SCENIC DRIVES — LOS ANGELES AREA
The Best Scenic Drives Around Los Angeles for Exotic & Luxury Car Enthusiasts
Updated April 2026 · 9 routes · 7 min read
Nine drives covering every car type and time commitment — from the Porsche-Club-favored hairpins of Angeles Crest to the open coastal sweep of PCH. Curated from car enthusiast communities, luxury travel advisors, and regional driving experts.
From San Clemente up the coast to Santa Barbara, inland to Santa Clarita and the Angeles National Forest, east to San Bernardino and Lake Elsinore, these are the routes worth showing up for in something special. Whether you’re picking up a dream rental, heading to a weekend Cars and Coffee, or simply chasing roads worthy of a supercar, this is the definitive Los Angeles list.
1. Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2)
The legendary alpine escape — pure supercar territory ★★★★★
The undisputed king of LA driving roads. CA-2 climbs from La Cañada Flintridge into the Angeles National Forest — sweeping curves, smooth pavement, granite walls, and tunnels that turn an exhaust note into music. Magnus Walker calls it his home road. The Porsche Club of America runs it at dawn. Friday mornings, the Newcomb’s Ranch parking lot fills with vintage Porsches, modern GTs, and serious motorcycles for the “Good Vibes Breakfast Club” gathering — coffee and donuts in the lot rather than in the (now-closed) roadhouse. The further you drive, the more it feels like a European mountain pass. This is the one drive every serious enthusiast in Southern California must do.
Current conditions (April 2026): CA-2 is open from La Cañada Flintridge to about 3.3 miles east of Newcomb’s Ranch. The upper section to Big Pines Highway / Wrightwood remains closed indefinitely following December 2025 storm damage, with Caltrans repair work ongoing. The good news: the closed section was always the least technical part. The lower 35–40 miles — the corner-rich heart of the road, including Mt. Wilson Red Box Road and Newcomb’s Ranch — is fully open and arguably the best driving on the whole route.
Driving Route: La Cañada Flintridge → CA-2 → Mt. Wilson Red Box Road detour → Newcomb’s Ranch → return (or continue to current closure point)
Distance: 70–90 mi RT (currently open section) | Drive Time: 2–3 hrs | From Downtown: ~30 min
2. Mulholland Highway & the Snake
The exotic car capital of California ★★★★★
Mulholland Highway through the Santa Monica Mountains is to LA what the Stelvio is to Italy — a ribbon of switchbacks, blind crests, and ridge-top reveals known worldwide. The famous “Snake” section near the Rock Store — closed for seven years after the 2018 Woolsey Fire — finally reopened in December 2025, restoring the most-photographed corner sequence in LA driving culture. But the real value here is the entire canyon network: Mulholland is just the spine. Loop in Latigo (160+ turns in 10 miles), Stunt and Piuma for sustained mountain technical, Decker for hairpin descents to PCH, and Tuna Canyon — the one-way descent that Matt Farah and The Smoking Tire use as a benchmark — and you have the densest concentration of driving roads in California.
Driving Route: Calabasas → Mulholland Hwy → Cornell Rd / Rock Store → Decker or Latigo descent → PCH → Malibu lunch → Stunt / Piuma loop back
Distance: 60–90 mi loop | Drive Time: 2.5–4 hrs | From Downtown: ~35 min
3. Pacific Coast Highway: Santa Monica to Santa Barbara
Top-down coastal grand tour ★★★★★
The coastal drive every visitor and resident eventually does — and the one a convertible was built for. From Santa Monica Pier, PCH curves along Malibu’s bluffs, sweeps past Point Mugu and Oxnard, and delivers you to the Spanish-tiled elegance of Santa Barbara roughly two hours later. It’s not technical, but the visual payoff is unmatched: Pacific on your left, palm-shadowed estates on your right, and the kind of light that has sold California to the world for a century.
Current conditions (April 2026): PCH is open through the entire route, but the 11-mile stretch between Pacific Palisades and Malibu remains under active reconstruction following the January 2025 Palisades Fire. Expect a 25 mph speed limit between Temescal Canyon and Carbon Beach Terrace, single-lane closures for repair work, flashing red signals at multiple intersections, and visible burn-scar landscape. North of Malibu through Ventura and on to Santa Barbara, conditions are normal. Plan a late-morning departure — once you clear the work zone, the rest of the drive is everything it has always been.
Driving Route: Santa Monica → Malibu → Point Mugu → Oxnard → Carpinteria → Santa Barbara
Distance: ~190 mi RT | Drive Time: 4–5 hrs (driving only) | From Downtown: ~25 min to start
4. Glendora Mountain Road & Glendora Ridge Road
The hidden hairpin paradise — the locals’ road ★★★★★
Locally known as GMR and GRR, this is the road LA’s serious drivers go to when Mulholland is too crowded. From Glendora, the climb is a relentless sequence of corners; at the top, Glendora Ridge Road runs the spine of the San Gabriels for 19 miles of single-lane ridge driving with massive canyon drops on both sides. Connect it to Mt. Baldy Road for a complete San Gabriel loop. Narrow, technical, and best driven mid-week — the road has minimal margin for error.
Driving Route: Glendora → GMR → Glendora Ridge Rd → Mt. Baldy Village → Mt. Baldy Rd descent → return
Distance: 40–55 mi loop | Drive Time: 2–3 hrs | From Downtown: ~45 min
5. Ortega Highway (CA-74): San Juan Capistrano to Lake Elsinore
South county’s classic mountain twisty ★★★★★
The drive every San Diego visitor should take. From the dramatic sandstone cliffs of Torrey Pines, past the world-famous golf course and Salk Institute, through La Jolla’s most exclusive neighborhoods with sweeping ocean views at every turn. Short, stunning, and especially spectacular in a convertible or open-top exotic.
Driving Route: San Juan Capistrano → CA-74 east → Ortega summit → Lake Elsinore → return via I-15 / I-5 or back via Ortega
Distance: 68 mi RT (out-and-back) | Drive Time: 1.5–2 hrs | From Downtown: ~1 hr 15 min
6. Highway 33 from Ojai: The Jacinto Reyes Scenic Byway
The “secret” mountain road north of LA ★★★★★
Ask any veteran SoCal driver for their favorite under-the-radar road, and there’s a strong chance they’ll say Highway 33 north of Ojai. The byway climbs through Wheeler Springs into Los Padres National Forest, opens into broad valley vistas, and feels remarkably remote considering it’s two hours from LA. Pair it with breakfast in Ojai’s downtown for one of the most refined drive days available within an easy radius of the city.
Driving Route: Ojai → CA-33 north → Wheeler Springs → Pine Mountain summit → Lockwood Valley junction → return
Distance: 60–80 mi RT | Drive Time: 2–3 hrs | From Downtown: ~1.5 hrs to Ojai
7. Palos Verdes Peninsula Coastal Loop
Mediterranean blufftop cruise — the elegant short drive ★★★★½
Not every great LA drive needs a mountain. The Palos Verdes Peninsula delivers refined coastal cruising — manicured neighborhoods, rocky cove views, and the Mediterranean feel of Palos Verdes Drive South sweeping past Trump National and Terranea. It’s the ideal “I have two hours and want to enjoy the car” route, especially in a grand tourer or convertible. End at Terranea for a coastal cocktail.
Driving Route: Rancho Palos Verdes → Palos Verdes Drive South → Point Vicente → Terranea area → Portuguese Bend → loop back via PV Drive East
Distance: 25–35 mi loop | Drive Time: 1–1.5 hrs | From Downtown: ~35 min
8. Rim of the World Highway: Lake Arrowhead & Big Bear
The high-elevation San Bernardino grand tour ★★★★½
The Rim of the World Scenic Byway runs along the spine of the San Bernardino Mountains between Cajon Pass and Big Bear, climbing past Lake Arrowhead with panoramic views of the Inland Empire below. It’s less technical than Angeles Crest but longer and higher — the ideal “destination day” route in a luxury SUV, finishing at Big Bear for lunch lakeside. Winter brings snow chains; spring through fall is the sweet spot.
Driving Route: San Bernardino → CA-18 (Rim of the World) → Lake Arrowhead → Running Springs → Big Bear → return via CA-38 / Onyx Summit
Distance: 150–180 mi RT | Drive Time: 4–5 hrs | From Downtown: ~1 hr 15 min
9. San Marcos Pass (CA-154) & Santa Ynez Wine Country
The coast-to-vineyard luxury day ★★★★½
From Santa Barbara, CA-154 climbs over the Santa Ynez Mountains and drops into the rolling ranch and vineyard country made famous by Sideways. Cresting the pass at Vista Point, the descent toward Lake Cachuma reveals one of the most beautiful inland panoramas in the state. Continue to Los Olivos and Solvang for tasting rooms, bakeries, and reservation lunches. Loop back to LA via the 101 for a full day.
Driving Route: Santa Barbara → CA-154 (San Marcos Pass) → Lake Cachuma → Los Olivos → Solvang → return via US-101
Distance: 220–260 mi RT from LA | Drive Time: 5–6 hrs | From Downtown: ~1.5 hrs to Santa Barbara
Planning Your Drive
Most LA-area routes are well-paved and suitable for low-clearance exotics, though Glendora Mountain Road, the upper sections of Angeles Crest, and Decker Canyon all have rough patches and decomposed-granite shoulders that warrant extra caution in a supercar. Watch for steep drop-offs without guardrails on Glendora Ridge and the upper Crest.
Fuel up before heading to the mountains — there are no gas stations beyond the La Cañada Shell on Angeles Crest, none on Glendora Mountain Road, and limited options on Highway 33 north of Ojai. For coastal drives, plan to depart late morning after the marine layer typically burns off. Weekday mornings offer the emptiest roads on every mountain route — sportbike clubs and Cars-and-Coffee crews own the canyons on weekends.
Watch for enforcement. PCH through Malibu, Mulholland Highway, and the Ortega are all heavily patrolled, especially on weekends. Drive within the spirit of the road — a confident, flowing pace rewards the car and keeps you out of trouble.
Bonus Tip: If you have an extra hour at the end of a drive day, head to El Matador State Beach in northern Malibu for golden hour. The sea-stack rock formations against the Pacific make for one of the most cinematic locations in Southern California — and parking your exotic on PCH with the ocean behind it is as LA as it gets.
Bonus Tip: If you have 30 minutes at the end of any day, drive out to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park in Point Loma for golden hour. The cliffs overlooking the Pacific are one of San Diego’s most beloved sunset spots, and parking your exotic car along Sunset Cliffs Boulevard with the ocean behind it is as San Diego as it gets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best scenic drive around Los Angeles for a supercar?
Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2) is the top choice — a National Forest Scenic Byway with excellent pavement climbing from La Cañada Flintridge into the San Gabriel Mountains. It’s regularly featured in Porsche Club drives and consistently rated among the best driving roads in the United States. (Note: as of April 2026, the upper stretch past Newcomb’s Ranch toward Wrightwood is closed for storm-damage repairs — but the lower 35–40 miles, the corner-rich heart of the road, remains open.) Mulholland Highway through the Santa Monica Mountains is the other elite option, particularly the famous “Snake” section near the Rock Store.
Are LA's mountain roads suitable for low-clearance exotic cars?
Most are — Angeles Crest, Mulholland, the Ortega, and Highway 33 are all well-paved and regularly driven by Lamborghinis, McLarens, and Ferraris. Use extra caution on Glendora Mountain Road (rough surface in spots), the steep Decker Canyon descent, and the upper switchbacks of Mt. Baldy Road, which have tighter radii and occasional debris. Always do a slow first pass on any road you don’t know.
Which LA drives are best for luxury SUVs and grand tourers?
The Pacific Coast Highway to Santa Barbara, Rim of the World to Big Bear, San Marcos Pass to Santa Ynez wine country, and the Palos Verdes coastal loop are ideal for luxury SUVs and grand tourers — long, scenic, and built around destination experiences (lunch, lodging, tasting rooms) rather than corner-carving. A Bentley Bentayga, Range Rover, Cullinan, or Mercedes G-Wagen is the right tool for these days.
Which drives are best for exotic cars and supercars?
For pure performance driving, prioritize Angeles Crest Highway, Mulholland Highway and the Snake, Glendora Mountain / Ridge Road, the Ortega, and Highway 33 from Ojai. These routes have the technical curves, smooth pavement, and (when timed right) light traffic that reward a properly sorted supercar.
When is the best time to take scenic drives around Los Angeles?
Weekday mornings, year-round. Coastal drives are best from late morning onward once the marine layer clears. Mountain drives like Angeles Crest and Rim of the World are at their best from late spring through fall — winter snow and ice can close upper sections without warning. Spring (March–May) is the peak season: clear air, green hills, and stable weather across coastal, canyon, and mountain routes alike.
Are there gas stations on LA's mountain driving routes?
Largely no. There is no fuel on Angeles Crest beyond the La Cañada Flintridge Shell station, none on Glendora Mountain Road, and very limited options on Highway 33 north of Ojai. Mulholland Highway has nothing once you leave Calabasas. Always fill up before leaving the city and keep an eye on range — supercars often have small tanks and aggressive driving cuts range significantly.
Which LA driving roads are most heavily patrolled?
PCH through Malibu, Mulholland Highway (especially weekends), and Ortega Highway all see consistent CHP and sheriff presence. Following several high-profile incidents, Malibu in particular has become very strict — expect tickets for window tint, exhaust, and minor moving violations. The Crest, GMR/GRR, and Highway 33 see less enforcement but more cyclists and motorcycles. Drive accordingly.
Can I rent an exotic car in Los Angeles for these drives?
Yes — Los Angeles has the largest exotic and luxury rental fleet in the United States. Whether you’re planning a single Angeles Crest run, a multi-day PCH trip to Santa Barbara, or a wine-country day in the Santa Ynez Valley, there’s a car suited to the route. Most rentals include a daily mileage allowance suited to these day drives, and many rental partners are based within minutes of the major routes.
For the ultimate experience, rent your dream car from one of the Los Angeles area premier exotic and luxury car rental companies and make these drives truly unforgettable.
