Only visited once, a drive through back in November 2007. Did a drive-by in September 2013, out CA 33 from Ojai to CA 166. There are some sizable areas of Los Padres NF lands on the southeast end of CPNM as well as to the west. Some of the NF lands along CA 33, south-southeast of Cuyama, hold some pretty good elevation, like +5,000'.
Don't overlook the Wallace Creek walking trail/exhibit, a self-guided trail along the San Andreas Fault. It's on the east flank of the NM.
Approaching from the north, consider Bitterwater Rd south/southeast from Cholame. Bitterwater Rd is sort of a "big sky" drive through semiarid rolling hills. Cholame is also the site of the "James Dean Memorial Junction", where JD was killed on Sept 30, 1955.
Foy