Anaheim/L.A. locals - question about I-5 traffic on a Friday night

[MommyLove]

Hey all - we're almost there! We're leaving from northern California coming down I-5 and we'd hit the L.A. area around 6pm or so. This Friday night. Are we headed for nightmare traffic? Are there carpool lanes and are those moving at a decent pace? If it's too crazy at that time, about when will it slow down? We could schedule in a long dinner stop just after the grapevine or something (any recommendations on where to sop would be great).

TIA!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Oh my goodness. That's probably the worst time to come through. Remember the 5 doesn't have carpool lanes through most of LA - they start at the 91 in Orange County. If you route to the 134/210 to the 57, you get carpool lanes, but they bog down pretty much solid from Pasadena to the 57.

I would stop for dinner on the north end of town - if you make it to Burbank, stop there and sit a spell. There are some good restaurants just off the 5 Freeway here at the Burbank Blvd or Olive Bld exits. There is a CPK, a Chevy's, a BJ's, and Black Angus, and then 1 block north of the freeway, there is a Karl Strauss Brewery, Granvilles - local and way tasty gourmet comfort food, Market City Cafe - a great italian place, a PF Changs, etc. Then, get back in the car after 7-7:30 or so. Otherwise you will sit in traffic forever. After 7:30, it should only take you about 45 to get to DL using the 5.

 

[tink2dw]

I'm ALL WAYS told that california traffic is ugly. Very Ugly. But when driving we always get there. This last trip, we drove from San Diego to DL. It wasn't the night time driving, it was the flood storms of rain that was hard. And I live in one of the rainiest states of the union!!

Don't anticipate trouble just drive thru it. It will be more than where you live, but you will never know if it is, california traffic ugly.

 

[got2gp]

Oh my goodness. That's probably the worst time to come through. Remember the 5 doesn't have carpool lanes through most of LA - they start at the 91 in Orange County. If you route to the 134/210 to the 57, you get carpool lanes, but they bog down pretty much solid from Pasadena to the 57.

I would stop for dinner on the north end of town - if you make it to Burbank, stop there and sit a spell. There are some good restaurants just off the 5 Freeway here at the Burbank Blvd or Olive Bld exits. There is a CPK, a Chevy's, a BJ's, and Black Angus, and then 1 block north of the freeway, there is a Karl Strauss Brewery, Granvilles - local and way tasty gourmet comfort food, Market City Cafe - a great italian place, a PF Changs, etc. Then, get back in the car after 7-7:30 or so. Otherwise you will sit in traffic forever. After 7:30, it should only take you about 45 to get to DL using the 5.

I agree that that is the worst time to drive that route (except perhaps during the morning rush). I am in Santa Clarita, just north of San Fernando, about 20 minutes from Burbank. Normally it is about an hour to DL from here, but in rush hour traffic that can double or triple. I've found that sometimes the backup starts before Burbank, so start listening to traffic reports after you come down the grapevine, maybe around Castaic. Try 1070 or 980 on the am dial. It it sounds awful, you may want to consider stopping short of Burbank. There are some good places to eat in the Valencia area as well, mostly chain places like Macaroni Grill, Claim Jumper and Red Lobster. Most are off the Magic Mountain, Valencia Blvd, and Lyons Ave exits.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

long dinner is right like 5 hours long...friday night is horrid...I refuse to come or leave on a friday night ever...however, you might consider an alternative route...about 15 min or so past valencia you reach the pasadena fwy which is 210 E...if you take that fwy...then take the 57s fwy it will bypass that 5 traffic...now your going to deal with traffic no matter what...your in so cal on a friday night but its not going to be anywhere near as bad as the 5....you stay on the 210 for quite a while and then you when you get on 57s it takes you right to anaheim...I usually stay at the hojo so I get off on ball and take it to harbor which leads me to the hotel...

 

[eduk8r26]

We drove from Ventura County last year on a Friday, left about 4 or so and I swear it took us 3 hours to get to DCA. And it's normally about 90 minutes or so.

 

[Hester]

I'm very familiar with LA traffic...

Definitely stop for dinner BEFORE you get to the Burbank area. I would suggest stopping Valencia as got2gp did (I live in Santa Clarita as well)... near magic mountain. You'll see plenty of places right off the freeway. Wait until 8pm or later to head south (the later the better). You'll still hit some traffic, but it will be much better than at 6pm.

disneegrl4eva made a good suggestion as far as using the 210 and the 57, and I would almost consider this even at 8pm.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

hey hester??? do you guys still have Ferrell's?

 

[PinkBudgie]

I've been to Roseville many times.

Anyway, we always leave by 6 so that we can get to S. Cal before 2pm.

We've gone up to Roseville on 80 on a Friday afternoon and that is crazy. We stop for dinner. I can imagine the freeways down there being ten times worse.

Still, if that is your only time you will just have to make the best of it. I don't know of any places to stop at off hand.

Also, I don't like the carpool lanes down there. They only let you in and out of them at certain spots and I don't like not being able to leave when I want. All it takes is one very slow car to mess up the whole point of the carpool lane.

 

[Hester]

hey hester??? do you guys still have Ferrell's?

YES!!! We do!

I was stoked when we first moved here, as I used to go to Farrell's down in OC as a kid.

There is one (and I think maybe the very last one) at a place called Mountasia here in Santa Clarita:

http://www.mountasiafuncenter.com/MFarrells.asp

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I'm so glad folks from further north up the 5 posted for you!! I don't know that area very well, so that is such a blessing! (I'm not a native - only been here 8 years.)

I agree with them about stopping at Valencia, but if your timing is such that it's not bad, then you have some additional options further south.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

YES!!! We do!

I was stoked when we first moved here, as I used to go to Farrell's down in OC as a kid.

There is one (and I think maybe the very last one) at a place called Mountasia here in Santa Clarita:

http://www.mountasiafuncenter.com/MFarrells.asp

Mommylove you should definitely do this place...its a hoot...its an old fashion ice cream parlor and they dress up like old timey people in straw hats like from the era of Meet Me in St. Louis...I went there all the time when I was a kid...I remember you could order this big huge gigantic bowl of a gajillion scoops of ice cream and topping and they would bring it out on a stretcher with a siren going the whole time...so it definitely called attention to yourself my favorite was pigs trough...I think its changed from what it use to be but they had cake and ice cream and served it in a trough...it was the funniest thing...they also serve food and stuff but this would be a great start to any vacation imo.....

 

[blue donkey]

Mommylove you should definitely do this place...its a hoot...its an old fashion ice cream parlor and they dress up like old timey people in straw hats like from the era of Meet Me in St. Louis...I went there all the time when I was a kid...I remember you could order this big huge gigantic bowl of a gajillion scoops of ice cream and topping and they would bring it out on a stretcher with a siren going the whole time...so it definitely called attention to yourself my favorite was pigs trough...I think its changed from what it use to be but they had cake and ice cream and served it in a trough...it was the funniest thing...they also serve food and stuff but this would be a great start to any vacation imo.....

Oh my gosh! I didn't know that Ferrells still existed. I loved going to Ferrells growing up in Huntington Beach. I was so sad when they closed it down. Now that I know there's one in Santa Clarita, I may just have to make a pitstop there on my way down to disney.

thanks to disneegrl4eva for asking about Ferrells & Hester for replying. Can't wait!

 

[scooter15]

disneegrl4eva made a good suggestion as far as using the 210 and the 57, and I would almost consider this even at 8pm.

DO NOT...I repeat do NOT take the 210 to the 57 at rush hour traffic which is from 430pm - 730pm on a friday. I live near the 57 off the 210 and it is horrible on fridays even with the carpool lane.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

DO NOT...I repeat do NOT take the 210 to the 57 at rush hour traffic which is from 430pm - 730pm on a friday. I live near the 57 off the 210 and it is horrible on fridays even with the carpool lane.

i think they are going to have dinner first which might get them there past 7:30 so they will definitely still be better off than doing the 5

 

[Hester]

DO NOT...I repeat do NOT take the 210 to the 57 at rush hour traffic which is from 430pm - 730pm on a friday. I live near the 57 off the 210 and it is horrible on fridays even with the carpool lane.

I've taken this route down for Angel games (even on Fridays) and it is better than taking the 5 all the way.

 

[MommyLove]

Thanks all for your help!! Wow, I'm so glad I asked this because it sounds like traffic is really wretched on a Friday night!

i think they are going to have dinner first which might get them there past 7:30 so they will definitely still be better off than doing the 5

Is the I-5 still really that bad after 7:30p from Burbank heading south? DH and I are thinking of leaving later and stopping in the Valencia/Santa Clarita area. But we want to go to Disneyland on Friday night and don't want to get there TOO late.

Mommylove you should definitely do this place...its a hoot...its an old fashion ice cream parlor and they dress up like old timey people in straw hats like from the era of Meet Me in St. Louis...I went there all the time when I was a kid...I remember you could order this big huge gigantic bowl of a gajillion scoops of ice cream and topping and they would bring it out on a stretcher with a siren going the whole time

That sounds just like this place that used to be in Walnut Creek (northern California) but I can't remember the name. I think there's a Pier 1 store there now. That would be cool to go there. Thanks for the tip!

 

[hulamom]

MommyLove, please let us know what your experience is on the SoCA freeway system on a Friday evening. We'll be doing the same thing on a Friday in November... on a holiday weekend (Veteran's Day) nonetheless. Don't really have a choice, as kids will be in school until 3pm so we'll be hitting the area probably close to 7pm (unless DH drives really fast).

After 7 or 7:30 (we'll most likely grab dinner on the road too), would taking the 210-57 still be better than staying on the 5?

Note to self: need to call DLH and let them know of potential late checkin.

Farrell's... ahhh, such memories. There was one in Sunnyvale when I was growing up that was *the* place for birthday parties. When I was little, I used to hide under the table whenever that siren rang. Then in Jr. High, I think I got sick after trying to eat my share of a zoo.

-- Hulamom

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Is the I-5 still really that bad after 7:30p from Burbank heading south? DH and I are thinking of leaving later and stopping in the Valencia/Santa Clarita area. But we want to go to Disneyland on Friday night and don't want to get there TOO late.

You should be fine coming through Burbank at about 7:30 on the 5. Most folks have skipped town.

One thing people also forget is that the 134/210 route is also the route everyone in the Valley uses to escape to Vegas on Friday nights. Adds a bit of issue to that direction. I don't know how bad that has been recently, with the current economic state of the union, but it used to be horrible.

 

[moniquem]

I am also going Friday!!! Leaving from Vacaville, tho. We were planning on stopping in Hollywood before going to our hotel... we won't start our Disney Adventure until Saturday... Am I crazy? It usually takes us about 7 hours to get down there and we are leaving at 10....that puts us down there @ about 5.

What's the best way to get to Hollywood? The kids wanna see the stars...... maybe we'll hit the Disney Fountain Shop, too!??