Palomar Mountain is reached by two paved county roads off Highway 76. South Grade Road (S6) leaves the highway near Rincon Springs and packs more than 20 hairpin turns into about 7 miles. East Grade Road (S7) comes up from Lake Henshaw on a longer, gentler grade. Riders run one up and the other down, regroup where the two meet near the summit, and carry on to the state park or the observatory.
Every one of those stops is a place where a key falls out of a jacket pocket or snaps in a seat lock. We are a mobile service, so the work happens at the bike: a new key when every key is lost, transponder key programming, broken key extraction and repair of ignitions and seat, gas cap and luggage locks. The mountain is remote and takes longer to reach than a call in town. Have photo ID and the registration or title ready so we can confirm ownership.
Where riders stop on the mountain
Most bikes end up parked at one of four places. Tell us which one, or the nearest road junction, when you call.
- The summit junction where South Grade Road (S6) meets East Grade Road (S7), the usual regrouping spot.
- Palomar Observatory at the end of S6, owned and operated by Caltech, at about 5,600 feet and home to the 200-inch Hale Telescope.
- Palomar Mountain State Park, reached by State Park Road from the summit junction, with Doane Valley Campground and the Boucher Hill fire lookout.
- Lake Henshaw at the bottom of East Grade Road, and Oak Knoll Campground at the base of South Grade Road.
Fuel, food and services
There are no gas stations on Palomar Mountain, and other services at the top are limited. Fuel up before you climb, carry water, and do not plan the day around buying anything at the summit.
Snow and seasonal conditions
The state park sits at about 5,000 feet and the mountain tops out above 6,100 feet. Snow and ice can close or restrict both grades in winter, and the shaded hairpins stay slick long after the valley has dried out. Check San Diego County road conditions and Caltrans information for Highway 76 before you ride.
What to do while you wait
Keep the bike legally parked and out of the travel lane. South Grade is one hairpin after another, so if the bike is in a turnout, stay well clear of the road edge.
Note exactly where you are: the summit junction, the observatory lot, a campground name in the state park, or the road name and nearest mile marker or turnout on S6 or S7. If your phone has no signal at the bike, write the location down before you walk or ride with a friend to find one.
Motorcycle key services near Palomar Mountain
Everything is done at the bike near Palomar Mountain: no tow and no waiting on a dealer order. Tell us the year, make and model and whether you have any key, and we will tell you what the job involves.
- Lost Motorcycle Key, No SpareNo key at all? We make a working key at the bike.Details →
- Motorcycle Key ReplacementNew keys cut by code or from the lock, for all major makes.Details →
- Transponder and Immobilizer Key ProgrammingChip keys and fobs programmed to your immobilizer.Details →
- Motorcycle Key Duplication and Spare KeysA spare now costs far less than a lost only-key later.Details →
- Motorcycle Ignition Repair and ReplacementSticking, worn or damaged ignitions repaired or replaced.Details →
- Broken Motorcycle Key ExtractionSnapped key removed and a new one cut from the pieces.Details →
- Gas Cap, Seat, Steering and Saddlebag LocksGas cap, seat, steering, helmet and saddlebag locks.Details →
Where we come to you near Palomar Mountain
| Common call-out spots | Summit junction of South Grade Road (S6) and East Grade Road (S7), Palomar Observatory and the Hale Telescope, Palomar Mountain State Park and Doane Valley Campground, Boucher Hill fire lookout, Lake Henshaw, Oak Knoll Campground |
|---|---|
| ZIP codes | 92060 |
Stuck near Palomar Mountain without a key?
Call or text with your year, make, model and where the bike is parked.
Or read first: all services · common questions · about us · contact details
Local notes for Palomar Mountain riders
- Tell us whether the bike is on S6 below the summit, at the summit junction, on S7, inside the state park or at the observatory. It changes which grade we drive up.
- A snapped key in a seat or gas cap lock is common after a cold ride. Do not dig at it with a knife. Leave the broken piece in place so it can be extracted cleanly.
Riding roads near Palomar Mountain
- South Grade Road (S6): Climbs from Highway 76 to the summit with more than 20 hairpin turns in about 7 miles. Scenic, steep and winding.
- East Grade Road (S7): The longer, gentler route between the summit and Highway 76 near Lake Henshaw, with views of the lake on the way down.
Makes we cut and program keys for near Palomar Mountain
- Harley-Davidson
- Honda
- Yamaha
- Kawasaki
- Suzuki
- Ducati
- BMW
- Triumph
- KTM
- Indian
- Aprilia
- Moto Guzzi
- Husqvarna
- Royal Enfield
- Can-Am
- Victory
- Vespa and Piaggio
- Zero
- MV Agusta
- Benelli
- Beta
- Buell
- CFMOTO
- GASGAS
- Genuine Scooters
- Hyosung
- KYMCO
- LiveWire
- SYM
Palomar Mountain motorcycle key FAQ
Can a motorcycle key be made at the top of Palomar Mountain?
In most cases, yes. The key is cut and programmed at the bike, as long as it is parked somewhere a service vehicle can reach and stop safely. It is a remote location, so it takes longer to reach than a call in town.
Is there fuel on the mountain if my bike will not start?
No, there are no gas stations on Palomar Mountain. If the problem is the key, ignition or immobilizer rather than an empty tank, that is work we do on site.
My key broke off in the ignition at the observatory. Should I try to ride it down?
No. Leave the broken piece where it is and do not force the lock. The piece can be extracted and a new key cut from it or from the lock.
Helpful guides
- Motorcycle Immobilizer Light Flashing: What It Means by MakeA slow flash with the ignition off is normal on a bike with an immobilizer: Honda HISS, Yamaha and Triumph manuals all describe the light blinking for 24 hours after you switch off to show the system is armed.
- Motorcycle Key and Lock Care: What Makers RecommendKeep water and grit out of the locks, use a small amount of a dry or lock-specific lubricant instead of oil, and replace a worn key before it fails.
- Motorcycle Key Fob and Keyless Ignition ProblemsMost keyless motorcycle problems come down to a weak fob battery, a fob the bike is not reading, a damaged fob or a lost one.
Nearby areas we also cover
Sources
- https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=637
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palomar_Mountain
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_Route_S6_(California)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palomar_Observatory
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palomar_Mountain,_California
Page last updated .