San Diego, Zoo, Beaches, and Driving to Anaheim

[bethbuchall]

First, I am nervous about driving in California, since I always hear horror stories. Then I have a bunch of other questions that I need input from real people on.

We are doing a road trip cross country. On this leg, we will be coming in from Seligman, AZ and heading to a hotel in Encinitas. We'd like to stop at Joshua Tree National Park on the way through, but we don't plan to spend a long time there. That will get us to Encinitas in the late afternoon (around check-in time). How horrible will this drive be on a Saturday.

The hotel is near Moonlight Beach State Park. We want to go to the beach basically to dip our toes (or maybe a bit more) in the Pacific Ocean. We aren't planning a beach day. Is this beach good enough or would you recommend something else?

We are thinking of going to the San Diego Zoo on Sunday and then heading up to Disneyland (Park Vue Inn). How long would you plan for the zoo? I'm sure that we could spend all day and not see everything, but what is a reasonable amount of time and when will traffic be best?

On the way up to Anaheim, I'd like to stop by Children's Pool Beach to see the seals. My daughter is in the area now and sent some great pictures. Are some on the beach most of the time or are there times of day to see them? Would you stop off at any other beaches along the way?

Am I trying to cram too much into the day? And, most importantly, what is the best route and how horrible is the drive? What do I need to know about the drive and what to watch for?

I'm sorry this is so long. Thank you in advance for any help or reassurance that you can give me!

 

[endy]

I don't find the driving as bad as everyone says. It is heavy traffic but everyone is going fast. It will be bad on Sunday as everyone is heading back to LA. I haven't been for 2 years so others may chime in with more current experiences. Not sure when it's busiest. Afternoon or evening.
The zoo is mostly a full day. If you get there early you may be able to get out mid afternoon. Do you mean the pool beach at LaJolla? I think the sea lions are there all the time. The tide pools are worth checking out if you hit at low tide.
I think all beaches are worth checking out. ☺ Dana Point has a nice beach. I find the water cold even in SD but I'm an old wimp.

 

[bethbuchall]

Thank you for the information! I feel completely out of my element on some of this planning.

 

[ImDMous]

Coming into town, the I5 is really what gets busy and stays busy all weekend. If you come in on the I15 and head west on the 78 you should be much better off traffic wise. Looks like you'd take the 40 to the 15S to 78W.

I think Moonlight Beach is fine for a short dip. I spent many teenage summer days there. It's got a picnic area, volleyball courts and restrooms.

The zoo is pretty much an all day affair. I would stay as long as you can. If you want to see the pandas, go there first, the line builds through the day. I recommend taking the bus tour and then also getting the kangaroo bus ticket. You'll be able to jump on and off of it to take you around to different areas. The zoo is pretty hilly and some of them as steep.

The seals are at the Children's Pool in La Jolla all the time. But they stink! So just be warned.

The drive north on the 5 from La Jolla to Disneyland will take you past a lot of beautiful beaches (mostly while still in San Diego, it goes a bit inland after Dana Point). Stop or just enjoy the views as you go. There will most likely be traffic unless you wait until after dinner.

 

[Purrkins]

Drive from Joshua Tree to San Diego should be fine. I go there a few times a year - I would recommend spending some time at Joshua Tree either for a sunrise or sunset - the desert is magical during these times and the wildlife comes out. Saturday traffic should be fine. We often leave San Diego at 4 AM and are on the trail by 7 AM. Coming back we usually leave around 9 and are back home by 11:30 - full day but doable for a nice Saturday. Please bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

Zoo is a full day.

Encinitas is north of the Children's Pool - so to do this going up to Anaheim - you'd actually need to drive South, see the seals, then backtrack back up the 5. It's about 20 minutes to get there so add 40 minutes + time you want to spend with the seals.

But just a few yards away from the seals is La Jolla Cove which is a nice place to dip your toes into the water if you wanted to kill two birds with one stone.

Driving up to Anaheim on a Sunday I would leave by 6 AM or after 7 PM, or just put some tunes on and get there when you get there.

Not sure where you are coming from but you'll notice we drive fast and tailgate. You'll be fine.

 

[B4DlandOpened]

"On this leg, we will be coming in from Seligman, AZ"

I assume that you'll be taking I15 from Seligman AZ.
If so, you'll have quite a backtrack from I15 to I215 to I10 to get to Joshua Tree.

Zoo is a full day.

And it's well worth a fill day - it's the best in the world (IMHO)

 

[bethbuchall]

"On this leg, we will be coming in from Seligman, AZ"

I assume that you'll be taking I15 from Seligman AZ.
If so, you'll have quite a backtrack from I15 to I215 to I10 to get to Joshua Tree.


And it's well worth a fill day - it's the best in the world (IMHO)

I was looking at 40 to 62 to 10 around Joshua Tree. It sounds like the zoo is a must do! Thanks!

 

[B4DlandOpened]

I was looking at 40 to 62 to 10 around Joshua Tree. It sounds like the zoo is a must do! Thanks!

Yikes! If I remember correctly, there's a whole lot of hot, nothing on 62. Not sure if there will be cell service when you're in the middle of nowhere. Also, I don't know if there are emergency call boxes out there.
Go to maps.google and search for Rice, California. Then, switch to satellite view and zoom in on Hwy 62. Also, click Street View and pick a spot on 62 - you'll be able to see what the road looks like and ... the total absence of anything.
Make sure you have a full tank of gas!

Any other SoCal people that can chime in here?