Sceanic drive between AZ to San diego? (Tempe, Gilbert: live, restaurant)

[brimlightdiamonds]

Guys,
I am driving to San diego from AZ(gilbert) this summer(mid june). How is the drive? and sceanic views while driving to san diego? Is the drive safe? I am planning to leave between 8-9 am. How`s the wheather is san diego?
I heard that it will be super hot and I need to take a lot of water with me. Any ideas?

[TRTFSHR]

It's pretty boring. The mountains are pretty, but other than that, it's a dry, desolate drive. Take a few extra gallons of water just in case, but as long as your car is in working order, you should be fine. Gila Bend is an interesting town. The former KDKB djs always bagged on it.

[Rick Lee]

It's amazing scenery once you get to the Imperial Sand Dunes. Before that, not so much. And then going up that mountain on the Indian reservation is also super scenery.

[KarmaPhx]

The sand dunes are amazing if you have never seen them before, and going through the mountains is pretty fun, lots of boulders in some parts.

Make sure your car is in good running condition and you have plenty of water, you can EASILY overheat driving through the dunes. Don't use A/C unless you need too.

[Trump]

Strange question for someone that lives in Arizona. But if you are new to the area or just visiting, the drive to San Diego is a bit boring (use to it by now) with most of it taking place in the desert. The short climb out of the desert begins around Ocotillo, CA with the steepest grades on the eastern slope. That's the only stretch of road (15 miles at the most) where it is recommended that air conditioning be shut off. Personally, I don't think it's necessary if you have a newer vehicle and not hauling something. I don't know what heard or what you're concerned about regarding safety but the condition of I-8 is very good. Elaborate some if you have a specific concern. Otherwise, I think it's a exceptionally safe drive. The only thing you may have to confront is boredom and the irritation of stopping for at least two border patrol checkpoints. Be advised that all of the Arizona rest stops are probably still closed. That only leaves two on the California side if you find them necessary. Gila Bend is not a bad place to take a break (Space something restaurant, McDonald's, Dairy Queen, etc.). Yuma is obviously larger with more dining choices. One of the few locations enroute that has a Starbucks. Another one is in El Centro, CA. You might like the sand dunes west of Yuma, unique. Probably the most interesting terrain begins west of Ocotillo, CA with rock formations, mountains and the start of some green vegetation if it doesn't brown or subsequently burn by the time you get there. Of course the desert weather in June is hot and dry but San Diego is still cool to somewhat cold. We have what is called May gray and June gloom. Temperatures don't really begin to pick up until late July. The exception is the occasional Santa Ana that brings in warmer and drier air. Hope this helps.

[brimlightdiamonds]

Thanks all for you response espacially Trumph for great information. Well I am from Kansas and new to AZ. I read that these illegals hide in the bushes,near mountains..etc. As its very close to the border, so was little concerned about the safety.

But I really appreciate for great information. Thanks You all !!!

[Trump]

Originally Posted by brimlightdiamonds

T... I read that these illegals hide in the bushes,near mountains..etc. As its very close to the border, so was little concerned about the safety.

True but it's to escape detection by the Border Patrol. They're not there to hassle motorist, just to get across I-8. Be careful however if you see someone crossing the road (highly unlikely especially during the day) so you don't hit anybody. Thank media hype for exaggerating the criminal element that crosses the border illegally and the threat they pose to your safety. It is a problem but not to the extent that you should worry about traveling from Gilbert, AZ to San Diego, CA. Statistically and realistically a far greater threat is the possibility of getting into a traffic accident, more so as you get closer to San Diego. Like I said before, the most difficult part of the trip will probably be the boredom.

[jgunn72]

Originally Posted by KarmaPhx

The sand dunes are amazing if you have never seen them before, and going through the mountains is pretty fun, lots of boulders in some parts.

Make sure your car is in good running condition and you have plenty of water, you can EASILY overheat driving through the dunes. Don't use A/C unless you need too.

Unless you have an older 90's car I wouldn't be concerned about overheating unless there is something like a freeway closure where you aren't moving. The air running over the radiator at 75MPH is more than enough to cool the engine. Car manufactures test worst case where the car has no air flow over the radiator so going 75MPH won't hurt anything with a newer well maintained car.

[algia]

What do you mean by 2 "border check points" do you have to drive through Mexico to get to Cali? can you tell me where on this map?

Originally Posted by Trump

Strange question for someone that lives in Arizona. But if you are new to the area or just visiting, the drive to San Diego is a bit boring (use to it by now) with most of it taking place in the desert. The short climb out of the desert begins around Ocotillo, CA with the steepest grades on the eastern slope. That's the only stretch of road (15 miles at the most) where it is recommended that air conditioning be shut off. Personally, I don't think it's necessary if you have a newer vehicle and not hauling something. I don't know what heard or what you're concerned about regarding safety but the condition of I-8 is very good. Elaborate some if you have a specific concern. Otherwise, I think it's a exceptionally safe drive. The only thing you may have to confront is boredom and the irritation of stopping for at least two border patrol checkpoints. Be advised that all of the Arizona rest stops are probably still closed. That only leaves two on the California side if you find them necessary. Gila Bend is not a bad place to take a break (Space something restaurant, McDonald's, Dairy Queen, etc.). Yuma is obviously larger with more dining choices. One of the few locations enroute that has a Starbucks. Another one is in El Centro, CA. You might like the sand dunes west of Yuma, unique. Probably the most interesting terrain begins west of Ocotillo, CA with rock formations, mountains and the start of some green vegetation if it doesn't brown or subsequently burn by the time you get there. Of course the desert weather in June is hot and dry but San Diego is still cool to somewhat cold. We have what is called May gray and June gloom. Temperatures don't really begin to pick up until late July. The exception is the occasional Santa Ana that brings in warmer and drier air. Hope this helps.

[TRTFSHR]

Originally Posted by algia

What do you mean by 2 "border check points" do you have to drive through Mexico to get to Cali? can you tell me where on this map?

Two border patrol checkpoints. You are still in AZ, but BP set them up as monitoring posts.