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Scenic drives across SoCal
Curated by Simir Shah
17 spots across Southern California — add your zip or city to sort by what's closest to you
Ortega Highway (Hwy 74)
San Juan Capistrano
A twisting climb through the Santa Ana Mountains and Cleveland National Forest from San Juan Capistrano to Lake Elsinore. A widening project brings intermittent weeknight closures — check current status before going.
🗓️ ~50–60 min one-way
Pacific Coast Highway: Dana Point to Laguna
Dana Point
Clifftop ocean views skirting Laguna's coves and the edge of Crystal Cove State Park. Good family stop: the tide pools and gardens at Heisler Park in Laguna Beach.
🗓️ ~30–45 min one-way
Cliff Overlook, San Clemente State Beach
San Clemente · Scenic stop
A bluff viewpoint ~150 ft above the Pacific and a good sunset spot. Hold hands near the edge; paid state-beach parking.
🗓️ Sunset
💵 Paid parking
Rim of the World Highway (Hwy 18)
San Bernardino
A cliffside rim drive with overlooks toward Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear. Good family stops: Lake Arrowhead Village and Big Bear Lake; chains are often required in winter.
🗓️ ~1 hr one-way to Big Bear
Palos Verdes Scenic Drive (Abalone Cove pullouts)
Rancho Palos Verdes
A cliff-top coastal drive with many family pullouts; dolphins and whales are possible.
🗓️ Year-round
Point Vicente Interpretive Center & bluff loop
Rancho Palos Verdes
Whale-migration exhibits plus a bluff-edge loop with head-on lighthouse and Catalina views.
🗓️ Year-round
Griffith Observatory grounds
Los Angeles
The plaza is a free overlook with the quintessential DTLA and Hollywood Sign view. Free entry, paid parking nearby.
🗓️ Sunset
Mulholland Drive
Los Angeles
A ridgeline drive with several scenic overlooks of the LA basin and San Fernando Valley. Good family stop: the Jerome C. Daniel Overlook above the Hollywood Bowl for Hollywood Sign and downtown views.
🗓️ ~1 hr one-way with stops
Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial
La Jolla
A drive-up 822-ft summit with 360-degree views out to Coronado and beyond. Free.
🗓️ Year-round
Sunset Cliffs / Point Loma Loop
San Diego
A short designated scenic drive along dramatic sandstone sea cliffs, best paired with nearby Cabrillo National Monument. Good family stop: the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park overlooks at dusk.
🗓️ ~15–20 min short loop
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
San Diego
A 1.5-mile stretch of dramatic ocean bluffs and a premier sunset spot. Hold hands near the cliff edges with kids.
🗓️ Sunset
Cabrillo National Monument
San Diego · Scenic stop
Panoramic bay and skyline views, tide pools and a historic lighthouse. Paid NPS entry.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 $20/vehicle (NPS)
Julian Backcountry Drive (Hwy 79)
Julian
A pine-and-oak mountain drive past Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and Lake Cuyamaca into the historic gold-mining and apple town of Julian. Good family stop: Julian for apple pie and cider, with fall apple-picking in late summer.
🗓️ ~45–60 min one-way
Palms to Pines Highway (Hwy 74)
Palm Desert
Climbs from desert palms to conifer forest with sweeping Coachella Valley overlooks, ending in the mountain town of Idyllwild. Start at the visitor center for exhibits and easy trails; winter snow can close higher elevations.
🗓️ ~1.5 hr one-way
Ojai Valley Scenic Overlook (Dennison Grade, SR-150)
Ojai
A roadside pullout over the whole Ojai Valley, famous for the sunset 'pink moment.'
🗓️ Sunset
101 Rincon Coast (Ventura–Santa Barbara)
Ventura
Highway 101 hugs the Pacific for about 12 miles past Faria, Mussel Shoals, and La Conchita. Good family stop: Rincon Point and Rincon Parkway beaches for surf-watching and easy beach access.
🗓️ ~20–30 min one-way
Lizard's Mouth Overlook (W. Camino Cielo)
Santa Barbara
A ~0.25-mile stroll to rock formations with city and ocean views; a golden-hour favorite.
🗓️ Sunset
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Frequently asked questions
What's the best scenic drive in Southern California?
The Pacific Coast Highway is the classic — the Dana Point-to-Laguna stretch is short, gorgeous and family-friendly. For mountains, Palms to Pines (Hwy 74) climbs from the desert to alpine Idyllwild, and the Julian backcountry drive ends in an apple-pie town. Each listing notes a good family stop.
How long do these drives take?
Most are 20 minutes to about 1.5 hours one-way, before stops. We list an approximate drive time for each so you can plan a half-day or full-day outing.
Are mountain drives open year-round?
Coastal drives are generally open year-round; mountain routes (Rim of the World, Palms to Pines) can require snow chains or close in winter storms, and a couple have construction closures — check current conditions before you go.