The automobile and Hollywood cultures dominate LA’s social scene. The SUV and many other automobile innovations began here. Since the freeways are clogged, an increasing number of people talk on cell phones until they arrive at an establishment. So the driver should always be alert and drive defensively.

    Rain is good. Immediately afterwards the infamous smog is wiped away. Since winter captures most of the otherwise rarely occurring rain, keep your camera handy for the most scenic views in that season. Drive up Western Ave into Griffith Park and locate one of the lookout perches facing south. Your view from the mountain overlooks an eclectic mixture of Hollywood landmarks and the exquisite Los Feliz district of celebrity homes.

    Downtown LA is being re-imagined to attract more professional residents and retain after-hour workers, artists, tourists and conventioneers. Since 2000, Walt Disney Concert Hall and Staples Center have been the signature developments to trigger over $5 billion new investment in the area. Next to Staples Center in South Park, the huge LA Live entertainment complex is under construction with phased implementation of parts to occur between 2008 to 2010. Along with many nearby condos under construction, Staples Center-LA Live promises to challenge Santa Monica, Culver City and Pasadena as an after-work and weekend destination. In the northern side of downtown, the Grand Avenue Project will soon break ground to compliment Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Music Center, and Colburn School of Performing Arts and solidify Downtown as LA’s primary cultural center.

    For views of LA’s best concentration of grand architecture and major developments, drive along Figueroa, Flower, Hope, Grand Avenues, Broadway, First Street and Fifth Street. Figueroa Street has the futuristic Staples Center and Grand Avenue the must-see Walt Disney Concert Hall. Driving westbound on Fifth Street also reveals the whimsical Pershing Square and LA’s tallest skyscraper Library Tower, but today called US Bank.

Beverly Hills-Century City

    Drive westbound on Wilshire Blvd, when you reach La Cienega Blvd then turn right and you’ll pass many fine restaurants. When you get to Santa Monica Blvd turn left. This boulevard is immaculately landscaped through West Hollywood. When you reach the Beverly Hills city limit sign, you notice a manicured linear park on your right side. Proceed slowly for half a mile then, turn right on Rodeo Drive to browse this world-famous shopping district. At Wilshire Blvd again, turn left, drive one block, turn left on Beverly Blvd and proceed northbound towards the hills. When you cross Santa Monica Blvd you’ll see palatial estates again. Reaching the Canon Drive-Beverly Blvd intersection, turn left onto Canon or continue on Beverly Drive – equal eye candy awaits. Drive across Sunset Blvd and glimpse a view of the pink Beverly Hills Hotel hiding among palm trees. Feel free to take rights and lefts to see a variety of homes that appeal as you creatively lounge.

Wilshire Boulevard

    For views along the boulevard that best represents LA’s time capsule, multi-cultural and architectural sampler, start Downtown then drive a dozen miles westbound through Westlake, Mac Arthur Park, Wilshire Center, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Westside (LA) and finally to Santa Monica. Only take this drive in off-commute hours or weekends, since the traffic is otherwise unbearable.

Melrose Avenue

    For views of LA’s hippest shops and eye-catching shoppers, start at La Brea Ave in Hollywood, then turn left or right to head as appropriate to westbound on Melrose Ave. Drive slowly for several miles until Melrose merges with Santa Monica Blvd entering Beverly Hills.

Brentwood-Pacific Palisades

    For a scenic ride off into the Southern California sunset, start at Sunset Blvd from the I-405 freeway, drive westbound to the Pacific Ocean. Hope you brought your sunglasses.

Malibu

    For breath-taking views of the Pacific Ocean, beach and celebrity homes, take Pacific Coast Highway 1 northbound. Make sure the driver keeps his/her eyes on the road, since there is no median barrier. Avoid the left-most lane in case someone returning from the beach had too much to drink.

South Beach Cities-San Pedro Harbor

    For views of life in Southern California beach cities and one of the world’s busiest harbors, from LAX travel south on Pacific Coast Highway to the Palos Verdes Blvd, then turn right on to Palos Verdes Drive. While circling the peninsula oceanfront, you’ll see riveting views of Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes and finally San Pedro Harbor, where major cruise ships and pleasure craft dock and cargo ships pass by. While in San Pedro, stop in Ports O’Call village for a repast. Driving northbound to I-110 freeway, notice Los Angeles World Cruise Center on your right.