VIBE

This narrow road twisted tightly through the Hollywood Hills offers fabulous vistas of the city (Hollywood Sign, downtown LA, Burbank, Universal City) and sneaky glimpses of some of the most exclusive properties in the country. (Jack Nicholson and Pamela Anderson are among those who have Mulholland Drive addresses.) It attracts a fair few tourists–many drawn by the David Lynch film of the same name–along with Jag- and Maserati-driving local traffic. An unpaved section of the road (west of Freeway 405) is popular with outdoor enthusiasts.

GO HERE WITH

A fan of the film Mulholland Drive; an LA first-timer; a photo enthusiast; an outdoorsy type

WHY WE LIKE IT

Besides the thrill of connecting with the pop culture references that make it so famous, it also offers flat-out astounding views. Hiking or biking along the Runyon Canyon Park trail network fanning out from the unpaved section is highly recommended both for the vistas and trailside scenery.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

It’s windy (that’s what makes it great), so it’s not recommended for those with motion sickness.

GOOD TO KNOW

The main portion of Mulholland Drive starts at the intersection with Cahuenga Boulevard and ends west of the 405 Freeway. Drives from east to west offer the best photo ops. The unpaved section of the road connects with the hiking trails of Runyon Canyon Park. Very early morning drives are recommended for minimal traffic. There are some small parking areas at official scenic overlooks along the drive where the best photo ops can be found (e.g., of the Hollywood Sign), but at peak times, these limited parking spaces can be full.

CLOSEST COMPS

Pacific Coast Highway (Los Angeles)

Read more about Mulholland Drive in The Diary

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to Los Angeles