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Los Angeles Car Rental and Mulholland Drive

Los Angeles boasts a number of streets forever immortalized in popular culture. Mulholland Drive is one such street, and it’s easy to see why. Although a minor arterial road, Mulholland Drive follows the ridgeline of the Santa Monica Mountains and the Hollywood Hills, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. These views have helped boost Mulholland Drive real estate values through the roof, so don’t be surprised if you see some Hollywood royalty racing along the secluded two-lane highway. No visit to Los Angeles would be complete without a drive down this pop culture parkway, so why wait? Jump in your Los Angeles car rental and check it out during your upcoming vacation.

What is Mulholland Drive named after?

Mulholland Drive is named after engineer William Mulholland. Mr. Mulholland was responsible for building the aqueduct connecting Los Angeles and the Valley. Mulholland Drive was completed in 1924 and is approximately 1,400 feet above sea level.

Mulholland Drive in the mainstream

Mulholland Drive has long been a topic of extreme interest in mainstream American culture. Dozens of movies, books and songs have paid homage to the glamorous road, its history and its mysteries. Los Angeles car rental travelers may recognize references to Mulholland Drive in the following hit songs: Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin'”, R.E.M.’s “Electrolite” Poe’s “Hey Pretty” and Felix Da Housecat’s “Everyone is Someone in LA”. Mulholland Drive also makes a cameo appearance in films like True Romance, Death Becomes Her, and Point Break. There’s even a movie named after the famous street starring Naomi Watts and Justin Theroux.

Who lives on Mulholland Drive?

A number of influential Hollywood residents have lived along the illustrious Mulholland Drive highway, including stars like Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis and Molly Ringwald. At one point, Mulholland Drive was nicknamed “Bad Boy Drive” due to residents like Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty, Errol Flynn and the great Marlon Brando. Other Mulholland Drive residents have included Pamela Anderson, Madonna, Red Foxx and Julian Lennon.

Getting to Mulholland Drive in your Los Angeles car rental

Mulholland Drive extends from the Pacific Coast Highway all the way to Hollywood (some sections are not paved). The best views are located between Encino and Hollywood. Los Angeles car rental travelers can connect with Mulholland Drive from the 405 Freeway north or south. Exit at Mulholland Drive and then turn left. You will find yourself on Skirball Road. Simply follow this short street and it will connect you with Mulholland. If you’re looking to enjoy the best views of the surrounding San Fernando Valley, Exclusive Los Angeles Car Rentals recommends following these directions:

• From the 101 Freeway, exit at Balboa Boulevard in Encino. Head south in your Los Angeles car rental off of the off ramp onto Balboa and continue a short distance to Ventura Boulevard. Hang a left on Ventura. Follow Ventura east to Havenhurst. Turn right onto Havenhurst. After a few stops signs Havenhurst will turn to the right. If you miss this turn you’ll find yourself traveling away from Mulholland Drive, so be sure to watch for it. After you’ve turned onto Havenhurst for the second time, watch for Calneva Drive. Turn left onto Calneva in your Los Angeles car rental and continue to the top of the hill. When you reach the top you’ll be on Mulholland Drive. Turn left and get ready to enjoy the spectacular views.

A few tips for driving along Mulholland Drive

Exclusive Los Angeles Car Rentals highly advices their customers to avoid driving along Mulholland Drive after 3pm on weekdays. Rush hour traffic is brutal in this area. Also, most Los Angeles maps show an exit off of US 101 at Mulholland Drive. This does not exist; look instead for the Cahuenga Boulevard exit.