Southern California is is a stinking pit surrounded by mountains. The San Bernadino and San Gabriels hem in the north and east, The Santa Monica Mountains lock up the coast and the San Jacinto Mountains cut off the west. To south there's the peninsular ranges of the Cleveland National Forest and then Mexico. 

There are only two ways to escape Los Angeles. One is the sea. The other leads through something named Death Valley. Neither is advised. Better to stay put. Try to enjoy. Wait until the world decides that L.A. has gone on long enough and puts an end to it once and for all.

I decided to try Death Valley first.