Student Life
MIDNIGHT CRUISING
WHERE TO DRIVE WHEN YOU’VE GOT THE TIME
by ETHAN LAUREN
T
o drive is to live—or such goes some notion emulating Kerouac, but now he’s dead and the romance
of the road ceases to the realities of commuting. Yet sometimes, you need to head out onto the open road with the speed limit wind streaming through your hair.
Anybody taking Interstate 405 to Long Beach
knows it’s not quite a scenic journey, with stop-and-go traffic drawling on. For those who prefer staying up, out, and looking to while the time away, here are four routes for rolling out with blacktop under wheel—though, technically, some recommendations might be asphalt.
Whether you’re new to southern California or
a true Angelino, cruising down these streets resonates differently at night compared to daytime traffic congestions.
One tip for driving late at night is to pull aside,
when able, if somebody is riding close behind you. There is an inherent risk to driving, but don’t be fast nor be furious. It’s typically better to know there’s a car ahead so you don’t find yourself entranced by the empty road.
Mulholland Drive Driving down Mulholland is a staple in Los Angeles road vernacular for a reason. Go westward, go eastward, go until the luster grows weary. Don’t get dazzled by the city lights as you wind higher up the hills. Loop to the north or south by way of Coldwater Canyon, or the famous Laurel Canyon—a basic rule to follow is that streets with ‘canyon’ in the name can’t steer you wrong. 18
22West_Outober_FinalCopy.indd 18
10/8/21 2:53 PM
