There’s a reason Southern California is considered a convertible driver’s paradise. With 300-plus days of sunshine, world-class coastal highways, and some of the most dramatic ocean views on the West Coast, SoCal was practically designed for the Mazda MX-5 Miata. If you’ve been thinking about picking up one of the best convertibles for summer, these five drives will make the decision easy.
1. Pacific Coast Highway: Malibu to Oxnard
No list of SoCal coastal drives is complete without PCH. Stretching northwest from Malibu through Point Mugu and into Oxnard, this stretch trades stop-and-go beach traffic for wide-open curves hugging the Pacific cliffs. Go early on a weekend morning, and you’ll have it nearly to yourself. The Miata’s tight steering and low center of gravity make the sweeping bends feel tailor-made, and with the top down, you get a full hit of salt air and crashing waves. Plan for about 90 minutes each way and stop at Neptune’s Net for fish tacos on the return.
2. Mulholland Highway: Agoura Hills to Malibu
If you want elevation changes and canyon drama alongside coastal glimpses, Mulholland Highway is your route. The road winds through the Santa Monica Mountains, climbing and dropping through oak-lined curves before eventually descending toward Malibu Creek. It’s a favorite among sports car enthusiasts for good reason — the pavement is smooth, the sightlines are honest, and the Miata’s rev-happy engine loves the rhythm of gear changes through the hills. Pack a camera for the views across the Pacific from the higher ridgelines.
3. Palos Verdes Drive: Rancho Palos Verdes Loop
Closer to the South Bay, the loop around the Palos Verdes Peninsula is one of LA’s best-kept driving secrets. Palos Verdes Drive South hugs the bluffs above the Pacific, offering near-constant ocean views, Portuguese Bend’s dramatic geological formations on one side, and Catalina Island on clear days. The speed limits are reasonable, the road surface is excellent, and traffic is lighter than on PCH. It’s an ideal 45-minute loop that rewards drivers who want scenery without distance.
4. Highway 1: Ventura to Santa Barbara
Head north of LA, and Highway 1 opens into something altogether more serene. The stretch from Ventura through Carpinteria and into Santa Barbara passes by strawberry fields, oil platforms on the horizon, and wide sandy beaches that feel a world away from the city. Downtown Santa Barbara is a perfect turnaround point — grab coffee on State Street and then enjoy the drive home with the late afternoon sun at your back. This is one of the top scenic drives in Los Angeles if you’re willing to go an hour north.
5. Angeles Crest Highway to Wrightwood
Technically not coastal, but the views from the crest of the San Gabriel Mountains — with the LA basin sprawling to the south and the Mojave Desert visible to the north — are as dramatic as anything on the water. Angeles Crest climbs from La Cañada Flintridge through tight alpine switchbacks to over 7,000 feet. The Miata’s naturally aspirated engine breathes a little harder at altitude, but the driving experience is pure. On a clear winter morning, you can see all the way to the Pacific. Come summer, it’s one of the few places near LA where you’ll want a light jacket with the top down.
Make This Summer’s Drives Happen
If you’ve been waiting for the right reason to look into Mazda Miata lease deals near Los Angeles, a SoCal summer is it. The MX-5 is available in both soft-top and Miata RF hardtop configurations — the RF’s retractable fastback roof gives you the open-air feel with a more refined look. Stop by Galpin Mazda in the San Fernando Valley to see what’s in stock, or explore the full Mazda model lineup if you’re still deciding. The coast is calling.