OP, just echoing others suggesting the 5. We do this drive often (we have family in both LA and SD so frequently go to LA and then drive down and back to SD during the trip) and the few times we have tried the PCH it has been a nightmare--even at hours that it ostensibly should not be trafficky. It's worse in the summer with beach traffic, which seems to be a problem at all hours. (I often check traffic as we are leaving LA and say things like "oh, it looks clear--maybe we should do it this time!" and my DH, who grew up in SD, just laughs and laughs. He is inevitably right, and it will be red or black on the map by the time we're halfway there--though to be fair, I-5 is not always smooth sailing either.)

Take I-5 and use the time you save to get off a bit early, as someone suggested, and do the coastal routes closer to SD.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ah my California peeps! When I first found DCUM, I was yelled at for using the word 'the' in front of highway and interstate routes.

the 5
the 405

West Coast represent!

It's a socal thing. When I moved up to NorCal, I got flamed for using "the" -- "the 101". So natural to me.

By the way, no one from California calls it NorCal! Sort of like calling San Francisco Frisco. It automatically tells everyone your not from here.

LOL.. yes, I am from CA. I know plenty of CA natives that call it NorCal/SoCal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ah my California peeps! When I first found DCUM, I was yelled at for using the word 'the' in front of highway and interstate routes.

the 5
the 405

West Coast represent!

This is how it is said in Spanish. "Anda por la ruta quince," for example. Given the Hispanic influence on California (nothing wrong with that, btw), I can see why they say it that way.

Interesting theory. Do they also use "the" in front of the road names in places like Florida, Arizona, etc. which also have a historically Hispanic influence?

I lived in Florida for 20 years before moving to southern California and no never put the in front of the highway (it's highway there and freeway in California).

Anonymous wrote:Can someone post a map of what you mean. I am utterly confused.

Are you OP? What do you need a map of?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ah my California peeps! When I first found DCUM, I was yelled at for using the word 'the' in front of highway and interstate routes.

the 5
the 405

West Coast represent!

This is how it is said in Spanish. "Anda por la ruta quince," for example. Given the Hispanic influence on California (nothing wrong with that, btw), I can see why they say it that way.

Interesting theory. Do they also use "the" in front of the road names in places like Florida, Arizona, etc. which also have a historically Hispanic influence?

OMG I got "trained" to not say "the 66" by my Virginia born-and-raised DH.

I've moved back to CA in the last few weeks and am so happy to say "The PCH" and "The 101"

omg. beach traffic will be major…don't do it.

But I would recommend getting on the toll road that empties out at San Juan Capistrano. Regardless of if you do that or not, fyi there is plenty of ocean on the main road after Oceanside and before San Diego suburbs, due to the military base.

** San Diego
Not San Disan!!!!! Haha auto correct must be tired

Ok I'm in LA and just drove to San Diego yesterday. I always take the 5. You can still see the ocean going down, not so much coming back.

Yesterday it took me 2.5 hrs to go from Pasadena to San Disan . A friend left 30 mins after me, leaving from Encino and it took her 4 hrs because some car caught on fire.

I have never taken the toll roads or the pay HOV lanes. And I wouldn't consider taking the PCH, too small, one accident and you're stuck.

Really it depends when you are going. I made it one time in an hour, but that was at like 3 am and I was speeding.

And yes you say the
The 5
The 134
The 2
The 405
The 15
The 605
The 57
The 110
The 101
The 10

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ah my California peeps! When I first found DCUM, I was yelled at for using the word 'the' in front of highway and interstate routes.

the 5
the 405

West Coast represent!

It's a socal thing. When I moved up to NorCal, I got flamed for using "the" -- "the 101". So natural to me.

By the way, no one from California calls it NorCal! Sort of like calling San Francisco Frisco. It automatically tells everyone your not from here.

Anonymous wrote:Ah my California peeps! When I first found DCUM, I was yelled at for using the word 'the' in front of highway and interstate routes.

the 5
the 405

West Coast represent!

It's a socal thing. When I moved up to NorCal, I got flamed for using "the" -- "the 101". So natural to me.

Can someone post a map of what you mean. I am utterly confused.

Anonymous wrote:Ah my California peeps! When I first found DCUM, I was yelled at for using the word 'the' in front of highway and interstate routes.

the 5
the 405

West Coast represent!

This is how it is said in Spanish. "Anda por la ruta quince," for example. Given the Hispanic influence on California (nothing wrong with that, btw), I can see why they say it that way.

Anonymous wrote:Ah my California peeps! When I first found DCUM, I was yelled at for using the word 'the' in front of highway and interstate routes.

the 5
the 405

West Coast represent!

Ha! Seriously! I have to make a conscious effort not to say "the 95" or "the 66" around here!

Ah my California peeps! When I first found DCUM, I was yelled at for using the word 'the' in front of highway and interstate routes.

the 5
the 405

West Coast represent!