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Sunrise Highway (S1), Laguna Mountains, California
Photo: Rob.Bertholf · CC BY 2.0

Drives California San Diego

Sunrise Highway (S1)

S1 · Laguna Junction → Highway 79

Sweeping24 mi35 min3,000 ft climbHigh point ≈ 6,000 ftOne way
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The drive

Sunrise Highway, County Road S1, runs along the eastern edge of the Laguna Mountains in the Cleveland National Forest. From I-8 at Laguna Junction it climbs into the forest, then follows a shelf cut into the side of the mountain, with Pine Valley on one side and overlooks on the other where the land drops away to the brown desert floor and the Imperial Valley far below.

It passes through Mount Laguna, a small mountain community with a visitor center and the Laguna Country Store, then runs on along the crest to Highway 79 near Lake Cuyamaca. The drive ends just short of Highway 79, where the Highway 79 drive to Julian picks up.

It's driven north from I-8, the end nearer San Diego. The curves are mostly gentle; the views are the point.

Along the way

  1. Laguna Junction (I-8)
  2. Mount Laguna
  3. Highway 79
Elevation
3,000 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 6,000 ft
Laguna JunctionHighway 79
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
Laguna JunctionHighway 79
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • You need a National Forest Adventure Pass, or another accepted recreation pass, to park along Sunrise Highway; they're sold on Mount Laguna at the visitor center and the Laguna Country Store, and online.
  • The Cleveland National Forest has fire-use restrictions in place, covering campfires, charcoal and smoking.
  • Sunrise Highway tops out around 6,000 feet, far higher and cooler than the coast.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Cleveland National Forest: alerts and closures.

Questions about this drive

How long does Sunrise Highway take to drive?

Sunrise Highway, S1, from I-8 at Laguna Junction to Highway 79 is 24 miles and takes about 35 minutes without stops.

Do you need an Adventure Pass on Sunrise Highway?

Yes, to park. A National Forest Adventure Pass or another accepted pass is required to park along Sunrise Highway in the Laguna Mountains; driving through needs no pass.

What can you see from Sunrise Highway?

Overlooks on Sunrise Highway look east over the desert floor and the Imperial Valley, thousands of feet below the Laguna Mountains.

Is Sunrise Highway twisty?

Sunrise Highway is mostly gentle, with one twistier stretch in the first few miles above I-8.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Sunrise Highway (S1), from Laguna Junction to Highway 79