Best driving roads near Los Angeles
From the ridgeline of the Santa Monica Mountains to the high switchbacks of the San Gabriels, LA hides some of the best canyon driving roads in America right at the city's edge.
1. Angeles Crest Highway (SR-2)
A 66-mile climb through the San Gabriel Mountains past 7,000 feet, mixing fast sweepers, tunnels, and forest ridgelines with huge views over the Angeles National Forest.
2. Mulholland Highway
The legendary ribbon of curves sweeping west through the Santa Monica Mountains from Calabasas toward Malibu, beloved for its rhythm of esses and canyon scenery.
3. Latigo Canyon Road
A tight, technical Malibu canyon climb off PCH delivering ocean glimpses, blind switchbacks, and Santa Monica Mountains backcountry in equal measure.
4. Glendora Mountain Road (GMR)
A roughly 21-mile twisting, low-traffic climb from Glendora toward Mount Baldy, prized by enthusiasts for its high-quality tarmac and relentless curves.
5. Glendora Ridge Road (GRR)
Twelve miles of well-maintained, low-traffic twisties with 234 curves along the spine of the San Gabriels, one of SoCal's best-kept driving secrets.
6. Topanga Canyon Boulevard (SR-27)
A flowing canyon route linking the Valley to PCH through Topanga, popular for its sweeping bends, cliffs, and lush forest scenery.
Track your next run near Los Angeles
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Questions, answered
- What are the best driving roads near Los Angeles?
- Top picks near Los Angeles: Angeles Crest Highway, Mulholland Highway, Latigo Canyon Road, Glendora Mountain Road, Glendora Ridge Road, Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Each is a favorite among drivers for its curves, scenery, or pace.
- What's the best app to track a drive near Los Angeles?
- Open Road records your run automatically — route replay, distance, top speed, g-force — and saves it to a stat card. Free on iPhone and Android.