny's in Victorville.
The added value is, I think, the pine trees and the rock outcroppings as opposed to bumper to bumper freeway flying.
Contributor
45,968 posts
1,130 reviews
2,811 helpful votes Denny's?
Thank you. I don't need a lot to do, anything, in fact. Avoiding bumper to bumper freeway flying is a good enough thing to do for me.
EXTREMELY twisty for a couple of miles near Summit Valley, go slow and watch for drunk drivers from Silverwood. GO LEFT AT MILL ROAD at the top of 138 and watch for deer. MILL ROAD will cut off the darker sharp-turning part of Hwy 138 through Cedar Pines Park. MILL ROAD ends at Lake Drive: left takes you to Lake Gregory, right takes you to Hwy 18 (which becomes Waterman Rd in San Berdoo). I'd take a left, go 2 miles to Goodwins Market, get a Peppered Turkey Sub, go across the street to Lake Gregory and share the sandwich with the ducks, then head south again to Hwy 18 and San Berdoo. CHP are ALL over Crestline ticketing for seatbelts and taillights, so drive like a nun with seatbelt on along Lake Drive.
Contributor
18,984 posts
21 reviews
11 helpful votes Aunt Nancy -
Please check dates of previous posts prior to answering. Although your answer is both accurate and detailed our good friend (and newly married) LDN has already come and gone from his CA adventure.
Dr. Z
I have and I am! Hooray! But I didn't go through the mountains in the end... :(
Following drill's advice is definitely prudent but thank you. I hope the notes here help others and that you will look out for opportunities to reply to other posts soon.
Interestingly, what made you post? Considering you haven't in two and a half years...
