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Scenic drives across SoCal
Curated by Simir Shah
9 spots near 92692 — 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
Visit site →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
Get directions →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
Get directions →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
Visit site →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
Get directions →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
Get directions →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
Get directions →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
Get directions →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
Get directions →Get more SoCal adventures near you
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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.