How does the I 405 compare to the I 5?

[TimNDansMom]

Would it be better to stick to the I 5 when driving down from Hollywood?

This will be on a late Sunday afternoon/early evening, as we head down to Carlsbad for a few days.

I'm half tempted to cut over to the I 405 in case we want to stop at any places along the coast but if it's going to be too slow, we'll skip it.

We are staying at a B & B in Carlsbad and check-in is until 8pm apparently, so I don't want to get stuck in traffic.

 

[Magix]

Either way should be good on a Sunday. You really won't see any of the coast from the 405, before it runs you back into the 5 around Irvine. All the coastal sights will occur further down the 5, below San Juan Capistrano. You could go over to Venice before heading down the 405 or visit Long Beach, but they'll both require off-freeway excursions that may take a little more of your time than it sounds like you have available.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

I prefer the 405, so I'll suggest taking that until it turns into the 5 again. It is less congested than the 5 (which is congested even on the weekends). You can also hop on the 73 toll road which cuts about 15 miles off the drive from the 405 until it turns into the 5. The toll road is $3.75 though and is very hilly. It is pretty though.

You will be able to see the ocean from the 5 when you get down towards Oceanside (which is after the 405 turns back into the 5), and there is at least one place to stop and take photos.

 

[xmelissax]

I would have to disagree and say I prefer the 5 to the 405. Both are busy and I've been on both at all different times, but the 5 never seems to be as bad as the 405 to me. If you leave earlier in the morning I think you SHOULD be ok either way though.

 

[brenda1966]

What is the best way to get from Santa Barbara to Disneyland? I'll be leaving SB around 10am on a Saturday. Thanks!

 

[TimNDansMom]

Thanks for the replies!

We actually stayed in Santa Monica for a few days last year and also visited Venice Beach and Long Beach. We drove down the Pacific Ocean Highway.

I was thinking that if we didn't stay too long in Hollywood, we might visit Marina del Ray and/or maybe a beach further down like Laguna Beach, that was why I was thinking of the 405, on our way down to Carlsbad.

But then I was also thinking of stopping by the Disney Concert Hall, so the I 5 would be the choice. It looks like an interesting building, would it be worth going to see?

 

[xmelissax]

What is the best way to get from Santa Barbara to Disneyland? I'll be leaving SB around 10am on a Saturday. Thanks!

Brenda you will have to take the 101 S and then I would listen to the traffic report and if all is fine on the 5 take that straight to Disneyland. If traffic on the 5 is bad you could try taking the 60 to the 57 which will also drop you off at either Ball or Katella both which have Disney entrances.