Is it better to drive from San Diego to Anaheim on the weekend or on a weekday?

Question

We want to drive to Anaheim - my husband is dying to go to Ron Jon's and I thought it might be fun to do a day of shopping in Anaheim.

Would it be better to take Interstate 5 or would Hwy 1 be the more scenic drive?

If I take Hwy 1 how would I get to Anaheim?

Answer 1

This is an easy trip, a straight shot up the I-5. The best time to do it is in the middle of the night (after 11pm). Then the trip will only take about 50-60 minutes. If you must travel during the day, Saturday morning is much better than rush-hour traffic.

Answer 2

If you are talking about Ron Jon's Surf Shop that is actually at the Block of Orange. It is close to but still about 10 minutes south of Anaheim.

Since you are probably going to go outside of the normal rush hour times the weekdays would be okay to go just about any time. If you are going to go on a weekend the traffic could build up during the mid part of the day. Especially as you come into Orange County around Dana Point. Also, depending if there is an event at the Angels Stadium or Honda Center(The Pond) you may hit some additional traffic.
I would not take 1 just stay on the 5 until you hit the 22 West. From there just get off on The City Drive and follow the signs.

If you really want to you can drive along the coast going back by taking 5 south to the 55 South into Newport beach. From there take 1 all the way to Dana Point where it rejoins the 5. If you want to do that going up just take 5 to PCH North. At newport beach you will take Newport Blvd(Turns into 55) to 5N on up to 22 W to The City Drive. But both PCH and 55 will have more traffic than the 5 during most parts of the day(weekday or weekend).

As with San Diego the freeways could come to a stop if there is any construction or an accident.

Answer 3

San Diego To Anaheim Drive

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Definately Sat or Sunday early in the AM are better times to drive. Perhaps you could take the straight shot I-5 to The Block at Orange to get your fill of Ron Jon's, shopping, perhaps a movie and/or early dinner. There is not a lot of shopping to be done at this mall it is geared more to the younger set. If you get done before 7pm, you could drive back down for quite a distance on the coast route. Take 5 south to 55 west (or south) and it'll dump you in Newport beach where you can drive south through Laguna and Dana Point. Then hop back on the I-5 and drive through Camp Pendleton, and exit once again in Oceanside to continue on the coast. The reason I am suggesting you do this part on your return trip is so you can check out a possible spectacular sunset on your return trip home after a great day. have fun!

Answer 6

I have done the drive San Diego to LA many, many times over many years, at every possible day and time. If you want to sail through in light traffic, go early Sunday morning (say, before 9 am). You won't believe how quickly you'll move and how light the traffic will be.

Going up coast highway the whole way isn't too feasible. You can go through north county San Diego just fine (say, get off highway 5 in Solana Beach (Lomas Santa Fe exit to coast) and go as far as Oceanside, but you'll have to go back to Highway 5 at that point because of Camp Pendleton. (You can only go through Camp Pendleton if you are on bicycles.) If you are not familiar with north county beach areas, you will find that to be a pleasant diversion that won't take too much additional time.

Once you get past Camp Pendleton, it doesn't make sense to cut back to the coast highway (that would be in the San Clemente area) because Anaheim is inland...not near the coast, so you'd really be going out of your way. The Laguna Beach area is nice, so if you want to head out that way first, and then inland to Anaheim, you could do that.

Uh, are you really thinking it would be fun to go shopping in Anaheim? Other than Mickey Mouse related items I'm not sure what you'd be shopping for there. If you're interested in clothes type shopping, you might be more interested in Fashion Island toward the coast.

If you really do mean to shop in Anaheim, what would you be shopping for? I'm trying to think what you'd want to buy in Anaheim and coming up blank...

Answer 7

Sunday morning is usually the best time to make the northbound trip. Most LA and Orange County folks drive south for the weekend on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, so the northbound trip is much lighter then too. Weekdays work if you plan to hit Anaheim later in the morning after the peak of rush-hour, say around 9:30-10:00a.

Answer 8

Travel during the week day after 10am. Rush hours are mean in the mornings and evenings, and the "Weekend Warriors" are all over the roads during the weekends. Plus, you two can enjoy the sights along the way, instead of the bumper to bumper traffic. Have Fun!

Answer 9

Hwy 5.

Answer 10

All good answers...

and Hwy 1(?) doesn't run all the way up... you'll eventually have to get on the I-5.