Well, it depends. I mean, do you cared if you get back while it's still light out?
From Santa Monica you could head north, pick off 33 out of Ojai, hang East to Cerro Noreste, south to three canyons, Big T, ACH, Big Bear, south a bit further to 243 with a side detour of Palms, wrap it back over to Warner and Borrego Springs, stop for pie in Julien before turning north to Palomar, Rice Canyon, then west through Ortega before hitting the vaunted nada amazing 405 into Newport Beach.
Yep, you'd definitely avoid the stoplights miles hinted at.
