Driving in California

[melni]

We are planning a trip to southern California this June, mostly for Disneyland, but there are other places we'd like to visit. Most of all, we really want to go to the San Diego zoo. Would it be super stressful to rent a car and drive ourselves?

 

[junmatno]

We are planning a trip to southern California this June, mostly for Disneyland, but there are other places we'd like to visit. Most of all, we really want to go to the San Diego zoo. Would it be super stressful to rent a car and drive ourselves?

No, you just hop on 5 south which is right by DL. You'd just need directions once you hit SAn Diego

 

[OKW Lover]

"super stressful" is in the mind of the beholder.

We've done this drive before and there are a few things you should think about:

• Are you comfortable in general about driving in unfamiliar surroundings?
• Can you follow directions easily or are you directionally challenged?
• Does moderate to heavy traffic (likely if you are going on a weekday) bother you?

As I said, we've done the drive and didn't mind it but I can see how others would have some stress.

 

[bcla]

It's not that bad. All bets are off in rush hour traffic, but for the most part other drivers aren't rude or aggressive.

 

[figment_jii]

I agree with OKW Lover that what is stressful to one person, might not be stressful to another person. For the most part, it's freeway driving. I haven't found I-5 to be any better or worse than any other major freeway, but it does move fast (when there is no traffic) or super slow (when there is traffic). Personally, I didn't find it terribly stressful, but I've driven freeways and in rush hour for a while and am used to it.

 

[sheetz]

There may be more traffic but the driving isn't generally harder than most other major cities in the US. Just make sure you have a good GPS.

 

[ButterflyKisses77]

No, you should be fine. Sounds like a great idea!

 

[cmpeter]

Another vote for "you'll be fine". I don't find it stressful...just know to plan extra time if you will be traveling during rush hour(s) or schedule your driving so you aren't driving then.

 

[4Mickeys]

I'm from Australia and I drove around with my 3 kids whilst in Southern California last year (including down town LA in the afternoon). We drive on the other side of the road here in Australia to you so you have head start on me. I agree you should be fine, and I also found that the drivers were 'friendly' and non aggressive (more so than where I am from even)

 

[Keels]

You'll totally be fine. I drove from Santa Monica to Anaheim every day during my visit and it was all highway and very easy to navigate. Just prepare yourself for inevitable traffic.

Waze is a great app that you can download on a smartphone - it redirects you if you run into traffic into a less-trafficked route. I found this to be incredibly helpful.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I'm from Australia and I drove around with my 3 kids whilst in Southern California last year (including down town LA in the afternoon). We drive on the other side of the road here in Australia to you so you have head start on me. I agree you should be fine, and I also found that the drivers were 'friendly' and non aggressive (more so than where I am from even)

"Friendly and non aggressive" wow, I must drive in different parts of SoCal when we visit lol! Those are literally the last 2 words I'd use to describe LA drivers.

As to OP, here's another vote for you'll be ok (despite the fact that I do not consider the drivers to be friendly or non-aggressive). The San Diego Zoo is amazing & as you're super excited for that maybe google up the San Diego Zoo Safari Park as well. As for the traffic, remember it's just that- traffic, just on a bigger scale.

 

[mousecrazy]

If you're feeling a little anxious about driving the "crazy California Freeways), a good navigator will be a great help! I find it helps to familiarize myself with my route beforehand and drive only in the small window of non-commuters. San Diego is beautiful and is definitely worth the adventure!

 

[nikkislaght]

First year we did San Diego we did the bus tours.. down to Sea world and then the next day to Lego land.. as neither of us wanted to drive..

The next year we rented a car and drove... without any problems..
and have did so again last April... we stay on Katella so get straight onto the freeway and get into car pool lane and go with the flow..
make sure you have a good navigator. turns out my husband isn't one..
there is a major veer in the freeway to the right at some point. that he didn't tell us about until the very and I mean very last minute.!! my friend who was driving was not very pleased with him as she then had to become one of those crazy mofos that cross twenty lanes to get to the exit..!! anyways... aside from that and after we threw his unconscious carcass in the trunk we did ok. .
Anyway, as stated the traffic can be thick.. but easy to do..
Enjoy your trip

 

[beachdreamr1229]

It's an easy drive if you're used to city traffic. Don't drive down on a Friday night or back on a Sunday. Rush hour is also best avoided. But really, not bad.

 

[4Mickeys]

"Friendly and non aggressive" wow, I must drive in different parts of SoCal when we visit lol! Those are literally the last 2 words I'd use to describe LA drivers.

You made me laugh - maybe that shows how bad we can be back here at home ! But I seriously came home with that impression. Those 4 way stop signs confused me a little and whenever I hesitated someone would just wave me through no honking, yelling or the rude finger hehe.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Yeah, our perception of aggressive driving is a bit different here. I have driven in various parts of Europe and Southeast Asia, southern California is about middle of the pack.Nothing like dodging water buffalo and speeding busses at the same time. You should be fine.

 

[AngiTN]

It's an easy drive if you're used to city traffic. Don't drive down on a Friday night or back on a Sunday. Rush hour is also best avoided. But really, not bad.

What if that is the only option? We are battling with the same question as the OP. Do we tack on time to visit San Diego Zoo while we are in CA for a trip to DL? Transportation is the most significant hurdle. We would fly in to San Diego, rent a car, stay in San Diego for a couple days, do the zoo and then drive to Anaheim, return the car, stay at Disney and then fly out of John Wayne. With Southwest that costs us less than a round trip in and out of John Wayne, even including the rental car one way. But, our schedule has us making the trip from San Diego to Anaheim on either Sunday or Monday, Memorial Day. Are we going to seriously regret it?

We are not used to heavy traffic, we live in a small town with no traffic, unless there is an accident. We do find driving in traffic in Atlanta (for instance) to be a bit harrowing. Is driving through LA going to be hopeless for us?

 

[algae]

What if that is the only option? We are battling with the same question as the OP. Do we tack on time to visit San Diego Zoo while we are in CA for a trip to DL? Transportation is the most significant hurdle. We would fly in to San Diego, rent a car, stay in San Diego for a couple days, do the zoo and then drive to Anaheim, return the car, stay at Disney and then fly out of John Wayne. With Southwest that costs us less than a round trip in and out of John Wayne, even including the rental car one way. But, our schedule has us making the trip from San Diego to Anaheim on either Sunday or Monday, Memorial Day. Are we going to seriously regret it?

We are not used to heavy traffic, we live in a small town with no traffic, unless there is an accident. We do find driving in traffic in Atlanta (for instance) to be a bit harrowing. Is driving through LA going to be hopeless for us?

That doesn't sound too bad. You get on the 5 and you're done. No freeway changes needed. Just get into the car pool lane when it shows up and stay there until Disneyland. Just be prepared to drive about 75-80+ MPH in the car pool lane so you don't get a line of anxious people behind you.

 

[Laz]

LOL!!!

Years ago, I asked the DLH concierge for directions to LAX and how bad the traffic would be. The nice lady said it would be an easy drive with a little traffic. When I got to LAX, my wife almost had to pry my hands of the steering wheel. My knuckles were white for two months Yes, I do come from a small town, but I do drive thru Detroit and Chicago traffic on many occasions. Nothing like LA traffic!

What about the tolls between San Diego and DLR? How much? I assume they have some type of EZ Pass system.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

What about the tolls between San Diego and DLR? How much? I assume they have some type of EZ Pass system.

There are no tolls on I-5.