Where are the Most Beautiful Drives to Take in SoCal? 

While you might live in a seaside community like Huntington Beach, crashing waves and yacht clubs are not the only kind of scenery on hand in Southern California. Load the kids in the SUV and head out to connect with some stunning scenery while escaping the frenetic freeways. These drives can take just an hour or the entire day. It’s up to you.

Sunrise Scenic Byway

See the lush greenery found throughout the greater San Diego region and the barren yet exotic colors of the Anza-Borrego Desert in a single day. This 24-mile winding byway wanders through the Cleveland National Forest, up Mt. Laguna, and ends near Julian. Stop at the Laguna Recreation Area and see both desert and panoramic mountain views at the same time. Bring your bike, take a walk, or even saddle up your horse and leave the paved road behind.

Camino Del Mar to La Jolla

Treat yourself to a mix of gorgeous luxury neighborhoods, the best of Pacific Ocean Views, and some serious eats while you explore the winding roads down the coast. Start with Highway 101 at Cardiff, travel through Del Mar, and down through Torrey Pines State Reserve. You end up on the beach in La Jolla, where you can indulge in some fresh off-the-boat seafood.

Bradshaw Trail

Would you like to put your rugged 4X4 to the test while exploring more of California? The Bradshaw Trail is an unpaved road spanning Riverside County to the Colorado River in Arizona. While navigating sandy stretches and testing your driving skills, you are treated to views of the Chuckwalla and Mule Mountains. The trail is 70 miles long and will take about 3 hours to traverse its graveled road. Experience a taste of what settlers saw back in the late 1800s while enjoying the abilities of your off-road machine.

Death Valley Scenic Byway

When you live on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, it can be tempting to ignore the fact that you live just a few miles from the desert. Expand your horizons when you take a drive through Death Valley on the National Scenic Byway. Sections exist below sea level and offer the chance to catch a glimpse of bighorn sheep, a roadrunner, or a Mojave Desert tortoise. Make sure to have your vehicle serviced before you go, as its coolant system will be pushed to the limit on a hot summer day. It takes two to four hours to explore this often-overlooked national treasure.

29 Palms Highway

You start at the intersection of I-10 and Highway 62, east of LA. This short diversion sends you to the Joshua Tree National Monument through nine miles of stunning scenery and winding roads. Desert landscapes, hundreds of wind turbines, cacti, rocky outcrops, and a sense of unending space make it a relaxing and eye-opening drive.

Whether you want a new SUV, truck, or car to take for a spin around SoCal or need your current ride serviced, you don’t need to look farther than the Beach Boulevard of Cars. You should stop by on your way out of town for one of these beautiful scenic drives.