Top 5 Beginner-Friendly Overlanding Trails in Southern California (Desert to Mountain Routes)

I’m an LA native and this is home base for wheeling and roadtripping. So I thought I’d share my Top 5 Beginner-Friendly Overlanding Trails in Southern California. These are routes that deliver real adventure without demanding hardcore rock crawling or heavily modified rigs. If you are new to overlanding or just want reliable weekend wins from LA or OC, this list is your fast track. I’ll be linking to On X trail maps since that just happens to be the navigation tool I use. I have no affiliation with them.

1) Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (Fish Creek, Sandstone Canyon, Fonts Point)

If Southern California overlanding had a training ground, this would be it. Anza-Borrego offers huge open desert, dramatic slot canyons, and endless dispersed camping options. Fish Creek and Sandstone Canyon give you cinematic scenery with easy driving, while Fonts Point delivers one of the best sunset overlooks in the state. The best part is flexibility. If conditions change or confidence dips, there are multiple exit routes. It is forgiving, beautiful, and endlessly replayable. Bonus points for current weather conditions right now in the winter.

https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/california/sandstone-canyon-trail

2) Bradshaw Trail (Salton Sea to Blythe Corridor)

This is the first trail I ever ran… in a less than ideal setup. I’ll save that story for another post. Bradshaw Trail is one of the most underrated historic desert routes in the region. Originally used during the gold rush era, this wide desert corridor connects remote sections of the eastern desert while remaining mechanically easy. The terrain is mostly flat, fast, and scenic, making it ideal for beginners who want long-distance desert travel without technical stress. It is also perfect for multi-day trips when paired with nearby side routes and camping zones.

https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/california/salton-sea-to-bradshaws-trail

3) Geology Tour Road, Joshua Tree National Park

This is the most educational off-road trail you will ever drive. Geology Tour Road blends desert driving with an interpretive experience that teaches you how Joshua Tree’s landscape was formed. The first half is approachable even for soft-roaders, while the second half rewards 4x4 drivers with deeper sand and mild terrain changes. It is short enough for a half-day trip but scenic enough to feel special every time.

https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/california/geology-tour-road

4) Holcomb Valley Road (3N16), Big Bear

Holcomb Valley is where desert drivers usually fall in love with forest overlanding. This historic gold mining area sits just north of Big Bear Lake and offers pine forests, rolling dirt roads, old mining relics, and multiple dispersed camping areas. The main route on 3N16 is beginner-friendly, but the surrounding network lets you gradually explore slightly more challenging spurs as your confidence grows. It is ideal for summer escapes when desert temperatures get brutal. Make sure to visit the Mountaintop Ranger District at the Big Bear Discovery Center (part of the US Forest Service) to purchase detailed forest maps showing all numbered roads, including 3N16 + a bonus self guided tour with gold rush history or check out the map here: https://pyradannyexperiences.com/2013/06/01/half-into-holcomb-valley/

https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/california/holcomb-valley-3n16

5) Rattlesnake Canyon to Big Bear

This trail is famous for a reason. It delivers a full elevation transition from desert floor to alpine forest in one continuous drive. You start among Joshua trees and end in pine forests with cooler air and sweeping mountain views. While often described as a “beginner progression” route, it is better classified as easy-moderate overall, with a few rocky and sandy sections that reward slow, deliberate driving and basic 4WD capability. That balance is exactly what makes it special. It feels like a real expedition without crossing into hardcore territory, making it one of the best first step-up overland routes in Southern California and a favorite among local trail groups.
https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/california/rc3331-rattlesnake-canyon