If it's light out and you're taking the 101 then it's worth stopping in Woodland Hills and hitting up Knapp park. Not sure if the ledges are still good but the top of the ditch is a blast, just walk across the park to the ditch, make a right, and follow it up. Taking the 101 also routes you through Santa Barbara.
If you take the 5 back up north hit up the Santa Clarita park on the way out and Bakersfield has some good spots if you know where to look.