Solana Beach to RB commute (San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe: renting, home, move to)

[PSW]

Hi there,

I work in Rancho Bernardo and am considering renting a place in Solana Beach. I'm just wondering if that stretch on the I-5 from Via De La Valle down to the 56 is a total mess in the morning? And what's the return trip like?

Any insights appreciated.

thanks!

[cruitr]

So did you move to San Diego? I remember your post about Gaslamp and La Jolla.

Can't help you with your Solana Beach commute....

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by PSW

Hi there,

I work in Rancho Bernardo and am considering renting a place in Solana Beach. I'm just wondering if that stretch on the I-5 from Via De La Valle down to the 56 is a total mess in the morning? And what's the return trip like?

Any insights appreciated.

thanks!

It's really sort of a reverse commute. The only problems will be returning home in the afternoon you will hit traffic on 5N between the 56 and Via De La Valle and that can be really bad. But you can take the alternate route through Carmel Valley to Via Del la Valle and then PCH if need be. The weird thing there is that you are going south to go north.

Alternatively you could take 78 to 15 but that freeway is nothing but trouble. Still it is mostly a reverse commute.

[MiTaylor]

My S/O drives from Solana Beach to Scripps Ranch every day, so a somewhat similar commute. It isn't too bad. Like Sassberto said, it's a reverse commute, and it can get bad in the afternoon, but it isn't the worst traffic ever. It's a lot more crowded in the summer months because of the fair and racing season, but he hasn't had any problems with the commute. Good luck with your decision!

Forgot to add: the morning commute isn't too bad. Traffic starts picking up right around Via de la Valle and it doesn't take too long to get to the 56.

[oddstray]

Here are a couple of potential off-freeway routes. I don't know what traffic issues would be involved during commuting hours. Maybe someone else reading this can comment.

S-8 (Lomas Santa Fe) through the town of Rancho Santa Fe, Via de Santa Fe, El Apajo, to San Dieguito Rd, to Camino Ruiz, to Carmel Mountain Road, to Rancho Bernardo

or, probably better ...

S-6 (Del Dios Highway) past Lake Hodges and W. Via Rancho Pkwy to I-15 at North County Fair, then south to Rancho Bernardo

[PSW]

So did you move to San Diego? I remember your post about Gaslamp and La Jolla.

Yes, I've been here about three weeks and so far, so good. I've basically ruled out Gaslamp/downtown. I did look in Little Italy and North Park as well. I just figure that I should go with SD's strengths, which isn't its core at the moment. So, I've narrowed it down to two places: one in Solana and one in La Jolla Village.

Thanks all for the info on the Solana run. It's good to know that the 5 isn't that big an issue to the 56.