I have always had a slightly unusual obsession with cars.
Maybe it's a consequence of growing up with three brothers or perhaps it was caused by my uncle’s perennially expanding collection of vintage racing cars? Whatever the reason, the lure and fascination have never left me.
Los Angeles has a surprisingly vibrant car culture with its many car museums, classic car dealers and restorers. Added to this, Los Angeles is famous for its scenic drives. Whether you are cruising down Pacific Coast Highway or motoring along Mulholland Drive, there is always an interesting view from your window.
There are several notable restorers throughout the city. Founded by Rob Dickinson, a British singer-songwriter, Singer Vehicle Design provides a venue for Rob to pursue his dreams of customizing the ultimate Porsche 911s in line with the company slogan of "Restored, Reimagined, Reborn".
ICON focuses primarily on vintage vehicles like 1960-1975 Toyota Land Cruisers and 1966-1975 Ford Broncos. They offer sales worldwide and always ensure the original model year and title are maintained. Their mission is to marry enhanced vehicle performance with classic styling.
Despite being one of the most car-centric cities globally, there was not a central location to celebrate automotive history until philanthropist and publishing magnate Robert E. Petersen and his wife opened the infamous Petersen Automotive Museum. It is a living, breathing example of L.A.'s rich car culture and the Petersen Museum is a globally respected institute for automotive research.
J.B. Nethercutt spent a lifetime collecting and refurbishing cars, and was determined to provide a place where he could share his masterpieces with the public at the Nethercutt Collection. Today, the primary collection in Los Angeles consists of over 250 American and European automobiles ranging from 1898 to 1997.
The best way to participate in local car culture is by taking a scenic drive through the area, many of these places have inspired famous musicians and filmmakers throughout the years. The following are some of the most breathtaking and culturally significant drives.
Pacific Coast Highway: This iconic stretch of the California coastline gives you spectacular ocean views, winding roads, tight turns, beautiful beaches, soaring mountains and clear skies.
Mulholland Drive: Along with being one of the most famous roads in Los Angeles, Mulholland Drive offers breathtaking views of the landscape and scenery. It was named after William Mulholland, an esteemed engineer. He aided the construction of the aqueduct that helped bring significant growth to the city in 1913.
Wilshire Boulevard from Downtown L.A. to Pacific Coast Highway: Wilshire is a 16-mile road that leads to Santa Monica. If you want, the journey can turn into an exquisite day trip since you'll be passing through many of the city's most notable historical, cultural, and architectural hotspots
Hollywood Boulevard from La Brea Avenue to Vine Street: If you are a film buff, this stretch is full of Hollywood history.
All within a few hours drive from the City, these are definitely worth a look no matter what time of year.
Joshua Tree National Park
Montecito and Santa Barbara
Big Bear Lake
Laguna Beach
Santa Ynez, Los Olivos and Los Alamos
Buying and selling homes can be both an exhilarating and a stressful time. Catherine particularly enjoys getting to know her clients, working with them to navigate the process, and helping them to achieve their goals.