Best Motorcycle Rides in Los Angeles, CA

Jul 16, 2025

Did you know Los Angeles has more than 4,500 miles of paved streets? It’s actually more than any other city in the country. Most people think of the traffic first, but there’s a lot more to this place once you get past the usual rush. Tucked between the coast, the hills, and everything in between are roads that feel like they were made for riding. You just have to know where to look! In this blog, we’re sharing some of the most scenic motorcycle rides in Los Angeles, picked by us at Riders Share as the top routes for riders of all skill levels.

Best Los Angeles Motorcycle Rides

We’ve put together a list of routes that we personally recommend to riders looking to explore Los Angeles. These are some of our favorite spots in and around the city, each offering a different kind of ride depending on what you're in the mood for.

1. Palos Verdes Peninsula Loop

Start/End: Redondo Beach, CA

Start your ride in Redondo Beach and head south along Palos Verdes Drive. This loop takes you around the peninsula through Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, and San Pedro before curving back north toward Torrance. You’ll pass dramatic cliffside views, rolling coastal hills, and wide ocean vistas that are hard to beat this close to the city. Pull over at Point Vicente Lighthouse or Abalone Cove for quick breaks with a view. The ride is about 45 miles, and while not particularly technical, the combination of scenery and fresh air makes it a go-to for locals who want to escape city traffic without driving too far.

2. Foothill FWY to Mt. Baldy

Start/End: Azusa, CA → Mt. Baldy

This ride kicks off in Azusa, where you’ll need to take the Foothill FWY East. Eventually, you'll connect to Mt. Baldy road and finish in Mt. Baldy Village. This 23-mile ride is full of elevation changes, tight turns, and uninterrupted views of mountain ridgelines. It's one of the more technical routes near LA, popular with riders who like a bit of a challenge without leaving the county. You’ll want to watch for bicyclists and loose gravel in some areas, but the payoff is a stretch of mountain road that feels surprisingly untouched and open.

3. Six Canyon Loop

Start/End: Malibu, CA

Begin your ride in Malibu on Pacific Coast Highway, turning inland at Decker Canyon Road. From there, climb through narrow switchbacks and steep canyon walls until you meet Mulholland Highway. Loop back west via Encinal Canyon to complete the ride. This 37-mile loop offers some of the tightest and most exciting turns in the Malibu hills, with a steady climb that keeps things interesting. It’s popular with experienced riders looking for quick elevation changes, mountain views, and a place to pull over for a breather between curves. The best part? You’ll get to drive past six different canyons in a short amount of time, those being Trancas Canyon, Newton Canyon Falls, Lobo Canyon, Triunfo Canyon, Corral Canyon, and Solstice Canton. 

Ride LA's Canyons with Someone Who Knows Every Turn

Routes like the Six Canyon Loop and Angeles Crest reward riders who know where the good lines are and which pull-offs are worth stopping for. Riders Share offers guided motorcycle tours in Los Angeles led by locals who've ridden these canyons for years. If you want the Malibu hills, the mountain switchbacks, and the views without spending your morning studying a map, a guided ride puts you on the best roads with someone who already has the route dialed in.

4.  ACH Ride to Cedar Springs

Start/End: Santa Monica, CA → Cedar Springs, CA

Leave the city by heading east from Santa Monica through Beverly Hills and Hollywood. Once you pass through Glendale, hop on CA-2 (Angeles Crest Highway) and head toward Clear Creek Vista, where you’ll keep going until you reach Cedar Springs. The full stretch of this ride is an easy 67 miles. This ride starts off in an urban area and shifts quickly into mountain terrain, offering a mix of freeway, surface streets, and high-altitude turns. Once you're in Angeles Crest, the pace slows and the scenery becomes the highlight, with long views, crisp air, and fewer stops.

5. Mount Wilson Ride

Start/End: Pasadena, CA → Mt. Wilson

For this ride, you’ll start in Pasadena and ride up the Angeles Crest Highway, then turn off onto Mount Wilson Red Box Road. Follow it up to the top of Mount Wilson, where you can park near the observatory. The full out-and-back ride runs about 50 miles, if you take the exact route provided back. The road up to Mount Wilson is narrower than other nearby routes, but it’s smooth and quiet with dense forest lining the road. At the summit, you’ll get a panoramic view of the LA Basin and surrounding mountains. This is a quieter option if you want to skip the busier stretches of Angeles Crest and still enjoy the elevation and scenery.

6. Little Tujunga Canyon Road to Sand Canyon Road Loop

Start/End: Sylmar, Los Angeles, CA

Leaving from Sylmar and riding north on Little Tujunga Canyon Road, you’ll be passing through tight hillside curves before connecting with Sand Canyon Road in Santa Clarita. From there, you’ll be looping back via Sierra Highway or Placerita Canyon Road depending on your route. The full loop is around 37 miles. This route feels remote without being far from LA and is a favorite for riders who want fewer cars and more canyon time. Expect narrow lanes, light traffic, and rugged desert-like scenery that contrasts nicely with the more polished Malibu routes.

7. M&M: Malibu to Mulholland Drive Loop

Start/End: Malibu, CA

Begin in Malibu along Pacific Coast Highway and turn onto Encinal Canyon Road. This climb is smoother and wider than some of the tighter canyon roads nearby, which makes it a favorite for riders who want a balance of flow and elevation. Once you reach the top, continue east along Mulholland Highway for even more turns and overlooks. You’ll pass through open ridges and shady stretches before looping back down via the Nathan Shapell Memorial Highway and PCH. At around 88 miles, it’s a manageable ride that still gives you the full Malibu canyon experience: tight turns, ocean air, and scenic pull-offs without feeling rushed. Note: this is a larger, much longer version of our six canyon loop!

Book a Motorcycle Rental in Los Angeles with Riders Share

Ready to explore some of the best LA motorcycle routes available? Look no further than Riders Share for your motorcycle rental in Los Angeles. Our wide selection of motorcycles makes it easy and convenient to find the perfect ride for any journey, whether you're cruising down the Angeles Crest Highway or navigating the twists of Tujunga Canyon. Book your motorcycle rental with Riders Share today and turn your dream ride into reality!

Need Gear Too? We've Got You Covered.

No gear? No problem. Many of the bikes listed on Riders Share come with add-on options like helmets, jackets, gloves, and more. So if you're planning to ride one of the scenic routes we mentioned but don't have everything you need, you can still book with confidence and be ready to go when you arrive.

Last Stop

Before you head out, don’t forget there’s more to check out beyond just the ride itself. If you're planning to head north, take a look at our guide on Must-Visit Stops Between San Francisco & Los Angeles for a few places worth pulling over for. You can also explore more of the city with our blog, What to Do in Los Angeles, California, or get connected with local riders through our roundup of Los Angeles Motorcycle Clubs. There’s always something new to see, and plenty of ways to make the most of your time on two wheels.