Orange Coast CJDR’s Best Places to Go Off-Roading Near Costa Mesa, CA

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If you’re craving some off-road action in the dirt, mud, or sand, Costa Mesa, CA is the place to be. Since we are located along the coast of Southern California, we’re pretty close in proximity to some great locales for off-roading. If you’re in need of some recommendations, you’ve come to the right place, at Orange Coast CJDR, we’re pretty well-versed in the subject of off-road trails. Not only that, but our team of auto experts at our Jeep dealership can get your vehicle prepared for the great outdoors.

Off-roading should not be taken lightly. While some trails may seem pretty straight-forward at first, the last thing you want to do is find yourself stranded on the trail because you were unprepared. For that reason, we can provide you with the modifications, tools, and equipment you need to make sure your time off the pavement is truly unforgettable. From the San Gabriel Mountains, to as far east as the arid sprawl of Joshua Tree National Park, Southern California is home to some of the best off-roading around.

Trabuco Canyon in Cleveland National Forest

Located right off of the 241 highway, in the eastern edge of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, is the little-known Trabuco Canyon trail. Stretching roughly 5.5 miles from start to finish, this simple out and back is a solid place to go if you’re a beginner. All totaled, it should take you around an hour to complete, although we highly recommend that you don’t rush things, as a trail like this is best to be enjoyed at a slow and steady pace. The Trabuco Canyon trail is typically open all-year-round and is a part of the greater Cleveland National Forest.

Holy Jim Canyon is one of the more popular routes in all of Southern California and is easily accessible from anywhere in Orange County. For the most part, the route is rather mellow, although it may include forging through slow-moving creeks during heavy rain seasons. Also, that’s not to say that all of Holy Jim Canyon is easy, there are several stretches that include rock crawling, off-camber areas, and hill climbs. That said, the beauty of the foothills makes all of the challenges well-worth overcoming.

Maple Spring Road in Cleveland National Forest

If you’re up for a real trek and are still rather new to off-roading the Maple Spring Road in Cleveland National Forest might be the perfect pick. Located right outside the town of Orange, Maple Spring Road is a 6.7-mile Connector trail that is best driven in from the East. Climbing up 4,850 feet in elevation, the Maple Springs Road takes you up to the heights of Saddleback Mountain.

The best time to take a journey up Maple Spring Road is around sunset, especially if you plan to climb to the top of Saddleback Mountain. On clear days, you can see up and down the California coast, including Catalina Island, and a huge swath of Orange County. Like many of the easier trails in Southern California, Maple Spring Road is open year-round, although it offers its prettiest views right after a rainy season.

3N16 in San Bernardino National Forest

Up for an adventure? If you’ve got a whole day to kill, and don’t mind commuting out to your off-roading trail, then we’d recommend adding the 3N16 trail in San Bernardino National Forest to your off-roading to-do list. Located adjacent to Big Bear Lake, 3N15 is a 26-mile remote scenic route that takes drivers up around the northern spine of Big Bear Lake all the way to Baldwin Lake. While you can complete the entire route in as little as an hour and a half, this is a trail that is best enjoyed at a slow pace.

The 3N16 is a pretty low-key trail that connects directly to the main road and takes travelers through some of the remote backwoods of San Bernardino National Forest. This historic route offers up some spectacular views and has plenty of solid stop off trails, including Holcomb Creek, Dishpan Springs, John Bull, White Mountain, and Gold Mountain, just to name a few. Although beginners should be warned, while much of the route is pretty easy, after heavy rain or snow, things can become particularly challenging if you’re ill-prepared. For instance, during rainy seasons, you can find yourself forging through some pretty deep water crossings, and during the winter months, the trail can be covered with snow, measuring as high as five feet.

Old Dale Road in Joshua Tree National Park

While quite a drive out from Costa Mesa, Southern California is most known in the off-roading world for the vast stretches of desert out east, and more importantly, Joshua Tree National Park. As one of the largest National Parks in the United States, Joshua Tree is a sprawling desert that is, of course, filled with plenty of routes to enjoy; one such trail is Old Dale Road. Located near Twentynine Palms, Old Dale Road is a 25.9-mile straight-through excursion that takes about three hours total to complete. The highest point in elevation you reach is 2,446 feet, although most of the time, you’ll be trekking across vast stretches of arid flatland.

Old Dale Road actually starts in the Sonoran Desert, which is incredibly hot and dry. However, as you continue along the route, you’ll begin to find more vegetation, especially the iconic Joshua tree. The trail ends at the edge of the Mojave desert, making it a journey that will take you across many different desert landscapes. Old Dale Road is not so simple to complete, however, as it includes steep inclines up the Pinto Mountains along narrow pathways. Although if you come well-equipped and with the expertise necessary to handle the journey you’re in for quite a thrilling time.

While you can complete the entire route in as little as three-hours, we suggest that you embark on a multi-day trip along the route. There are just so many sites to see along the way, including the sprawling ruins of the Old Dale Mining District, and the wide variety of desert trails laden with Joshua trees. Open all year round, Old Dale Road in Joshua Tree National Park is the perfect pick for anyone who is up for a challenge and wants to truly experience the remoteness of the desert.

Preparing for Your Off-Road Journey at Orange Coast

If you’re looking for a Jeep dealership that can help you prepare for your next outdoor excursion, Orange Coast CJDR is the place to be. We’re pretty serious about providing our customers with the tools, knowledge, and equipment they need to take on trails as challenging as Old Dale Road in Joshua Tree National Park. Although we’re more than just a place for modifications and trail suggestions, we can also help you find the off-roading adventure car of your dreams. From the 2020 Jeep Wrangler to the all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator, our showroom is filled with vehicles that roll straight from the factory fully prepped for even the most daunting off-road challenges. So, whether you’re looking to purchase a new set of off-road tires, or are hoping to trade-in your pavement-only vehicle for something a little more substantial, our team at Orange Coast CJDR has got you covered in full. Contact us today to learn more!