DL before or after PCH roadtrip

[Mirador]

We are planning a roadtrip on the Pacific Coast Highway from either SF to LA or LA to SF. We have now decided to add a single day at DIsneyland. Would it be better to do the day at DIsneyland before we begin the roadtrip on the PCH or as a last stop after ending in LA? I’m trying to consider if there’s an advantage to do it one way over the other. We are 2 adults and 2 teens coming from the East Coast and can fly in or out of either SFO or LAX.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I would do it at the end. Sometimes it's hard to get the same level of service at other places and if you do Disneyland first, you might feel disappointed with some of your other experiences.

 

[LKing]

I would also go SF->LA->Disneyland.

 

[gottalovepluto]

End there. It would give you something big to look forward to at the end of the trip.

 

[mdmost]

I agree with above. SF to LA and then Disneyland would be better IMO, especially with 2 teens. You know your kids so it would be a question of do you think they'll appreciate all that natural beauty and looking out at the ocean before or after a trip to Disneyland. For the driver, going LA to SF is better since the ocean would be on their left.

Give yourself enough time to stop along the way as there are so many beautiful stops along the way like Big Sur, Carmel by the Sea, and Santa Barbara. You also need to keep in mind that if there is a mudslide or part of the highway breaks off that you will not be able to continue along the route. It has happened and can happen again.

 

[Mirador]

I agree with above. SF to LA and then Disneyland would be better IMO, especially with 2 teens. You know your kids so it would a question of do you think they'll appreciate all that natural beauty and looking out at the ocean before or after a trip to Disneyland. For the driver, going LA to SF is better since the ocean would be on their left.

Give yourself enough time to stop along the way as there are so many beautiful stops along the way like Big Sur, Carmel by the Sea, and Santa Barbara. You also need to keep in mind that if there is a mudslide or part of the highway breaks off that you will not be able to continue along the route. It has happened and can happen again.

Thank you. I’m aware of the road closure which will have us backtrack in and out of Monterey. We plan to stop at the exact spots you mention!

 

[China Expat]

End at Disney!

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

I agree with above. SF to LA and then Disneyland would be better IMO, especially with 2 teens. You know your kids so it would be a question of do you think they'll appreciate all that natural beauty and looking out at the ocean before or after a trip to Disneyland. For the driver, going LA to SF is better since the ocean would be on their left.

Give yourself enough time to stop along the way as there are so many beautiful stops along the way like Big Sur, Carmel by the Sea, and Santa Barbara. You also need to keep in mind that if there is a mudslide or part of the highway breaks off that you will not be able to continue along the route. It has happened and can happen again.

For people who are not comfortable with driving at elevation, driving from LA to SF also means that you're driving on the inside lane, maybe that matters for some people. OTOH it tends to be easier to stop and look around if you're on the outside lane driving north to south.

 

[hardcorestitch]

We are planning a roadtrip on the Pacific Coast Highway from either SF to LA or LA to SF. We have now decided to add a single day at DIsneyland. Would it be better to do the day at DIsneyland before we begin the roadtrip on the PCH or as a last stop after ending in LA? I’m trying to consider if there’s an advantage to do it one way over the other. We are 2 adults and 2 teens coming from the East Coast and can fly in or out of either SFO or LAX.

Do the Disneyland portion once you've gotten through Los Angeles. It makes much more sense to do that since getting to Disneyland from LA would be shorter in time, assuming the thing that is LA traffic doesn't inflate time.