Long Beach to Lake Elsinore Halfway Point
Dec 15th, 2013, 05:40 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Long Beach to Lake Elsinore Halfway Point
I will be in the Long Beach area in early January and would love to meet up for breakfast or lunch with my brother who lives in Lake Elsinore. We talked about meeting halfway on a Saturday. He mentioned San Juan Capistrano, but when I map quested it, that seemed a little out of the way for halfway. Given the time of year (winter) and not knowing what the driving conditions/roadways are like, what would be the halfway suggestions? Thank you!!
Dec 15th, 2013, 11:53 AM
#4
Yes -- Long Beach to San Juan Capistrano is about the same drive time as Lake Elsinore to SJC . . . It makes a lot of sense as a meeting point.
(>>Given the time of year (winter) and not knowing what the driving conditions/roadways are like,
(>>Given the time of year (winter) and not knowing what the driving conditions/roadways are like,
Dec 15th, 2013, 12:28 PM
#6
He'll be coming over the mountains on The Ortega Hwy,directly into San Juan.
You'll have a nice, easy freeway drive with no risk of bad weather.
It's a lovely little town and don't miss the mission.
You'll have a nice, easy freeway drive with no risk of bad weather.
It's a lovely little town and don't miss the mission.
Dec 15th, 2013, 12:30 PM
#7
Actually Corona would be great from Lake Elsinore . . .a short drive. From Long Beach not so much.
SJC isn't the only place you could meet of course. But finding a place 45 minutes from both Lake Elsinore and from LB - SJC is right there.
SJC isn't the only place you could meet of course. But finding a place 45 minutes from both Lake Elsinore and from LB - SJC is right there.
Dec 15th, 2013, 02:51 PM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Okay thanks! There's not going to be a lot of site seeing time. Just a meal and some hugs. So seeing the mission is probably not going to happen. I just want the safest, easiest drive for us both. Thanks again and happy holidays!
Dec 17th, 2013, 06:42 AM
#9
I can recommend the Cedar Creek Inn in SJC. It's on Ortega Highway just a couple of blocks west of the 5 freeway and across the street from the mission. Easy to find, lots of free parking. I often meet a friend there who lives in San Diego.
http://www.cedarcreekinn.com/locatio...capistrano#tab
http://www.cedarcreekinn.com/locatio...capistrano#tab
Dec 18th, 2013, 06:52 AM
#11
You don't have to take the toll road (Hwy. 73) unless you choose to. If you stay on the 405 and 5 (both of which have car-pool/HOV lanes), it's free.
AFAIK, you can still pay with a credit card (I'd still carry cash), but I think starting this summer drivers will need to have a FasTrak account and transponder in order to use the toll roads.
If you're renting a car, you should ask if the rental company offers FasTrak.
You can pay a one-time toll online, but I've never done this so I don't know much about it.
https://www.thetollroads.com/violation/oneTimeToll.do
AFAIK, you can still pay with a credit card (I'd still carry cash), but I think starting this summer drivers will need to have a FasTrak account and transponder in order to use the toll roads.
If you're renting a car, you should ask if the rental company offers FasTrak.
You can pay a one-time toll online, but I've never done this so I don't know much about it.
https://www.thetollroads.com/violation/oneTimeToll.do
Dec 18th, 2013, 07:41 AM
#12
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On a Saturday, the toll road doesnt help much. It will back up in the afternoon, but after the 73 ends. I like SJC as a meeting place, and Cedar Creek does have a nice patio but with average food. If you dont mind eating with all the farm hands, nearby El Molino has excellent mexican food
Dec 19th, 2013, 07:12 AM
#14
The toll road portion shaves 13 miles off the overall distance, so it should in theory save 13-15 minutes.
But no one can predict traffic as it only takes a simple fender-bender or someone pulled over for speeding or a flat tire to interrupt the flow, and neither route is immune to these problems. Sometimes a slow-down only lasts for a 1/4 mile, sometimes much longer. If it's raining, traffic will be slower on both routes.
You can listen to 980 AM radio for frequent traffic updates and decide how it looks when you get to the turn off for 73.
But no one can predict traffic as it only takes a simple fender-bender or someone pulled over for speeding or a flat tire to interrupt the flow, and neither route is immune to these problems. Sometimes a slow-down only lasts for a 1/4 mile, sometimes much longer. If it's raining, traffic will be slower on both routes.
You can listen to 980 AM radio for frequent traffic updates and decide how it looks when you get to the turn off for 73.
Dec 19th, 2013, 08:38 AM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,879
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you'd like a little more atmosphere and don't mind and additional 3-4 miles for both of you, Dana Point Marina has good water views and some fairly good places to eat. My personal favorite is the Wind and Sea.
Dec 19th, 2013, 12:42 PM
#16
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you'd like a little more atmosphere and don't mind and additional 3-4 miles for both of you, Dana Point Marina has good water views and some fairly good places to eat. My personal favorite is the Wind and Sea.
