California Scenic drives, ridge routes, California Hwy.

scenic.drives

California's back roads & byways. There is nothing like the diversity of this Golden State, anywhere else in the world. National Forests feature many scenic routes. The roads listed below leads through some of the most breathtaking sites in the West, plus provide access to many recreation areas. Many activities can be enjoyed along these routes. Plan to stop & enjoy many views, picnic or take a small hike.

Southern California
Central California
Northern California

Coastal

Desert

Country

Mountain

City

Southern California

Angeles Crest Scenic Byway

Route 2
64 miles
2 hour drive Angeles National Forest
Winds along the spine of the San Gabriel Mountains. Views of Mountain peaks, the Mojave Desert and the Los Angeles Basin

Angeles Crest Loop

Take Interstate 210 to La Cananda, exit Hwy.2 North into the Angeles National Forest. Drive approx. 50 miles to Wrightwood. Jackson Lake is also nearby. Horse rentals area available in the area. Plenty of picnic grounds & hiking trails around. Stop in town for lunch & relax in this forested retreat. Lodging is available in town.

1 or 2 day trip from Los Angeles area
Mountain biking area
Loop back to I-15, by taking a right on Hwy.138 & continue down through the Cajon Canyon.

Jacinto Reyes Scenic Byway

Route 33
36.5 miles
1.5 hours drive Los Padres National Forest
Winds between coastal mountain ranges & the Central Valley, past landscapes of pine forests and semi-desert vegetation.

Los Padres Loop

Take Hwy.101 North to Ventura & exit Hwy.33 to Ojai
Stop here for lunch & relax in the quaint downtown area. Lodging is closeby. Backtrack 1 mi. & continue North on Hwy.33 as it winds through Wheeler Gorge & the beautiful landscapes of Los Padres National Forest . Be on the lookout for waterfalls which can be seen off the roadsides even in the driest years.

1 or 2 day trip from Los Angeles area
Bike paths run throughout the countryside
Option to loop back to I-5, by taking a right on Lockwood Valley Rd. & continuing eastbound.

Pines to Palms Scenic Byway

Route 74 & 243
67 miles
2.5 hour drive San Bernardino National Forest
See desert palm and oak, pine and fir forests. The San Jacinto Valley and San Jacinto Mountain peaks are viewed from this byway. Plus the fun lil Idyllwild mountain town.

Rim of the World Scenic Byway

Route 138,18 & 38
107 miles
3.5 hour drive San Bernardino National Forest
Following the crest of the San Bernardino Mountains, view spectacular sites, thick forests and autumn colors. Big Bear & Fawnskin.

Big Bear Loop

Take Interstate 215 North to San Bernardino, Exit Hwy. 259 / Hwy.30, take Hwy.18 North into the San Bernardino National Forest
Drive up to Lake Arrowhead. Great place for lunch or even an overnight visit. Plenty of picnic grounds & hiking trails around. Take Hwy.18 over to Big Bear for fun on the lake. Horse rentals area available in the area. Return by taking Hwy.330 down the mountain.

1 or 2 day trip from Los Angeles area
Mountain biking area
Loop back by taking Hwy.330 to Hwy.30 to I-10

Sunrise National Scenic Byway

Route S1
24 miles
1 hour drive Cleveland National Forest
Laguna Mountain. meadows and forest with spectacular views of the Anza-Borrego Desert 6,000 feet below.

Central California

Ancient Bristlecone Scenic Byway

Route 168
52 miles
2 hour drive Inyo National Forest
Pinyon-Juniper woodlands to the world's oldest living trees, the Bristlecone Pine Forest.

Carson Pass Scenic Byway

Route 88
52 miles
2 hour drive Eldorado National Forest, Toiyabe National Forest
Travels along alpine forests and meadows, with spectacular views of lakes and mountain peaks, and features volcanic landscapes.

Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

Route 180
50 miles
4 hour drive Sequoia National Forest
Showcases giant sequoia and Kings Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in North America.

Lee Vining Scenic Byway

Route 120
12 miles
30 min. drive Inyo National Forest
Climbs through dramatic and rugged Lee Vining Canyon, connecting the Basin landscapes with the high alpine meadow and the Sierra Nevada. Closed in winter.

Side road - at the base of Whitney Portal Rd.

Eastern Sierra Loop

Take Hwy.14 North to Mojave & then North on Hwy.395 to Bishop, June Lake or even Lee Vining
This area may be getting early season snow, double check road conditions. Backtrack the way you came or try a mountain pass (snow permitting) over toward the San Joaquin Valley, then shoot down I-5 back to L.A.

3 or 4 day trip from Los Angeles area

Sierra Heritage Scenic Byway

Route 168
70 miles
2 hour drive Sierra National Forest
Runs through the Sierra Nevada landscape of granite walls and domes. Spectacular views of majestic peaks in wilderness areas.

Northern California

Feather River Scenic Byway

Route 70
130 miles
3.5 hour drive Plumas National Forest
Steep canyon walls and high mountain valleys, along grasslands, oak woodlands, mixed conifer and high desert chaparral.

Lassen Scenic Byway

Route 89
185 miles
5.5 hour drive time Lassen National Forest
The northernmost portion of the Sierra Nevada range, the western terminus of the Modoc Plateau/Great Basin and the Lassen National Forest.

Smith River Scenic Byway

Route 199
33 miles
1 hour drive Six Rivers National Forest
Highlighted by the Smith River, this diverse geological land form hosts redwoods, rhododendrons and other magnificent ecosystems.

State of Jefferson Scenic Byway

Route 96, 263
108 miles
2.5 hour drive Klamath National Forest, Siskiyou National Forest
Follow along the wild and scenic Klamath River.

Trinity Heritage Scenic Byway

Route 3
120 miles
3.5 hour drive Shasta-Trinity National Forests Climb 4,500 feet as you follow the path of early miners and settlers.

Trinity River Scenic Byway

Route 299
140 miles
4 hour drive Shasta-Trinity National Forests
Traverse coastal plains, steep granite cliffs, arid manzanita and digger pine hillsides that parallel the beautiful wild and scenic Trinity River.

Yuba Donner Scenic Byway

Routes 80, 89, 49, 20 & old 40
175 miles
4 hour drive Tahoe National Forest
Rich with gold-mining and transportation history. Historical and geological diversity.

Check the Backroads Section for Real off-the-beaten path roads.

Route 74 & 243 67 miles 2.5 hour drive	San Bernardino National Forest See desert palm and oak, pine and fir forests. The San Jacinto Valley and San Jacinto Mountain peaks are viewed from this byway. Plus the fun lil Idyllwild mountain town.

Route S1 24 miles 1 hour drive	Cleveland National Forest Laguna Mountain. meadows and forest with spectacular views of the Anza-Borrego Desert 6,000 feet below.

Southern California

Pines to Palms Scenic Byway Route 74 & 243 67 miles 2.5 hour drive San Bernardino National Forest See desert palm and oak, pine and fir forests. The San Jacinto Valley and San Jacinto Mountain peaks are viewed from this byway. Plus the fun lil Idyllwild mountain town.

Big Bear Loop

Sunrise National Scenic Byway Route S1 24 miles 1 hour drive Cleveland National Forest Laguna Mountain. meadows and forest with spectacular views of the Anza-Borrego Desert 6,000 feet below.

Central California

Ancient Bristlecone Scenic Byway Route 168 52 miles 2 hour drive Inyo National Forest Pinyon-Juniper woodlands to the world's oldest living trees, the Bristlecone Pine Forest.

Carson Pass Scenic Byway Route 88 52 miles 2 hour drive Eldorado National Forest, Toiyabe National Forest Travels along alpine forests and meadows, with spectacular views of lakes and mountain peaks, and features volcanic landscapes.

Kings Canyon Scenic Byway Route 180 50 miles 4 hour drive Sequoia National Forest Showcases giant sequoia and Kings Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in North America.

Lee Vining Scenic Byway Route 120 12 miles 30 min. drive Inyo National Forest Climbs through dramatic and rugged Lee Vining Canyon, connecting the Basin landscapes with the high alpine meadow and the Sierra Nevada. Closed in winter.

Smith River Scenic Byway Route 199 33 miles 1 hour drive Six Rivers National Forest Highlighted by the Smith River, this diverse geological land form hosts redwoods, rhododendrons and other magnificent ecosystems.

State of Jefferson Scenic Byway Route 96, 263 108 miles 2.5 hour drive Klamath National Forest, Siskiyou National Forest Follow along the wild and scenic Klamath River.

Trinity Heritage Scenic Byway Route 3 120 miles 3.5 hour drive Shasta-Trinity National Forests Climb 4,500 feet as you follow the path of early miners and settlers.

Trinity River Scenic Byway Route 299 140 miles 4 hour drive Shasta-Trinity National Forests Traverse coastal plains, steep granite cliffs, arid manzanita and digger pine hillsides that parallel the beautiful wild and scenic Trinity River.

Yuba Donner Scenic Byway Routes 80, 89, 49, 20 & old 40 175 miles 4 hour drive Tahoe National Forest Rich with gold-mining and transportation history. Historical and geological diversity.