Overall Route Rating
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3 out of 5 Rider Rating 3
8 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Aug 31, 2003

Rider Reviews

SupermotoD
34 McR Points
February 2, 2014
Too much traffic,Cops,And I've fallen on this…
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Guest
November 23, 2010
I din't like this road and as someone stated here…
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Written Directions

I suggest starting this route by going through Santa Monica, CA. The directions are pretty straightforward. I just got my self out to Santa Monica by taking the 10 freeway west till it basically ends and runs into the Pacific Coast Hwy (PCH). I took the PCH north and headed towards Malibu. The road you are looking for (Topanga Canyon Road) is BEFORE you get to Malibu. Just stay on PCH and keep an eye out for Topanga Canyon road on the right (if you are heading Northwest on PCH). (at the intersection there is a stoplight with an abandoned gas station and some type of produce/landscaping shop). Turn right (or east ... away from the ocean and up into the mountains) on Topanga Canyon road and now the route begins. Take this up into the mountains for about 4 miles and then be on the look out for "Old Topanga Canyon road" which will intersect on the left. I recommend taking that road as it will allow you to try some of the side roads I was talking about above and it will allow you to turn this route into a loop. Stay on "Old Topanga Canyon road" and it will twist and turn through the mountains (note: don't be afraid to explore the side roads here! ... almost everyone of them has something cool to see). Continue on Old Topanga Canyon road until it runs into Mulholland Hwy. At that point take a right on Mulholland Hwy and take that all the way till it intersects with Topanga Canyon road at which point you want to take a right and you'll head back down the mountains, eventually making a complete loop when you pass Old Topanga Canyon road (where you took a left before).

Scenery

If you want to see some of the only remaining rural areas in the vicinity of Los Angeles while meandering through some awesome twisted mountain roads, the Topanga Canyon Loop is for you. Even though its only about 20-30 minutes away from downtown LA, it will give you some great motorcycle roads to wind through with relatively little traffic to avoid (there are typically more "two wheelers" (motorcycles and bicycles) on the road than four wheelers). There are a lot of really cool things to see on this route. You'll see plenty of sweet mountain views and then you'll go through some cool shady canyon roads, and then pass by some really awesome houses perched on the cliffs along the way. And probably one of the best things about this route is that there are tons of side roads to explore, all with something neat to see. If you take some of those side roads, you'll be really surprised by all the houses that are hidden in these shady canyons ... the diversity of these houses alone is enough to keep you amused. For example, you'll see a mobile home one minute and the next minute your passing by a multimillion-dollar stucco with adobe roof and mega dollar landscaping.

Drive Enjoyment

The roads going through these canyons are a blast to explore. One minute you're on your normal two lane road and the next minute the road shrinks to a single lane as it hugs the side of a mountain, climbing rapidly with NO GUARDRAILS! I originally intended on staying on the main road (Topanga Canyon Road) but I kept going off the main path and taking the side roads because everyone of them seemed to turn out to show me something cool. It was like I found a whole new world on these back roads. Overall the road conditions were pretty good however, like I mentioned before, there are some really narrow roads with out guardrails and you have to watch out for cars that are coming around corners like they own the road ... not much room to maneuver at times.

Tourism Opportunities

There really isn't that much to do along this route in terms of touristy type stuff. There are a few cool looking restaurants along the way that are decorated to match the surroundings ... they look like old fashioned saloons and restaurants that have been there for a hundred years or more. You could check out Topanga state park if you were looking for a way of making this bike trip turn in into whole day event.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
 

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Guest
February 12, 2009
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Yep - I've done this one a couple of times and it is very nice! I like to do it really early moning on a Saturday so the traffic is light. Nice twists and turns and the scenery is always changing. Highy recomend this!!
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adhersin
September 2, 2013
11 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Standard
Gorgeous landscapes and fun but acessible to newbie bikers. Good visibilty in almost every turn. I took the Old Canyon Road and the road was empty, on a Sunny Sumemr Sunday afternoon. A lot of fun and not too crazy
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Guest
August 7, 2013
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport
Its very twisty Old Topanga near Mulholland. And its narrow. And its beautiful. I can see low ratings if you are unfamiliar. But 5 or so turns and its spectacular. Tpopanga Cyn (not Old) is easy and fun, but gets congested during rush hours. Look up Piuma and Stunt. Close by add ons. amazing. fast.
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