California 33 is a throwback to the 1950s. A time when roads had no guard rails. When the route flowed with the land rather than being blasted through it.

It's a 170-mile trip back in time that begins in Ojai, hugging the side of the Transverse Ranges, climbing to 1,600 metres and offering views at every turn. And, yes, despite being in the USA, there are turns. More than 100 of them to entice and excite. Out of the mountains you descend into oil country, but there's little sign of civilisation since Interstate 5 took all the traffic away.

At mile 121 you'll find Blackwell's Corner and tributes to Hollywood legend James Dean who was killed in his 'Little Bastard' Porsche just down the road. California 33 ends at Coalinga where you can rejoin the modern world at the interstate. But why would you want to?

Words Nik Berg Twitter | Instagram
Photography Peter Dawson @peterdawsonphoto

Roadbook

• Class: Forest, canyon, high desert

• Name: Route 33

• Route: Ojai to Coalinga

• Country: USA

• Distance: 169 miles