Santa Monica Mountains - Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, CA

I never get tired of this drive. It starts just north of the LA/Ventura County Line, where Yerba Buena Road intersects Pacific Coast Highway. Yerba Buena climbs (and winds) steeply up into the Santa Monica Mountains, with great views of the Boney Peak Wilderness. Jog left at Decker Canyon Road, then follow Mulholland Highway east. You'll have outstanding views, endless corners, and pass vineyards, highlights like the Rock Store (packed with motorcyclists on the weekends but a great old-timey photo-op on weekdays), Malibu Canyon, and the Old Place. Don't miss the right turn onto Old Topanga Canyon Road, this leads to more scenic driving albeit through a more residential area than the wilderness of the start of the drive. Finish by taking Topanga Canyon Road down to the beach.

The usual cautions of mountain driving apply: sand and rocks on the road, very narrow road in places and oftentimes no shoulders. You may see fair numbers of motorcyclists and bicyclists depending on your timing.