How To Get From Monterey To Los Angeles
This article will talk you through some of the best routes for getting from Monterey to Los Angeles. It’s important to know which route is most efficient depending on your time frame, budget, and personal preferences.
Some routes are better than others because they take longer but don’t cost as much or vice versa. For example, taking the 5 can be expensive if you’re not in a rush due to the cost per mile.
If there was one golden rule it would be ‘value for money’. The best route depends on your budgets and how quickly you want to get to where you need to go!
We will look at all three routes: traveling by train, car and air. These are usually your two main transportation options so knowing what each one costs should put your mind at rest.
Stay in Los Angeles
It is not worth it to spend all day traveling to or from Monterey if you have to go back home every night. There are many things you can do in LA, including exploring some of the great museums, taking an outdoor activity such as hiking or biking, or just hanging out at your local bar or restaurant.
There are also plenty of ways to get to San Francisco or other surrounding areas easily, so if you’re looking to break away for some time, consider staying here!
You will save money by not spending on gas, parking, or transportation costs when returning home after each trip. If you want even more savings, there are times where employees receive discounts on taxis or bus rides back home, so ask about those opportunities.
We always recommend doing advance research before deciding on a location to stay for a vacation. Make sure to check reviews, find coupons, and read their terms to see what is included.
Take the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) route
There are many different routes you can take traveling from Monterey to LA, depending on your timing and destination. Some people suggest taking I-5 southbound towards San Diego or Oceanside before turning onto CA 1 in Carlsbad for the SMMNRA. This is a very popular suggestion as it does not require any transfers!
However, this option may be longer than necessary if you do not have much time. The SMMNRA is accessible by car so there’s no need to walk or bike it unless you really wanted to make use of the resources available. If you’re just looking to get from A to B quickly though, then this may not be the best solution.
Stay in the Valley
If you are traveling from Monterey to L A, stay in the valley! This will cost you less money as there are many affordable hotels and rentals here. You can also spend the night before or after your trip in the valley.
There is an easy way to get to LA via I-5 which connects us at the Mexican border. But, if you don’t want to go through that hassle, we have some other tips for you.
We designed this article to help you determine the best route depending on how long your journey is. So, read it all and see what makes the most sense to you.
Take the Pacific Coast Highway
The most popular way to take from Monterey to LA is via the famous California coastline highway, also known as the PCH or just plain Ocean Boulevard. This scenic route follows the coast all along, so it’s definitely an interesting trip!
The total length of this road is about 665 miles (1056 km). It takes around eight hours to drive this entire length if you are traveling during off-peak times. However, due to traffic congestion in some areas, this can easily add up to 10+ hours for some people.
There are often hotels and restaurants that line the beach along parts of the PCH, making it easy to stay overnight and enjoy the scenery before moving onto your next destination.
Since the PCH runs right by Malibu, there are many sites where you can see beautiful sunsets.
Stay in Santa Monica
Now that you have determined how to get from Monterey to LA, your next step is figuring out where you will spend the night! There are many great options close to Universal Studios and Downtown LA, so picking one may be tricky.
Luckily for you, we have some helpful information here at TheTravelSociety.com!
Santa Monica has plenty of hotels of all types and prices. Check-in at a hotel near an airport or train station can save you money since there are usually free shuttles available. You can also call around to different areas to find the best price on transportation to and from the area.
If budget is not a factor, then look up what popular restaurants and attractions are in the area.
Take the Venice Beach route
One of the best ways to get from Monterey to Los Angeles is taking the Seaside Route, also known as the Ocean Boulevard Route. This takes you through some incredible beach towns with lots of things to do along the way!
This trip begins in Monterey where you can spend time at Cannery Row or Fisherman's Wharf before heading onto Pacific City. Here you will find restaurants and shopping that cater to tourists.
Next stop is Marina Green which has great hiking and biking trails if you are looking for some exercise. You could even take a boat tour here!
From there it’s on to Santa Monica, one of our favorite beaches due to its diversity. There you can enjoy the boardwalk, volleyball courts, museums, and more. Plus, this area has some of the highest average income levels in California so there are plenty of amenities for everyone.
Stay in the Valley
If you are traveling from Monterey to LA, staying in the valley is your best bet. There are many good reasons for this!
First off, most of the major highways pass through or close to the valley. This means you’ll be closer to transportation than if you were heading towards the mountains or ocean.
The second reason is that there are more things to do here! You can visit the Disney Theme Parks, Universal Studios, Hollywood, Staples Center, and so on. Plus, almost every restaurant has at least an outside seating area which is helpful when you don’t want to spend money inside.
Thirdly, it’s much cheaper to stay in the valley. While budgeting isn’t the strongest suite of yours, you will save money by not going over budget.
Take the I-10 route
If you are coming down I-5, then take the I-10 route instead. This will get you slightly closer to downtown LA but unfortunately, it is not as direct of a highway option.
I-10 runs right through several major cities so there may be more opportunities for rest stops along that road if you are traveling at night or in the early morning hours. However, the traffic can become very congested during peak times so your trip might end much later due to waiting around!
The best way to navigate this highway option is by staying ahead of the flow. There are many routes off of I-10 that can help you find quieter roads to travel on. For example, Highway 2 goes east towards Kingman before merging back onto I-10 westbound. You can also head north on State Route 111 or south on California Routes 58 and 243. All three of these highways lead directly into the greater San Fernando Valley area.