Thanks so much everyone!

I wouldn’t cancel. The weather is going to be beautiful next week.

Other posters are correct that the 5 will take you from Southern to Northern California, through the middle of the state and should be fine. It’s only through the “grapevine” part of the 5 that there could be problems so just google that before setting off. But it’s really only a problem when it’s snowy so I think it should be fine.

Anonymous wrote:Once this storm is done, the air quality and visibility will be amazing. You'll see snow capped mountains from the beach.

+1!!!

Once this storm is done, the air quality and visibility will be amazing. You'll see snow capped mountains from the beach.

I'm sitting in my kitchen in Orange County right now and the rain is unbelievable. Everything is flooded. FWIW I grew up in Montgomery County so I know rain. This is a different beast altogether. It's been coined an "atmospheric river". Now all that said by next week all be fine. Stick to the 5 Freeway the whole way. The beautiful, scenic roads will be a mess and most likely closed, especially Highway 1 as you approach Santa Barbara, Montecito, and another central areas.

The weather next week will be beautiful, enjoy!

Writing from So Cal. Rain will be over next week. I think it will depend on where you were planning on driving. Ventura, Santa Barbara, central coast and Highway 1 may have road problems. The 5, which goes through the middle of the state, will probably not have issues. It's the (much) faster route but not at all scenic. However, it may be safer and will get you from LA to SF. I would look today and tomorrow if there are landslides, road closures, etc. This week there will be flooding all over the stats but probably not next week. I think the rain has been much more severe in the Bay Area so you also need to check out what's going on up there with roads.

Anonymous wrote:We have family visiting from overseas and were planning a big trip to CA next week to see San Diego, LA and then drive up the coast to San Francisco. Is it a terrible idea to go with the flooding? Would you cancel now?

You'll probably be fine as long as you weren't planning on going to some of the places really prone to flooding- I'd take a look at local reports from the areas you are planning on going to. Most places oriented towards visitors won't be prone to the mudslides and such- those are really common in the canyons and certain areas near the dry river beds. But it's not like Disneyland would be affected. Parts of Griffith Park, for example, might be, but probably not most of it.

As for the coastal drive, not the Highway 1 closure near Big Sur. This is related to earlier mud/landslides in that area.

https://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/highway_conditions.html

We have family visiting from overseas and were planning a big trip to CA next week to see San Diego, LA and then drive up the coast to San Francisco. Is it a terrible idea to go with the flooding? Would you cancel now?