Driving from SF to LA on Highway 5 - Any good places to stop, rest & grab a quick bite?
May 24th, 2008, 06:45 AM
#23
If you go 75 you won't be ticketed. They're looking for someone going over 80 and believe me there will be plenty of them.
BTW, radar is legal in California, so if suddenly everyone has slowed down, don't pass. They've just had the "K Band!" warning.
BTW, radar is legal in California, so if suddenly everyone has slowed down, don't pass. They've just had the "K Band!" warning.
May 24th, 2008, 09:26 AM
#25
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I-5 is straight and tedious after awhile, but it is the fastest route. We have tried all the various stops but now prefer to pick up sandwiches and drinks before we go and then stop and enjoy the designated rest areas. These are easy and pleasant with shaded picnic areas, bathrooms, water, vending machines. There will be signs on the freeway to let you know how many miles to the next rest area. Easy on and off the freeway. Saves time and allows you to avoid overpriced terrible food.
May 24th, 2008, 10:40 AM
#26
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trvlmaven: ""easytraveler, as mlgb said, if you DON'T go at least 70-75 you will be run over!"
This is simply not true! I used to drive back and forth on I-5 almost every other week for months.
Most of the time, I chose night time to travel because there was less traffic. During the day, there are lots of large trucks and you'll be lucky to maintain even 70 MPH what with one big truck trying to pass another big truck by going into the fast lane and blocking all the fast-running cars. As soon as the large truck pulls back into the slow lane, all these passengers cars zoom up in a mad dash only to be caught up behind the next big truck.
I've timed myself and the difference is only between 30-60 minutes more to go at the speed limit. It's a lot less stressful and saves gas as well.
psy_dr: if you MUST speed, then do it in the middle of a pack of speeding cars. Being the first car, the last car, or the lone car speeding is to increase exponentially your chances of getting a ticket.
This is simply not true! I used to drive back and forth on I-5 almost every other week for months.
Most of the time, I chose night time to travel because there was less traffic. During the day, there are lots of large trucks and you'll be lucky to maintain even 70 MPH what with one big truck trying to pass another big truck by going into the fast lane and blocking all the fast-running cars. As soon as the large truck pulls back into the slow lane, all these passengers cars zoom up in a mad dash only to be caught up behind the next big truck.
I've timed myself and the difference is only between 30-60 minutes more to go at the speed limit. It's a lot less stressful and saves gas as well.
psy_dr: if you MUST speed, then do it in the middle of a pack of speeding cars. Being the first car, the last car, or the lone car speeding is to increase exponentially your chances of getting a ticket.
May 24th, 2008, 11:23 AM
#27
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I'm a frequent traveler Carmel to L.A. We take 101 to 46 to 5 to 405. Going 70 mph on I-5? I only know a couple of groups of people who do that. These groups are usually found in the left-hand lane getting tailed with others going around them flipping them off. You want to cause road rage? Go 70, you'll cause it. Keep it under 80 and you won't have a problem. The cops drive b&w and all-white cars. They also have 4 WDs and motorcycles. We have radar detectors in our cars. K-A band is the warning given. If you have a radar detector, bring it with you. I remember one trip home when a Porsche was next to me, without a radar detector. We stuck together for miles and miles. He noticed that I slowed down, he looked up at me. I pointed to my radar detector. He gave me a thumbs up and followed me for the rest of the trip. It made the trip more fun.
Stop at Harris Ranch for a quick potty stop. Fill up at their Shell Station and get a Subway sandwich. You'll be back on the road quickly.
Don't worry about turning off your a/c on the Grapevine. That's just silly unless it's 110 degrees outside. You're in a rental car, not rent-a-wreck. It's usually not bumper-to-bumper so you can sail.
Stop at Harris Ranch for a quick potty stop. Fill up at their Shell Station and get a Subway sandwich. You'll be back on the road quickly.
Don't worry about turning off your a/c on the Grapevine. That's just silly unless it's 110 degrees outside. You're in a rental car, not rent-a-wreck. It's usually not bumper-to-bumper so you can sail.
May 24th, 2008, 01:07 PM
#30
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Yes TTess-I'd like that trip report also!
ET-Yes I guess it sounds like we are telling psy_dr to speed but that is the reality on I5 and other Interstates here in CA. If you stay at 70 either people will be flipping you off as TTess said, or you will have to continually move over to the slow lane to let people go by. Then you end up stuck behind some slowmoving trucks. It really is safer to go with the flow of traffic without being reckless.
ET-Yes I guess it sounds like we are telling psy_dr to speed but that is the reality on I5 and other Interstates here in CA. If you stay at 70 either people will be flipping you off as TTess said, or you will have to continually move over to the slow lane to let people go by. Then you end up stuck behind some slowmoving trucks. It really is safer to go with the flow of traffic without being reckless.
May 24th, 2008, 01:23 PM
#31
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Lots of good advice here. However, I live in the area and drive I-5 to LA about once a month.
I think the farmers of the central valley would take exception to the area being called a "desert."
You will see plenty of crops growing along the way and plenty of brown dirt, but I don't think anybody would confuse it with Death Valley.
If you are looking for a nice place to eat and don't mind killing at least an hour then I would do the Harris Ranch stop. The food is really very good.
Turn off AC? I don't think so. September you might even be able to open the sun roof if you have one.
New vehicles are well equiped to drive in the heat without turning off the AC. Most even have an extra radiator fan than kicks in when the AC is on, so in fact you might be cutting cooling to the engine by turning off the AC.
I think I might leave closer to between 8:30 - 9:00, but I always like to leave early so I don't stress over being late.
Being a Saturday morning and leaving SF you should not have any problems and will be into the central valley fairly quickly.
If you are in downtown SF then I would take Hwy 80 east and follow the signs toward Stockton.
If you are down by the airport then I might consider taking Hwy 101 south to Gilroy and then Hwy 152 east to I-5.
I think the farmers of the central valley would take exception to the area being called a "desert."
You will see plenty of crops growing along the way and plenty of brown dirt, but I don't think anybody would confuse it with Death Valley.
If you are looking for a nice place to eat and don't mind killing at least an hour then I would do the Harris Ranch stop. The food is really very good.
Turn off AC? I don't think so. September you might even be able to open the sun roof if you have one.
New vehicles are well equiped to drive in the heat without turning off the AC. Most even have an extra radiator fan than kicks in when the AC is on, so in fact you might be cutting cooling to the engine by turning off the AC.
I think I might leave closer to between 8:30 - 9:00, but I always like to leave early so I don't stress over being late.
Being a Saturday morning and leaving SF you should not have any problems and will be into the central valley fairly quickly.
If you are in downtown SF then I would take Hwy 80 east and follow the signs toward Stockton.
If you are down by the airport then I might consider taking Hwy 101 south to Gilroy and then Hwy 152 east to I-5.
May 24th, 2008, 04:03 PM
#33
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Ah, I in no way suggested that the OP hog the fast lane by driving 70 MPH there.
In fact, no matter what speed I'm at, my car is usually in the slow lane. I use the fast lane only for passing. It's worked fine so far.
If you turn off the A/C over the mountains, it also saves gas besides saving less strain on the car.
Guess it's a conservation thing with me.
In fact, no matter what speed I'm at, my car is usually in the slow lane. I use the fast lane only for passing. It's worked fine so far.
If you turn off the A/C over the mountains, it also saves gas besides saving less strain on the car.
Guess it's a conservation thing with me.
May 25th, 2008, 10:10 AM
#34
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Thank you EVERYONE for all the wonderful advice...and I appreciate the pointers on radar, speed limits, weather, etc.
Two more questions...just in case anyone can help out with these:
The soccer game is Saturday night...it starts at 7:30p, so we should be in our car by 10pm.
1) We wanted to gain some time on the road on Saturday night (we don't want to drive too much because I'm sure we'll be exhausted). I found some good rates at La Quinta at 2 spots - Ventura (5818 Ventura Road) & Thousand Oaks (1320 Newbury Rd).
Mapquest indicates it'll take 1 hour & 18 minutes from the Home Depot Center @ Carson to the Ventura La Quinta & 1 hour & 5 minutes to La Quinta in Thousand Oaks.
Both these estimates are fine for us to drive Saturday night, but I'm not sure how realistic they are. So, my question is this:
Knowing the Carson/LA traffic that I could get, would it be too ambitious of us to drive to Ventura or should we opt for the more conservative drive to Thousand Oaks?
Also, any feedback on the safety of these 2 locations would be great!
2) We'll head back to SF on Sunday (the longer way, via the coast to Carmel/Monterey). We know it will be a long drive, but we definitely want to do this drive and we will not be in a rush.
Leg 1: Fastest route from Ventura/Thousand Oaks to Morro Bay
Leg 2: via CA-1 from Morro Bay to Carmel-by-the Sea.
Leg 3: via CA-1 & US 101 from Carmel/Monterey to SF.
Does this itinerary for Sunday do-able?
Two more questions...just in case anyone can help out with these:
The soccer game is Saturday night...it starts at 7:30p, so we should be in our car by 10pm.
1) We wanted to gain some time on the road on Saturday night (we don't want to drive too much because I'm sure we'll be exhausted). I found some good rates at La Quinta at 2 spots - Ventura (5818 Ventura Road) & Thousand Oaks (1320 Newbury Rd).
Mapquest indicates it'll take 1 hour & 18 minutes from the Home Depot Center @ Carson to the Ventura La Quinta & 1 hour & 5 minutes to La Quinta in Thousand Oaks.
Both these estimates are fine for us to drive Saturday night, but I'm not sure how realistic they are. So, my question is this:
Knowing the Carson/LA traffic that I could get, would it be too ambitious of us to drive to Ventura or should we opt for the more conservative drive to Thousand Oaks?
Also, any feedback on the safety of these 2 locations would be great!
2) We'll head back to SF on Sunday (the longer way, via the coast to Carmel/Monterey). We know it will be a long drive, but we definitely want to do this drive and we will not be in a rush.
Leg 1: Fastest route from Ventura/Thousand Oaks to Morro Bay
Leg 2: via CA-1 from Morro Bay to Carmel-by-the Sea.
Leg 3: via CA-1 & US 101 from Carmel/Monterey to SF.
Does this itinerary for Sunday do-able?
May 25th, 2008, 10:29 AM
#35
I'm really sorry - but this is close to nutty. Drive SF to Carson for a night soccer game and the to Thousand Oaks or Ventura the same night. Then the next morning driving Thousand Oaks/Ventura to SF via 101 and hwy 1.
What do you hope to accomplish/see on the coast? Even Becks is not worth that much driving in 2 days.
What do you hope to accomplish/see on the coast? Even Becks is not worth that much driving in 2 days.
May 25th, 2008, 10:56 AM
#36
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janisj- I know this sounds insane...it's just that we must head back to SF on Sunday, so we would rather take some extra time driving down CA-1 than to take Hwy 5 again.
Just so you know, the was a last minute change to our plans...it was a surprise for my husband who is a big LA Galaxy fan. Originally, we were going to be in SF Friday-Sunday, Sonoma Mon-Thurs & SF again Thurs-Sat.
Now it'll be: SF Friday, Carson Sat, SF Sunday-Mon, Sonoma Mon-Thurs, SF Thurs-Sat.
It's crazy, but I'm thinking CA-1 will be better on Sun than Hwy 5 again.
Just so you know, the was a last minute change to our plans...it was a surprise for my husband who is a big LA Galaxy fan. Originally, we were going to be in SF Friday-Sunday, Sonoma Mon-Thurs & SF again Thurs-Sat.
Now it'll be: SF Friday, Carson Sat, SF Sunday-Mon, Sonoma Mon-Thurs, SF Thurs-Sat.
It's crazy, but I'm thinking CA-1 will be better on Sun than Hwy 5 again.
May 25th, 2008, 11:08 AM
#37
It is just too far to drive down and back in 2 days - even going I-5 both ways would be tough. But to try hwy 1 - nope.
This may sound crazy - but I'd definitely consider flying. You can go from SFO, Oakland or San Jose to LAX and then take a rental car or a taxi to Carson. Since you really don't have time to see much on the coast and the match is your prime reason for going - fly and save 18-19 hours of driving.
This may sound crazy - but I'd definitely consider flying. You can go from SFO, Oakland or San Jose to LAX and then take a rental car or a taxi to Carson. Since you really don't have time to see much on the coast and the match is your prime reason for going - fly and save 18-19 hours of driving.
May 25th, 2008, 11:13 AM
#38
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We've stopped at Harris Ranch a few times. One time we weren't really hungry but needed a break and discovered they have a sort of "coffee shop" more casual area in addition to the bigger restaurant area. We each had a cup of some of the best meaty chili we've ever eaten.
You will have to hold your nose, though, as you go from the car to the restaurant. You really are in the middle of cattle ranching territory.
I realize this is a moot point with your change of plans, just wanted to post this anyway for future searches.
You will have to hold your nose, though, as you go from the car to the restaurant. You really are in the middle of cattle ranching territory.
I realize this is a moot point with your change of plans, just wanted to post this anyway for future searches.
May 25th, 2008, 11:13 AM
#39
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psy_dr, just so you know, when we did it, we drove down Saturday morning, stayed over Saturday night, the game was Sunday afternoon and we drove home straight from the game. It's not ideal but it's not that big a deal either -- and your husband will love it! (Home Depot Center is a JEWEL of a soccer stadium).
May 25th, 2008, 12:06 PM
#40
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Well it's a little crazy to drive back and forth in two days but hey I've done crazier things. I think it's nice your husband is getting a chance to see a LA Galaxy game.
As far as where to stay on Sat night, I think either location is fine. Between Thousand Oaks and Ventura it's about 25 miles. If it was me I would go as far as I could that night but I would imagine you will be pretty tired by 10pm. Traffic should not be bad at that time of night so unless there is an accident somewhere, the drive times are about right. Actually the La Quinta in Venture gets better reviews than the one in Thousand Oaks on tripadvisor.
You really want to give yourself plenty of time on Sunday especially on the leg from Morro Bay to Carmel. From Ventura to Morro Bay is around 2 hours driving time. Then Morro Bay to Carmel is around 120 miles. Keep in mind though that driving through Big Sur is very slow and you will want to stop and take pictures. If it was me, I would leave early from Ventura and try to get to Nepenthe in Big Sur for lunch. If that is too late to eat, you could stop in Cambria which is just past Morro Bay to eat. Very cute little town.
www.nepenthebigsur.com
Then Carmel/Monterey back to SF is another couple of hours without any traffic.
Sounds exhausting but fun.
As far as where to stay on Sat night, I think either location is fine. Between Thousand Oaks and Ventura it's about 25 miles. If it was me I would go as far as I could that night but I would imagine you will be pretty tired by 10pm. Traffic should not be bad at that time of night so unless there is an accident somewhere, the drive times are about right. Actually the La Quinta in Venture gets better reviews than the one in Thousand Oaks on tripadvisor.
You really want to give yourself plenty of time on Sunday especially on the leg from Morro Bay to Carmel. From Ventura to Morro Bay is around 2 hours driving time. Then Morro Bay to Carmel is around 120 miles. Keep in mind though that driving through Big Sur is very slow and you will want to stop and take pictures. If it was me, I would leave early from Ventura and try to get to Nepenthe in Big Sur for lunch. If that is too late to eat, you could stop in Cambria which is just past Morro Bay to eat. Very cute little town.
www.nepenthebigsur.com
Then Carmel/Monterey back to SF is another couple of hours without any traffic.
Sounds exhausting but fun.
