Latigo Canyon and Mulholland Ride, Malibu

Overview

Latigo Canyon is one of the great climbs in the Santa Monica Mountains: quiet, scenic, winding, with ocean views behind you and a sense of real wilderness above Malibu. Combined with Mulholland Highway and the famous Rock Store, it is the heart of many classic Malibu loops. It is a ride for confident riders who enjoy long climbs and technical descents.

Latigo is also one of the quieter canyon roads in Malibu, which is part of its appeal: on a weekday morning you may see more hawks than cars. It is a climb that rewards a steady pace, with a short descent in the middle that gives you a breather before the final push.

The route in plain words

Start at the bottom of Latigo Canyon Road on PCH in Malibu. The road climbs steadily up the canyon, gaining elevation in sweeping switchbacks, with a short descent partway before the final climb toward the top near Castro Peak Motorway and the junction with Kanan Dume Road. From there, riders typically head north toward Mulholland Highway and the Rock Store, and return to the coast via Kanan Dume or Encinal Canyon. Ride with GPS has a well-known Latigo/Encinal via Mulholland route.

Ride with GPS's Latigo and Encinal route via Mulholland is a good template for a loop: climb Latigo, traverse along Mulholland, and descend Encinal Canyon back to PCH. Load a route onto your bike computer before you go; cell service in the canyons is unreliable.

Distance and elevation

SafeStreetsMap, using USGS elevation data, measures the Latigo Canyon climb at 9.3 miles (14.9 km) with 2,024 ft (617 m) of climbing, from 105 ft to 2,129 ft, at a 4.1% average with a steepest 500 m of 7.2%. A full loop with Mulholland and a second canyon will add plenty more distance and climbing.

Best time to ride

Fall through spring is ideal. Summer is hot inland. Weekend mornings bring other cyclists; weekend afternoons on Mulholland bring motorcycles. After winter storms, watch for rockfall and debris. Check fire status in fall.

Water and coffee stops

The Rock Store on Mulholland Highway is the iconic stop for riders and motorcyclists. On the coast, Malibu has cafés along PCH. There are no services on the Latigo climb, so carry two bottles.

Safety notes

Latigo is narrow, with blind corners and occasional fast drivers. Descend in control; rockfall and gravel are common after rain. Mulholland draws fast motorcycles on weekends. PCH has heavy, fast traffic. Use daytime lights and ride single file.

Which bike and setup

A road bike with compact gearing (34x30 or bigger) suits the long climb. Disc brakes and good tires matter on the descents. A lightweight climbing bike such as a Cervélo R5 is ideal.

Carry two bottles and food: there are no services on the climb, and a Latigo and Mulholland loop takes longer than the mileage suggests.

Before you go

Long descents like Latigo need a good brake setup. Veloaded does brake bleeds and tune-ups in Santa Ana; LA riders can also ship their bike to us. Call (714) 760-4908.

Quick facts

County: Los Angeles County
Start: Latigo Canyon Rd at Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
Distance: Latigo Canyon climb about 9.3 miles (14.9 km) from PCH to Castro Peak Motorway
Climbing: About 2,024 ft (617 m) at about 4.1% average; steepest 500 m about 7.2%
Surface: Paved canyon road
Difficulty: Hard; long climb and technical descent

Pair it with

For an easier day in the same mountains, try the Dirt Mulholland gravel ride. For a coastal cool-down, ride south toward Santa Monica and The Strand.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Latigo Canyon climb?

SafeStreetsMap measures it at 9.3 miles from PCH with 2,024 ft of climbing at a 4.1% average.

Where do cyclists stop on Mulholland?

The Rock Store on Mulholland Highway is the classic stop for both cyclists and motorcyclists.

Sources

Distances and climbing are from the published sources listed above and are approximate; roads, closures and conditions change. Check current conditions before you ride.

More Los Angeles County ride guides

All guides: Southern California ride guides. Veloaded Cyclery has one location, at 3420 W MacArthur Blvd Suite B, Santa Ana, CA 92704: service menu, bike fitting.