SoCal: Same Day Overland Drive

jdotlim

New member
Hello Guys, I am really new to this off-road and overland world. Long story short, I was supposed to take my GF up to Big Sur and Napa this weekend for her birthday. But something came up and now we have to cancel our trip, with no hotel refund :cry:. I still want to be able to take her something, she loves the outdoors. My plan was to do an all day overland drive, if that makes sense. No camping since we cannot take our dog with us (he's a bulldog, and can overheat easily). Pretty much drive up somewhere, and hang out in the wilderness, cook lunch and drive back. We do not want to drive more than 2-3 hours one way. Any easy places you guys recommend that would have nice scenery that a 2007 Sport Edition lifted with Bilstein 5100 and FJ Coils can handle? This will be my first time driving this off road, I know it is not recommended to go alone, but I don't really have any friends that does off-roading haha. Thanks.
 
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I'd just hit up some mild trails in Big Bear , there's so many dirt roads up there, where in So. Cal are u coming from ? Might make sense to buy a trail guide book for the area you live in ....
 
I'd just hit up some mild trails in Big Bear , there's so many dirt roads up there, where in So. Cal are u coming from ? Might make sense to buy a trail guide book for the area you live in ....

Orange County, Garden Grove area. Where can I purchase one? Sorry for the dumb questions.
 
Big bear might be seeing some snow.. @GVL might comment on that. Very nice scenery up the mountain though, quite a ways from the OC though.. You also have holy jim, overlooking OC/Mission Viejo area, inbetween 15 fwy and toll road 241.
 
Big bear might be seeing some snow.. @GVL might comment on that. Very nice scenery up the mountain though, quite a ways from the OC though.. You also have holy jim, overlooking OC/Mission Viejo area, inbetween 15 fwy and toll road 241.

everyone has been talking about holy jim on the forums, good idea to go alone during the day?
 
Super easy to go during the day. Just went a few weeks ago. Personally, I don't
think its all that great but it gets you away from the city.
 
Holy Jim is an out and back trail and it's not very long. You'd be done in a couple of hours unless you want to hike to the Holy Jim Falls and have lunch there. It's an easy hike and quite shaded. I don't know if you need an Adventure Pass to park though.

While I don't condone driving alone you can also look up the Main Divide Road. It is an easy fireroad which also has a separate fireroad up to the top of Santiago Peak. You should call the Trabuco Ranger Office and see which roads are open so you don't have to exit at the same place you entered.
 
Johnson Valley during the spring. It is within your drive time frame from LA.
Lots of roads and trails all over the place....great views too. Take a look at my album "Johnson Valley"
 

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