Review: Frazier View Motel—Frazier Park, CA
Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, the Frazier View Motel in Frazier Park, CA, has recently been given new life under new management. Originally built by Romanian immigrants in 2014, it has always been a quality destination for travelers wanting a base from which to explore the rugged mountains just outside of Los Angeles, or those simply needing a place to rest while passing over I-5’s famous Tejon Pass.
Since its opening, the motel experienced a rocky start due to the whims of the internet. Many online reviewers were confused between the newly constructed property and a neglected sister property just next door.
While the situation remains slightly confusing due to the motel’s sign still being planted on the sister property (now renovated as well but exclusively used as a long-term rental property), the Frazier View Motel is finally welcoming guests as it has always intended under the new management.
Operated like an Airbnb, the contactless check in is done entirely via text messages The attentive owners are based nearby and available via text for any questions or concerns.
Rugged, Remote and Welcoming
My visit to the motel was a great example of why one should visit Frazier Park. Headed east, I-5 is only six minutes away from Frazier View.
According to the California Highway Patrol’s Fort Tejon office, over 100,000 drivers travel this part of the interstate daily. I rode my Ducati in from the east on a lesser-known road that can be difficult to find on maps because it changed names. Until recently, Hudson Ranch Rd was known as Cerro Noroeste Rd.
Regardless of its title, this stretch of pavement provides some of the best curves and quintessential views of the dramatic San Emigdio Mountains in the Los Padres National Forest. Over the entire 20-mile length of the road, I could count the vehicles I encountered on one hand, and one of them was a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officer stopping to ask if we needed anything while we paused to take a few photos of the alluring and remote roadway.
I was able to meet the Frazier View Motel’s owner and see the only other empty room available for the night. Given the place’s roadside motel vibe, amenities—such as leather recliners, atypically large hotel refrigerators and microwaves, and additional furniture in each room—were surprising.
Given the rugged and remote feeling of these mountains, it's amazing to realize just how close this place is to the massive metropolis of Los Angeles. The Frazier Park Motel is a welcoming spot from which to explore the area, with an equally welcoming staff at the ready should you need them.
Also, arrive hungry. Caveman Cavey’s Pizza is a very short walk away, just up the street. Order a large one—you’ll thank me later.
Amenities
- Airbnb-like operation
- Parking directly adjacent to rooms
- Several nearby restaurants and a grocery store within easy walking distance
- Feels like a remote escape from LA, just next door
- Well-furnished rooms with quality amenities atypical for a roadside motel
Nearby Attractions
- Roads such as Lockwood Valley Rd, Hudson Ranch Rd, and SR 33
- Cuyama Buckhorn
- Fort Tejon State Historic Park
- Numerous trails for motorcycling, mountain bikes, hiking, and equestrian use
Nearby Roads
If you live in southern California and ride a motorcycle, you will want to ride the roads around Frazier Park at some point. While LA has legendary motorcycle roads in the form of Mulholland Dr, the Snake, Stunt Rd, and Decker Canyon, you can find turns of equal intensity deep in the Los Padres National Forest, combined with empty and pristine landscapes.
SR 33 from Ojai leads to SR 166 through a series of near-perfect curves passing over Pine Mountain Summit. Near the junctions of these roads, both Lockwood Valley Rd and Hudson Ranch Rd wind their way back toward I-5 through vistas just outside of Los Angeles that have to be seen to be believed.
Price
$79-$98/night
Location
Find them at 3237 Mount Pinos Way, Frazier Park, CA, (661) 289-5100.