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~ 💕