Bestest SoCal driving roads
Bestest SoCal driving roads
Whilst exploring Malibu's vast labyrinth of impromptu canyon speedways as I occasionally do, I plotted a route that I found especially satisfying, and I'd love to share it here. Nothing new here to say the least, but it is nonetheless a special blend of rolling elevation changes, thrilling curves, and gorgeous mountain vistas.
That got me thinking.... What are some of your favorite SoCal driving roads?
The eponymous Topanga-Tuna Loop
Basically, from the PCH, I started by climbing up Topanga Canyon Blvd. Traffic on this road is generally pretty light, but there are too many driveways and commercial properties to pick up lots of speed.
At the split, hang a Louie on to Old Topanga Canyon Rd. Of the two routes to Mulholland Hwy, this one is far less direct and provides for much more excitement! It's very squirrelly as it winds down to the Valley side of the mountains. This is hardly the climax, however.
For a short intermission, turn left at the end of Old Topanga onto Mulholland Hwy. This stretch of the loop is rather mundane, though it's short, and feeds into the next big thing and the most exciting bit.
Turn left onto Stunt Rd from Mulholland Hwy. Yep, it's got a pretty awesome name and it's a pretty awesome road, albeit short lived. Continuing the climb up the mountain from Mulholland, Stunt Rd pitches up and down before passing through a small town and onto the perhaps the most beautiful stretch.
From Stunt Rd, you can basically proceed straight onto Saddle Peak Rd. Straddling the top of the Santa Monica Mountains, Saddle Peak offers breathtaking views to the North (Valley side) and south (greater Los Angeles). However, it's relatively slow due to traffic, and thus merely a twisty tap dance on to our pièce de résistance!
It's not immediately apparent from the road, but eventually, along Saddle Peak, you will come to a stop sign at the intersection with Tuna Canyon Rd. This, my friends, is essentially the reason I'm writing this post... It is, in a word, superb. Delightfully, frighteningly superb. Lacking residences and oncoming traffic, this one-way stretch of heaven descends rapidly down the face of the mountain hurdling its navigator south towards the PCH. After a seemingly never-ending set of hairpins and voluptuous curves, the road starts to open a bit through a forested valley before the end. This stretch is my favorite and is nothing short of pure, unadulterated, motoring bliss.
That got me thinking.... What are some of your favorite SoCal driving roads?
The eponymous Topanga-Tuna Loop
Basically, from the PCH, I started by climbing up Topanga Canyon Blvd. Traffic on this road is generally pretty light, but there are too many driveways and commercial properties to pick up lots of speed.
At the split, hang a Louie on to Old Topanga Canyon Rd. Of the two routes to Mulholland Hwy, this one is far less direct and provides for much more excitement! It's very squirrelly as it winds down to the Valley side of the mountains. This is hardly the climax, however.
For a short intermission, turn left at the end of Old Topanga onto Mulholland Hwy. This stretch of the loop is rather mundane, though it's short, and feeds into the next big thing and the most exciting bit.
Turn left onto Stunt Rd from Mulholland Hwy. Yep, it's got a pretty awesome name and it's a pretty awesome road, albeit short lived. Continuing the climb up the mountain from Mulholland, Stunt Rd pitches up and down before passing through a small town and onto the perhaps the most beautiful stretch.
From Stunt Rd, you can basically proceed straight onto Saddle Peak Rd. Straddling the top of the Santa Monica Mountains, Saddle Peak offers breathtaking views to the North (Valley side) and south (greater Los Angeles). However, it's relatively slow due to traffic, and thus merely a twisty tap dance on to our pièce de résistance!
It's not immediately apparent from the road, but eventually, along Saddle Peak, you will come to a stop sign at the intersection with Tuna Canyon Rd. This, my friends, is essentially the reason I'm writing this post... It is, in a word, superb. Delightfully, frighteningly superb. Lacking residences and oncoming traffic, this one-way stretch of heaven descends rapidly down the face of the mountain hurdling its navigator south towards the PCH. After a seemingly never-ending set of hairpins and voluptuous curves, the road starts to open a bit through a forested valley before the end. This stretch is my favorite and is nothing short of pure, unadulterated, motoring bliss.
Last edited by TimeMachine; Dec 17, 2008 at 06:51 PM.
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idyllwild is where i'm gonna play drums for the church retreat in the end of January...
i actually ate up at the El Diablo restaurant over there. lol kinda random. 243 indeed.
Wangan Nasty
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 3
From: Irvine, Southern California
Angeles Crest Hwy. I used to like GMR until the ricers started going up there. Those were fun in my Miata and FC.
I need better brakes, tires and suspension until i can feel comfortably push hard there with the GT-R.
Until then i stick to smashing people on the freeways.
I need better brakes, tires and suspension until i can feel comfortably push hard there with the GT-R.
Until then i stick to smashing people on the freeways.
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