Route and grocery stores between LAX and DL?

[Zoemakes5]

It's been a long, long, long time (ie. close to 15 years) since I flew into LAX. While I grew up in So. Cal., I need a quick refresher (or maybe an update) on how to get to DL from LAX. Once upon a time, I'd have taken 405 to 91. Is that still the best way? I know there's a bunch of new freeways since I was last there, so didn't know if that had changed. The last number of times I was even close to the area, I was coming in from Vegas or
Also, are there any 24 hour grocery stores close off of the freeway, in a fairly safe neighborhood? I don't recall there being one nearby DL, or at least not between 91 and Katella on Harbor. I want to stop and get some breakfast supplies and mt. dew and water, maybe some other items.
Thanks!!

 

[jlmarr]

The 105 is a fairly new (less than 15 years old anyway) freeway that is just south of LAX and gets you all the way to the 605. Take the 605 south a mile or two to the 91 then continue east and you know the way from there. In fact if you give http://www.mapquest.com the two names "lax" and "disneyland" it will show you this route. The 105, 91, and 5 have carpool lanes which help bypass much of the traffic. Unfortunately you need to get out of the carpool lane to transition to transition to the 105. You can transition from the 91 to 5 without getting out of the carpool lane (watch the signs or you'll stay on the 91!) and the Disneyland Drive exit of the 5 has an exit direct from the carpool lane so you don't need to make 4 lane changes when you get to DL.

The closest grocery store to DL is Food4Less, about a mile west of the park on Katella.

 

[Zoemakes5]

Thank you thank you thank you!
Is the 105 called the "century freeway"? Someone mentioned that to me once.
We'll be driving at about 1am, thus the need for the 24 hour grocery store. I'm not expecting too much traffic at that time, but being a Cal. girl, "never say never" when it comes to traffic. I'll be driving the entire time as my DH is terrified of driving in LA. I'm sure it didn't help when I offered to drive him through Watts! (He's a good Minn. boy!)
I imagine he'll do a bit better when we're in the San Diego area, not quite as "scary" there!
Thanks again!!

 

[jlmarr]

You won't need a carpool lane at 1am, so that might make things easier during the fwy transitions.

Food4Less is open 24 hours. Look for the Taco Bell - it's behind that.

 

[tinkershell*]

if you're at LAX you can just head down sepulveda (south) and about 2 miles down the road there is a 24 hour Ralphs!

the best way to disney is the 105E > 605 S > 91 >5S ..... fastest way to get there! you can get on the 105 by taking sepulveda out of LAX up to Imperial (first major street out of the tunnel, travelling south) and hanging a left - get all the way over and the onramp is right there!

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Here's a link to Mary Jo's directions from LAX: click here.

 

[minnietoo]

Once upon a time, I'd have taken 405 to 91. Is that still the best way?

The 405 does not connect to the 91. From the 405 you need to get on the 110 North then the 91 east. If you want to use the 405 from LAX it would be 405 south - 110 north - 91 east and 5 south - exit Disneyland Drive.

On the other directions given by folks - be sure you are going east on the 91 from the 605.

 

[funnygarcia]

Thanks for posting driving directions!

I'm gearing up my DH to make the drive from LAX at 1 am on Christmas Day (Flying in using Sun Country, only flights they have to CA are overnights).


He's not afraid of driving in LA

He just can't become a LA driver when we get back to MN!!

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

I'm not 100% sure but I seem to recall seeing an Albertson's when I went a month or 2 ago on Harbor not too far from Disneyland? For sure there's a Target on Harbor about 3 blocks away, not exactly a grocery store but there's snacks and other goods. If correct the Alberston's is located away from the main freeway next to Disneyland, and the area's not bad, if you continue on that's when the area starts to get a little ify.

Anyone know for sure? I remember thinking "good to know for next time" , but checked a store locator and there's no listing for Harbor, only on Katella.

 

[Zoemakes5]

I'm gearing up my DH to make the drive from LAX at 1 am on Christmas Day (Flying in using Sun Country, only flights they have to CA are overnights).

That's the flight that we're taking!!!! From the twin cities, too (we live in suburbs) but we're going in March....you'll have to tell me what you find out!!! The 10pm flight out of here is nice, as we miss less school and work and stuff, I don't mind that so much, but are you taking the middle of the night flight back as well? That one should be fun, though it gives us another day of fun!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

The Ralphs on Sepulveda by LAX is great. They have an excellent selection, and it's located in a good area. I go here often since the store is 5 minutes from my work. You can go there, then go back on Sepulveda, turn right, and then right again on Imperial Highway, and the 105 is right there.

Here's the info from the post that Piglet linked.

To get to the hotels on Harbor Drive: From the rental places, drive south to Century Blvd, and turn left (east). Get in your right lane, and on Aviation, turn right (south). Get in the left lane. (About 1.5 miles will be a restaurant called Proud Bird - if you're hungry, get a bite to eat here. It's a nice restaurant.)

Turn left (east) on Imperial Hwy - it will be the big street after Proud Bird. (Wave hello to Northrop Grumman on the corner of Aviation & Imperial Hwy - that's where I work )

As soon as you turn left, get in the right lane, and get on the 105 fwy going east. Get in the carpool lane, and take this freeway all the way to the end. Take the 605 fwy south & stay in the right lane. About 2 miles down you'll hit the 91 fwy east. Get in the carpool lane and stay there until you get to the 5 fwy south. Use the carpool lane to get on the 5 south. Stay in the carpool lane until you see Euclid, and then edge over. Go past the Disneyland Drive exit. The next exit is Harbor. Turn right on Harbor. Disneyland will be on your right & you'll see the Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Monorail track... The Harbor hotels will be on your left, but are blocked by an island. Go past many hotels until you get to a left turn lane that will let you make a U-turn. Make the U-turn, and then go into the Park Inn parking lot.

To get to the Disneyland Resort Hotels: Stay in the carpool lane on 5 fwy and take the carpool lane exit to Disneyland Drive (very convenient). Turn left when you get off of the freeway. There will be a gas station on your right side (corner of Disneyland Drive & Ball). Stay on your right lane or you will end up in the theme park parking structure. Disneyland and Paradise Pier hotels will be on the right side of the street, and the Grand Californian will be on the left side, across the street from the Paradise Pier Hotel.


Click on picture for a bigger view of map


In short:

Century Blvd (away from the airport) - Aviation & turn right - Imperial Hwy and turn left - 105 fwy east - 605 fwy south - 91 fwy east - 5 fwy south - Harbor Blvd & turn right

or

Century Blvd (away from the airport) - Aviation & turn right - Imperial Hwy and turn left - 105 fwy east - 605 fwy south - 91 fwy east - 5 fwy south - Disneyland Drive & turn left

 

[Zoemakes5]

Mary Jo, you are the best!!!!

I lived in Redondo Beach, right off Sepulveda/PCH on the Avenues down there. My mom worked in three different buildings right next to the airport (once in the building right next to the Embassy Suites there.) Used to drive up Sepulveda all the time. Back in the day, there weren't any grocery stores at all! I'll have to check out that Ralph's. Might be a good option, 'cause then everyone will still be awake!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Remember where the Hacienda Hotel is over there? On the corner of Sepulveda & Mariposa. Ralphs is right across the street. There is also a Starbucks there, but I don't think they're open.

I live in Carson, work in El Segundo, and go a few times a year to Tony's Fish Market on the Redondo Beach Pier (not to be confused with the famous Old Tony's).

 

[funnygarcia]

That's the flight that we're taking!!!! From the twin cities, too (we live in suburbs) but we're going in March....you'll have to tell me what you find out!!! The 10pm flight out of here is nice, as we miss less school and work and stuff, I don't mind that so much, but are you taking the middle of the night flight back as well? That one should be fun, though it gives us another day of fun!

Yep, we are taking that wee hours of the morning flight back. Crummy hours but saved a bundle over other airlines during a peak travel time. It also means one less night at a hotel.
Never used Sun Country before. Northwest wanted too much $$ for this trip.

The one thing I am worried about is getting DH's dialysis scheduled. He has to bug his dialysis social worker to make the arrangements.
Not sure how his current center in Mpls handles Christmas when it lands on a Monday. And need to know how they will handle the holiday at a California center as well.
I shortened up our trip to 4 days in the park , thinking it will be one less co-pay for treatment out of pocket ($40) . (All these small expenses add up!)