Route help

We are Canadians visiting California this summer. We are coming down from LA to Mexico. Looking for the most scenic route, things to see along the way, ocean views, etc.

Also, when going through San Diego, just wondering which I-5 or 805 is the better choice heading south around noontime on a Saturday?

Thanks.

John

Route help

If you have time to spare, depending where you%26#39;re coming from in LA, I would leave 5/405 south of LA and come down State Route #1 through Newport Beach (be sure to see Balboa Island) Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and San Clemente. It%26#39;s a beautiful drive, and there are many places to stop and see the water along your way. If you have time, I also recommend a trip to Balboa Island You will have to get back on the 5 south of San Clemente, because of Camp Pendleton, but the beach cities mentioned above are lovely.

鈥ikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_1

Regarding the 5 or 805, depends on traffic, but usually the 805 is more direct, as it doesn%26#39;t go right through downtown on your way to Mexico. However, if you want more ocean scenery, I would skip both 5 and 805, and go back to the coastal route (highway 101) once you%26#39;ve gone through Oceanside, then the Coast Highway through Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Torrey Pines and La Jolla is also a beautiful trip, with many great views along the way.

westcoastroads.com/california/us-101a_ca.html

Route help

Thank you chissis. This really helps. How much extra time will it take this way?

John

If the freeways are backed up, it might not take any more time.... However, I would think you will want to stop along the way for views and perhaps a meal. I would expect it will take a good two hours from LA to San Diego County, then another couple hours to the border - because you will be going through coastal cities, and there are lots of stop signs and lights - and lots to see on the route. Just depends on traffic, and how much you want to stop to site-see.

Here%26#39;s just one example of some of the sites that you will enjoy....

roadsideamerica.com/tips/getAttraction.php鈥?/a>

To add a small note to Chassis%26#39;s great advice, when getting off the 405 to get to the coastal road in the LA area...

The earliest you%26#39;d want to cut-over to Highway One is at the south end of the city of Long Beach (such as at the Seal Beach exit). Highway One from that point hugs the coast much of the time.

An alternate is to cut-over from the 405 a bit further south at the 55 freeway, which will take you right out to Newport Beach. From there you can then catch Highway One heading south through Laguna/DanaPoint/SanClemente, which is a very lovely drive.

In either case, if you%26#39;re interested in a coastal drive take the 405 out of LA and not the 5. The 405 does eventually end and become the 5 (in Irvine), so at San Clemente you get back on the 5 south from Highway One and head to San Diego.

Hope you have a great trip, LagunaGrrl

noontime on a saturday coming south on either the 5 or coast route will be jammed with race track traffic at del mar. no way around it unless you go way inland to the 15. or, you could leave LA about 6am sat. morning and drive with no stops.