Southern California provides a unique opportunity to experience a wide variety of environments within a short drive. As our Expedition Portal team was in Costa Mesa for the 27th Annual Off-Road Expo to learn more about the Hankook Dynapro XT rugged-terrain tire, we explored the San Jacinto Mountains, Idyllwild, and Pine Cove. From the Pacific Ocean beaches to the pine-tree-covered mountains and high-desert rocks of the backcountry.
Presented by Hankook Dynapro Tire
Between days at the Off-Road Expo we visited the Newport Beach Pier and the Balboa Peninsula. We took in the salty air and watched the waves break along the shore as locals and tourists dug their toes into the sand. The area around the pier is lined with restaurants, ice-cream shops, and t-shirt stands.
Just two hours away, the San Jacinto Mountains are a quick getaway from the crowds. The area includes wilderness, national park land, and plenty of backcountry to explore overland. We ventured out with a 2018 Jeep Wrangler JLU on Hankook Dynapro XT tires, and a 1968 2-door Scout on Dynapro MT2 tires. It was a chance to test these two different tire designs on mixed terrain.
Idyllwild-Pine Cove is a charming area filled with log cabins and mountain getaways nestled among the pine trees. Restaurants, art galleries, and antique shops line the streets and are a great destination for an afternoon walking tour of town. Within 30 minutes in any direction, you’ll find yourself away from the tourists as you venture into the rocky high-desert terrain. The trails are white with sun-bleached decomposing granite, and the terrain is a mix of sandy pockets and exposed rock. We aired down the Dynapro MT2 and XT tires for comfort and traction, making the shelf road sections and rock slab climbs an easy effort.
The San Jacinto Mountains are a great overnight adventure if you’re passing through from Arizona to Southern California, or if you want to beat the heat and find solitude away from the crowds along the coast.
Read more: The Rugged Terrain Tire Category with the Hankook Dynapro XT at Off-Road Expo 2025
