Traveling from San Diego to Long Beach

[Stand4Something]

Hello,

 

I would like to know is it possible to trave from San Diego to CSU Long Beach (2 hour drive with no traffic). I will be in the MSW program and classes are on Monday and Fridays. Any advise please.

[Wicked_Problem]

Driving the 5 though San Diego County, Camp Pendleton, and ESPECIALLY south Orange County is a nightmare. I would suggest you buy a cheap commuter car and park it at the Santa Ana train station and take Amtrak from Santa Fe Depot to Santa Ana then drive the 22 to Long Beach. Getting to Long Beach by transit is doable from Amtrak Stations, but takes forever. 2 hours from Santa Ana via Union Station and the Red/Blue subway lines. PM me your phone number if you want to discuss it further. I have a lot of experience because my wife works in San Diego, we live in North County, and I had a major project in Long Beach.

[Rust&Stardust]

I used to drive from San Diego to Long Beach (and back!) on Fridays, and it was a total NIGHTMARE.  Fridays, I think, are the worst days for commutes through San Diego and Orange counties.  It usually took 3 to 3 1/2 hours each way.  The 5 is horrific, and so are all of the other freeways once you get into L.A. County.  I second the above poster's recommendation.  I never took the Amtrak, but I know others who have, and it sounds so much better.  I used to get migraines from the pure frustration of inching along the freeway at a snail's pace for three hours straight.  Not fun! 

[Stand4Something]

Even if you left at 5am in the morning it was still horrible?

[hayhale]

Generally speaking, the commute will not be worth it. Factoring in gas prices and time lost sitting in traffic on a daily basis, you'd be better off finding a place to live in Orange County. Long Beach also has a few great neighborhoods; Bellflower is one that comes to mind.