The Ultimate Los Angeles Road Trip Guide: 9 Must-Experience Drives

How can you visit LA without experiencing its incredible roads? Here are 9 must-drive routes showcasing urban, coastal, and mountain scenery—each offering a unique taste of LA's charm. Save this guide and hit the road! 🚗 🌟 **Urban Drives** 🌇 **Sunset Strip** (from Rodeo Drive to Laurel Canyon Boulevard) ⏰ **Duration:** ~2 miles, ~10 minutes drive. 💗 **Highlights:** Luxury, artsy vibes 👁️ **Nearby Attractions:** Beverly Hills, Maxfield boutique, Whisky a Go Go & The Roxy Theatre (iconic rock clubs), The Comedy Store (launchpad for famous comedians), Chateau Marmont (celebrity hotspot). 🌠 **Hollywood Boulevard** (from TCL Chinese Theatre to Vine Street) ⏰ **Duration:** ~1.5 miles, ~10 minutes drive. 💗 **Highlights:** Glamour, movie magic 👁️ **Nearby Attractions:** Hollywood Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Hollywood & Highland Center. *P.S.* To see the Hollywood Sign, head northeast to Griffith Observatory for a two-in-one view! 🖼️ **Wilshire Boulevard** (from Santa Monica Beach to Koreatown) ⏰ **Duration:** ~16 miles, ~45 minutes drive. 💗 **Highlights:** Beach vibes, historic charm, art scene 👁️ **Nearby Attractions:** Santa Monica Beach, Beverly Hills, historic architecture, LACMA, Miracle Mile (arts district), Koreatown. 🌟 **Coastal Drives** 🏡 **Pacific Coast Highway** (from Santa Monica to Malibu Beach) ⏰ **Duration:** ~11 miles, ~25 minutes drive. 💗 **Highlights:** Ocean views 👁️ **Nearby Attractions:** Santa Monica Beach, Malibu beachfront homes. *P.S.* PCH stretches beyond LA to Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and more. Continue east from Malibu for Spanish-style Santa Barbara, Hearst Castle, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur cliffs, Pfeiffer Beach (purple sand), McWay Falls—perfect for multi-day trips! 🏖️ **Sepulveda Boulevard** (from Redondo Beach to Getty Center) ⏰ **Duration:** ~26 miles, ~1 hour drive. 💗 **Highlights:** Coastal scenery 👁️ **Nearby Attractions:** Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica Beach, Getty Center. 💒 **Palos Verdes Drive** (from Palos Verdes Estates to San Pedro) ⏰ **Duration:** ~15 miles, ~30 minutes drive. 💗 **Highlights:** Cliffside ocean views 👁️ **Nearby Attractions:** Rocky shores, South Coast Botanic Garden, Point Vicente Lighthouse, Wayfarers Chapel (glass church). 🌟 **Mountain Drives** 🌳 **Mulholland Drive** ⏰ **Duration:** ~16 miles, ~40 minutes drive. 💗 **Highlights:** Mountain vistas, city overlooks 👁️ **Nearby Attractions:** Santa Monica Mountains, Universal Studios, Jerome C. Daniel Overlook & Mulholland Scenic Overlook (panoramic city views), Getty Center. 🏔️ **Angeles Crest Scenic Byway** ⏰ **Duration:** ~66 miles, ~2 hours drive. 💗 **Highlights:** Mountain & forest scenery 👁️ **Nearby Attractions:** San Gabriel Mountains, Angeles National Forest, Switzer Falls, Mount Wilson Observatory, Jackson Lake. *P.S.* Continue west to Mojave Desert for a starkly beautiful contrast! 🏜️ **Palms to Pines Scenic Byway** ⏰ **Duration:** ~35 miles, ~46 minutes drive. 💗 **Highlights:** Mountain peaks (snowy in winter), desert landscapes 👁️ **Nearby Attractions:** Palm Desert, San Jacinto Mountains, San Bernardino National Forest. *P.S.* This route is far from Downtown LA—plan ahead! Nearby: Morongo Canyon, Joshua Tree National Park (rugged beauty). 🌟 **Road Trip Tips** - **Parking:** Rates vary by area (metered street parking or lots). Some free options exist; shops may offer discounted parking with purchase. - **Timing:** Weekends/evenings = crowded. Book slots early (e.g., Getty Center parking). - **Fuel Up:** Gas stations are sparse on remote routes—fill up before heading inland! Each of these roads tells a unique story. Start exploring! Search 🔍 **"Los Angeles Local Guide"** for more insider tips~ 💕