CA natives or veteran travelers: Driving LA-San Diego

[Anonymous]

We're driving from Redondo Beach down to San Diego on our vacation. DH wants to take the PCH (Route 1) for part of the way because he thinks it will be more scenic. Is it worthwhile or should we stick to the 405 to 5 route? We'll be driving mid-day and not in a time crunch but I don't want to be stuck with slow going and traffic for no real benefit of scenery. Advice?

[Anonymous]

Definitely worthwhile. It's sooo beautiful.

[Anonymous]

PCH will go through parts of beach towns, right along the beach. Yes, it's pretty, but traffic will be a nightmare. Stops signs and pedestrians galore. Skip it. Part of the 405/5 route goes along the ocean, too.

[Anonymous]

^Also, you will face massive traffic leaving LA no matter which route you take. In my experience, the PCH often has LESS traffic because, with the exception of those people fortunate enough to have homes right along the coast (a small minority) most people would be going out of their way to take the PCH anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^Also, you will face massive traffic leaving LA no matter which route you take. In my experience, the PCH often has LESS traffic because, with the exception of those people fortunate enough to have homes right along the coast (a small minority) most people would be going out of their way to take the PCH anyway.

OP is leaving in the middle of the day, during the summer? Lots of traffic along PCH. Don't you think other people would take PCH if they thought it was less congested? I grew up around the RB area. I would never take PCH down to SD. 405/5 also has some carpool lanes, and unlike here, the carpool lanes are dedicated carpool lanes 24/7.

[Anonymous]

It is beautiful but can get boring no matter what route you take. I would do the freeway to avoid the PCH traffic nightmare and enjoy the view when you get there.

[Anonymous]

Eh it's not all that beautiful and not worth the aggravation.

[Anonymous]

Around San Pedro and long beach you will hit some seedy areas on PCH. They are inland and no ocean views (the seedy parts, not those cities in entirety)

Also at Marine base camp Pendleton you will be forced to go on the 5 south.

[Anonymous]

You can see the ocean from parts of the 5. How much time do you have? Will there be kids in the car?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can see the ocean from parts of the 5. How much time do you have? Will there be kids in the car?

OP.

We have about a half day to do the route. Would like to get to SD for dinner. Kids are 6 and 10 and not used to being in the car for more than 2-3 hours.

[Anonymous]

We did this last week. Stay on the 5. There are ocean views for part of the drive. Take the La Jolla exit and check out Children's Pool. It was my favorite part of the trip.

[Anonymous]

I used to live in both places. I'd never do it in the summer with two kids in the car and wanting to be to SD by a certain time. You get great views as you cross Pendleton on the 5. If you take PCH,you get traffic and stop lights. It's not like the road goes right next to the beach in the majority of the towns, anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're driving from Redondo Beach down to San Diego on our vacation. DH wants to take the PCH (Route 1) for part of the way because he thinks it will be more scenic. Is it worthwhile or should we stick to the 405 to 5 route? We'll be driving mid-day and not in a time crunch but I don't want to be stuck with slow going and traffic for no real benefit of scenery. Advice?

Hwy 1 is probably one of the most scenic routes you will ever drive. Hwy 5 is just cow pastures.

[Anonymous]

The cow pastures are all well north of the Grape Vine! Take the 405 because it has 24 hour HOV lanes in case you get stuck in traffic. Just south of merge of the 405 and 5 the scenery gets MUCH better including lots of ocean views. Lots of beatful cities along the way as you drive Hwy 5. Where in SAN are you going to?

[Anonymous]

Just did this. Not worth it. But make sure rental car has ez pass. Ours didn't and I have $300 in fines etc. Some roads there are all ez pass without warning.