Los Angeles boasts a rich car culture and a well-developed road network. Beyond the busy highways, it also hides several world-class driving routes. From winding and steep mountain roads to stunning coastal scenic drives, whether you’re driving a high-performance sports car or just want to enjoy the pleasure of driving, you can have a unique driving experience.
Performance sports cars are undoubtedly the best partners for exploring these routes, with powerful engines and precise handling perfectly suited for complex roads with many curves and undulations. Whether classic vintage cars or modern supercars, they can unleash their full potential on roads that combine driving fun with natural scenery.
Below is a list of the top 10 quality driving routes in Los Angeles, along with references from authoritative media, automotive bloggers’ reviews, and classic scenic spots.
Mulholland Highway
As Los Angeles’ most prestigious self-driving route, it stretches 21 miles, winding along the Santa Monica Mountains, offering panoramic views of both the city and the Pacific Ocean. This road has frequently appeared in car advertisements and visual works. The American version of “Top Gear” once filmed here, with hosts driving a Dodge Viper and Lamborghini Gallardo to experience its complex road conditions. Recommended stops along the way include the Hollywood Bowl Overlook and Topanga Overlook.
Angeles Crest Highway
Spanning 66 miles through the San Gabriel Mountains, this route offers stunning mountain and city vistas throughout. “Car and Driver” completed a video review of the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S here. Key scenic spots include Inspiration Point and the Mount Wilson Observatory.
Pacific Coast Highway, PCH
A classic coastal scenic highway, approximately 655 miles long, extending north from Dana Point in Orange County to Leggett in Mendocino County. Car blogger Doug DeMuro highlighted the charm of this highway in his review of the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series. Must-visit spots include El Matador Beach and Point Mugu State Park.
Glendora Mountain Road
With a total length of 10 miles, located in the San Gabriel Mountains, this road offers a highly challenging driving experience. Motor Trend once filmed a Lexus LFA review here, showcasing the vehicle’s handling on narrow and winding sections. Along the way, you can visit Glendora Ridge Road and Bouldy Mountain Summit viewpoints.
Topanga Canyon Road
Spanning 12 miles, situated in the Santa Monica Mountains, this mountain road is winding and offers panoramic views of the mountains and valleys. Road & Track once drove a Porsche 911 Carrera T here to film a review video. Recommended viewpoints include the Topanga Summit Overlook and Saddle Peak.
Tuna Canyon Road
Stretching 6 miles, this road winds through the Santa Monica Mountains, offering views of both the mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Automotive blogger “The Smoking Tire” specifically mentioned this route in a Porsche 911 GT3 RS review video. Check-in spots include Tuna Canyon Park Overlook and Tuna Canyon Summit.
Malibu Canyon Road
A total length of 6 miles, passing through the Santa Monica Mountains, with beautiful mountain and valley scenery along the way. Motor Trend used this route to showcase the handling performance of the BMW M2 in their review. Recommended to visit Malibu Creek State Park and Rock Pool.
Mount Baldy Road
A total length of 13 miles, located in the San Gabriel Mountains, with a higher driving difficulty. Car and Driver completed a video review of the Audi RS5 Sportback here. Scenic spots include the summit of Mount Baldy and the Mount Baldy ski lift area.
Palos Verdes Drive
A total length of 7 miles, extending along the Palos Verdes Peninsula, offering unbeatable ocean views and hillside scenery. Car blogger Savagegeese recommended this route in the review of the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0. Check-in spots include the Point Vicente Lighthouse and Abalone Cove Shoreline Park.
GMR to Mount Baldy Village
The entire length is 16 miles, crossing the San Gabriel Mountains, making it a preferred route for hardcore driving enthusiasts. Motor Trend once tested the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio here. Along the way, you can enjoy the scenery of Mount Baldy summit and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.