I've known about this road for many years, but have resisted listing it on this site because it just isn't that much fun. If you are out for an afternoon drive with the girlfriend (or boyfriend, as the case may be), it's a nice place for a scenic cruise. But when it comes to high-speed thrills this road doesn't really cut it.

Like many roads near developed areas, it isn't the fault of the road itself. Taken by itself this would be a great stretch of pavement for a high speed dash from Mission Viejo to Orange. Lots of high-speed sweepers with the occasional straight, all well maintained and in good condition, sounds like a receipt for fun. Unfortunately, it isn't a secret that this road exists. In addition to all the other people out for a nice, relaxing, cruise you have the local traffic that use Santiago Cyn. as a cut-through. While a nice new "freeway" has been built that should have reduced the commuter traffic here, they went and put up toll-booths to charge motorists so many people have elected to stay on Santiago.

Local traffic is also increasing as more and more housing developments are added along this route. While far from the crowded jumble of houses that "The OC" is not-so-famous for, there are many more houses and ranches out here than when I first discovered this road 6 years ago. There really isn't anywhere to pass, at least legally, either, so the increasing traffic really detracts from the appeal of this road.

The main reason why I have finally decided to add Santiago to the list is because it serves as a feeder road for several other roads that are actually worth checking out. Live Oak Cyn. I've had listed for quite some time and Modjeska Cyn., also a road I found a while back, I recently rediscovered and decided to write it up. Both of these roads directly tie in to Santiago, so I guess that makes it a worthy road if at least by association.

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