Mulholland - Rock Store Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

1.8
FIETS
2.6 mi
DISTANCE
901 ft
GAINED
6.6 %
AVG. GRADE

FULL CLIMB STATS

INTRO

Once the premier hangout spot of Steve McQueen, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Billy Idol, Sylvester Stallone, John Travolta, Eddie Van Halen, Jay Leno, and all other Hollywood gearheads and motorcycle/auto enthusiasts, the Rock Store of Mulholland Drive is the biker bar of legends. (Fortunately, they love pedal-bikers too!) 

Unfortunately, an awful wildfire in 2019 has closed down Mulholland Hwy to all auto traffic from the Rock Store till Kanan Road. So at least for now, this road is purely for cyclists, and is one of the most popular routes through the Santa Monica Mountains. 

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ELEV. GAIN
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Mulholland Highway from the Rock Store - Jay Leno in front of Rock Store, aerial drone views of cyclists ridng on Mulholland Highway

Cycling Mulholland Highway from The Rock Store.

Ride 2.6 miles gaining 892’ at 6.6% average grade.

The climb begins at the famous Southern California motorcycle stop, Rock Store (see history and photos, below).

Cycling Mulholland Highway from the Rock Store - PJAMM Adventure App shows climb grade and profile

PJAMM Adventure App.

Cycling Mulholland Highway from the Rock Store - road closure due to Woolsey Fire

As of December 2020 Mulholland Highway from Seminole Drive to Lower Brewster Road (our entire route) is closed due to the Woolsey Fire of November 2018.  The LA County Road Closures website advises that the date this section of roadway will be opened is “TBD.”

Cycling Mulholland Highway from the Rock Store - cyclist rides on straight highway roadway, Santa Monica Mountains

Cycling Mulholland Highway from the Rock Store - views of cyclists riding on highway roadway, Santa Monica Mountains,

Cycling Mulholland Highway from the Rock Store - cyclist rides on two-lane roadway under large protruding rock formation

Cycling Mulholland Highway from the Rock Store - cyclist rides on long stretches of curving, snaking roadway along Mulholland Highway

The Snake - Mulholland Highway.

One of the reasons the Rock Store is so popular is that the purported greatest motorcycling curve on a roadway in California, and perhaps the US, is just up Mulholland Highway. At precisely the 2.2 mile mark from the start of our climb (and thus 2.2 miles from The Rock Store) is the most coveted hairpin in CA/USA.  There is even a pullout named “The Snake Carspot” just above the turn where fans and onlookers viewed the motorcyclists tearing through the turn (note: the road was closed November 2018 due to fire and was still closed as of December 2020). Check Roadway Status.  Here’s a fun video regarding Rock Store and The Snake.

Cycling Mulholland Highway from the Rock Store - informational sign reads "the Charm of the Snake"

Photo:  Bay Area Riders Forum

This sign was burned in the Woolsey Fire 11-8-18.

Before this stretch of road was closed November 8, 2018, this was a treacherous route for cyclists (like The Tail of the Dragon) due to hundreds of motorcycles racing along the serpentine roadway between the Rock Store and The Snake Carspot.  However, it is now one of the most fun climbs in the Santa Monica Mountains and certainly one of the best descents for a cyclist.

Cycling Mulholland Highway from the Rock Store - bike leans against tree charred and burned in the Woolsey Fire

This area was ravaged by the Woolsey fire which began November 8, 2018.

The Woolsey fire burned 88% of the National Park Service acres in the area

(21,000 NPS acres; 97,000 acres in all).

Cycling Mulholland Highway from the Rock Store - bike leans against guardrail overlooking panoramic views of the Santa Monica Mountains

Cycling Mulholland Highway from the Rock Store - cyclist approaches climb finish at Upper Brewster Mountainway

Finish at Upper Brewster Mountainway on the left.

Lisa Irizarry on The Snake.

ROCK STORE

Cycling Mulholland Highway from the Rock Store - Rock Store

“Ed and Vern (Veronica) Savko moved to Southern California from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania after WWII. They stumbled across this building, made entirely out of volcanic rock, which had been a stagecoach stop in the 1910’s. They purchased this “Rock Store” in 1961 and created a small town grocery store out of it. . . . As more and more people began frequenting this pit stop it became a landmark institution for the avid motorcyclist community. Ed and Vern have built a reputation for the Rock Store as one of the top tourist destinations, and a hang out for the “who’s who” of the motorcycling world. The Rock Store is the most famous motorcycle stop in Southern California, if not the world, and has been featured in many commercials, films, music videos, television productions and magazine photos.

Among the attractions are the rustic settings, celebrity sightings, hundreds of bikes to look at and the food and drinks. The Rock Store is most popular for their hefty breakfasts, BBQ tri-tip sandwiches, teriyaki chicken sandwiches, homemade chili and more and don’t forget those ice cold beverages.

On any given weekend you can stop by and chat with the celebrities who frequent the Rock Store. There is always interest in Jay Leno and “what is he going to ride up on today?” Jay enjoys bringing up any one of his latest toys so that everyone can see it. You can usually find him in the parking lot talking among the people. He’ll be the first one to show you under the hood of his new truck, or help someone with repairs on their bike. Arnold Schwarzenegger often pops his head in for a quick bite before spinning off into the canyons. Matt LeBlanc, Tommy Lee, Harrison Ford and others can be spotted hanging out on the patio with friends. You really never know who you are going to see walk through the front door.

Stop by and chat with Rich and Vern over breakfast in our rustic restaurant or a BBQ lunch and beer on our patio. They truly have created the most biker friendly place in the universe.” Read More from Rock Store About Page.

That’s a wrap!!