Hi, I will be travelling, with my 25 year old son, from San Francisco to Manhattan Beach, CA on October 6, 2008. He will be the one doing all the driving and we have rented a Dodge Durango for a week. This is the first time my son drives in the States, we live in Milan, Italy, (I was born and grew up in S.F. but have been living in Italy for the past 30 years). In the past and with my husband we would normally take the 1 we had time and slowly but surely we got to L.A. enjoying the coast. We have to be at Manhattan Beach by 6pm/7pm of the same day that we are leaving S.F. How long would it take us if we took the 101, are there places to stop off on the way south and is it safe? Which other route can be taken that is safe and not slow, taking into consideration that my son will be the only one driving. Thanks so much.

As you probably know, going south on the 101 from SF will have you on the outside lane. Some drivers really don't enjoy that - nor their passengers! It's a very curvy and high road in places. That said, it's such a beautiful drive, but I think it would take you at least 7-8 hours to reach L.A. It's much faster (but not very beautiful) with the interstate. There are lots of places to stop - and that will add time to the drive. It's too bad you can't take 2 days for the trip. I'd stop at Big Sur (Nepanthe is a nice restaurant with good views), Hearst Castle, Santa Barbara etc.

depends on which is more important to you: scenic view or saving time. I-5 is the more-direct time saver

If you drive straight through on 101 it will take you 8 hours at least. Add to that stops for gas and food, and it will be a long day. If you are doing it on a weekday, tying to get to Manhattan Beach in the evening means you hit rush hour traffic on the 405. That could add another hour.

I'd use I-5. It is boring, but it will save you several hours.

I would definetely take the I-5 and skip the scenic route. If you took that route and wanted to get to Manhattan at 6pm or 7pm, then you may want to leave no later than 11am to make it down here. That day would be a Monday and yes, like everyone else posted, the traffic is total chaos in LA.

Highway 101 takes 2 hours (8 vs 6) than 5. It's much prettier.

Either way, you are going to hit terrible traffic in Los Angeles. If possible, try to arrive before 4 PM, when the worst of rush hour starts. If you hit the edge of town any later than that, you probably won't get to Manhattan Beach in time.

Can you drive down to Gilroy or Morgan Hill the night before and get a head start? Because you will also hit terrible traffic in San Francisco when you leave on Monday morning. Here's a trick that will come in handy if you decide to take highway 101. Leave SF via 280. Take it to 85 south. You will be allowed to drive in the carpool lane because there will be two people in the car. 85 skirts San Jose and hooks up with 101 again south of town.

If time is a concern take the 5. I had to catch a plane once at SFO. I was in LA. I made it in 5 hours. Of course it was the middle of the night. The 101 is nice and scenic but it will take you longer.

Traffic out of SF should be fine because you'll be going against traffic. There are two options to get to the 5 from the City:

1. Take I-80 across the Bay Bridge to Oakland and then connect with I-580 East. That will take you to I-5 just outside of Tracy, CA.

2. Take the 101 south just past Gilroy and pick up CA-25 and then CA-152 which will take you through the Pacheco Pass.

A decent place to stop for lunch is either Pea Soup Andersen's in Santa Nella or at Harris Ranch in Coalinga. Both are right off of the 5.

The worst part will likely be going through the Cahuenga Pass on the 405 which takes you from the San Fernando Valley to the Westside and then down towards Manhattan Beach past the airport.