Los Angeles is one of those cities where an ordinary trip for coffee can turn into an unexpected encounter with a Ferrari, Lamborghini or McLaren.
From the designer boutiques of Beverly Hills to the luxury hotels of West Hollywood and the coastal roads of Malibu, there are plenty of places where car enthusiasts can keep their eyes open for something special.
Read more: 8 mistakes tourists make in Los Angeles that can ruin an otherwise brilliant trip
Whether you're visiting LA for the first time or already live here, these are some of the best places to go supercar spotting.
1. Rodeo Drive is the place to start for supercar spotting
If there's one place to put at the top of your Los Angeles supercar spotting list, it's Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
The famous shopping street is surrounded by luxury fashion houses, designer boutiques and high-end hotels, making it a natural destination for owners of exotic cars. Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Rolls-Royces, Bentleys and McLarens are among the types of cars enthusiasts hope to see cruising through the area.
Keep an eye on the surrounding streets, too, including Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Drive and the roads around the Beverly Wilshire hotel.
You don't need to spend money in the boutiques to enjoy the experience. Simply walking around the Golden Triangle and watching the traffic can make for a memorable afternoon, although there's no guarantee of seeing a particular car.
2. Sunset Boulevard brings the luxury cars after dark
Sunset Boulevard, particularly the stretch running through West Hollywood, is another area worth exploring.
With upscale restaurants, nightlife venues and luxury hotels lining the route, it's a natural place to watch for exotic cars arriving for dinner or an evening out.
The atmosphere changes throughout the day, so consider exploring the area around dinner time and into the evening rather than expecting the same selection of cars every time you visit.
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3. Mulholland Drive combines cars with incredible views
Mulholland Drive is famous for its winding roads and panoramic views across Los Angeles, making it an appealing destination for anyone who enjoys both driving and car spotting.
You may encounter sports cars and performance cars enjoying the route, particularly on pleasant weekends, although traffic and the mix of vehicles vary.
If you visit, use designated overlooks where available and never stop in an unsafe location to photograph a passing car.
4. Malibu is worth exploring on a sunny weekend
Malibu offers a different kind of supercar spotting, with ocean views, coastal restaurants and scenic roads attracting drivers who enjoy taking their cars out for a drive.
The Pacific Coast Highway is the obvious route to explore, while the area around Malibu Country Mart provides a place to stop for coffee or lunch and keep an eye on the cars arriving.
Weekend mornings can be a good time to explore the local car scene, but treat it as an opportunity rather than a guaranteed supercar showcase.
5. Beverly Hills' luxury dealerships are worth a look
If you would rather see impressive cars without relying entirely on what happens to drive past, Los Angeles has specialist exotic and luxury dealerships worth checking out.
Beverly Hills is home to high-end automotive retailers, including Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Beverly Hills and other exotic-car specialists in the wider area.
Showroom inventory changes, and some vehicles may be in private or appointment-only areas, so check opening hours and visitor arrangements before making a special trip.
6. Supercar Sunday is for enthusiasts who want to see more
For a more organized car-spotting experience, look out for Supercar Sunday, a long-running automotive gathering in the San Fernando Valley.
Rather than hoping an exotic car happens to pass you on the street, a car meet gives enthusiasts the chance to see a range of vehicles gathered in one place.
Check the event's current location, schedule and entry requirements before travelling, as arrangements can change.
When is the best time to spot supercars in LA?
There is no guaranteed time or location for seeing exotic cars in Los Angeles, but weekends are worth considering when planning a trip around Beverly Hills, West Hollywood or Malibu.
A good approach is to combine several nearby stops rather than driving across the entire city in search of one particular vehicle.
Start on Rodeo Drive, explore the surrounding Beverly Hills streets, and then head toward West Hollywood if you have more time.
And remember that the best part of supercar spotting is often the unexpected sighting, whether it's a rare Ferrari pulling up outside a restaurant or a beautifully maintained classic cruising along the coast.
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