Best Scenic Drives Near LA for a Tesla Rental 2026

Los Angeles sits at the doorstep of seven distinct scenic drives that put a rented Tesla on Pacific coastline, alpine switchbacks, and high desert roads within a two-hour radius, and the right pick depends on your schedule, the season, and how much curve you want under FSD (Supervised).

Why this matters

Most "scenic drive" lists near Los Angeles read the same whether you're in a rented sedan or a rideshare. A Tesla changes the math: FSD (Supervised) takes the edge off long stretches of highway, regenerative braking makes canyon descents smoother, and concierge delivery from Suite Escape means the drive starts the moment you land, not after a shuttle bus and a rental counter line.

Suite Escape's fleet — Model Y, Model 3, and Cybertruck — covers three very different driving experiences across these seven routes, and 450+ five-star reviews suggest the concierge model works for travelers who want the car pristine and charged before they touch the wheel. Unlimited miles matter here too: some of these loops run 100+ miles round trip, and mileage caps turn a scenic drive into a math problem.

FSD (Supervised) assists with lane centering and speed on these roads, but you stay in control and attentive at all times — switchbacks and canyon curves still need a human hand near the wheel.

What makes the best scenic drive for a Tesla rental

• Supercharger access within range of the loop, so you're not babysitting the battery percentage
• Road surface quality that keeps FSD (Supervised) comfortable on curves, not fighting potholes
• Drive time from LA or LAX that fits a half-day, full-day, or overnight window
• Elevation change and curve variety — flat coastal cruising reads differently than mountain switchbacks
• Cell signal reliability for navigation once you're past the canyon walls
• Photo-worthy pull-offs that don't require parking in a traffic lane

Best scenic drives near Los Angeles: at a glance

1. Pacific Coast Highway: best scenic drive for classic coastal cruising

Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica through Malibu runs along open ocean the entire way, with pullouts at Point Dume and El Matador State Beach built for a five-minute photo stop. It's flat, wide, and forgiving, which makes it the easiest of the seven routes to run with FSD (Supervised) doing the lane-keeping while you watch the water.

Pacific Coast Highway pros:

• Ocean views the entire length, no detour required
• Wide, well-maintained lanes suited to FSD (Supervised)
• Charging options along the route toward Santa Barbara

Pacific Coast Highway cons:

• Weekend and holiday traffic through Malibu can turn a 30-minute drive into 90
• Beach parking fills fast in summer

Best for: first-time visitors and sunset photo runs. Verdict: Drive it, any season.

2. Mulholland Drive: best scenic drive for a quick after-work loop

Mulholland Drive threads the ridge above the Valley and the Westside, delivering city-light overlooks without leaving Los Angeles proper. It's short enough to run in an hour round trip, which makes it the pick for a local who wants a scenic break without burning a full day.

Mulholland Drive pros:

• No planning required — accessible from most LA neighborhoods in under 30 minutes
• Overlook points at the Hollywood Bowl and Universal City vistas
• Short enough for a weeknight run

Mulholland Drive cons:

• Narrow, unlit in stretches after dark
• No Supercharger access directly on the route

Best for: locals wanting a fast scenic break. Verdict: Drive it.

3. Angeles Crest Highway: best scenic drive for mountain switchbacks

Angeles Crest Highway climbs from La Cañada Flintridge into the San Gabriel Mountains, passing elevation over 7,000 feet near Dawson Saddle. The switchback count and grade change make this the most technical route on the list, and it's where FSD (Supervised) shows its limits — you'll want your hands ready through the tighter curves.

Angeles Crest Highway pros:

• Dramatic elevation change and mountain overlooks
• Cooler temperatures in summer than the valley floor
• Fewer cars than the coastal routes

Angeles Crest Highway cons:

• Seasonal snow closures in winter, sometimes with little notice
• Weak cell signal in the higher sections

Best for: drivers who want real mountain curves. Verdict: Drive it, but check road conditions before you leave.

4. Topanga Canyon Boulevard: best scenic drive for a fast canyon-to-coast connector

Topanga Canyon Boulevard cuts through the Santa Monica Mountains and drops you onto Pacific Coast Highway in under 30 minutes from the Valley. It's less about the destination and more about the transition — oak canyon to ocean horizon in one continuous road.

Topanga Canyon Boulevard pros:

• Connects two very different landscapes in one short drive
• Shaded canopy sections that stay cool in summer
• Ends directly at the coast for a beach stop

Topanga Canyon Boulevard cons:

• Tight curves with no shoulder in several stretches
• Can back up behind slow traffic with no passing lane

Best for: a fast scenic detour between the Valley and the beach. Verdict: Drive it.

5. Ortega Highway: best scenic drive for a full-day loop toward the desert

Ortega Highway (Highway 74) climbs out of San Juan Capistrano through chaparral hills before dropping toward the desert side of the Santa Ana Mountains. At roughly 30 miles of curves with real elevation gain, it rewards a full-day trip rather than a quick loop, and it pairs well with a stop in the desert on the far side.

Ortega Highway pros:

• Fewer tourists than the coastal or mountain routes
• Long, sweeping curves rather than tight switchbacks
• Desert overlooks on the eastern descent

Ortega Highway cons:

• Long stretches with no Supercharger access — plan your charge before leaving
• Curvy enough to bother motion-sensitive passengers

Best for: a full-day trip with a desert payoff. Verdict: Drive it, charge first.

Ortega Highway also shows up on lists of day trips from Los Angeles in a rented Tesla for good reason — it's one of the few routes on this list that functions as a full day out rather than an afternoon loop.

6. Rim of the World Drive: best scenic drive for snow-capped mountain views

Rim of the World Drive (Highway 18) climbs to Big Bear Lake and delivers alpine views you won't find anywhere else within two hours of Los Angeles. In winter, snow on the peaks makes the overlooks worth the drive on their own, but chain control can go into effect on short notice.

Rim of the World Drive pros:

• Big Bear Lake overlooks and alpine scenery unmatched on this list
• Cooler mountain air, a real change of scene from LA
• Worth the trip in both summer and winter for different reasons

Rim of the World Drive cons:

• Chain control possible in winter conditions
• Longest drive time from LA on this list, at 90-100 minutes

Best for: a mountain day trip with real elevation payoff. Verdict: Wait for clear weather in winter, drive it freely the rest of the year.

7. Highway 33 through Ojai: best scenic drive for a quiet countryside escape

Highway 33 runs north out of Ojai through rolling farmland and oak groves, with almost none of the traffic that clogs the coastal and canyon routes. It's the slowest-paced entry on this list — fewer curves, fewer overlooks, more open sky.

Highway 33 pros:

• Minimal traffic compared to every other route on this list
• Wide open farmland views, a real change from city driving
• Easy, low-stress road for a relaxed pace

Highway 33 cons:

• Fewer charging stops en route than the coastal routes
• Less dramatic scenery than the mountain or coastal options

Best for: a low-key countryside drive without crowds. Verdict: Drive it.

How we ranked these drives

Each route was measured against the same six criteria: Supercharger access, road surface quality, drive time from Los Angeles, elevation and curve variety, cell signal reliability, and photo-worthy stops. Routes that scored well on charging access and road quality ranked higher for FSD (Supervised) comfort; routes with seasonal closures got an honest limitation listed rather than a blanket recommendation.

Which scenic drive should you choose?

If you only have time for one, Pacific Coast Highway is the default pick for 2026 — it's flat, scenic the entire way, and forgiving for a first-time Tesla driver. Pick Mulholland Drive if you want a scenic break without leaving the city, and pick Rim of the World Drive if you're planning a full day and the weather forecast is clear.

Whatever the route, checking current pricing on renting a Tesla in Los Angeles before you book saves a surprise at pickup — rates and availability shift with season and demand in 2026 just like any rental market.

FAQ

One last thing

The route most visitors skip is Highway 33 through Ojai, and it's the one locals mention when asked where they actually go to get away from traffic. No switchbacks to manage, no crowds at the overlooks — just open farmland and a quiet two hours away from the noise of the coastal routes.

Related guides

• Day trips from Los Angeles in a rented Tesla
• Tesla Model Y rental deals in Los Angeles