Unimaginable traffic levels in South OC (San Diego, Huntington Beach: hotel, pros and cons, live)

[LuvSouthOC]

Here we are, another beautiful weekend. But what about the traffic? It seems to be worst in south OC on the weekends. And look at the 133!

Thankfully people are coming to visit me, and not the reverse.

Look at the LA region. I do not see worse traffic anywhere. I also included north San Diego. That area looks like it has some traffic too, but not as bad as south OC. Ouch.

I see some in La Mirada and the usual places like Corona.

[saibot]

It's unusually warm and everyone is heading to the beach. Says a lot about the beautiful beaches in South OC .

[psr13]

Ewwwww. I agree that it's probably from people going to the beach due to the ridiculous heat.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by psr13

Ewwwww. I agree that it's probably from people going to the beach due to the ridiculous heat.

And not finding parking.

[LuvSouthOC]

Originally Posted by psr13

Ewwwww. I agree that it's probably from people going to the beach due to the ridiculous heat.

The weather today was perfect for swimming, though it got a bit cold in the afternoon.

I think the traffic is becoming so bad in south OC that it is getting crippling on the 5 after 9 AM on Saturday. Paradoxically, it is much easier to get into LBC and LA. I can go north and avoid a lot of traffic taking the 73. But the 5 is getting so choked down here that it is making it difficult to see relatives in San Diego county.

[Urban Planner]

Originally Posted by saibot

It's unusually warm and everyone is heading to the beach. Says a lot about the beautiful beaches in South OC .

North OC beaches get many more visitors. Difference? South County has only a couple of roads leading to the beaches while North OC is has the flexible grid system with more options.

[saibot]

Originally Posted by Urban Planner

South County has only a couple of roads leading to the beaches while North OC is has the flexible grid system with more options.

Certainly true. Back in the 1970s, we lived in La Habra and my grandmother was in Laguna Beach, so we visited often. There was no "133," but Laguna Canyon Rd. was horrible all summer long. Couldn't count the hours we sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic trying to get in or out of Laguna Beach.

Getting to Huntington Beach, by comparison, was a piece of cake. Beach Blvd. was the direct route, but we had the options of Magnolia, Brookhurst, etc.

[Teckeeee]

Pros and cons of South OC.

133 in the summer

[pacific2]

In the midst of summer when traffic going into Laguna Beach is really ugly, it backs up to El Toro and Aliso Creek Rd in AV.

That's when it's time to stay away from LB.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by saibot

Certainly true. Back in the 1970s, we lived in La Habra and my grandmother was in Laguna Beach, so we visited often. There was no "133," but Laguna Canyon Rd. was horrible all summer long. Couldn't count the hours we sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic trying to get in or out of Laguna Beach.

Getting to Huntington Beach, by comparison, was a piece of cake. Beach Blvd. was the direct route, but we had the options of Magnolia, Brookhurst, etc.

When I lived in Costa mesa the traffic would back up from Newport beach to about Hoag Hospital, now it backs up to the freeway exit in the middle of town.Huntington Beach was a breeze to get to on Beach Blvd then. During Bal Week (Easter vacation) we would take a car down onto the peninsula in the day and park it as they closed the road onto the peninsula to residents (Home/motel/hotel) only in the evenings, so we would walk to the car and then cruise. Last time I was there it was a mess and once near the beach no parking until all the way to the Balboa pier. A mess. Even Huntington was crowded. We found a small beach (County/State) that was rarely crowded just past Dana Point and went there a lot before we moved out of State. Just as bad in SD as we used to go there a lot.