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The quickest route between LA and San Francisco is Interstate 5. From San Francisco, freeways proceed east or inland for about an hour and half before merging with the I-5 flow of traffic from Sacramento, Oregon, and Washington--all headed south. And yet this path to Los Angeles remains very direct from the Bay Area because the western edge of the Great Central Valley, once merely barren, has a well graded roadbase and smooth asphalt. Posted legal speeds are 70mph, but passenger cars typically cruise at about 80mph, and in some places 90mph can be acheived without immediate fear of ticketing by the the California Highway Patrol. For those with motorhomes or trailers, this is the preferred trucker's route as off ramps, gas stations, restaurants, and rest stops accommodate well large lumbering vehicles. Distances between food or gas concessions may be as much as 30 miles, so travelers must pace themselves and their vehicles fuel supply. Many traveling this route complain of a dismally boring scenery, but for those interested, this is also the agricultural capital of California. Parallel to I-5 much of the way is the California Aqueduct, an engineering marvel and argueably tragic environmental disaster, which transfers the wealth of water from Northern California south toward the otherwise dry farm communities of the lower San Joaquin Valley and insatiable metropolis of Los Angeles. Orchards of stone and citrus fruits can be seen along I-5 in the northern corridor, while in the southern region, tumbleweed, sagebrush, and the occasional slow rusty oil extracting pump can be seen. In winter, I-5 does risk being socked in with deep Tule fog, gusty winds, and heavy rain, but most of the year I-5 is clear and easy driving, day or night. This route also bypasses the major agricultural industrial cities of the central valley--Modesto, Fresno, and Bakersfield--which are typically of little interest to tourists anyway. For this reason, anyone in a hurry to get from north to south or back again is recommended to take I-5.
Updated Mar 7, 2007
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Pacific Coast Highway, or P.C.H. as its referred to locally, is a well known route for road trip. Most of the highway stretching along Los Angeles and Orange county is breathtakingly scenic. Enjoy it with a convertible and cheery tunes pumpin' on the radio. Also, when heading south in Orange county, be aware that P.C.H becomes Coast Highway in Newport Beach and El Camino Real in Dana Point and San Clemente. Oh, why the name confusion? They are all in the same!
Written Oct 9, 2005
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California is a HUGE state! The US is a HUGE country. To get anywhere, especially in California, you really need a car. There is a pretty decent public transportation in the city of San Francisco, but there is so much to see and do throughout the state that really creates a need for a car. If you really want to see California and all that it has to offer, from the beaches in Southern California to the city lights of San Francisco to the Ansel Adams wilderness in the Sierras, you really need a car. RENT ONE.
Written Aug 26, 2003
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California is a large state, the third largest in the USA and our public transportation is lacking, especially compared to European standards. The most convenient and least expensive way of traveling through the state is by car, be it rented or your personal vehicle.
Written Jan 25, 2004
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Well it's pretty much up to you. Drive, fly or take the train. The major airports are obviously San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX). There are Amtrak stations in Oakland (San Francisco) and LA.
Drive. Preferably in a convertable. If you can't or don't want to, you're going to have to use the bus or Amtrak, and these services are rather limited, to say the least.
Written Aug 25, 2002
Real text to follow soon. However, I have been reminded that I forgot to mention the most important mode of transport, and the most economical way of getting around California, and all places West and North! My good VT friend Phil (phildeni), who travelled all the way from Portland, Oregon to LA, to collect me, and ferry me back to Oregon. Phil, you're the best!! More later, as I hadn't really finished this page.
Written Jul 9, 2003
Phone: It's a secret!
My theory as to why everyone was driving like windshield wipers was that the sun was in our eyes for the last hour before sunset. People would drive from shaded valley into brilliant sun and slam on their brakes. In this picture, the sun is behind this hill, but a half-mile west of here it was shining in all the driver's eyes again slowing them down. Most people seemed to leave after dark anyway, the traffic westbound grew heavier until well into the evening.
Updated Jan 12, 2004
An Indian Casino outside of Sacramento advertises that you can reach their casino with "No Chains Required". But that wasn't stopping all these people, there are tons and tons of people who drive up to the Reno/Tahoe area for the weekend. Driving from Reno to Sacramento on a Sunday afternoon you will more than likely find you aren't the only one! Between Californians who'd gone to Reno, or to the Lake Tahoe basin for skiing, the Interstate was a constant stream westbound for hours on end in the late afternoon and on into the evening. And... Everyone was driving like windshield wipers... intermitent speeds.
Updated Jan 12, 2004
Ok,.... since I'm just a little town's girl... the trafic in LA and San Francisco took me by surprise...
Get ready for some rush hours.... almost through the whole day ;)
And be sure you know your exits while you're on the motorway, cause... well... it's very hard to come from one lane to another sometimes :(
Written Apr 8, 2004
Website: http://trafficinfo.lacity.org/
If you're driving anywhere along the coast, rent a convertible! 'Nuff said?
We paid almost double for our (for a week) red 2004 Mustang Convertible. Luckily, the weather cooperated and we were able to keep the top down driving out to the Oregon coast from Portland, around Crater Lake and along the Redwood National Forest roads (nice to be able to look up at the giants). Also very handy in Wine Country - have to blend in, you know. Alas, we turned in the car in San Francisco after driving down Lombard Street. But all in all, quite a nice ride!
Updated Aug 4, 2004
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Argonaut Hotel - A Kimpton Hotel San Francisco
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By Driving tips and photos posted by real travelers and California locals.
If you're driving anywhere along the coast, rent a convertible! 'Nuff said? We paid almost double for our (for a week) red 2004 Mustang Convertible. Luckily,...
31,419 members live in California
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