Lakeland Village is an unincorporated community on the south-western shore of Lake Elsinore, in Riverside County, California. It is not a place most people seek out, but for riders it matters because it sits right at the bottom of the eastern end of the Ortega Highway, State Route 74, one of the most famous and most notorious motorcycle roads in Southern California.
The Ortega climbs over the Santa Ana Mountains between Lake Elsinore and San Juan Capistrano, with tight bends, steep drops and views over the lake from the top. It is beautiful but dangerous, with heavy traffic at weekends, impatient drivers, blind corners and frequent police patrols. It also has a long record of serious crashes, so ride it with respect and leave the heroics at home. At the top, the Lookout, a roadside spot with a café and a famous view over the lake, is a classic riders' meeting point.
Lake Elsinore itself is the largest natural freshwater lake in Southern California, though its water level varies dramatically, sometimes drying out almost completely in droughts. The landscape around it is classic Southern California inland scrub: dry hills covered in chaparral and sage, with boulders and occasional oak groves. In spring, after the winter rains, the hills turn green and wildflowers bloom; in late summer and autumn, the hills are golden and the risk of wildfires is high.
The ride to Palomar Mountain and Julian heads south through the Temecula Valley, with its wineries, and then climbs into the mountains of north San Diego County. Lakeland Village and the city of Lake Elsinore next door have plenty of fuel stations and fast-food places, so this is a good place to fill up before the mountains, where services become scarce. Summer temperatures can be very high, so carry water and plan to ride early. Weekends are busy; weekdays are much calmer.