Los Angeles Biking Guide Pt. 2: The Malibu Canyons
By: Brandon Curran
Tags: How To, Los Angeles, Biking, Cycling, Malibu

Beautiful Yerba Buena

Biking in Los Angeles can be many things: fun, dangerous, thrilling, frustrating but LA biking is at its absolute best when you’re going 35mph+ down a beautiful, windy Malibu canyon surrounded by nature and looking down into the Pacific Ocean.

For whatever reason, I spent my first 7 years biking in LA focusing on flat long-distance rides and avoiding those tough mountain climbs. I would regularly bike for 5–6 hours and go 50–60 miles and maybe climb 300 ft. I was (somehow) satisfied by this.

Like many other tectonic shifts in the recent world, this changed for me with the COVID-19 pandemic. My bike was one of the few ways I could safely go outside and it was also when I discovered Safa Brian (best descender I’ve seen-his videos should be in the Library of Congress) and later Phil Gaimon (one of the best climbers in LA that has most KOMs). Through many hours of videos and Safa being kind enough to reply to my many DMs, I realized Los Angeles has these beautiful climbs and descents that I had been avoiding for no good reason (maybe laziness, maybe fear).

Following up on my original Los Angeles Biking Starter Guide that focused on LA proper, I wanted to write this article as an introduction to biking in LA’s famous Malibu mountains and canyons. They are all so different and unique, it is quite the collection with a ton of variety that challenges and rewards you.

Before diving in, I must say that while climbing is relatively safe (you’re going 5–8 mph usually lol), getting down from a 2,000 ft.+ mountain can be very dangerous especially in these windy canyons. I crashed in March and got a road rash aka a second-degree burn on my shoulder and I got off lucky. Broken collarbones are very common from crashes as you try to break your fall. All it takes is a little rock on a turn going 30mph+ to ruin your month(s) and make showering the worst part of your day. You should only attempt the below if you have significant riding experience and a road bike- any other bike would be too heavy to go up these hills and unclear how it’d hold up going down.

The Malibu Canyons:

How to get there: PCH. PCH will be your lifeblood to Malibu and the Malibu canyons, similar to how Ballona Creek is your gateway to the South Bay. PCH can have a narrow “bike lane” at some points but generally has a wide enough shoulder so you don’t feel uncomfortable. Please note that since rich people don’t like street lights (a common theme in LA) PCH is NOT a safe place to ride after sunset even with their paltry street lights. If you ride later in the day like me, make sure you get to the protected Will Rogers Santa Monica bike path before dark.

Note: These are in order of heading west on PCH from LA and include the climb and distance to the top (not the descent). I included my own photos as well.

I also included superlatives because why not/I view canyons as people.

Temescal Canyon Road:

Climb: 280 ft. to Holyoke Lookout, 350 ft. to Sunset Blvd. Distance: 1.6 mi/1.8 mi.

Superlative: Best starter Canyon

Temescal is the first canyon you’ll come across heading north up PCH. The road only goes up to Sunset Blvd. but it is a great training interval canyon as it usually takes around 3–5 minutes to go up and you can do several times in a short amount of time. If you have never climbed before I’d highly recommend this as a place to start as there is a wide bike lane throughout and a good average grade (~7%). Since it is a relatively straight descent, you can reach 35–40 mph pretty easily.

Topanga Canyon:

Climb: 700 ft. to the very hippie downtown area Distance: 3.8 mi.

Superlative: Kookiest Canyon

That flower sign means the government thinks you’re pretty af, Topanga!!

First, yes that Topanga is named after this Topanga. Topanga is another key artery and will lead you to Fernwood, Old Topanga Road, and the mother canyon: Tuna.

Topanga starts off very scenic and flat and you think everything is great before a slight dip and you realize you’re doing an 8–10% grade on a very narrow shoulder that somehow always has glass (unclear why drivers feel the need to throw glass on streets but I digress). While this sounds treacherous, it actually is one of the most frequented roads by bikers and I have never had any issues outside of dropping an AirPod (it was recovered). It is beautiful and once you reach the apex (the Topanga sign) it is relatively flat and you can continue onwards to some cool shops. You can take a left at the fork and continue on to Old Topanga Road which is another beautiful route. But if you’re chasing the thrills and (not) spills like me next up is…

Tuna Canyon:

Climb: 1,800 ft. (this is including the 720 ft. from Topanga) Distance: 6.4 mi.

Superlative: The Kanye West of Canyons

Do you know how every TV show has that one super weird, outgoing character that everyone else looks at like ??? but that they secretly love (think: Kramer, Cartman, Dwight). That is Tuna Canyon. Tuna Canyon is a bastard. Tuna Canyon is a motherfucker. Yet, Tuna Canyon is one of the most beautiful, thrilling rides you can do and will literally make you appreciate the beauty of life (in more ways than one).

To get there you go take Topanga as discussed above and then turn left on Fernwood. Fernwood is a very windy residential area that probably averages between a 7–10% grade. What makes Fernwood so great is it’s shaded throughout so you can keep cool and won’t melt in the summer like you would on other canyons (looking at you, Latigo). About 1,500 ft. up Fernwood, you may notice a sign to your left indicating that you are no longer within the safe confines of loving Fernwood and you have now entered the beast of Tuna Canyon Road. Another 300 ft. up you will cross the intersection of Tuna and Saddle Peak Road (which leads to the Las Flores Canyon ride below). Take a moment to stop here and enjoy that you just climbed 1,800 ft in 35–45 min. There is a serene, calming view of what looks like a prairie overlooking the Pacific Ocean. You will forget you are less than 10 miles from the 2nd largest city in the US.

The Tuna Canyon prairie

Here is where the danger with climbing emerges. What goes up, must come down and your two options are to go back down Fernwood to Topanga or continue on down Tuna to PCH. I used to do Tuna weekly until I noticed even pros like Phil Gaimon said they don’t do it that often since it’s that dangerous. Going back down Fernwood to Topanga is by no means a cakewalk and there will be much more traffic but is generally is regarded as the safer route.

If you decide to continue on Tuna you are in for the thrill of your life. You will continue on with what I call Upper Tuna which will start winding down and lead to some incredible canyon views. You will eventually climb a small hill, go past some horses (yes for real lol), and fly by Tuna Canyon park which is a great hike for the sane-minded. One of the best parts of Tuna is once you pass the gate, it is one-way so cars can only go down, they can’t come up. This is the only one-way canyon and allows you to use the entire road instead of having to worry about a car coming in the other direction.

After you pass the gate you are in the actual Tuna Canyon. You will start out with -7% grades and slowly realize if you take your hands off the brakes for a second, you’ll gain 4 mph in a matter of seconds. Amongst the hairpin turns and the smell of your brakes melting, you will look up and realize you’re going 35–40 mph down a gorgeous Malibu Canyon looking directly into the Pacific Ocean like you’re about to dive in. There are few feelings in life like it.

Look at those windy roads to the right…yikes

Please enjoy this excellent Tuna Canyon descent video from Safa Brian that is not only an amazing cycling feat but possibly (definitely) the best biking video ever produced.

Las Flores Canyon:

Climb: 2,550 ft. (this is including the previous 1,800 ft from Tuna) Distance: 9.4 mi.

Superlative: Most fulfilling Canyon

The eerily calming Saddle Peak Road

Las Flores Canyon is actually an overarching term for a series of roads as Las Flores Canyon Road is the last one you end on. Las Flores is a roller coaster and one of the most fun and fulfilling descent. To get to Las Flores, take a right at Saddle Peak Road once you are at the peak of Tuna. You will continue for another 15–20 min up another 600 ft. On your right, if it’s clear, you will have views all the way to Downtown LA! At the peak, you will be about 2,500 ft up but you’ll have a quick descent to where Saddle Peak meets Stunt Road which is a great place to regroup and contemplate #life.

The breathtaking view from Stunt Road looking into the valley

Stunt Road is an aptly named connector of the city and the valley, offering sweeping views of the valley and honestly just OK views of Santa Monica. Here you will find a collection of thrill-seekers in all forms: Porsches, Lamboghini’s, motorcycles, and road bikes.

Now for the 2,450 ft. descent! Take Schueren Road down- this road offers long turns and beautiful vistas. Towards the end you will approach an intersection with a stop sign: please actually stop here! It is only a one-way stop sign so once when I was flying and wanted to keep my momentum I assumed no car would be there and of course there was. I had to slam on my breaks to avoid getting hit and blew out my tires in the process and was trapped 1,800 ft above PCH. Shoutout to the couple visiting from Boston that asked me to take their photo and ended up giving me a ride down! #negotiations

After you take a left onto Rambla Pacifico (amazing name) you will continue down a relativity straight descent. You’ll have a choice to do a pretty hard left turn onto Las Flores but the more fun/prettier route is staying to the right of the fire station. The road gets a little choppy for a moment but you will swing down some looping turns with incredible views into the canyons and ocean. You will then see a hill towards the left where the road splits, go up this road. Do not continue down Rambla- there is a gate that’ll ruin your flow and what is life without flow?!

This will lead you to the beautiful, winding roads of Hume with some incredible panoramic views. You’ll connect to Las Flores which is a tight squeeze but flows. My March crash came on the final curve and started with a bump leading into a turn with rocks and gravel. I always yell an expletive at this curve when I ever make it by now :)

Continue down past the school and park and boom you’re back on PCH, a better person than you were 10 minutes ago.

Carbon Canyon

Climb: 491 ft. Distance: .94 mi.

Superlative: Least satisfying Canyon

Despite the awesome name, this canyon is actually not worth it. It starts off pretty but the road quickly becomes a dirt road and has alarming “private road” signs. There is an off-shoot called Carbon Mesa Road which is a pretty intense 10%-12% grade climb and a good short workout. May be best if you’re in a time crunch and need some cheap thrills...

Corral Canyon

Climb: 2,000 ft. Distance: 5.5 mi.

Superlative: Most Fun/Misunderstood Canyon

The famous Corral Canyon palm tree saying waddup

Heading west on PCH, after Las Flores, there isn’t a really climbable canyon for 7 miles. You will pass Malibu Canyon Road which has some tremendous views of cliffs but it has way too many cars to be comfortable.

The next up is Corral Canyon which is one of the most lopsided canyons in terms of grade distribution. After passing the famous palm tree you are quickly doing 14%-16% grades for a very painful mile. If you aren’t familiar with grades this high, if you stop at all you will fall backwards lol. Definitely the hardest, most intense climb beginning.

After this hill hazing, it gets much better around 7% grades as you get deep into the mountains and cross some beautiful cliffs and rock exposures. There is even some shade as Corral Canyon apologizes for the aforementioned abuse. There are portions that will still get up to 12%-14% grades.

You will know you’ve hit the end of the road because the road literally ends and becomes gravel. The descent down is one of the most fun and exhilarating of all the canyons as you are riding on top of the mountain in the dead center (as opposed to on a road off to the side) looking into the Pacific. But be careful of those -16% grades and the sharpest turn in Malibu.

Sheeeish

Latigo Canyon:

Climb: 2,000 ft. Distance: 9.3 mi.

Superlative: Most misleading Canyon

Latigo Levels

Next up after Corral Canyon is Latigo Canyon. They just repaved the first part of this and it makes for a lovely and smooth ride. Latigo is another beautiful canyon that will look familiar from all the car commercials filmed there.

Latigo is the opposite of all the previous canyons, it is like the old wise canyon that is deceptively more challenging than you’d expect. It never has any grades above 10% and averages a 4.1% grade over 9.3 miles. It truly is a test of not only physical endurance but mental endurance. Towards the end, you think you are at the peak and will do some quick fun descents…only to realize you are back climbing again. And again. And again. It is not as simple as most canyons which make you suffer through the pain of going up and then bless you with the reward of going down.

It also has ZERO shade. It is the opposite of Fernwood. So if you go in the summer, you will be hot and exposed for a long period of time- this really adds to the difficulty of Latigo. Make sure to hydrate and if you really feel faint once you’re finished you can head over to the Calamigos Ranch- they gave me water and a chair once lol.

Once you’re at the end you could take a left onto Kanan Dume for a faster route to PCH but you’ll have to bike back further.

These final 3 canyons are far out and I mean far out. You are literally in another county lol. Decker Canyon is another 9 miles from Latigo and Deer Creek is almost 15 miles from Latigo! And there are climbs to get there. View these 3 in a different orbit.

If you want to save your energy for the climbs, take the Metro 534 bus from Downtown Santa Monica to Trancas Canyon Country Mart. They have a bike rack for 2 bikes so you should be good. It only comes about every 50 minutes so make sure to not miss it.

Decker Canyon:

Climb: 1,600 ft. Distance: 4 mi.

Superlative: Biggest Fuqboi Canyon

One of 2 brutal hairpin turns

Decker is either nearly straight or a sharp hairpin turn. The climb starts with 2 switchback hairpin turns and should take you around 30 minutes. If you've done the above climbs- Decker shouldn’t be too challenging. Similar to Latigo, Decker has you directly in the sun almost the entire time so prepare accordingly. You will know you’re nearing the top when you pass the fire station and the wall of cacti.

While going up Decker is pretty straightforward, going down is where it gets intense. It is almost like it’s designed to make you crash as there are a series of straightaways followed by quick curves. You can never go too fast because there is always a tight turn coming up. Towards the end, you reach the 2 hairpin turns which you must be careful of staying in your lane (which is hard given your speed and narrow lane) as cars could be coming up the other way. Depending on the time of year, the descent could be lush and green or ugly and brown but you are always guaranteed a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean.

Note: there is also a water fountain at the fire station when you are near the top. Check out Phil Gaimon’s guide to other water fountains in the Malibu canyons!

Yerba Buena Road:

Climb: 1,700 ft. Distance: 5.5 mi.

Superlative: Most beautiful Canyon

Unlike all others on this list, Yerba Buena is a road and not a canyon. It took me the entire ride to realize this as there were no sharp cliffs or peaks which makes you feel significantly safer (despite more practical danger will always come from the road/cars instead of going off a cliff a la Billy Madison).

Yerba Buena Road is absolutely stunning as you bike by palm trees, ranches with those adorable white fences, farms (not sure how this is different than a ranch tbh), and beautiful mountain views. It never gets too bad in terms of grade so it really is an enjoyable ride.

Seriously what’s the difference between a farm and a ranch!!

Until you've passed the lush part and reach Circle X Ranch which is apparently part of the National Park Service and not an alien hangout. Weren’t Circle and X literally shapes on Squid Game? Regardless this place is weird but has a cool instrument that measures the earth’s movement (probably placed by aliens).

The descent of Yerba Buena is one of the best because it truly flows and avoids the harsh curves of its predecessors. You can avoid most of the hard braking you’ve gotten used to on this list and just flowwww.

Definitely an alien outpost

Deer Creek:

Climb: 1,350 ft. Distance: 2.25 mi.

Superlative: Most jaw-dropping Canyon view

It’s like you’re biking into the Pacific

The best view for last. Deer Creek is short and to the point. Deer Creek is what Decker should be but Decker is too much of a dick. It provides what you have been waiting for, a canyon descent that goes parallel to the ocean.

Deer Creek averages an 11% grade over 2.25 miles which is intense and should take about 25–30 min to ascend. You know you’re at the top when the road gets skinnier and skinnier and you’re near some homes.

Descending Deer Creek is a challenge because it is so short. It is relatively straight without the fuqboi curves of Decker so you can gain speed quickly and feel like you’re about to dive into the ocean. There is one major turn that you’ll want to be prepared for but right after it, you’re going down at 35–40mph with the awe-inspiring Pacific Ocean riding shotgun. You can even see reefs! It is rare to be able to see the entire descent but that’s what makes Deer Creek special.

Biking on the edge of Deer Creek

There is one final hairpin turn but it is in the inner canyon and you can see it coming. And then boom! You’re dumped back onto PCH with a long way home :)

About Me: By day I do player marketing for NBA players. By night I work on my own iOS app Socialchair which helps you make and share plans with your friends. In between, I bike around LA.