Top 3 LA Drives: Angeles Crest, Mulholland, and PCH
Los Angeles is one of the rare places where a single day can rise into alpine air, trace a ridgeline, and finish with the ocean on the horizon, and that blend is why these three roads are enduring favorites for drivers who value rhythm over speed and respect over spectacle.
Angeles Crest Highway, Mulholland Drive, and Pacific Coast Highway each carry a distinct mood and etiquette, yet together they form a loop that rewards patience, awareness, and an eye for light as much as it rewards steering feel and smooth inputs.
Drive 1: Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2)
The Angeles Crest Highway stretches roughly 66 miles of two-lane mountain pavement through Angeles National Forest, climbing into genuine alpine weather that can change quickly and often prompts seasonal closures on the highest segments, which is part of what preserves its quieter character when the route is open.
Starting from La Cañada, long sweepers and broad sightlines invite a measured pace where reading the horizon and protecting margin pays off far more than chasing a time, especially as elevation shifts swing temperature, air density, and tire pressure through a morning’s run.
Before committing to an out-and-back, confirm status near Islip Saddle and Vincent Gap so detours don’t interrupt the flow, and remember that services thin out as you gain altitude, which makes preparation and timing part of the pleasure rather than a chore.
Drive 2: Mulholland Drive (Ridgeline Chapter)
Mulholland Drive tracks the Santa Monica Mountains ridge for about 21 paved miles between the city and the Valley, where short sightlines, driveways, and a residential backdrop put finesse, patience, and quiet inputs at the center of a good run.
West of Encino Hills Drive, the unpaved “Dirt Mulholland” segment is closed to motor vehicles, a reminder that parts of the corridor function first as a scenic parkway and open-space connector and only second as a route for spirited driving.
At the western end, Mulholland meets US‑101 while Mulholland Highway continues toward the coast, which makes it a natural bridge between ridge and ocean for drivers who prefer to link chapters into a single, balanced day rather than isolating each road.
Drive 3: Pacific Coast Highway (SR 1)
California State Route 1 is an All‑American Road and the Santa Monica–to–Malibu section is the quintessential coastal stretch where abundant turnouts and steady-state rhythm are baked into the design, rewarding patience and planning over late-braking theatrics.
North of Malibu, landslides and storm repairs are part of SR 1’s long story, so flexible itineraries protect the day if you decide to push beyond LA County toward longer coastal segments and iconic viewpoints farther up the state.
Golden hour often delivers the cleanest colors and calmest tone, and using marked turnouts to reset and let traffic flow tends to produce better memories than trying to force gaps in a corridor designed for shared access to beaches and vistas.
Build a Loop That Flows
A sequence that feels natural is dawn on the Crest for crisp air and clear sightlines, late morning into golden hour on PCH for calmer cadence and light, and quieter windows on Mulholland for a composed ridgeline finish, backed by morning-of checks for mountain status and coastal advisories.
Treat each chapter on its own terms—variable alpine conditions on SR 2, shared beach access and frequent pullouts on SR 1, and residential driveways plus cyclists on Mulholland—so the day remains courteous and stress-free for everyone who uses these roads.
Road Rhythm, Shared Spaces
Courtesy is part of the craft on all three corridors, and leaving room for cyclists, easing noise and pace near homes, and treating limited sightlines as hard limits preserves the very qualities that make these routes worth returning to year after year.
On SR 1, the structure of the highway encourages scheduled pullouts for photos and resets, while on Mulholland the right move is often patience over position, and on the Crest, respect for closure gates and changing weather is simply good mountain driving.
After the Drive, Before the Next
A day that spans altitude, ridgeline heat, and salt air deserves a light rinse and a quick once-over for tires, brake feel, and any new noises so small notes do not become next-day surprises when you plan your next early start.
If anything felt off on the descent or a warning icon flickered, a concise inspection keeps momentum high and protects the experience without shifting the story away from the roads that make Los Angeles special for drivers who value craft and care.
Support for Porsche Owners in LA County
For local owners who appreciate maintenance that blends into the background, HOUSE Automotive provides inspection, service, and repair between drives so the focus stays on the loop itself and the respect it asks of everyone who enjoys it.
The intent is simple—keep the car ready, keep the day graceful, and keep the roads welcoming—so each return to the mountain, ridge, and coast feels as composed as the last.