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from the A*List Deals Weekly Newsletter
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Los Angeles Driving Tour
Text by Marael Johnson Photo by amygdala Imagery
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El Matador Beach on the Pacific Coast Highway at sunset. |
Pacific Coast Highway (also known as P.C.H., or Highway 1), running from Santa Monica to Zuma Beach, is one of Southern California's most scenic drives. And, in addition, celebrities are most likely flying past, or stuck at a traffic light right alongside.
*Bolded names and numbers in the text below correspond with our map of this tour.
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Begin your tour with a breathtaking hit of drama. Pointing north on Santa Monica's Ocean Avenue, cross Wilshire Boulevard, then veer off to the left onto the California Incline ramp for a grand Hollywood-style entrance onto the Pacific Coast Highway. An alternative start point is the Santa Monica Pier; the old beach clubs and movie tycoons' mansions still exist here, while the Gold Coast of early years lies just to the north. The wide, sunny sands of Santa Monica State Beach are favored by locals.
At Sunset Boulevard, you have the option of detouring to the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine and the Will Rogers State Historic Park (1). The Getty Villa (17985 Pacific Coast Highway), north of Sunset Boulevard on the right, reopened in 2002 as a showcase for Roman and Greek antiquities. North of Sunset Boulevard the seaside stretch becomes Will Rogers State Beach.
To zoom in on canyon culture and wilderness areas, take a right at Topanga Canyon. Unfortunately, this stunning natural area is often the victim of nature's evils, namely fires, mudslides, and quakes. Heavily forested Topanga State Park (2) (20825 Entrada Rd.), east of the boulevard, provides a respite from the road and sensational views. At the community of Topanga—approximately midway between the coast and the San Fernando Valley—you'll feel as if you've tunneled back in time to the 1960s. Alternative life-stylers, artsy-craftsy shops, and a distinctive hippie ambience fill the woodsy air. Take the Old Topanga Canyon Road fork, and just to the west is the Inn of the Seventh Ray, which serves moderately priced, healthful meals in a meditative outdoor atmosphere. Adventurous travelers can continue north on this road to Mulholland Highway; although it is a long, arduous trek through rugged wilderness, the scenery is eye-popping (inquire about road conditions before venturing along this route).
Return back the way you came, turning west at Pacific Coast Highway. Dating back to the turn of the century, the landmark Malibu Pier (3), between the Sweetwater Canyon and Serra roads, was closed at the time of writing, although plans for its reconstruction are on the books. Adjacent Surfrider Beach, the big surfing spot of the 1960s, is still a favorite with surfers today. Pull into one of the nearby lots to visit the Adamson House and Malibu Lagoon Museum, then stop at Malibu Lagoon State Beach, a bird refuge in surf city.
The road into famous Malibu Beach Colony (south of Malibu Road) is private and heavily guarded, but you stand a good chance of running into celebrities at Malibu Colony Plaza, near the entrance, or when dining on Wolfgang Puck classics at Granita (23725 Malibu Rd.). Continuing west from the town center, Pepperdine University (a.k.a. Surfer's U) and its white cross hover over the highway at your right. The Malibu Gold Coast, with yet more powerhouse homes, runs from Escondido Beach Road to Paradise Cove (4). The latter was the setting for several Frankie and Annette beach-party movies and numerous television shows, and it is home to the Sandcastle, a popular restaurant. Broad Beach (5), about 6 miles (9.6 kilometers) west of Paradise Cove, is crammed with celebrity homes—and this time you're allowed to get out and sniff around. Take the path next to 31346 Broad Beach (note that the fence is unlocked from sunrise to sunset).
Backtrack to the expansive sands at Zuma Beach (30000 Pacific Coast Highway), to watch the sun set over L.A. County.
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