Thiefcode
Member
- Location
- Seattle, WA
Over the weekend I was exploring Malibu's vast labyrinth of impromptu canyon speedways as I occasionally do. On this particular afternoon, I plotted a route that I found especially satisfying, and I'd love to share it with you. 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 driving roads?
Click here for the map of the route I'm calling the "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 the 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 driving roads?
Click here for the map of the route I'm calling the "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 the valley before the end. This stretch is my favorite and is nothing short of pure, unadulterated, motoring bliss.
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