Thunder Roadhouse Cafe, Sunset Strip
Scenic Driving in Los Angeles ©LA INC./Michele and Tom Grimm
Driving in LA has always been glamorous. In this city, "scenic" means "where the scene is at," and there's no doubt that Los Angeles has its fair share of drives featuring LA-centric landscapes. Hotels, restaurants, clubs, historic architecture and, of course, LA's diverse population line the city streets for the curious visitor. These scenic drives offer spectacular sights at night, when the lights of the city cast a spotlight on the bustling energy LA has to offer. So hop in the car, pump up the bass and cruise the streets of LA.
The Vehicle: A decked-out Cadillac Escalade with tinted windows, spinning rims and a sound system loud enough to let the car next to you share your musical taste.
The Story: More than any other, this iconic thoroughfare embodies LA’s celebrity cachet and reputation for West Coast glamour. By day, the Boulevard, which stretches from Downtown through Pacific Palisades to the water, is a vibrant collection of boutiques, outdoor cafés and countless references to pop culture, including the old Hollywood Palladium and the famed Sunset Tower Hotel. Cruising down Sunset yields a veritable panorama of decked-out cars vying for attention with giant, wall-to-wall billboards and a panoply of colorful pedestrians.
After dark, Sunset Boulevard — and particularly the mile-and-a-half stretch known as The Strip — morphs into a pulsating hub for live music, dancing and nightlife. The Strip has a long-standing reputation as a playground for celebrities and is home to some of the city’s most famous nightclubs.
Reasons to Pull Over: Live music at Whiskey a-Go-Go (made famous in the 60s by bands like The Doors), The Roxy, Viper Room or House of Blues® Sunset Strip; and top-name comedy acts at the Laugh Factory.
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The Vehicle: A MINI Cooper — a small and maneuverable import with a style that gets noticed.
The Story: This stretch is where the Hollywood legend first emerged during the 1950s. Leading men in pin-striped suits sipped martinis in dark lounges and producers discovered young actresses on street corners. Today, it’s still a tourist center and hotter than ever, thanks to major renovations. New attractions such as the Hollywood & Highland Center, a massive entertainment and shopping complex, and the Kodak Theatre (home of the Oscars®) have injected new energy into the area. But the street still retains a gritty sense of charm with its odd stores selling movie souvenirs and its cast of eccentric characters — from sidewalk rappers to pierced punk rockers. At Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, an eclectic mix of costumed super heroes and movie characters keep crowds entertained with their antics. And Hollywood Boulevard is also home to some of the town’s hottest nightspots, the kind that are so cool they don’t have a sign on their entrance, just a line outside the door.
Reasons to Pull Over: Catch the newest blockbuster (or check out the hand and footprints of the stars embedded in the concrete throughout the courtyard) at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre; look for James Dean’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (or a host of other famous stars); or attend a taping of the Jimmy Kimmel Show at the El Capitan Theatre.
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The Vehicle: 1956 Cadillac Convertible — a classic car for a classic drive.
The Story: Cruising the Fifth Avenue of the West can be an all day affair — if you do it right. Wilshire is undoubtedly the backbone of LA, spanning 16 miles from Downtown to Santa Monica and leading you on a treasure trail of the city’s historic, cultural and architectural roots. A drive down Wilshire, one of the most densely populated roads in the city, will take you through several distinct neighborhoods with a variety of ethnic populations and past nearly every architectural style of the 20th century, from Victorian to Gothic to Art Deco. Your tour begins Downtown, amid some of the tallest and oldest skyscrapers in the city, and ends with stunning views from the Pacific Coast Highway. Along the way, you’ll pass the hustle and bustle of Westlake and Koreatown, the sleek condos of the Miracle Mile, the cultural gems of Museum Row and swanky Beverly Hills shopping.
Reasons to Pull Over: Refocus with a tea ceremony at Hwa Sun Ji in Koreatown; get up close to a saber-toothed cat at the La Brea Tar Pits; visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and its new addition, the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM); people watch at The Blvd Lounge in the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel; check out Westwood Village and the Hammer Museum.
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The Vehicle: An eye-catching 1968 Corvette Stingray.
The Story: Known as the Valley’s backbone, Ventura stretches through the San Fernando Valley from Studio City to Tarzana. Originally part of El Camino Real, Ventura is one of the oldest roads in the area. Today, it’s where you’ll find some of the area’s best shopping, dining and nightlife. You can also find several colorful mosaics along the route, including the California History Mosaic in Studio City and the Firefighter’s Mural and the WaMu Mosaic, both in Encino.
Fashionistas flock to Ventura for its numerous boutiques as well as vintage clothing shops and the Sherman Oaks Galleria, once a favorite hangout for the area’s infamously celebrated “valley girls.”
Reasons to Pull Over: Fuel up before your shopping spree at the Patio Cafe in the Sportsman’s Lodge Hotel or at one of the many independent mom-and-pop eateries that dot the route. Ventura Bar & Grill in Woodland Hills makes an excellent choice for the end of your drive. And at night, join other fun-seekers at Ventura’s hip nightclubs such as Clear and Firefly.
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