17 miles
of switchbacks.

The drive is simple: pick up Mulholland at Cahuenga Pass (where it crosses the 101 near Universal Studios) and head west. Seventeen miles of two-lane road that hangs on the ridge between the LA Basin and the San Fernando Valley, with views of both. You hit Coldwater after 4 miles, Beverly Glen at 6, Benedict at 8, and eventually drop into Topanga at the end. Total: 17.3 miles by the odometer, 50–80 minutes depending on traffic and how often you stop for photos.

The M3's xDrive holds the line through them. The adaptive M suspension has three modes — Comfort for the bumpy sections (Coldwater to Beverly Glen has some bad pavement), Sport for the run from Beverly Glen to Stone Canyon overlook, Sport Plus only if you really want it and have the road clear. Bring sunglasses; Mulholland runs east-west and the morning sun is in your eyes for the first half.

Best windows: Saturday or Sunday morning 7–10 a.m. before the bike traffic. The road is shared with cyclists, motorcyclists, and the occasional film crew. The CHP runs radar around Topanga Canyon Blvd and Skirball; we have not personally received a ticket but plenty of people do — drive the legal speed limit, the M3 is fun at 45 too.

Photo stops worth knowing: the Stone Canyon overlook (turnoff at the Stone Canyon fire road), the Mulholland Bowl, the Hollywood Sign view from Mulholland Highway west of Topanga, and the dirt-Mulholland sign at the western terminus (don't drive the dirt portion — the M3 isn't the car for it). For an extended day, add Angeles Crest (Highway 2) from La Cañada north — 60 miles of the best canyon road in California, fewer cyclists.

Renters bring their own eligible insurance, or use our broker for coverage at booking. The M3 requires drivers age 25+ with no exceptions and clean recent driving history. Track use prohibited. Pet-free, smoke-free. We confirm coverage before keys change hands.