Help with Southern California Airports & Traffic
Feb 5, 2012, 12:00 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 11
Usually I try to avoid driving with rush hour traffic 7-10am and 3-7pm. There is that large population of folks living in South Orange County that will be commuting during those times. If you do fly in/out of SNA, there are plenty of decent hotels right by the airport for you to choose from.
Feb 5, 2012, 12:12 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wherever I happen to be....
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Posts: 1,111
Construction is also rolling full steam at SAN T2 (Delta) so if roughly in between distance I'd stay away from paying a premium for SAN.
And yes, security line is horrendous for non Sky Priority FF's.
And yes, security line is horrendous for non Sky Priority FF's.
Feb 5, 2012, 12:19 pm
#18
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Southern California
Programs: DL DM, EY Plat, MM Senator
Posts: 493
As for the hotels near SNA, that area has so many good choices (and probably not very many bad ones). All depends on your budget and preferences -- everything from Hyatt, Marriott, small boutique hotels to small motel-like establishments, on the water, in town, etc.
Feb 5, 2012, 12:26 pm
#19
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Minneapolis
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Posts: 1,184
There is another reason to avoid SAN that nobody has mentioned: the security lines can be very horrible. The least amount of time I have spent on the security line is 45min. In fact, there has never been a time where the security agents didn't call my flight and let me pass to the front of the line (along with another 50 people). Although you might not miss your flight, it's not only tiring it's also extremely stressful.
So IMO that alone is a good enough reason to not use SAN - or at least depart from it. Also the price difference obviously
So IMO that alone is a good enough reason to not use SAN - or at least depart from it. Also the price difference obviously
That's funny because the 3 times i've been there in the last two years I don't even remember a line.
Feb 5, 2012, 1:03 pm
#20
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Feb 5, 2012, 1:10 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
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One option with the SNA hotel is to find one that has its own rental car counter. We did this at SJC last summer. We got free shuttle between airport and hotel plus much lower car rates.
Feb 5, 2012, 1:35 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: AUS
Programs: Delta FO, United Silver, National Executive, HHonors Silver, Marriott Silver
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Feb 5, 2012, 1:52 pm
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 11
Thank you for all the hints and information. I have booked thru SNA. I went on and they still had the $279.70 for outgoing but my return flight I wanted had gone up to the $525, looked 1/2 hour later and it had returned to the $279.70 so decided I better not wait any longer. Delta is changing prices too fast on me. Before I know it I'll end up paying the $525 at either SAN or SNA so I booked and will fly from MKE to SNA for $279.70. I am happy and now will look for hotel and car deals. Thank you for all the input. I appreciate it and look forward to our California trip. Thank you. Wendy
Feb 5, 2012, 2:10 pm
#24
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: AUS
Programs: Delta FO, United Silver, National Executive, HHonors Silver, Marriott Silver
Posts: 347
Thank you for all the hints and information. I have booked thru SNA. I went on and they still had the $279.70 for outgoing but my return flight I wanted had gone up to the $525, looked 1/2 hour later and it had returned to the $279.70 so decided I better not wait any longer. Delta is changing prices too fast on me. Before I know it I'll end up paying the $525 at either SAN or SNA so I booked and will fly from MKE to SNA for $279.70. I am happy and now will look for hotel and car deals. Thank you for all the input. I appreciate it and look forward to our California trip. Thank you. Wendy
Feb 5, 2012, 5:09 pm
#25
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DAY
Posts: 513
Thank you for all the hints and information. I have booked thru SNA. I went on and they still had the $279.70 for outgoing but my return flight I wanted had gone up to the $525, looked 1/2 hour later and it had returned to the $279.70 so decided I better not wait any longer. Delta is changing prices too fast on me. Before I know it I'll end up paying the $525 at either SAN or SNA so I booked and will fly from MKE to SNA for $279.70. I am happy and now will look for hotel and car deals. Thank you for all the input. I appreciate it and look forward to our California trip. Thank you. Wendy
Feb 5, 2012, 7:12 pm
#26
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MLB, MCO
Programs: Delta Plat, IHG Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 1,315
I travel to Carlsbad regularly. While I like SAN best, SNA is a good airport. Take the 73 toll road from the airport instead of the 405. It's a bit pricy at around $5 or so, but the traffic is very light and the views are spectacular!
FWIW, I usually get to California late morning and even flying into LAX rarely encounter traffic heading toward Carlsbad.
Heading north to the airport when you leave, be prepared for traffic on the 5. There's an obnoxious border control checkpoint just north of Oceanside that usually slows things down.
Do you like craft beer? I can recommend a few places to go if you do
FWIW, I usually get to California late morning and even flying into LAX rarely encounter traffic heading toward Carlsbad.
Heading north to the airport when you leave, be prepared for traffic on the 5. There's an obnoxious border control checkpoint just north of Oceanside that usually slows things down.
Do you like craft beer? I can recommend a few places to go if you do
Feb 5, 2012, 7:38 pm
#27
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Feb 5, 2012, 7:59 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: CA
Programs: Marriott - Lifetime Titanium, United - Silver
Posts: 212
Good Choice
Thank you for all the hints and information. I have booked thru SNA. I went on and they still had the $279.70 for outgoing but my return flight I wanted had gone up to the $525, looked 1/2 hour later and it had returned to the $279.70 so decided I better not wait any longer. Delta is changing prices too fast on me. Before I know it I'll end up paying the $525 at either SAN or SNA so I booked and will fly from MKE to SNA for $279.70. I am happy and now will look for hotel and car deals. Thank you for all the input. I appreciate it and look forward to our California trip. Thank you. Wendy
Feb 6, 2012, 1:25 am
#29
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 585
I agree. SAN has one of the slowest security lines that I have ever come across. Gives you plenty of line to read the huge sign over the TSA area about no jokes! Wonder what idiot came up with that idea!
Feb 6, 2012, 6:31 pm
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 11
For the beer do you mean that they make their own, sorry? If that's what you mean, yes.
