Expert: Steve Summers - 7/13/2008

Question
Hi Steve,

I'm flying into Los Angeles on July 21st and spending the night in Santa
Barbara before traveling north up the coast.  My question is:  Should I pick up
the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica or take 101 from LA as
recommended by Mapquest?  It appears that an additional 40 minutes will be
added to the drive if I go to Santa Monica and north up the coast to join 101.  
That doesn't seem like a lot of extra driving if the scenery is worth seeing.  Is
it?

Thank you!  Cheryl

Answer
Hi Cheryl,

It really depends on what time of day you are flying in. If you are driving north in the afternoon, the 405 and the 101 are very crowded then.

I occasionally like to go up PCH through Santa Monica. It has its moments, which make the trip worth it. It's wonderful to see the sand and the ocean, which is very calming. You can get a lot of traffic between Santa Monica and Malibu, but if I have the choice of being stuck in traffic in the Valley or on the coast, I'll take the coast. Some areas aren't so great. It's no fun looking at the backside of houses that abut PCH. I call it "Garages of the rich and famous tour". However, the stretches of beach and open coasline, especially once you get to Ventura County, make the drive worth it if you have the time. And in some cases, it may even be just as fast if 405 and 101 are crowded.

Take a lot of visual notes as you drive. They shoot a lot of car commercials on that stretch of PCH.

Enjoy the drive. If you have the time, I highly recommend it.