Highway Experts needed

[Aisling]

How does this sound for a day trip:

Long Beach Airport to
405 San Diego Freeway to
10 Santa Monica Freeway to
1 Pacific Coast Highway to
Malibu Canyon Road to
101 Ventura Freeway to
101 Hollywood Freeway to
5 Santa Ana Freeway to Katella Ave. to
Disneyland


I get into LGB at 10 AM on a Saturday morning, and basically have the whole day with a rental car before I need to get to the Disneyland Hotel. I've never been to California (well once, but it was looooong ago), so I thought my 14 and 21 year old sons and I would take the day to see the coast and a bit of LA. I'd like to be in Anaheim before dark.

Did I map out the roadways correctly?

Thank you!

 

[honeymom]

I think it's doable, but I used to sometimes hit traffic, even on the weekends, on the 101.

A nice place to stop in Malibu is Gladstone's. It is on the beach, a little bit touristy, but the food is good and the views superb. I think the teens would like it. It is right around where the Pacific Coast Highway meets Sunset Blvd.

 

[Goofster57]

Sounds like a lot of driving, when is your trip?
It’s starting to stay lighter longer and Daylight Savings time is right around the corner someplace, so that could be a plus.

I have one word for you about the coast drive

“CONVERTIBLE”

 

[ter-moo]

One thing that might be fun is to drive up 1 for a bit into Malibu and then turn around and head back down and then take Sunset all the way into Hollywood. Switch over to Hollywood Blvd. so that you can go past Graumann's and get on the 101 from there.

Sunset will take you through Westwood and Beverly Hills.

Just an idea...

 

[Aisling]

Thank you so much!

I don't have a convertible, but that's my someday-fantasy.

Thanks for the suggestions. We'll be there may 26th. Woo hoo!

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

How does this sound for a day trip:

Long Beach Airport to
405 San Diego Freeway to
10 Santa Monica Freeway to
1 Pacific Coast Highway to
Malibu Canyon Road to
101 Ventura Freeway to
101 Hollywood Freeway to
5 Santa Ana Freeway to Katella Ave. to
Disneyland

I get into LGB at 10 AM on a Saturday morning, and basically have the whole day with a rental car before I need to get to the Disneyland Hotel. I've never been to California (well once, but it was looooong ago), so I thought my 14 and 21 year old sons and I would take the day to see the coast and a bit of LA. I'd like to be in Anaheim before dark.

I agree with ter-moo. I'd cut out the Malibu Canyon/Ventura Freeway part of the trip entirely. Just peel off of Pacific Coast Highway at Sunset Blvd. and take it all the way to Hollywood. You'll go through Pacific Palisades and Beverly Hills that way, and all along the Sunset Strip.

When you finally reach Hollywood, turn left at La Brea to Hollywood Blvd. Then turn right to pass Grauman's Chinese, the Hollywood & Highland mall, and the El Capitan Theatre. (There's lots of parking in this area if you want to stop and see the footprints, etc.)

Continuing on, turn right off Hollywood Blvd. at Cahuenga and go back to Sunset Blvd. Turn left to see the Cinerama Dome and make your way to the 101 Freeway South.

For a lot less driving, but still an interesting jaunt, you might consider limiting your travels to the Marina Del Rey, Venice Beach and Santa Monica area. Take the 405 North to the 90 Freeway. Follow it to the end in Marina Del Rey. Head up Lincoln Blvd. to Venice Blvd., then turn left to get to Pacific Coast Highway. You might spend some time on the Venice Beach Boardwalk before heading back up PCH to Santa Monica. Hang out on 3rd Street Promenade and walk down to Santa Monica Beach until late afternoon, then pop on the 10 Freeway East to the 405 South.

 

[Aisling]

I'd cut out the Malibu Canyon/Ventura Freeway part of the trip entirely.

LittleWoodenHead, if I cut out Malibu, will I be missing something major? I just want to see the beauty of the Malibu coastline, but maybe it'll look just as beautiful if I don't drive all the way up to Malibu??

Thank you for the suggestions. This means a lot to me.

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

LittleWoodenHead, if I cut out Malibu, will I be missing something major? I just want to see the beauty of the Malibu coastline, but maybe it'll look just as beautiful if I don't drive all the way up to Malibu??

Thank you for the suggestions. This means a lot to me.

I honestly haven't been up PCH as far as Malibu in a couple years, so I don't know how far would be far enough.

Also, you're talking about Memorial Day weekend, right? If it is a nice, sunny Saturday, all the beach areas will be PACKED and you will make a lot less progress than you expect.

My main point was to avoid going over Malibu Canyon to the Ventura Freeway. That would put you way out in the west part of the Valley, and you'd have an awful lot of (fairly boring) freeway driving still to do.

So, I'd say to just continue up PCH as far as you want. BUT then double back and head back the way you came. Then, if traffic along the coast is too heavy, you might turn on Sunset Blvd. and -- even if you don't go all the way to Beverly Hills and Hollywood -- take it through Pacific Palisades and Brentwood to the 405 Freeway South.