Woodland Hills to Agoura Hills

Woodland Hills to Agoura Hills

Southern California · California · United States

Key measurements

Distance

27.4 miles

Elevation gain

3,014 ft

Elevation loss

3,056 ft

High point

1,534 ft

Low point

554 ft

Net change

-39 ft (895 ft to 856 ft)

Route type

point-to-point

Route Overview

This 27.4-mile route crosses the eastern and central Santa Monica Mountains, transitioning from the edge of the San Fernando Valley to the rural canyon roads connecting Woodland Hills and Agoura Hills. The trip climbs through Topanga Canyon on State Route 27, weaves along the narrow, oak-lined pavement of Old Topanga Canyon Road, and finishes west on Mulholland Highway.

With 3,014.5 feet of elevation gain and 3,056.2 feet of descent, the route features constant directional and elevation changes. It tops out at 1,533.9 feet near mile 12.5 along upper Mulholland Highway before descending to a low point of 553.7 feet at mile 21.5, ending near 30353 Mulholland Highway.

Key Segments & Geographic Transitions

Lower Topanga Canyon Boulevard — Miles 0.1–4.7

Starting at the southern rim of Woodland Hills, CA-27 (Topanga Canyon Boulevard) leaves the San Fernando Valley grid and enters the northern boundary of the Santa Monica Mountains. The road carries mixed commuter traffic through a moderately dense canyon corridor with frequent turnouts, residential driveways, and steep rock cuts defining the roadside geology.

Mid-Canyon CA-27 Corridor — Miles 5.1–8.4

Continuing south along CA-27, the canyon narrows and the highway contours against tighter cliffside bends. The surrounding vegetation transitions to native chaparral and coastal sage scrub. Traffic slows as turnoffs for local roads and business pockets in Topanga appear along the corridor.

Old Topanga Canyon Road — Miles 8.4–14.1

Branching off CA-27, Old Topanga Canyon Road narrows significantly into a technical, rural canyon connector. The road climbs over a minor pass under a dense canopy of coast live oaks before descending back toward the Calabasas side. The pavement is tight and uneven, with blind corners, sharp radius changes, and private driveways feeding directly onto the roadway.

Central Mulholland Highway — Miles 14.1–27.4

Merging onto Mulholland Highway near mile 14.1, the route climbs to its high point of 1,533.9 feet at mile 12.5 before winding west toward Agoura Hills. This segment exhibits classic Santa Monica Mountain geometry—sweeping curves along open ridgelines, dramatic sandstone outcrops, and long descents into shaded canyon bottoms. The segment drops to its lowest elevation before making a final short climb to terminate near 30353 Mulholland Highway.

Seasonal & Environmental Context

The route is rideable year-round, but conditions vary by season. Summer and early autumn bring inland heat to Woodland Hills and Agoura Hills, while coastal fog occasionally pushes into the lower canyon bottoms during early morning hours.

During winter and spring storms, rockfall and debris slides are common along the steep cuts of CA-27 and Old Topanga Canyon Road. Runoff frequently deposits gravel and sand across blind corners in the canyon floors long after rain events end.

Logistics & Services

Full municipal services, fuel, and food options are concentrated at both ends of the route in Woodland Hills (off Ventura Boulevard) and Agoura Hills (near the US-101 corridor). Fuel is available in Topanga village, but there are no gas stations along Old Topanga Canyon Road or the rural mid-section of Mulholland Highway. Cellular coverage is generally reliable near the highway endpoints but drops out in the bottom of Old Topanga Canyon and deeper ravines along Mulholland Highway.

Important Considerations

This corridor experiences heavy recreational traffic on weekends, including bicycles, local traffic, and sports cars. Law enforcement patrols are frequent on Mulholland Highway. Deep shade from the oak canopy on Old Topanga Canyon Road can obscure surface transitions, fallen acorns, and damp patches during cooler months.