Fall Drives Near Chino Hills: Carbon Canyon, Glendora Mountain Road and Ortega Highway, Plus the Best Ford for Each
Three scenic drives worth a fall weekend sit within easy reach of Chino Hills: Carbon Canyon Road between Chino Hills and Brea, Glendora Mountain Road in the San Gabriel Mountains, and Ortega Highway from Lake Elsinore to San Juan Capistrano. Cooler fall weather makes each one more comfortable to enjoy. Our pairings are the Ford Bronco Sport for Carbon Canyon, the Ford Mustang for Glendora Mountain Road, and the Ford Explorer or Ford Bronco for Ortega Highway. Check Caltrans and local conditions before you go, and start with an inspection at Chino Hills Ford.
Why Fall Is the Season for Scenic Drives in the Inland Empire
Summer valley heat can make a long drive feel like a chore. Once fall arrives, mornings cool off, afternoons ease up, and a few hours on a winding road sounds like a great way to spend the weekend. All three drives below start close to home for drivers in Chino, Chino Hills, Pomona, Corona and Ontario, and we matched each road with a Ford that fits the way you will actually drive it.
Plan ahead and drive safely. Closures, construction, weather and fire restrictions can change quickly in the fall, so check Caltrans QuickMap and local conditions before you leave. These winding roads are shared with cyclists, motorcyclists and local traffic. Stay in your lane, follow posted speed limits, and use turnouts to let faster traffic pass. A scenic drive is about the view, not the clock.
Carbon Canyon Road: A Quick Escape From Chino Hills to Brea
Carbon Canyon Road, part of State Route 142, winds west from Chino Hills toward Brea through quiet canyon country. In a short stretch, freeway noise gives way to gentle curves, rolling hillsides and shade trees. Because it starts right in Chino Hills, it is the easiest of the three to fit into a busy week, and cooler fall afternoons make it pleasant to slow down and enjoy the scenery instead of rushing through.
The Ford for Carbon Canyon: Ford Bronco Sport
The Ford Bronco Sport suits a short, curvy canyon road. Its compact unibody footprint keeps it agile and easy to park when you stop to stretch your legs. Its 4x4 system and Terrain Management System with G.O.A.T. Modes (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) let you match the drive to the surface, from Normal and Sport on pavement to Slippery and Sand when conditions change, when properly equipped. If your weekend continues down a dirt road to a trailhead, ask about the trail focused Badlands trim, which is built for rougher ground, when properly equipped.
Glendora Mountain Road: Climbing Into the San Gabriel Mountains
Glendora Mountain Road, known locally as the GMR, climbs out of Glendora into the San Gabriel Mountains through a long series of switchbacks. As you gain elevation, the view opens up over the valley below. Fall brings cooler temperatures at elevation, which makes pulling into a turnout to take it all in far more comfortable. The GMR is popular with cyclists and motorcyclists, so give them plenty of room and take blind curves slowly.
The Ford for the GMR: Ford Mustang
A road built on curves and views calls for a car built around the driver. The 2026 Ford Mustang lineup runs from the turbocharged EcoBoost up through the V8 GT to the track-focused Dark Horse, so there is a version for how you actually want to drive a canyon road.
Body style narrows it down fast. The convertible is offered on the EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium and GT Premium, so if dropping the top on a cool fall morning is the point, those are your options. The GT and both Dark Horse trims are fastback only.
If you like to shift for yourself, ask about a GT with the 5.0L V8 and a manual transmission with rev matching, which helps smooth out downshifts on a long climb, when properly equipped. The Dark Horse offers a manual as well. The Mustang rewards smooth, controlled driving at legal speeds, so enjoy the engine and the views and save any track ambitions for an actual track.
Ortega Highway: Lake Elsinore to San Juan Capistrano
Ortega Highway, part of State Route 74, crosses the Santa Ana Mountains between Lake Elsinore and San Juan Capistrano, passing through the Cleveland National Forest. Expect views over Lake Elsinore on the eastern side before the road winds down toward the coast. As the longest of the three, it works well as a relaxed half day with stops, and fall weather makes those stops more enjoyable. It is a busy route with tight curves and few places to pass, so pass only where it is legal and safe, and use turnouts when traffic builds behind you.
The Ford for Ortega Highway: Ford Explorer or Ford Bronco
Your pick depends on who is coming along. Bring the whole crew in the Ford Explorer. It has three rows and seats up to six or seven occupants depending on trim, leaving room for family, friends and a picnic. Its driver assist technology varies by trim and package, so ask which setup suits your route.
Go open air in the Ford Bronco. With roof panels and doors designed to come off, the Bronco brings the mountain air inside, and its 4x4 system with selectable drive modes helps it keep its footing when the road surface changes, when properly equipped.
Before You Go: Give Your Ford an Inspection
Mountain roads ask more of your vehicle than a daily commute. Long grades and switchbacks put extra demand on brakes, and a scenic drive is a poor time to discover a worn tire. Before any of these trips, an inspection is a smart first stop:
- Tires: inspect tread depth and inflation, including the spare if you carry one.
- Brakes: have pads, rotors and brake fluid inspected, since driving in steep terrain can wear brakes sooner.
- Fluids: inspect engine oil, coolant and brake fluid levels. Our oil change advice page covers the basics.
The service department at Chino Hills Ford can inspect your tires, brakes and fluids and walk you through what they find. Schedule service online, and check the current service and parts coupons before you come in. Our post summer maintenance checklist covers more items worth a look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Mustang trims come as a convertible?
The EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium and GT Premium. The GT and both Dark Horse trims are fastback only, so if open-air driving is the priority, that narrows your choices before you start comparing engines.
The EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium and GT Premium. The GT and both Dark Horse trims are fastback only, so if open-air driving is the priority, that narrows your choices before you start comparing engines.
How many people does the Ford Explorer seat?
Up to six or seven occupants across three rows, depending on trim. Ask us which configuration fits your group before you plan the drive.
Up to six or seven occupants across three rows, depending on trim. Ask us which configuration fits your group before you plan the drive.
Do I need four-wheel drive for these roads?
No. All three are paved routes that a standard vehicle handles fine in normal conditions. Four-wheel drive matters if your weekend continues onto a dirt road or if conditions turn, which is why the Bronco Sport and Bronco pairings come up.
No. All three are paved routes that a standard vehicle handles fine in normal conditions. Four-wheel drive matters if your weekend continues onto a dirt road or if conditions turn, which is why the Bronco Sport and Bronco pairings come up.
What should I check before a mountain drive?
Tires, brakes and fluids, in that order. Long grades and switchbacks put more demand on brakes than daily driving does, and tread depth matters more on a canyon road than a commute.
Tires, brakes and fluids, in that order. Long grades and switchbacks put more demand on brakes than daily driving does, and tread depth matters more on a canyon road than a commute.
Plan Your Fall Drive With Chino Hills Ford
Pick your road, pick your Ford, and give the vehicle a once-over before you head out. Browse our new inventory or contact us to set up a test drive. You will find Chino Hills Ford at 4480 Chino Hills Parkway, Chino, CA 91710.