California Route 38 follows Mill Creek Canyon as it climbs into the San Bernardino Mountains.

There are rides we?ve ridden only once and they became favorites, and then there are favorite rides we?ve ridden over and over again. This ride falls into the latter category. I?ve lost track of how many times I?ve ridden Rim of the World Scenic Byway, but I?ve done it on pleasure rides, solo tests, comparison tests and press launches, on cruisers, sport-tourers and adventure bikes.

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Click here for the REVER route shown above

This route is entirely paved, but it goes through California?s San Bernardino National Forest and provides easy access to many unpaved forest roads and OHV routes. And although I describe the route from its eastern end in Redlands to its western end at Mormon Rocks, it?s just as enjoyable when ridden the other direction. The route is about 100 miles and can be ridden in just a few hours, or it can serve as the main artery for a weekend of adventure, from camping and hiking to boating, fishing or relaxing in mountain communities like Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead.
Most of Rim of the World Scenic Byway is above 5,000 feet, so snow and ice are common in winter and early spring. The road is plowed regularly, but shaded sections can be dicey.

Redlands is part of the Inland Empire, a vast metropolitan area east of Los Angeles that covers parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Stat...