Best Experiences Unique to Southern California in a Gladiator

[TEvs]

I cannot contain my excitement for my new gladiator to come in. This will be my first jeep and I already have a short list of places and things that I want to do to break in the new truck. I'm really looking forward to that doors off top off feeling.
1) Doors Off and front freedom panels off-- might do this in the dealership lot before the drive home
2) Cruise to the beach doors off and top off. Fiesta Island probably, to run my GSP around
3) Palomar Divide Road and Nate Grade Road
4) Burns Canyon Trail from JTree to Big Bear
5) Pismo Beach
6) Ocotillo Wells 4x4 training area

Are there any places unique to Southern California that others have found or routinely enjoy?

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[aceisback]

You’re already doing Burns Canyon so you might as well add Rattlesnake Canyon and Berdoo Canyon to the list.
Brooklyn Mine, Lorman Mine, anything in the Gold Park and Old Dale Mining District.
Hell the list for SoCal would take years to see it all.
Still waiting on 2022 colors and options to be released, then maybe I’ll see you on the trail. Sold my JKUS thinking the replacement would be quick.

 

[iGlad]

Ocotillo will definitely keep you busy with the amount of things to do there. A stock Rubicon can also take on Gold Mountain if you are looking to get your first badge of honor out of the way!

 

[Sportsbiz]

I would add just about all of Anza Borrego, which is just west of Ocotillo Wells. Lots and lots to explore in a unique desert environment.

 

[crankset]

Fellow San Diegan here, with a Willys Sport on order. My first trip is going to be the Anza Trail in the Yuha Basin (East of Ocotillo, South of the 8). Easy trail for a Jeep, however I got a 2WD van stuck in a wash there back in the Spring and I need to get over that hump before I go farther afield. The oyster shell beds are fun, we discovered lots of great fossils.

 

[TEvs]

Thanks for the recs! Will definitely be checking these out.

 

[piroman683]

Trona Pinnacle’s

 

[A 2]

I would add just about all of Anza Borrego, which is just west of Ocotillo Wells. Lots and lots to explore in a unique desert environment.

This

 

[piroman683]

There’s a ton up the 395 as well. Been all over that area. Cerro Gordo ghost town is pretty cool to check out, then continue on those trails and you can see into Death Valley while at 10,000 ft. elevation

 

[CokreeateJT]

Trona Pinnacle’s

Trona pinnacle is beautiful but the times we went it was super windy.

 

[piroman683]

Trona pinnacle is beautiful but the times we went it was super windy.

yeah sunset is the worst for wind, other than that it's pretty good. every time ive gone it's been windy AF from about 6-9pm, so make sure you take down your ez up's haha. We would do a bunch of night runs at take badass night photos with and without the moon. My profile pic is of us there with a full moon in the sky!

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