LAX to Newport Coast

[sea&ski]

We are scheduled to fly into SNA (John Wayne Orange County) with 1 stop on Saturday.
With the current flight situation we are considering flying non stop into LAX instead.
For those the have done it how is that drive? We are not used to driving in cities. Is it all highway?
How’s the car rental pick up situation?
Any other way to get LAX to Newport Coast (or car rental at SNA) other than driving?

Well??? Inquiring minds want to know what you did and how it turned out. Thanks!

 

[Pamplemousse]

Well??? Inquiring minds want to know what you did and how it turned out. Thanks!

Lol- I did exactly what I planned!
Didn't need a plan B- our flights were not affected by the cuts.
And I think it was perfect- SNA was a breeze and the right choice for us.

 

[MikeM132]

We are scheduled to fly into SNA (John Wayne Orange County) with 1 stop on Saturday.
With the current flight situation we are considering flying non stop into LAX instead.
For those the have done it how is that drive? We are not used to driving in cities. Is it all highway?
How’s the car rental pick up situation?
Any other way to get LAX to Newport Coast (or car rental at SNA) other than driving?

I've done this a few times. Aside from the very beginning and very end, it's all expressway. I do not say freeway---there is a bypass to avoid 405 traffic called something like Orange County Toll Road (I think that's close). It has been, in my experience, way less crowded than 405. You have to pay and it is all automatic. Look online---you can register your rental car plate with them and pay the regular charge when they scan the plate. They have transponders but they are different than all the models in the rest of the country. I remember this bypass goes South of Newport and not sure how far North it goes. Been a few years.