Visiting LA

I'm heading to LA at the end of September, and it'll be my first time in California. My friend and I decided some fun drop-top driving is in order for this trip, so we rented a Porsche (nothing fancy, just a Boxster. The 911s are pretty expensive to rent, and we weren't looking to spend that kind of cash on a car rental). I'm looking for some good advice on fun driving roads, and I figured the local LGTers would have some good input on this. So, what does everyone recommend we do in terms of fun and exciting driving/exploring? We're two born and raised New Yorkers, so roads to us are usually pothole laden death-traps. I must say ecstatic doesn't even begin to describe my excitement for this trip .

Angels Crest hwy

What part of LA/Southern California are you visiting exactly and for how long?

 

This is not a driving road, but if you're in California on a Saturday morning, I would highly, highly recommend you check out the Cars & Coffee event in Irvine. People start showing up before 6:00am and start leaving around 8:00am.

 

The address for the place is: 7905 Gateway Blvd., Irvine, CA 92618

It's now a Taco Bell headquarters building, but it used to be Ford's Premier Auto Group building. Mazda has a building in the adjacent lot where the overflow of cars park.

 

For a taste of what shows up every Saturday, check out this photographer's gallery: http://www.cncpics.com/2011

A quick look at the photos show that the Red Bull F1 car showed up on Sept. 3rd. There's always something new and unique every time I visit. Probably not as crazy as an F1 car, but still. No C&C on the 17th, so hopefully you won't be around during that time.

For spirited driving id say glendora mountain road as well as angeles crest which was mentioned. Just watch out for initial d fanboys

^^ I want to go to cars & coffee. +1. U should go if ur up for that.

We'll be staying at a friend's place in Palos Verdes, and we're out there from 9/27-10/3.

 

I'd love to make the cars and coffee event, but we have a wedding that Friday night. My state of consciousness come 6am Saturday may be a bit questionable. It looks like a super-sweet event, though; if we can make it out there we certainly will. My friend said he's actually heard of it before.

 

I was reading up on the Angeles Crest Highway and Glendora Mountain Road, they both look like awesome roads we should check out!

 

Thanks for the advice, everyone, I appreciate it. Keep your good ideas coming!

If you're staying in palos verdes, there are also some nice twisty switchbacks. Your friend you're staying with might know where it is.

I'd recommend Decker Canyon Road and anything else in the Malibu Canyon area.

 

Here's a map I made to highlight a few fun roads:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=204991309579348354021.0004acd50bcd6fc0136ab&msa=0&ll=34.080531,-118.794479&spn=0.383881,0.727158

 

GMR (glendora mountain road) is great, Angeles crest is pretty good, but I like Decker best. Lots of very tight turns. Mullholand is more of a nice cruising road. I'm sure you can find lots of descriptions of all these if you search the net.

 

If you go up to Malibu, you can take virtually every canyon road by starting on PCH (Pacific Coast Highway, Hwy 1) and taking a road over to Hwy 101, going to the next exit, and then going back over the mountains to PCH and so on.

+1 on these suggestions. I was born in LA, but am a bay area transplant. Recommend you pack a good radar detector as well. Our CHP love spirited drivers visiting from other states.

Thanks for all of the road suggestions. I'm going to do some research and plan out some fun routes. My friend that I'm flying out with is actually a fellow LGTer, so we'll keep our eyes open for you guys!

 

Evan, thanks for highlighting those routes on the map for me, they look awesome.

 

+1 on these suggestions. I was born in LA, but am a bay area transplant. Recommend you pack a good radar detector as well. Our CHP love spirited drivers visiting from other states.

Very good point. I'll make sure to bring my Escort with me.

I'm with Evan on this one, all the roads in the Santa Monica mountains are best and less crowded than GMR and Angeles Crest. Mulholland is excellent and ties together all the other great roads: Stunt Rd, Piuma Cyn, Decker Cyn, Tuna Cyn, Los Flores Rd... there's a lot of exploring to be had, Stunt/Piuma are my favorite. Throw in Topanga Cyn too for good measure, although this is heavily trafficked so spirited driving must be done at night. And bring that escort and be on the lookout for Ka....

You are going to get EATEN by the CHP. Give me a shout when you are rolling into town. We should meet up.

What are the costs for the Boxster and where did you rent it?

 

If you end up in Malibu and want to eat, Neptune's and The Rock Store are both popular spots. I like Neptune's, but haven't been to Rock Store yet.

 

Here's a couple other sites that might be helpful:

 

http://www.pashnit.com/motoroads.htm - check out the map on the right side and also scroll down to the "SoCal Mountains", "Los Angeles Foothills", and "Southern California" sections. A lot of sections seem to require you to be a subscriber ($20/yr) and they also sell printed guides that might be handy.

 

http://www.lateralg.org/roads/orange/la.htm - check the "Roads" menu item in the top left.

You are going to get EATEN by the CHP. Give me a shout when you are rolling into town. We should meet up.

Absolutely, check your PM.

 

The perk of having a New York driver's license is despite the "driver license compact," New York assess no penalties to New York license holders for out-of-state traffic violations (unless it's drunk driving, manslaughter, a felony in which a vehicle was used or failing to stop and help someone at an accident scene in which someone then dies). That's not to say I'm going to be a crazy, reckless psycho; but my fears are quenched a bit by this. Colorado, Maryland, Nevada and Pennsylvania are the other states that do not assess points to their drivers for out-of-state traffic violations.

 

What are the costs for the Boxster and where did you rent it?

We're getting it from Black and White Car Rental in Los Angeles. The vehicle is $195/day, but there are none of the BS fees that companies like Hertz and Avis charge (they charge a "concession fee," "miscellaneous fee" and a few other random fees and surcharges here and there). The only thing B&W charges you is tax. Click here for a list of B&W's cars.

 

Thanks for those additional links/maps. I'm going to look them over this evening when I get home from work.... Yes I'm guilty of LGT.com-ing while at work -- I can't be the only one, right ?

I imagine you're already committed to the rental, but Midway is another option. They list the Boxster at $199 plus tax with 100 miles per day. Additional miles are 45¢/mi.

 

http://www.midwaycarrental.com

I imagine you're already committed to the rental, but Midway is another option. They list the Boxster at $199 plus tax with 100 miles per day. Additional miles are 45¢/mi.

 

http://www.midwaycarrental.com

I looked at Midway, but you need to be 25+ to rent a luxury car from them. I'm 22 and my buddy is 23. B&W doesn't even asses an "underage" fee to me because I'm over 21 and have full insurance coverage that transfers to my rental. B&W also gives us 10 more miles per day and charges $4 less for the rental (not like that's a huge savings, though).

Ah, right you are. When I select 21-24 age, it takes away all the fun cars.

Ah, right you are. When I select 21-24 age, it takes away all the fun cars.

And where's the excitement in that, right ? I read some good things about B&W, so I hope all goes well when it comes time to get the vehicle. I was actually surprised to see some companies will rent luxury/exotic vehicles to people under 25, but hey, I'm glad they do!

Google temescal canyon road up in San Fernando Valley and going down to Malibu, best start eariler in the morning so you don't get caught up with slower casual drivers.

 

Also LA is great for the food scene as well, it's not just about driving.

Google temescal canyon road up in San Fernando Valley and going down to Malibu, best start eariler in the morning so you don't get caught up with slower casual drivers.

 

Also LA is great for the food scene as well, it's not just about driving.

Its funny you mention that, we're both foodies and have been researching the food scene as well.

 

Who's got some good recommendations?

Its funny you mention that, we're both foodies and have been researching the food scene as well.

 

Who's got some good recommendations?

 

Depends on your:

 

1. anticipated budget (how much you wanna pay for your meal, $10? $20? $100?)

2. type of food/cuisine/ethnicity

3. general part of socal/LA (westLA/santamonica/midwilshire/ktown/downtown/hollywood/pasadena/san gabriel valley area/south bay/long beach/orange county)?

 

Too many good places of too many varieties so you'll have to be specific in your search strings, I eat out everywhere and all kinds of foods so its hard to answer 'whats good?'

Food? Open up Los Angeles magazine brohan, its got all the hot spots!

Campanille. The Standard (rooftop downtown). Spago is kitchy just to be funny and its location is entertaining. Been partying in LA for 37 years. On locations for 10 years filming. Know every inch. Happy to make a day of it.

Don't forget food trucks too

Tujunga Canyon is my personal favorite. And definitely check out the food trucks. If you're feeling some Mexican food, a safe choice is El Taurino as it's always good.

Lawry's for some prime rib! Spago is good stuff too.