Southern California Mountain Passes: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Cajon Pass - Located on Interstate 15, this pass crosses the San Bernardino Mountains and connects the Los Angeles Basin with the Mojave Desert.

2. Tejon Pass - Situated on Interstate 5, this pass traverses the Tehachapi Mountains and links the San Joaquin Valley with the Mojave Desert.

3. San Gorgonio Pass - Carries Interstate 10 through the San Gorgonio Mountains, connecting the Coachella Valley with the San Bernardino Valley.

4. Palomar Mountain Pass - Located on State Route 76, this pass crosses the Palomar Mountains and leads to Palomar Observatory.

5. Santiago Peak Pass - Found on State Route 241, this pass winds through the Santa Ana Mountains and connects Orange County with Riverside County.

6. Julian Pass - Situated on State Route 78, this pass crosses the Volcan Mountains and connects the town of Julian with the Borrego Valley.

7. Otay Mountain Pass - Traversed by State Route 905, this pass cuts through the Otay Mountains and links San Diego County with Baja California in Mexico.

8. Palms to Pines Scenic Byway - This scenic route leads from Indio in the Coachella Valley to Idyllwild in the San Jacinto Mountains.

9. Highway 39 - This winding highway climbs from Azusa in the San Gabriel Valley to the mountain town of Big Bear Lake.

10. Highway 150 - This road travels through the Los Padres National Forest and connects Santa Barbara with Ventura.