Heavens

On a Tuesday leaving SB, UCSB to be more specific, at 4 pm and hitting LA traffic at the worst possible time. We are staying in Venice Beach. What would you guess for that drive, door to door. Three hours? And would we take the 101 to the 405?

I have already posted about stopping at a restaurant on the way and letting the traffic die down. But to be honest, I would rather power through and eat in Venice, if it won't be 9 pm at night.

What do you think?

MBnancy

My son went to UCSB and would spend 3 hours driving home after class at the 4 PM hour, taking the 101 to the 405. We live by LAX, otherwise it is two hours without traffic.
8-)

crosscheck

avoid the 405 and th 101 during rush hour! instead take the scenic 1 (the pacific coast highway) all the way to venice. it shouldn't take you more than 2 1/2 hrs, even during rush hour. we live in santa monica and normally it takes 1 1/2 hrs.

sequoia370

If it's Venice Beach you're going to, then yes take Highway One. Forget the time. Stop in Malibu if it's dinnertime.

If you were going elsewhere in the vast conglomerate known as "LA", I'd say different, but Venice Beach... relax

Heavens

Are you saying that we can take the 1 all the way down from SB to Venice? Or do we get on 101 and pick up the 1 at some point? confused.

cilll

According to MapQuest, it's 95 miles and 1 and 1/2 hours driving. Adding in traffic, your 3-hour esitimation sounds reasonable, especially if LA traffic backup is like that on the East Coast. Oh, yes, and 94 of those 95 miles are to be on South 101, again, according to MapQuest.

crosscheck

Take the 101 south to Oxnard. There is a short detour there: Rice Ave becomes Highway 1 (PCH). Go South on the 1 through Pt. Magu and Malibu. Venice is about 15 min. south of the the s. end of Malibu. It is a beautiful route and not a big deal! We live in Santa Monica, and we go to SB often and usually go that way.

crosscheck

p.s. you won't hit any l.a. traffic!

rjw_lgb_ca

For your purposes, you will want to take US-101 until Oxnard, grab CA-1 (PCH) as crosscheck describes. Follow it south through Malibu and north Santa Monica. You will be looking for a road called the California Incline. You then take a left onto the Incline up to Ocean Avenue. Take a right on Ocean and stay on it until Venice Beach. South of Hill it will turn into Pacific, which is the road your hotel is on (it's still that BW Venice Beach, right?).

You should try Mapquest-ing or Yahoo! Map-ping with the specific addresses. The alternatives will curl your hair...! But I think the route I have outlined is simple enough. And you'll see some beautiful coastline!

Heavens

Wow, this sounds great. I have been to Malibu from the south end, but never through the north end. And since it is summer, we'll have view and sunset the whole way.

Any good places to stop and eat on the way? Malibu sounds like a fun place to catch a bite if we can't hold out for Venice. I mean, while we are there, might as well enjoy the scenery and sunset, right?

Yes, we are staying at the BW Venice Beach and will have 18 year OD with us. Thanks for all of your help. Don't you just love Fodorites!!!

crosscheck

If you leave SB at 4 PM, I'm afraid you will be quite early for both dinner and the sunset. Unless there is construction, an accident, a fire or a landslide you will get to Venice at around 6 PM, possibly before. It is now 8:15 PM and still not dark. That said, if you want an early dinner, you might try the newly renovated Moonshadows in Malibu. (Most of my favorite Malibu restaurants are not right on the beach.) Or you can go to Back on the Beach, a local hangout in Santa Monica on the west (beach) side of the PCH in between Entrada and the California Incline. Look for a sign that says "Eat". The food is not spectacular (burgers, etc.), but you will be right on the sand. Bring a volleyball. For a more upscale beachfront locale, try the casual restaurant Pedals downstairs in the Shutters Hotel in SM - Pico and the Ocean. Or have a drink across the street in the fabulous lobby of the Casa del Mar.

Heavens

Wow, this sounds great. I told my DH about the route and he said it sounded good to him. Now I am looking forward to the drive.

Maybe what we would want to do is stop somewhere on the beach and have a drink, maybe not see the sunset but just enjoy the view. Or maybe, b/c we'll make such good time, just head on down to Venice for dinner.

Still haven't decided on where to eat in Venice. Any more suggestions that are good local places on the beach? Not fancy, but good food?

Thanks again you all. Very helpful.