DIVERSIONS : Quiet Drives . . . : Exploring the Pleasures of the Open Road from Pasadena to the Pacific to the Isle of Naples

Face it, Los Angeles. The joy of driving has run out of gas.

Here, where SigAlerts get almost as much air play as “Jump,” motorists are spending more time behind the wheels and going nowhere fast.

But there’s help for drivers seeking a detour from gridlock, smog, rude motorists and ho-hum landscapes. Throughout Southern California are numerous streets, highways, thoroughfares and byways made for cars and cruising--just as long as you avoid rush hour. These routes offer solace and scenery that titillate the senses, stir the soul and make driving more--OK, almost --appealing.

* Naples Island (Long Beach)

Shhh! This hidden treasure of former mud flats in the middle of Long Beach is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. The area’s three tiny islands are connected by bridges, and one can leisurely drive over picturesque canals that boast custom-built waterfront homes with private slips and boats. The residential streets, enveloped in quiet elegance, snake every which way, offering a calming, smooth drive and opportunities to park and admire the views. Gondolas, reminiscent of old Italy, carry romantic couples through the canals year round.

(Take 2nd Street north to Ravenna Drive, over the bridge, past the large fountain where four streets shoot off in different directions. Any of these streets will take you there.)

* Orange Grove Boulevard (Pasadena)

Colorado Boulevard might be the most famous street in Pasadena thanks to the annual Tournament of Roses Parade. But shady, tree-lined Orange Grove Boulevard in the older section of Pasadena offers a serenity you won’t find on any New Year’s Day float. It’s a pleasure to drive past lush manicured lawns, stately residences and points-of-interest that include the Norton Simon Museum, the Gamble House and the Tournament House, which serves as headquarters for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Assn.

(For the best sights, drive down Orange Grove Boulevard between Rosemont Avenue and Grevelia Street.)

* Pacific Coast Highway (Santa Monica, Malibu)

Get out the shades and sun block, pop in your favorite cassette and soak up some of the best ocean and mountain sights imaginable. OK, OK, so this magnificent coastline ride along the PCH has been done to death. But hey, you find something you like . . . .

* Paseo Del Mar (San Pedro)

Don’t be fooled by San Pedro’s reputation as one of the largest deep-water ports in the nation. It has some of the most beautiful natural scenery you can enjoy by car.

Begin your drive at Angels Gate Park on Gaffey Street between 36th and 37th streets, where the Korean Friendship Bell offers a sweeping 270-degree view of the Pacific Ocean. From there, it’s just a short hop to Point Fermin Park, where the historical Point Fermin Lighthouse sits atop a bluff and the drive on Paseo Del Mar begins.

You’ll want to take your time cruising along the top of the straight rocky cliffs where the crashing surf pounds below. Motorists can take advantage of several spots available for parking and gazing. (Catalina Island is visible almost every day.)

From the point at which Paseo Del Mar meets Western Avenue it’s a short drive to 25th Street. Turn west and that becomes Palos Verdes Drive South. Get ready for a breathtakingly panoramic drive around the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

* Rim of the World Drive (Highway 18 in the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains)

If the name sounds overwhelming, there’s good reason. This winding 40-mile highway is one-of-a-kind, offering several magnificent views at elevations from 5,000-7,200 feet. From Lake View Point--a spectacular vista at 7,203 feet--you can glimpse Big Bear Lake. Unfortunately, these views and vistas can interfere with your ability to keep your eyes on the road. Best to pull over.

* Sunset Boulevard

Immortalized by Gloria Swanson in the movie of the same name, this thoroughfare stretches from downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, it changes appearances and personalities while meandering through an assortment of eclectic neighborhoods, including Silver Lake, Hollywood, the Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills, Bel-Air, Westwood and Pacific Palisades.

* Santiago Canyon Road

For those roadsters who like to drive at full speed, this two-lane winding road in Orange County is a favorite back way to Mission Viejo. Hills and mountains hug both sides of this scenic route where the sights of grazing cows, horses and ranch-style homes make this the ultimate escape from urban living. Along the way, you’ll pass through Irvine Lake Park, Modjeska Canyon and the Santiago Hills.

(East on Chapman Avenue to Santiago Canyon Road south)

* Old Highway U.S. 395

This highway--as you head south below Temecula where I-215 and I-15 meet--isn’t listed on most maps, especially since it was replaced by Interstate 215 some years ago. But Inland Empire locals still refer to it as “395.” The two-laner caters to local traffic that cruises past miles of lush rolling hills, old roadside stands reminiscent of another era and avocado tree groves near the Riverside and San Diego county lines.