West LA to Calabasas (Santa Monica, Malibu: apartment, home, colleges)

[newtoLA86]

I just moved into my apartment in West LA (just north of Olympic) and wouldn't you know, I (finally) got a job- in Calabasas!
I've had to go up to my new work a few times in the morning (I don't start until the 11th), and the traffic on the 405N hasn't been terrible, nor has the 101- is this because it's summer? Or, is it kind of a 'reverse commute'? I've looked up the commute also through a 'Traffic History' site and it didn't show any terrible traffic conditions on the 405N or the 101W.
I'll be working 9:30-6:30 so I think I'll probably take Topanga Canyon/PCH home on Friday evenings, but if the 405 isn't too terrible heading north I think I'd rather take that than the winding Canyon roads.
Thoughts/Suggestions?

[Charles]

Not sure how far east on Olympic but if closer to the coast, consider PCH to Topanga or Malibu Canyon.

If your job is on the east side of the Calabasas grade then either
PCH to Topanga to (Mulholland OR 101) to Calabasas or
PCH to Malibu Canyon to Mulholland to Calabasas or
PCH to Malibu Canyon/Las Virgenes to the 101.
If on the west side (like where Countrywide is at Las Virgenes and the 101) then just PCH to Malibu Canyon/Las Virgenes.

Any of these routes will at least be scenic and they would be reverse commutes. You should at least try these routes out and familiarize yourself with them just in case there is an accident on the 405.

Monitor www.sigalert.com during your expected commute times. See if the Sepulveda pass is red. If so, then try those other routes....a lot will come from trial and error.

[newtoLA86]

I'm in the Sawtelle area, so I'm between Olympic and Santa Monica Blvd- not on Olympic.
Is the 405-N really bad in the morning? As I said, I haven't had any problem the few times I've gone in the morning, but I don't know if that's because it's summer.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by newtoLA86

I'm in the Sawtelle area, so I'm between Olympic and Santa Monica Blvd- not on Olympic.
Is the 405-N really bad in the morning? As I said, I haven't had any problem the few times I've gone in the morning, but I don't know if that's because it's summer.

Could be a summer thing. UCLA, Loyola, Mount St Mary's, Santa Monica College; four colleges right there. Lots of people on vacation these weeks too.

[nick2006]

Originally Posted by newtoLA86

I'm in the Sawtelle area, so I'm between Olympic and Santa Monica Blvd- not on Olympic.
Is the 405-N really bad in the morning? As I said, I haven't had any problem the few times I've gone in the morning, but I don't know if that's because it's summer.

405 N (north of 10 fwy) mornings is a good commute every morning. I would take it.
On your way back Mon-Wed take the 405 back down. it should congest around santa monica or Pico/Olympic, but you won't have far to go. For Thur/Friday's, please take Malibu Canyon to PCH (through tunnel to Lincoln, from Lincoln take Pico to W LA.)