Short answer:
You can’t go wrong cruising LA, but locals swear by seven drives that deliver real scenery without wasting your time in gridlock. Aim for sunrise or golden hour, go midweek when you can, and pair one canyon loop with one coast run for the perfect day. For a stress-free start, reserve your exotic car rental Los Angeles the day before so you can roll out when the roads are quiet.
Plan-at-a-Glance (routes, timing, vibe)
- Malibu Coast + Canyons — Cinematic cliffs, smooth switchbacks; best at golden hour.
- Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2) — Mountain sweepers and vast views; sunrise on Sundays.
- Mulholland Hills Loop — Classic LA overlooks; early morning to beat tour buses.
- Palos Verdes Peninsula (PV Drive) — Ocean bluffs, sea stacks; late afternoon light.
- Santa Monica Mountains Backbone — Stunt/Schueren/Saddle Peak trio; weekdays only.
- Griffith → Elysian Skyline Loop — City skylines and parks; sunrise or post-sunset.
- Manhattan Beach → Portuguese Bend — Beach towns to wild coastline; mellow, photo-rich.
1) Malibu Coast + Canyons (3–4 hrs)
Route: Santa Monica → PCH → Latigo or Decker up → Mulholland → Kanan down → PCH return
Why locals love it: The contrast—ocean horizon one minute, canyon curves the next.
Timing: Depart 3:00–4:00 pm (spring–fall) for that gold-on-water finish.
Pro notes: PCH gets busy mid-day; pick a canyon with fewer cyclists (Latigo is a good balance). Keep sightlines conservative on blind apexes.
Where to pause:
- Malibu Country Mart (valet-friendly)
- Coral Canyon overlook (short pullout, big sky)
2) Angeles Crest Highway / CA-2 (3–5 hrs)
Route: La Cañada → Clear Creek → Newcomb’s Ranch area → turn-around
Why locals love it: Elevated sweepers and alpine light—feels hours from LA, but it’s close.
Timing: First light, especially Sundays. You’ll have fresh, cool air and open lanes.
Pro notes: Temps drop with elevation; bring a layer for convertibles. Watch for rocks after wind or rain.
Stops:
- Red Box turnout (Mt. Wilson views)
- Newcomb’s area pullouts (when open, it’s a community hub)
3) Mulholland Hills Loop (1.5–2 hrs)
Route: Laurel Canyon → Mulholland Dr overlooks → Hollywood Reservoir → Beachwood
Why locals love it: Classic skyline shots, short hops, big reward.
Timing: 6:30–8:00 am any day; later turns into tour-bus bingo.
Pro notes: Respect neighborhood speed limits; park fully off the roadway at overlooks.
Coffee:
- Oaks Gourmet (Franklin Village)
- Maru Coffee (Hillhurst)
4) Palos Verdes Peninsula / PV Drive (2–3 hrs)
Route: Redondo or Manhattan Beach → Vista Del Mar → PV Dr North/South → Point Vicente → Portuguese Bend → Bluff Cove → back via Hawthorne
Why locals love it: Wild coastline, tidal shelves, and curves with ocean on both sides.
Timing: Late afternoon for warm side-light and easy parking at the overlooks.
Pro notes: Road repairs pop up near landslide zones—slow is smarter than scraped carbon.
Perfect if you’re starting south of LAX: A quick exotic car rental in Manhattan Beach pick-up drops you onto oceanfront asphalt within minutes.
5) Santa Monica Mountains Backbone (2.5–3 hrs)
Route: Piuma → Stunt Road → Schueren → Saddle Peak → Las Flores down
Why locals love it: Technical but flowing; when timed right, it’s pure rhythm.
Timing: Weekdays only, mid-morning or late afternoon.
Pro notes: Surface can vary; look through corners and mind cyclists. Reward yourself with a coastal cooldown afterward.
6) Griffith Park → Elysian Skyline Loop (1.5–2 hrs)
Route: Vermont Canyon → Griffith Observatory loop → Stadium Way → Elysian Park / Angel’s Point → Chinatown bite
Why locals love it: Two parks, two skylines, very little stress.
Timing: Sunrise for empty lots; blue hour after sunset for the city glow.
Pro notes: Lot rules change during events—check signage and never block sightlines.
Food nearby:
- Howlin’ Ray’s (Chinatown)
- Guisados (Echo Park)
7) Manhattan Beach Boardwalk to Portuguese Bend (2–3 hrs)
Route: Manhattan Beach → The Strand → Hermosa → Redondo Harbor → Palos Verdes Drive West → Malaga Cove → Portuguese Bend Reserve
Why locals love it: Start with a soft, easy beach roll, then level up to dramatic cliffs.
Timing: Golden hour for boardwalk color and calmer traffic.
Pro notes: The Strand is pedestrian-heavy—keep it slow and respectful before you open things up on PV Drive.
Post-drive:
- Manhattan Beach Pier for sunset shots
- Little Sister (dinner), Shellback (casual)
Car Matchmaker: pick the right tool for the route
- Canyon strings (Backbone, Mulholland): Mid-engine or smaller GT—steering feel matters more than horsepower.
- Long coastal passes (PV, Malibu coast): Grand tourers and convertibles shine; seat cooling helps in summer.
- Mountain sweepers (CA-2): Stable chassis, good brakes, and proper tires > headline 0–60.
If you’re building a two-drive day, pair Backbone or Mulholland in the morning with the Malibu coast at sunset. Line up the car the night before so your rented car handoff is quick and you can hit your first time window.
Seasonal & Timing Cheats
- Winter (Jan–Feb): Crisp air, stunning visibility; cheapest midweek rates.
- Spring (Mar–Apr): Green hills; book weekends 2–3 weeks ahead.
- June: Morning marine layer; do canyons late morning, coast at sunset.
- Jul–Aug: Dawn departures, coastal afternoons; inland gets hot.
- Sep–Nov: Peak season for feeling and photos; watch the LA Auto Show week in Nov.
- Anytime: Sunrise, late morning (weekday errands), and golden hour are your best windows. Avoid typical rush hours and sunny weekend mid-days on PCH.
Quick FAQs
What’s the single best route for first-timers?
Do Malibu Coast + Latigo/Mulholland at golden hour. It’s the LA postcard, but real.
How long should I budget per loop?
Plan 2–3 hours per route so you can pull off for photos, coffee, and views without rushing.
Convertible or coupe?
Coastline favors convertibles. Tight canyons feel better in something nimble and planted.
Any etiquette tips?
Use turnouts to let locals by, never straddle bike lanes, and keep music/exhaust reasonable near neighborhoods.
Takeaway
Los Angeles rewards timing and taste more than sheer mileage. Pick one canyon and one coast that match your day, leave at the right hour, and the city feels like it’s playing along. The rest is simple: key, start, breathe, and enjoy the view.
