[cbr1100xx]

Debating whether to take the SS up to Monterey to visit my parents who rent there part of the year or just fly. Wonder what the general consensus is (if there is one)? Just me driving alone.

About 450 mi but have to time it right to avoid OC and LA traffic or it can take all day practically.

Best is to leave around 8pm from San Diego (most likely going to be a weekday). It's just that I have to stay awake until 3am driving. 5hr energy. I could also split it up into 2 days.

Driving
Pros:

• No uber cost to airport
• No flying (not a big fan)
• Fun driving the SS.

Cons:
Takes a lot longer (7hrs). Night driving only most likely.

• 2 days will essentially be travel days.
• 2 more days off from work.
• 2 more days neighbors will be watching my dogs.
• I'm not staying at parent's place (for my sanity) so it will be parked outside at motels.
• Splitting drive up into 2 nights is more ideal but of course takes even longer and cost a bit more (hotel overnight).

Flying
Pros:

• About a 1hr flight. Saves a lot of time.
• I won't need a rental car as my parents are borrowing my other car (VW) and I can keep that at my motel and just drive over to their place while I'm visiting.

Cons:

• I don't like flying that much.
• Less flexible schedule

Curious about what others would tend to do and appreciate any opinions!

[CrazyCatGuy]

I drive from the Bay to OC multiple times a year in my Camaro, Fiesta and MDX.

I'm not sure why you're leaving so late. Leaving early has always been my bread and butter for avoiding the 405/210/605/5 madness down in that area and since you're leaving that area first, it makes more sense IMO. We usually leave around 5AM and get to the middle of the Bay in about 5.5 HRS. I assume you'll be taking the 5 then crossing over on the 152 to get to Monterey, or are you taking the 101?

Not gonna lie, there's a good 1.5-2 HR on the 5 where I just hate life because it's so desolate.

At any rate if it were me I'd drive. I also have sort of an uneasy feeling about flying, but my issue is that the flight is shorter than the security/baggage/gate waiting BS and after all is said and done, you only save a couple hours at most. Honestly, the only reason I see to fly is that you don't have to leave your car out overnight at a random Motel.

Also, there are PLENTY of areas to open up the SS on your drive up.

[LT4Greg]

I say drive. It will be a long road trip but you might enjoy it!

[Chevyfan4life]

Take the Camaro for a road trip and take Highway 1 up the coastline.I its a very beautiful drive and great spots for photos with the car/coastline.....

[donaldp]

I live in San Diego and have driven to Northern California hundreds of times over the past 30 years since college. As you know, the drive out of San Diego and up through LA is a killer and there is no guarantee that an 8pm departure will be any better.

It has now been two years since I've driven this route; I now always fly to Santa Rosa airport. Love to drive my ZL1 but California has become god awful for driving.

You're probably younger than me so the flip side here is that I could never convince my younger self to fly so driving might suit you best.

[cbr1100xx]

Originally Posted by CrazyCatGuy

I drive from the Bay to OC multiple times a year in my Camaro, Fiesta and MDX.

I'm not sure why you're leaving so late. Leaving early has always been my bread and butter for avoiding the 405/210/605/5 madness down in that area and since you're leaving that area first, it makes more sense IMO. We usually leave around 5AM and get to the middle of the Bay in about 5.5 HRS. I assume you'll be taking the 5 then crossing over on the 152 to get to Monterey, or are you taking the 101?

Not gonna lie, there's a good 1.5-2 HR on the 5 where I just hate life because it's so desolate.

At any rate if it were me I'd drive. I also have sort of an uneasy feeling about flying, but my issue is that the flight is shorter than the security/baggage/gate waiting BS and after all is said and done, you only save a couple hours at most. Honestly, the only reason I see to fly is that you don't have to leave your car out overnight at a random Motel.

Also, there are PLENTY of areas to open up the SS on your drive up.

Leaving at 5am from San Diego will put me in LA around 7am, which will be rush hour traffic. Sorry I should have mentioned would be leaving most likely on a weekday. But weekend I see your point. No 101. Correct.

[cbr1100xx]

Originally Posted by donaldp

You're probably younger than me so the flip side here is that I could never convince my younger self to fly so driving might suit you best.

I have no worries if I leave at 8pm to be honest. A 5am weekend departure would also probably be easy traffic. I'll be 50 later this year. Not that young

[donaldp]

Originally Posted by cbr1100xx

I have no worries if I leave at 8pm to be honest. A 5am weekend departure would also probably be easy traffic. I'll be 50 later this year. Not that young

haha still younger.....56 here

[RLem619]

Just got home yesterday from an 8 day, 2800 mile RV trip. I hate LA traffic so I stayed up all night and woke the kids and wife up at 2am, left San Diego at 3am and drove 12 hours to our first stop at Lake Shasta. No serious traffic hitting through LA, and a good time to clear the head.

[z28pat]

Not a huge fan of flying here either so I'd drive it

[cbr1100xx]

Originally Posted by RLem619

I hate LA traffic .

Oh come on! What's wrong with you?

Thanks for all the replies so far.
Looks like the general opinion so far is to take the bus.

[396ssrat]

Takr Jerry Brown's high speed rail. Bwah Ha Ha Ha ha Ha

[Supercup]

I live in OC and am from San Diego, I have driven many times. From OC it is a toss up. From San Diego it is easier to fly, unless you want a road trip, I would fly.

If you fly - fly into San Jose, rent a car, and drive down the hour. Southwest has many cheap fares if you plan ahead. Last time I flew up I rented an SS convertible - gave me a brand new 2018 SS - had some fun on the roads south and east of Montery over the weekend. That was through Hertz. Cheapest car rentals are through Costco travel.

If you drive - pending when you leave - there a a few rules of thumb - either take the 405 all the way up to the 5 above LA or if you stay on the 5 take the 605 - head up to the 210 through Pasadena and then link back up with the 5 north of LA- 12 miles further, but traffic is much better on the 210. If you have a car pool rider I would stick with the 405 - bad by LAX up to Marina Del Rey, but gets better after that.

Regardless - avoid the 101 from 405 north to Paso Robles - traffic is bad and CHP is bad - if you want to hook up with it later jump across from the 5 on the 46 across to Paso Robles, but as you head north be warned the CHP is always on the 101. Or you can simply stay on the 46 to Hwy 1 for the rest of the drive up - which might not be the quickest, but will be the most scenic and will have some fun.

if you want a quicker route continue up I-5 to Colinga and take the 198 across, which is a really fun road then cut over in Salinas to Monterey.

Have a fun trip!

[cbr1100xx]

Originally Posted by 396ssrat

Takr Jerry Brown's high speed rail. Bwah Ha Ha Ha ha Ha

Should be done aaaaaaaaaaaaaany day now......