Best Places to Drive an Exotic Car in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is famous for traffic, but locals know a different side of the city: ridgelines above the Valley, canyon roads that twist toward the ocean and coastal stretches where the Pacific fills the passenger window. Those are the places where a high-performance car finally makes sense. If you’ve been comparing exotic car rental Los Angeles options, choosing the right road matters as much as choosing the right car. Below are the best driving roads Los Angeles has to offer for a special vehicle. For each one you’ll find what it’s best for, what to watch out for and how to string them together into one unforgettable day.
What Makes a Road Worth the Drive?
Not every scenic road suits a low, powerful car, so we judged each route on four things. The first is flow, meaning curves you can enjoy at legal speeds without constant stop-and-go. The second is views, whether that’s ocean, canyon or city panoramas that reward the trip. The third is surface, because a low front splitter needs paved roads that won’t punish it. The last is stops, since you’ll want safe places to pull over, take photos or grab a meal.
The Best Scenic Drives Los Angeles Offers
Mulholland Highway: Calabasas to the Coast
According to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, Mulholland Highway starts in Calabasas and twists through the Santa Monica Mountains for 30 miles before reaching Leo Carrillo State Beach. It’s a favorite with driving enthusiasts, offering long sequences of bends, open ridgelines and a finish right at the ocean.
This road is best for drivers who want genuine curves and a sense of escape. Just watch for cyclists and motorcyclists on blind corners, especially on weekend mornings.
The scorecard: the strongest road here on flow, with 30 miles of bends rather than a few good corners. Views run from open ridgelines to the ocean, and Leo Carrillo State Beach gives you a natural stop at the end. Flow is the reason to drive it, and the blind corners are the reason to leave margin.
Mulholland Drive: The City Ridgeline
The same agency notes that Mulholland Drive was built in 1924 and runs 24 miles within the City of Los Angeles, starting west of the 101 in Hollywood. The views stretch across the city, the mountains and, on clear days, the ocean. The Universal City Overlook on the north side of the road looks out over the San Fernando Valley.
Mulholland Drive is ideal for sunset views and a relaxed cruise close to Hollywood. The one section to avoid is the eight-mile stretch west of the 405 toward Woodland Hills. It remains unpaved and can close, so low cars should skip it entirely.
The scorecard: this one wins on views and stops, not flow. City, mountain and ocean panoramas, plus seven maintained scenic overlooks, make it the best photo road on the list. Surface is the catch: the paved section is fine, but the eight-mile unpaved stretch west of the 405 rules itself out for a low car.
Pacific Coast Highway Through Malibu
No list of the best roads to drive in LA is complete without PCH. The Malibu stretch pairs beaches and bluffs with a steady, open rhythm that suits convertibles and grand tourers.
It’s the perfect choice for top-down cruising and beachside lunch stops. Expect slower traffic near popular beaches on weekends, and stay alert for vehicles turning in and out of parking areas.
The scorecard: views and stops carry this one. Beaches and bluffs on one side, and more places to pull in for lunch than any other road here. Flow is steady rather than exciting, and weekend beach traffic is what will slow you down, so treat it as a cruise.
Malibu Canyon Road and Kanan Dume Road
These canyon connectors link the coast with the valleys on the other side of the mountains. They’re shorter than Mulholland Highway, but their climbs and bends make them ideal for turning a coastal cruise into a loop.
Think of them as a quick canyon fix between two longer drives. Shoulders can be narrow, and traffic tends to build during weekday commute hours, so time your run for quieter parts of the day.
The scorecard: good flow in a short package, with climbs and bends that connect the coast to the valleys. Stops are the weak point, because narrow shoulders leave few safe places to pull over, so plan your photos for one of the other roads and just enjoy the driving here.
A Sample Day That Links It All Together
If you want to experience several of these roads in one outing, start in Calabasas in the morning and take Mulholland Highway west while traffic is light. By late morning you’ll reach Leo Carrillo State Beach, which is a great spot to stretch your legs and enjoy the coastline.
From there, cruise east on PCH into Malibu for lunch with an ocean view. In the afternoon, head up Malibu Canyon Road or Kanan Dume Road for another dose of curves. Then finish the day on Mulholland Drive, where the city lights up below you at sunset.
Allow a full day, fill up before heading into the mountains and share your route with someone before you set off.
Canyon Road Etiquette for Exotic Drivers
A special car earns plenty of goodwill on these roads, and a little courtesy keeps it that way. If a faster vehicle or a line of cars builds up behind you, use the next pullout and let them pass. Give cyclists plenty of space, and only overtake when you can clearly see the road ahead.
It also helps to keep the revs respectful, since many canyon roads run past homes and campsites. Save the loudest moments for open stretches. When you stop for photos, park fully off the road at an overlook rather than on a narrow shoulder. Above all, drive sober and well rested, because winding roads demand your full attention from start to finish.
Book Your Scenic Drive
The best driving roads in Los Angeles are waiting just beyond the freeways. All you need is the right car and a clear plan. Start with our Ferrari rental Los Angeles collection or explore the full Luxion Elite fleet, then book now to turn these routes into your own perfect day behind the wheel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best road to drive an exotic car in Los Angeles?
Mulholland Highway is a favorite thanks to its long, winding stretch from Calabasas to Leo Carrillo State Beach. For city views, Mulholland Drive is hard to beat.
Is all of Mulholland Drive paved?
No. An eight-mile section west of the 405 toward Woodland Hills is unpaved and can close, so low sports cars should skip it.
Are there good places to stop for photos?
Yes. The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority maintains seven scenic overlooks along Mulholland Drive, which make safe, easy photo stops.
Do I need special experience to drive these roads?
No special license is needed, but confidence helps. If you’re new to high-performance cars, start with PCH before moving on to the tighter canyon roads.
Will a full day of scenic driving fit my rental’s mileage allowance?
It depends on the rental. The sample loop in this guide covers a lot of ground, so ask about included miles and any overage fees before you book. It’s also worth checking whether the agreement restricts certain roads, such as unpaved routes.
