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That assumes you can trust Hambiniweeny

They used to make some really nice frames. Now it’s all made and designed so poorly. I can’t tell you how many things on the few I’ve owned that could EASILY have been improved or fixed with 5 seconds of thought. I could within 5 mins of unboxing my frame I found multiple disappointing features. It’s upsetting they charge premium prices for low grade quality. Still fun bikes if you get a discount but for full price you’re getting basically catalog frames with the lowest quality hardware. I went from a transition to a Santa Cruz (the frame cost 400...

Yeah... what rattle? I don't care either way (i.e. hub interface isn't a deal-breaker) but as far as I'm concerned centrelock hubs are universal. Got a six bolt rotor? Use an adaptor.

Unpopular opinion: I prefer center lock over the six bolt. The rattle doesn't bother me.

Okay full disclosure you know what?—I rode Cuesta grade today after a while and it was worth it. Put it on the list next to MdO. It’s all green and wild and the trails are hilarious: there’s a layer of loose coffee mugs on top of encrusted space heaters…reminds me of driving an old truck with a speed wobble that gets worse and worse until boom you break through the sound barrier and it becomes somehow kind of smooth. I truly cannot imagine being introduced to mountain biking here and sticking with it 😆 So yeah, I’m in a way...

Absolutely 1000% you should plan to ride in Laguna Beach on your trip. If all you rode was Laguna and Santa Cruz, you'd have a great time. Everything else is bonus. I would also recommend riding "The Plunge" at Simi Valley, if you like long travel bikes and rocks.

If starting in San Diego, Noble Canyon is a must. It is about 45 minutes east and it a fantastic rip. If you are going up the coast then riding Aliso and Laguna Beach are great with awesome views. Santa Barbara has some of the best shuttle trails around, just be ready for the rocks San Luis Obisbo has a couple of awesome trail networks excellent bike shops like Art's Cyclery. Santa Cruise and Nisene Marks have excellent trail systems as well. Demonstration forest is also quite popular. Sounds like you are in for quite the road trip!

Coastal only? Sorry, can't exactly help. However, if you are willing to come inland a little bit, I'd definitely suggest riding at Greer Ranch! Come up I-15 from San Diego, then split off on I-215 in Temecula, then Park on Scenic View Drive in Menifee, CA. The trailhead is here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Greer+Ranch+Trailhead/@33.6211888,-11… Follow that fire road up into the trail network, which is mostly on your right. There will probably be at least a few other riders there any time of day to give you some guidance. 😎 Also, eat tacos at Mi Pueblo, also in Menifee: https://mi-pueblo-authentic.restaurants-world.net/ There's a great...