looking for suggestions for Los Angeles riding

[majstevetrevor]

I am hoping to come out to Los Angeles for the first time in early March and rent a motorcycle. Would love any tips/suggestions for two or three days of riding, from anyone on the board who rides out there.  I know there is lots of stuff on the interwebs, but nothing beats personal recommendations.

I'd be interested in both canyon and oceanside rides.  Also, feel free to suggest places to eat or sights to see.

Thanks!

[bronzestar1]

I am hoping to come out to Los Angeles for the first time in early March and rent a motorcycle. Would love any tips/suggestions for two or three days of riding, from anyone on the board who rides out there.  I know there is lots of stuff on the interwebs, but nothing beats personal recommendations.

I'd be interested in both canyon and oceanside rides.  Also, feel free to suggest places to eat or sights to see.

Thanks!

Google the following:  The Rock Store (Mulholland Highway) / Newcomb's Ranch (Angeles Crest Highway) / Neptune's Net (Pacific Coast Highway) / Boccali's Restaurant (Hwy 150 in Ventura County) / Pine Mountain Inn (Hwy 33 out of Ojai) / Cold Spring Tavern in Santa Barbara / the roads in and around those places make for nice riding (at least they did when I lived in Camarillo 20 years ago)...

[Tom H]

It depends on how much free time you have and your interests.

Museums large and small, zoo's, amusement parks like Disneyland, golf, food, etc.. All near the LA area. Go north for wine tasting and the like, or south to Sea World, aerospace museum. and the San Diego zoo. You want to see the oddities, try looking up LA on Roadside America web site.

Coastal rides would be on PCH/Hwy 1 from Santa Monica pier north or from Redondo Beach pier south (but you need to really drive the smaller beach side road and it will take you from Redondo to San Pedro going through Palos Verdes).

Give more info on what you want to see and you might get some more specific answers.

Tom

[DeeTeeBee]

20 Years may have gone by, but Bronzestar1's advice is still good in my book, as a 18-year resident!  Unfortunately, there were fires this year in a lot of those places and some of the roads may still be closed.  Parts of The Angels Crest Hwy have been closed for a year or two.  You can still ride most of it, but you can't go all the way to Wrightwood.  I did the Pine Mt./Hwy33/Ojai ride this summer and they were still working on landslides from the previous winter.  The road went down to one flagged lane in several spots. 

I'd add the 39/Asuza Hwy and there's a great little loop from Sand Canyon Rd. onto Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. (which is off the 210 Fwy). Hughes Lake Rd over to Spunky Canyon Rd. off the 5 is good, too.
 My additions are mostly pretty quick.  They're only <> an hour once you're off the freeway.  Be careful on the mountain corners on the weekends!  I've been given the opportunity many times by various cars to think, "wow!  That guy is waaaaaay over the center line!"  This is nearly guaranteed on the first several miles of the Angels Crest on the weekends.  Glendora Ridge Rd. (off Hwy39) to Mt. Baldy is fun, too, though you need to watch even more diligently for oncoming traffic. 

Browse around these areas on Googlemaps and take note of any squiggly, 2-lane lines.  They're probably beautiful, curvy rides!

[Chuck in Indiana]

During the week, the Santa Monica mountains are relatively traffic free. You can get everything you are asking for in one area. Ocean views on the Pacific Coast hwy, scenic views on Mullholland, which is the spine of the mountain range. The roads going up to Mulholland from the beach are a hoot because there is a lot of elevation change in a fairly short distance. Latigo canyon, for instance, but there are many. .
The reel inn has the best clam chowder around.

[Pisano]

Watch this Motogeo video of the area with Griso content.   Have fun!

https://youtu.be/UiTJi-YtSBE?si=SsNYnC3ezspT6rNY

[moto]

During the week, the Santa Monica mountains are relatively traffic free. You can get everything you are asking for in one area. Ocean views on the Pacific Coast hwy, scenic views on Mullholland, which is the spine of the mountain range. The roads going up to Mulholland from the beach are a hoot because there is a lot of elevation change in a fairly short distance. Latigo canyon, for instance, but there are many. .
The reel inn has the best clam chowder around.

I lived a stone's throw above Mulholland 35 years ago and thoroughly exploited the surrounding roads. I recommend zigzagging up and down the canyon roads connecting the Pacific Coast Highway with Mulholland. One of my favorite memories is racing over the crest on one such road to have the broad, deep blue Pacific suddenly appear on my left. Though I saw this many times, the memory of the thrill hasn't faded.

Those canyon roads are also great for practicing low-speed, low-side crashes. It is reasonable to take a sighting pass through the canyon roads before turning around for a quicker run. Houses were cropping up when I left, and are surely more prevalent now. Don't endanger the residents.

[Cam3512]

Stop in and say hi to Mark at Moto Guzzi Classics.  Just outside of LA.

[twowheeladdict]

There are several video games out there set in the Los Angeles area that will get you used to the roads.   

[majstevetrevor]

Thanks to all for this info.  These sorts of recommendations for specific roads & routes is exactly what I am looking for.  I will follow up on all the suggestions, with a map at hand!  Much appreciated..

[Motormike]

 I was going to make a list of places to go, but Bronzestar 1 hit them all.  Couldn't have said (written) it better.  The only exception is I'm pretty sure Newcombs Ranch is closed.  It's been for sale for some time. 

[Buddy Shagmore]

Where are you staying? L.A. is very spread out.
For my money, the best rides are on the northern boundaries.
Try taking Big Tujunga Cyn (off the 210 frwy) up to Angeles Forest Hwy, turn left and continue...you will reach the summit in about 15 minutes. There is a restroom there, if needed. Continue down AFH until you reach Sierra Hwy/Pearblossom Hwy. Turn right, then left again in about mile on Sierra Hwy. In about a mile, another left on Barrel Springs Rd. In about 2 miles, another right onto Tierra Subida Ave. A couple of miles to Elizabeth Lake Rd, turn left. Another left at Elizabeth Lake/Johnson Rd. Continue to The Rock Inn (not the Rock Store!). It a popular motorcyclist destination with pretty good eats. Maybe call them first to make sure they're open. I always enjoy this ride!
There is much less traffic there compared to the beach rides.

[majstevetrevor]

Thanks!  Appreciate this detailed information.  Not sure where I’ll be staying, and am open to suggestions.  Caveat being I’ll be flying in and will need to be able to get relatively easily to wherever I am going.  I will probably rent a bike from Twisted Road, so may try to stay close to whichever bike I end up getting.

Am just at the beginning of thinking about the trip, so all pretty unformed at this point, which is why all suggestions are welcome.

Also, not sure if I’ll be able to do three days or four. If four, then I may try to ride north a little bit and maybe stay overnight around Pismo Beach or the like..

Where are you staying? L.A. is very spread out.
For my money, the best rides are on the northern boundaries.
Try taking Big Tujunga Cyn (off the 210 frwy) up to Angeles Forest Hwy, turn left and continue...you will reach the summit in about 15 minutes. There is a restroom there, if needed. Continue down AFH until you reach Sierra Hwy/Pearblossom Hwy. Turn right, then left again in about mile on Sierra Hwy. In about a mile, another left on Barrel Springs Rd. In about 2 miles, another right onto Tierra Subida Ave. A couple of miles to Elizabeth Lake Rd, turn left. Another left at Elizabeth Lake/Johnson Rd. Continue to The Rock Inn (not the Rock Store!). It a popular motorcyclist destination with pretty good eats. Maybe call them first to make sure they're open. I always enjoy this ride!
There is much less traffic there compared to the beach rides.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Did a little scouting for you in the Santa monicas today.  Unfortunately, the Snake is still closed on Mulholland. Dunno what's going on. Other than that, it was good for me.

[SemperVee]

   I concur with all of the above as I commuted 100 miles a day via MC there for 20+ years mostly out of OC and rode to the Rock Store and Mullholland, Malibu, Hiway 101/1,   Griffith Park Observatory was another hang out on Saturday ride.  No one mentioned Ortega Highway off the 5 over to Lake Elsinore and back via other roads.   Lotsa good riding memories there.

[moto]

The area burned by the Palisades Fire has now covered my old house (3405 Elsie Dr., Calabasas) and my complete commute into Santa Monica via Old Topanga Canyon Rd., according to a map in the NY Times. Ack.

Chuck already mentioned The Snake is closed on Mulholland. Here is what an article from last year had to say about that:

The 2.4-mile stretch of Mulholland Highway, named for its resemblance to the coiling reptiles, winds through the Santa Monica Mountains roughly between Kanan Road and Sierra Creek Road.

Its curves and hairpin turns were long favored by motorcyclists and street racers, but the stretch of road was deemed a high-collision corridor by the county following multiple fatal crashes. It has been closed to drivers since 2019.

Among the safety enhancements made to “the Snake” earlier this year are center lane rumble strips, center lane pavement markers, speed reduction pavement markings, curve advisories and signage, and 6-inch edge line striping, which makes it uncomfortable to go faster, according to Pestrella.

-- https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-08-12/the-snake-is-moving-closer-to-reopening-but-can-it-shed-its-dangerous-reputation

This is pretty discouraging. My expectation is that the Santa Monica Mountains will still be a great place to ride after the fire and cleanup. But maybe not as great as it was when I lived there. And the Snake itself may have been killed by the improvements mentioned in the article.

If you get a good road map of the whole area you will find a wonderland for motorcycling north of LA.

[Chuck in Indiana]

The area burned by the Palisades Fire has now covered my old house (3405 Elsie Dr., Calabasas) and my complete commute into Santa Monica via Old Topanga Canyon Rd., according to a map in the NY Times. Ack.

Chuck already mentioned The Snake is closed on Mulholland. Here is what an article from last year had to say about that:

This is pretty discouraging. My expectation is that the Santa Monica Mountains will still be a great place to ride after the fire and cleanup. But maybe not as great as it was when I lived there. And the Snake itself may have been killed by the improvements mentioned in the article.

If you get a good road map of the whole area you will find a wonderland for motorcycling north of LA.

Guzzi Bob (RIP)  and I used to ride all over that area. He gave me this map of LA/Orange county several years ago from AAA. I *assume* it is still available.

The Snake is (was) my favorite road in SoCal. Shirley  it hasn't been closed that long..it seems like just a year or two.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I mentioned above that the OP should go to the Reel Inn. It's no more..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2qH6Qp_e9U

[majstevetrevor]

OP here.  I am sort of assuming that I won't be doing the trip.  Been waiting to see how things look, but the Palisades fire esp seems like it would disrupt the trip I had in mind.  Not only the Topanga area roads, but just getting up the coast.  Plus, even though AirBnB shows places for rent, I am pretty sure many have not been updated.  And I have to think that displaced folks need those.  But, any feedback from those of you in the area would be welcome...

[Tusayan]

Ride south of LA instead, San Diego county.  The roads are great and the traffic getting to them is less maddening.

[majstevetrevor]

Ride south of LA instead, San Diego county.  The roads are great and the traffic getting to them is less maddening.

Thanks, yeah I actually came out to San Diego in the fall of 2019 and spent a day riding out into the desert. Made it out to the Salton Sea and up down Mt Laguna (and maybe Palomar?).  They were fantastic roads and views.  But am now hoping for an LA proper trip.  Maybe not this spring though.  I did hear from two AirBnb places in Topanga who said the fire missed them and they are still booking, but one of the people whose bike I had on my rental list said that the roads are really wiped out and that I should wait.

[Chuck in Indiana]

What happens after a fire is rain. (of course..)  There will be mud slides that just might be around that corner you are hooning around on. (!) Or a rock the size of a loaf of bread. Don't ask me how I know this. It will be a long time before the trash is off the roads.