Best Route for Weho to Malibu? (Santa Monica, West Hollywood: live, budget, car)

[jaimeblt]

I'm visiting LA and will be staying in West Hollywood (near Fairfax and Santa Monica). The problem is that I need to be out in Malibu (Pepperdine) by 8 a.m. on a weekday, and then to return to WeHo at 6 p.m.

Unfortunately, I can't commute via helicopter between the two cities like Ryan Kavanaugh (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_843773.html), which is why I'm asking for your advice about the best routes for driving.

Google Maps says to take Fairfax south to the 10 west, and then take that all the way out to the PCH (and vice versa to return). I have no idea what the traffic on those roads will be like at 7 a.m. or 6 p.m. on a weekday. I also don't know what the alternate routes would be, other than vague notions that Pico or Olympic could work, but Santa Monica Blvd would probably be slow going.

Thoughts? How long should the drives take? Should I consider getting dinner in Santa Monica after I leave Malibu at 6 p.m. to allow the rush hour madness to pass?

Thanks in advance for your help! This LA forum is very useful.

[redturtle]

I live close to where you're staying in WeHo.

Avoid Fairfax. It is clogged all the time between San Vicente and the 10.

Take Fairfax, right on Olympic , left on Crescent Heights, right on 18th, and then left onto La Cienega, which takes you to the 10 (this will avoid the Fairfax and La Cienega congestion from Wilshire to Pico).

Then the 10 to the 1.

There aren't really other alternatives that will get you there much faster at least from what I know (taking Sunset all the way there is fun if you have a sports car for the twisty roads).

Budget an hour each way for the times you're thinking of. You may be wise to wait until after dinner, although the traffic going east on the 10 in the evenings doesn't really subside until 7:30pm or so.

[jaimeblt]

Thanks for the helpful info! I had no idea about that side street.