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.
It starts at Foothill Boulevard in La Cañada Flintridge and ends at the Pearblossom Highway (SR-138) northeast of Wrightwood. On the way it passes the Mount Wilson Road turnoff to Mount Wilson Observatory, Newcomb's Ranch, Chilao Flats, Islip Saddle and Dawson Saddle, and the Mt. Waterman and Mountain High ski areas near Wrightwood.
Best time to go: Late spring through fall. The stretch from Islip Saddle to Vincent Gap is normally closed in winter for rockfall and avalanche hazard.
Sources: Length · High point · Best time. Along the way 1 · Along the way 2. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.
2. Mulholland Highway
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Canyon curves across the Santa Monica Mountains all the way to the ocean.
It starts near Calabasas and runs about 30 miles west to the Pacific Coast Highway at Leo Carrillo State Beach. Along the way it passes the Alisa B. Katz Las Virgenes Valley Overlook east of Malibu Canyon Drive, runs through Malibu Creek State Park, and crosses Cornell Road, Latigo Canyon Road, Kanan Dume Road and Decker Canyon Road.
Sources: Length. Along the way 1 · Along the way 2. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.
3. Latigo Canyon Road
A tight canyon climb from the Malibu coast into the Santa Monica Mountains backcountry.
It leaves the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu and climbs inland to Kanan Dume Road. About 7.3 miles up, just past Upper Ramirez Motorway, a dirt turnout serves the Backbone Trail trailhead for Castro Crest.
Sources: Length · High point. Along the way. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.
4. Glendora Mountain Road (GMR)
A twisting San Gabriel Mountains climb straight out of Glendora. It closes on red-flag fire days.
It starts at the mouth of Little Dalton Canyon in Glendora and climbs north into the San Gabriel Mountains. A hiking trailhead sits at mile marker 6.50 (3,120 ft), the road overlooks San Gabriel Dam, and near the top Glendora Ridge Road branches off toward Mt. Baldy Village before GMR drops to East Fork Road.
Best time to go: Spring and fall. LA County Public Works closes it on red-flag fire days and in icy winter weather.
Sources: Best time. Along the way 1 · Along the way 2 · Along the way 3 · Along the way 4. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.
5. Glendora Ridge Road (GRR)
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Ridge-top curves along the San Gabriels, ending in Mt. Baldy Village.
It branches east from the top of Glendora Mountain Road and runs along the ridge for about 12 miles into Mt. Baldy Village, where Mt. Baldy Lodge is a common stop.
Best time to go: Spring and fall. LA County closes it on red-flag fire days and in icy winter weather.
Sources: Length · Best time. Along the way. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.
6. Topanga Canyon Boulevard (SR-27)
The flowing canyon route between the beach and the Valley. Commuters fill it at rush hour.
It starts at the Pacific Coast Highway at Topanga State Beach and climbs through Topanga State Park and the canyon community of Topanga. It then drops into Woodland Hills, crosses US-101, and runs through Warner Center, Canoga Park and Chatsworth to end at the SR-118 freeway.
Best time to go: Open year round. It is heavily traveled by Valley commuters heading to Santa Monica, so off-peak hours are quieter.
Sources: Length · Best time. Along the way. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.
Track your next drive near Los Angeles
Open Road keeps every drive: the route on a map, the time and the distance. On iPhone and Android.
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 one is here for the drive and the scenery.
- How long are the best driving roads near Los Angeles?
- Angeles Crest Highway: 66 mi. Mulholland Highway: about 30 mi. Latigo Canyon Road: about 10 mi. Glendora Ridge Road: about 12 mi. Topanga Canyon Boulevard: about 20 mi.
- Which driving road near Los Angeles climbs the highest?
- Angeles Crest Highway, with a high point of 7,901 ft at Dawson Saddle.
- When is the best time to drive these roads?
- Angeles Crest Highway: Late spring through fall. The stretch from Islip Saddle to Vincent Gap is normally closed in winter for rockfall and avalanche hazard. Glendora Mountain Road: Spring and fall. LA County Public Works closes it on red-flag fire days and in icy winter weather. Glendora Ridge Road: Spring and fall. LA County closes it on red-flag fire days and in icy winter weather. Topanga Canyon Boulevard: Open year round. It is heavily traveled by Valley commuters heading to Santa Monica, so off-peak hours are quieter.
- What's the best app to track a drive near Los Angeles?
- Open Road records your drive and saves it to your drive log with the route on a map, the distance and the time. It is on iPhone and Android.