Traffic question ... our vacation (Los Angeles, San Diego: taxi, bus, airport)

[AlleyTD]

We are traveling from San Diego to Redondo Beach on Monday afternoon.
What is the worst time for traffic, or is it an all day thing?

[Rats]

Originally Posted by AlleyTD

We are traveling from San Diego to Redondo Beach on Monday afternoon.
What is the worst time for traffic, or is it an all day thing?

After 3-4 PM, the traffic on the 405 past Irvine is horrendous, so you should plan to arrive at Redondo at 3 PM or earlier.

[EscapeCalifornia]

There's really just a small window of less traffic between about 10am and 2pm. Of course if there's an accident, sweeper train, or traffic stop, you'll get stuck in traffic then too.

[dougnaie]

Keep in mind that for a portion of your trip you should be able to use the car pool lane if there are at least 2 people in your car. That should help tremendously with regard to transit time. That being said, I would still allow for traffic, particularly in the Mission Viejo/Irvine area, and then again at the South Bay curve...just build it into your travel time so that it does not stress you out and ruin your time! Also, make sure that you have water bottles and snacks just to be on the safe side. There is no real way to predict the traffic here, so better to just enjoy the journey.

[AlleyTD]

Thanks everyone.
Car is loaded, snacks are packed!
We're looking forward to cooler weather on the coast, its 112 here in AZ today! Ugh!

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by AlleyTD

Thanks everyone.
Car is loaded, snacks are packed!
We're looking forward to cooler weather on the coast, its 112 here in AZ today! Ugh!

Well, with the car loaded and packed already, my suggestion may not help you, but I'll give it anyway: take the train from San Diego to LA Union Station, the airport bus to LAX, and a taxi or shuttle from there to Redondo Beach five miles away.

[AlleyTD]

OK, CRE8,

Now THAT was funny.
I needed a good laugh before we actually hit the road.

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by AlleyTD

OK, CRE8,

Now THAT was funny.
I needed a good laugh before we actually hit the road.

Glad you got a laugh, but I guess if you're in Arizona where car-and-driver rule, it makes sense that the possibilities only stretch as far as the next onramp.

But I'm not joking. You'll never see me in a car between LA and San Diego. I'd rather grab a cold Stone Pale Ale (North SD County brew) on the train and daydream along the beach, crack a book or zone out with the iPod on the bus while someone else deals with the gridlock, try to figure out what country the driver hails from on the taxi ride, and thank God for the opportunity to stretch my bones walking the last few feet to my destination.

Anyway to each his/her own, enjoy the traffic , don't spend all your money at the pump , but most of all have a nice vacation!

[SurekRZA]

I think everybody covered it. I moved from San Diego to Los Angeles and Im loving it!! the best time to head over here would be around 9:30am. That way you can get here around 11. You could try comming at night. So you would leave San Diego around 7pm and miss all the traffic. Or you can try comming around 1pm, thats a good time I would say. You never know though, accidents happen everywhere in the country and they cause traffic.

[Rats]

but at least when there is an accident you have an awesome wreck to look forward to.