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Trucks parked along Castaic RoadCastaic, California
"Castaic"
Located 40 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, the unincorporated town of Castaic is the peaceful home to 22,000 residents, many of whom make the daily LA commute.
Settled in the late 1800's, the town really came into it's own upon the 1915 completion of the "Ridge Route" - an "engineering marvel" that essentially connected Southern and Northern California by way of a wretched, twisting, mountainous road. Though rarely used today, much of that original highway is still intact and a pastime for local history buffs.
Nowadays, Castaic is the terminus to a different kind of motorist. In November, the annual "Love Ride" arrives here. Touted as the "largest one-day motorcycle event in the world", over 20,000 make the trek from Glendale (another LA suburb).
Six Flags Magic Mountain, a world-class amusement park, is a short 10 minute drive from Castaic. However, in the town proper, Castaic Lake is surely the biggest attraction.
"Castaic Lake"
Because of its proximity to Los Angeles, the Castaic Lake Recreational Area is a popular weekend visit for boaters, anglers, and picnickers alike. It is immediately neighbored by the Angeles National Forest, and a very short drive from the lake will find you amidst some wonderful mountain scenery.
"Castaic Road"
Besides the lake, and nearby mountains, there isn't a whole lot to see in Castaic. In essence, Castaic is one, big truck stop. The main drag in the northern portion of Castaic is Castaic Road. Here, motorists will find the last services (or first services, depending on your direction) for 25 miles, so it is a popular place to fill your tank and grab a bite.
It is quite common in this part of town to see as many 18-wheelers on the street as 4-wheelers. This is particularly true in the winter, when Interstate 5 is occasionally closed due to snow, and truckers have no choice but to sit here and wait it out.
