Hwy 246 & Hwy 154 - Ballard Canyon Rd

The Ballard Canyon exit is 0.7 miles east on Hwy 246 from the Hwy 101 intersection. It is very easy to miss (from Hwy 154 simply look for the Foxen Canyon exit signs, see bottom of page for more details). 3D Contour Map If you entering Ballard from Hwy 246 the entry is very easy to miss. The sign is buried in the trees and completely obscured if you are heading west on 246. This picture was taken looking slightly north-east looking up Ballard Canyon. If you get to Hwy 101 (heading west on 246) you have passed Ballard Canyon (head back 0.7 miles and turn north).

Heading up Ballard Canyon through the rural residential area of Buellton.

The twisties begin almost immediately....

Heading through some of the bigger ranches. The road has some patching but it is not bad and very ridable.

This nice wide sweeper then takes you back down into the canyon....

This is the one intersection you will come to. Head north (left in this picture) to continue on Ballard Canyon Rd. To the south is Chalk Hill Rd. If coming from the opposite direction, heading south on Ballard Canyon, keep a sharp eye out for the Ballard Canyon/Chalk Rd intersection, it is not well marked and very easy to miss. Head west on Ballard Canyon. Note that if you are looking to go into Solvang, you can continue straight through the intersection as which point you will be on Chalk Rd which heads right into the middle of Solvang.

Zooming through this soft sweeper into the trees.....road conditions are very good with only minor patching here and there.

Next you find yourself motoring up this straightaway....

And back into the twisties! Road conditions are very good at this point.

Looking over this nice twistie weaving in and out of the trees and ranchland.

Pumpkins! Tons of them. This long straightaway goes through a very large pumpkin field and near October it is quite spectacular with the orange and green contrasting the brown mountain side.

Look at that road! Really, something like this can only be properly experienced on a motorcycle, zooming through the countryside, hugging the corners through the trees. Oh yea!

This section is a favorite of mine on Ballard Canyon. Two sets of switchbacks slingshot you around the road with these wonderful trees on one side and the mountain landscape on the other.

Back to a rolling straightaway, a little patching on the road can be found and it is a slight bit bumpier than previous sections.

Don't be surprised when you see the Buffalo!

Walt zooming through this terrific twistie. While there is some patching apparent on the road, it is well done and quite smooth.

Though the vineyards on this rolling section, fantastic!

Coming up to the north end you round this tight corner next to the windmill (can you see the stage-coach to the right of the windmill?) .

Next you come up through a tight series of switchbacks (I'm looking back in this picture) as Walt Bunning demonstrates by zooming past.....

Nice eh? (Again, looking back)

Heading over the crest of the mountain and down into the north side of Ballard. Note that while traffic is light, you will see another motorcycle, bicycle or automobile here and there, so use extreme caution in the blind corners. Bicyclists seem to love Ballard Canyon as much as the motorcyclists.

Coming down to the bottom of the canyon around a very tight hairpin.

Nearing the end of Ballard you go through some tight twisties surrounded by ranches and farms in Los Olivos (looking down over this section from the ridge above).

End of the line! Ballard ends here at the Hwy 154 entrance. Immediately after the Hwy 154 entrance spur, Ballard Canyon Rd turns into Alamo Pintado Rd., which will take you back to Solvang/Hwy 246. Alamo Pintado is basically a straight line although it does go through some very nice scenery.

If you cross Hwy 154 from Ballard Canyon Rd you will then be on Foxen Canyon Rd., a terrific route I highly recommend!

If coming in from Hwy 154 to Ballard Canyon, look for the Foxen Canyon Rd exit, but instead of heading into Foxen Canyon, head South on Ballard Rd., then...... Next head west on Ballard Canyon (right in this picture).

Hwy 246 & Hwy 154