North from LAX via PCH
 

We will be leaving Los Angeles on January 2 after the Rose Parade, heading for Seattle, and we want to take the PCH up to 101 and thereafter as close to the water as we can get. We've driven 1/101 north of Vandenberg AFB, but south of there is terra incognita. Anything we should know about that stretch of 1?

If leaving from the LAX airport area, you may initially hit a lot of traffic on that first-morning-back-to-work for people...so might want to avoid 7:30 to 9:45am if possible. Shortest way is 405N to 101N and then you pick up the oceanside at Ventura and continue up the coast. But if you want closest-to-water all the way you can hit PCH/ Route 1 in Santa Monica and drive up past Malibu and Oxnard beaches and then onward to Ventura and the 101.
Summerland exit has the Omelette Parlor/Beach Cafe which is a nice breakfast stop about 2 hours into the drive. Just off the 101, there is also a nice walking path to the beach from here if you want a mid-morning stroll.

...and as far as "anything you should know about that stretch of Highway 1"...I'd say avoid this route if it's raining or has been rainy (as Jan can be)...because of landslide & mudslide possibilities.

Thanks, Tracy...the route up past Malibu is what I had in mind. I'll check the Caltrans web page before we leave to see if there are any road problems.

Depending on where at "LAX" (hotel on Century?) the route may vary, but head south on Sepulveda from the airport, turn right on Imperial Hwy out to the beach, turn right (north) along the coast road, then follow your nose past Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey, Venice and into Santa Monica, then down to the beach road through Malibu and off you go. Traffic around Marina del Rey and the surface streets in Santa Monica will be a little thick, but nothing like the freeway up to SM. Avoid 405 at all costs (just my opinion.)

Thanks, gardyloo...that's what I call detail. I guess I have to cross the river/canal on Lincoln before going back to the beach, right? You're right about the motel being on Century. I'm looking at Mapsource and it looks as though I could turn right from Century onto Sepulveda and get to Lincoln that way. Or I could just tell my GPS "Take me to Santa Monica" and ignore all of its attempts to make me take 101 or 405. I'm glad that the lady who lives in my GPS doesn't get upset when I ignore her instructions.

Yes you can go through Westchester and take Lincoln. It can be a bit confusing when you get to the bottom of the hill but stay focused and you'll be fine.

Make sure to stop at Nepenthe in Big Sur for meal or drink, and maybe check out wonderful Ventana Inn (across the street from Nepenthe) for future visit.

LOL - yeah, check out Ventana Inn for a future visit if your name is Big Bank Hank. Otherwise just check it out to see how the other half lives - LOL.

Thanks again, gardyloo. The lady who lives in my GPS is very helpful when it comes to confusing intersections..."in one miles, bear left to xxx street," "in 400 feet, turn right to xxx avenue," etc. And I have her set up with a British nanny voice, too.