Dec 19-21 driving from San francisco

[gatorfreud]

hi: we are thinking about taking a quick trip dec 19-21... I am sure it will be crowded, but will it be totally insane being the first weekend of winter break?

Also if we drive from San francisco leaving about 6am on Friday, what are we looking at traffic-wise and how long would it take? What about going home leaving Sunday about 6pm? Would Monday early morning be better?

Thanks for any insight!!
Kim

 

[pixiewings71]

It will be crowded, very crowded. If you have the Deluxe AP I think those dates are blocked out, that's a good indication that they expect it to be very busy at that time. Leaving at 6 am you will hit some traffic getting out of town and down the road, I would suggest leaving earlier, I would consider 4:30-5 instead of 6. Or leaving later, after 9. The drive will be about 5-6 hrs depending, the only time it will be yucky is thru the Grapevine, you may need chains then. I know a lot of people who don't take them but I always make sure we have ours, much less stressful for me. Leaving at 6 pm puts you getting back around midnight, that's with no traffic but again the Grapevine can be scary. So as long as you are prepared you'll be fine, just don't try to push it and your drive will be fine.

 

[Michaeljsz]

Hi,
I stumbled on this thread and it caught my attention since we are driving down to Disneyland from Granite Bay (Sacramento area) on Saturday Dec 6th and was wondering what the Grapevine is and why the possible need for chains? I was just planning on taking I-5 all the way down or is there a better way? =__)

 

[Matterhorn Eric]

Hi,
I stumbled on this thread and it caught my attention since we are driving down to Disneyland from Granite Bay (Sacramento area) on Saturday Dec 6th and was wondering what the Grapevine is and why the possible need for chains? I was just planning on taking I-5 all the way down or is there a better way? =__)

depending on the weather, the grapevine is the pass from the valley up over the hills/mountains and into the los angeles valley. if it is cold enough, it can freeze. otherwise, you will have to take 101 down which is more along the coast where weather concerns aren't as prevalent.

 

[pixiewings71]

Hi,
I stumbled on this thread and it caught my attention since we are driving down to Disneyland from Granite Bay (Sacramento area) on Saturday Dec 6th and was wondering what the Grapevine is and why the possible need for chains? I was just planning on taking I-5 all the way down or is there a better way? =__)

I5 takes you thru the mountains, the Grapevine is the trek up and back down. If you're worried you can take 101 but it's not necessary, as long as you have chains and if you're driving at night you are aware that you may not be allowed to pass.

 

[gatorfreud]

How long does it take to get to the Grapevine? Like what time would I have to leave DLR to make it there before dark (which is earlier now due to time change) and maybe a lot of traffic?

Kim

 

[pixiewings71]

Hmmm, the Grapevine is towards the end of the drive. I would say it takes us about 4 or 4 1/2 hrs to get there on average. It's about 2 hours farther to get to Anaheim after you come down out of the GV.

 

[jlparedes]

We drove 2 Sundays ago from Sacramento, cut from 99 to 5 and took it all the way down. We stopped once for gas/lunch and once for coffee/potty break (right before the grapevine). We left at 7:30am and arrived in Anaheim at 2:15pm.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

It will be REALLY crowded, but I am sure you will still have a super time. Have fun!

 

[disneychrista]

Just check the weather and adjust as needed. One year on the way back we had to go 101 vs 5 because of snow.

 

[PinkBudgie]

We have never needed chains on the grape vine and drive down every winter. I remember one time in '88 I think, my parents were coming down to pick me up from college and it was closed because of snow and they had to go around.

 

[pixiewings71]

We didn't need chains for our Dec or either of our Jan trips last year. BUT I work in the music industry and we have a booth at the NAMM show every year, we drive because we have a lot of electronics that go with us and the GV has been closed due to snow. Actually for our first Jan trip we did worry, it was raining, super windy (blowing semis over onto their sides) and snowy in the GV but it was open and we got thru fine. They did close it later that night, a couple hrs after we cleared it. That's why we always take chains, just in case.

 

[Gisele]

Oh my god! That just sounded scary Pixie! (shudder) I did not realize that it snowed in that area. Sometimes I wonder, where have I been, that I do not recall the weather in that particular area? Especially seeing how I am a fan (Believe it or not ) of the weather channel. I suppose I just was not paying attention at the time. (Scratches head, chin...... hmmm, and oh, never mind this is a G audience he he! ) Seriously!

 

[gatorfreud]

Thanks everyone for the info!!!

I think now we are going to go for Thanksgiving... a little crazy I think, but oh well. We were supposed to be at WDW the week after TG, but had to cancel.

We are planning to leave Thanksgiving morning from San Francisco at about 4am. We will return the Monday after... haven't figure out the best time to leave DLR to come home. Any thoughts?


Thanks!!!!

Kim

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh my god! That just sounded scary Pixie! (shudder) I did not realize that it snowed in that area. Sometimes I wonder, where have I been, that I do not recall the weather in that particular area? Especially seeing how I am a fan (Believe it or not ) of the weather channel. I suppose I just was not paying attention at the time. (Scratches head, chin...... hmmm, and oh, never mind this is a G audience he he! ) Seriously!

Ya, it was freaky!!!!! Watch the weather around Castiac, that's always a good guide for snow, or just watch it for Grapevine, that would be perfect. LOL

Thanks everyone for the info!!!

I think now we are going to go for Thanksgiving... a little crazy I think, but oh well. We were supposed to be at WDW the week after TG, but had to cancel.

We are planning to leave Thanksgiving morning from San Francisco at about 4am. We will return the Monday after... haven't figure out the best time to leave DLR to come home. Any thoughts?


Thanks!!!!

Kim

We usually leave for home by 4 pm, no later or you get home too late. We have left as late as 6, even 7 once because we really didn't want to leave...I was so dead tired at work the next day....lol

 

[GregC]

. If it's gonna be crazy busy I may wait til spring..who knows!