Off-roading in Southern California??

Anyone based in Southern California have any fun spots to go play around off-road? I live in Newp.Beach, and I don't know anywhere good nearby to go run all my 4-wheel drive stuff through the paces off-road. Don't need to rock crawl or anything, just sling some mud around ; ). Thanks!

 

Come out to the desert.

 

Yep that's the call isn't it!

 

Azuza Canyon. They have an off-road area up in the mountains. It's got a small stream crossing and plenty of mud. Can be kind of ghetto but if you want to test your rig out it's a good place to start. In the spring summer and fall I like to go and hit some back roads/fire roads up in the San Bernardino Mountains. I take this little road from Hisperia all the way up to big bear lake.

 

Also Gorman has some trails you can hit.

 

Great call thanks. Yea I brought my last truck up to big bear just after a blizzard and there was plenty of fun to be had in that neighborhood- appreciate it!

 

@computeruser6

 

Spot on assessment of Azusa Cyn. I avoid it now. Desert in the winter, Big Bear in the spring, summer, and fall. I've done most of the tough trails up there. Check out www.dirtopia.com Its got it all covered.

 

Are any of these spots unregulated/unmonitored? Off-road trails were all closed down up at Silverado and Santiago Canyon today...is Azuza in a Cal. park or can you just go at your own risk?

 

We should do a meet and hit the trails.

 

check out
https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails

 

Sure thing- let's do it!

 

Great site trainracer- thanks for that-

 

I live down here in Valley Center and there's a back road that goes up the side of Palomar Mountain called Nate Harrison Grade. Definitely not crazy offroad unless it's muddy but it's a fun little drive and the views are beautiful from the top! Once ur at the top you can just take the road back down the front side. (Where all the street bikers race up on weekends) You can stop at one of the many Casinos off hwy 76 for lunch or something if you're into that.

 

If you are looking to hit up something local, I would go to Holy Jim. Not sure if it's close because of the recent rain.

 

I used to go up Trabuco and Santiago Canyons a lot. A great quick getaway. This site has some good local SoCal places to go. http://www.off-road.com/trails-events/trails/offroad-trail-rides-in-orange-county-calif-52465.html

 

Thanks bud! I'm tempted to drive down there now... concerned the roads may be closed due to rain tho- that Santiago canyon off-roading spot near me is all shut down from rain...

 

I used to go to Azuza Cyn. back in the 80's. I grew up in Hacienda Heights.

 

My cousin used to live up Santiago Canyon right on the creek. They finally moved out. Always had flooddebri issue after bad storms. No doubt dicey up there now. There used to be a gate up the canyon that the Forst Service could close if things were bad up the canyon.

 

Anyone in SoCal want to hit up Cleghorn today?

Off the 15 near Devore. 5 minutes past the 215/15

 

I can go on weekends

 

How about a trip to Big Bear in one of the coming weekends?

 

Is it 2WD friendly? Lot of rain recently.

 

The off-road park was closed yest. up at Asuza...fun drive though.

 

As long as you stick with the main trail it is 2WD friendly. There are off-shoots of varying difficulty. At higher elevations there is probably snow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mhYI9FtWHk&list=PL0AaMmaVOKx1kStPrZwGh9tAlIXOXayZB

 

The trend is that all the good places shut the damn gates when it's been raining right? That's when we wanna get in there! Haha. I spent Sat and Sun trying to get after it but most spots I got to were shut down. Boooo!

 

Gotcha. One day I will give it a shot. I live off of Palm and the 215. Well I have been thinking about buying a new Tundra 4WD. Probably a year down the road. Got to buy a commuter car first.

 

Damn, am I the only one thats off today?!

Yes, Cleghorn can be done in 2WD. Keep on the Main Trail but it can get difficult when muddy.

I'm down for some Big Bear stuff later next month. I frequent their on occasion, haven't taken the Tundra yet but I've taken the FJ. Here's a short video of me getting the FJ through Dishpan. Turns out that rated E tires aired way down does nothing for traction!

 

the Mojave road if you have couple days.

 

I'm in Seal Beach... would love to meet up some guys in the area and get my truck dirty.