Hi al.
Contemplating a job opportunity in Irvince CA.
Not at all familiar with that part of CA.
So give it to me straight, if I lived in San Clemente how long would it take to get to Irvine in the morings for work and then home again.
I’d have the luxury of not being pinned down to 9-5 so I can be a little flexible on departure times.
Thanks much
Drew
Hey Drew,
I used to live in Irvine, and to go from UCI to trestles was about 45 mins to an hour. I’m talking about leaving my apt and getting to the parking lot. But this was on the weekends when traffic wasn’t too bad.
I know the 405 south is horrible around 5pm. But a San Clemente-Irvine commute isn’t too bad as I know some people that do it. Mornings shouldn’t be a problem if you’re flexible. You should also consider living in Newport Beach. There are some good values there (don’t really believe the hype that “theOC” makes). Just look around. Hope that helps.
Rio
Set yourself up in Costa Mesa, or hell, even Irvine. Shorter drive to work, and no problem getting to Newport Huntington or Laguna in a reasonable amount of time (10-15 min give or take). Daklaw is right, there is a lot of hype but like anywhere else, it’s what you make of it. The beachbreaks have their days, and while not always as good as trestles, i doubt you will surf there everyday even if you did live there. Living up closer to Irvine, you could drive down the toll road to trestles when you wanted to.
All that said, if you time it right and/or use the toll road, getting from San Clemente to Irvine…not a problem at all.
One more thing…where in Irvine? It’s a big city and would make a slight difference where you’re at.
Drew,
I use to live in San Clemente and commuted to Irvine (this was about 3 years ago.) Depending on traffic it could take 25 minutes, or it could take an hour and 25 minutes . The 405 and 5 split can be hell at 5:00 - there are a few tricks that you will figure out that can save you some time, but when there is an accident there isn’t much of an alternate route and you are pretty stuck. (Sneaking down to the PCH usually doesn’t help that much.)
Still if you can avoid the 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. trip north to Irvine and the 4:30 to 6:00 trip back to San Clemente it should normally take you around 30 minutes or so which in my opinion is worth it to live in San Clemente. It is a great town and by far my favorite city in Orange County.
Living in Newport Beach is an option but actually the commute times are about the same (although there are more alternate routes during accidents.) I’ve lived in Newport too, and enjoyed it while I was there, but it is definitely a different scene. Much more a party town. Not sure how old your are, but if you like to spend 3 nights a week out at a bar or club than you should pick Newport over San Clemente. Although the San Clemente nightlife has picked up a bit recently. (I go back a few times a year.)
Laguna Beach is another albeit pricier option. But the canyon road in and out of Irvine creates its own kind of stress. Not to mention the stress of surfing Salt Creek or a few unnamed Laguna gems.
There are also a few more inland suburbs along the 5 between San Clemente and Irvine if you aren’t needing to bike/walk to the beach.
thanks a bunch guys.
The San Clemente lifestyle fits me to a tee.
I’ll ahve the luxury of arriving late at work, so i tlooks liek that’s a good thing.
Drew
Bart, et al…
My wife would be splitting her time telecimmuting and then actually commuting to san Diego…
so got an opinion on that commute? Is it even possible?
thanks again
Drew
hey Drew,
Stay in San Clemente. I live in Laguna Niguel and work in Newport at the 73/Jamboree. If I get on the 5 at Crown Valley at 7am I’m at work by 7:45 easy. I can still make it at 7:20. When I take the 5 to the 405 I get off at University/Jeffrey and take University to Jamboree. I take PCH home; straight down Jamboree to PCH. It depends on where you are at in Irvine for that. If I’m going surfing after work I take the toll road (they already built this one so I use it; stop the 241 extension!) I’m in the water at the “sign of the cross” by 6pm.
Where in Irvine will you be?
HTH,
Tim
She should look into taking the train. A lot of the trains don’t stop in San Clemente, but you can still make it work. I have a few friends who actually take the train from Solana Beach or Leucadia (south of San Clemente) to Irvine a few times a week. I am sure there are some trains headed south into San Diego as well. Plus, if it is any plus to her she can check the surf most of the trip down and back.
Aw man, now you got me reminiscing about San Clemente. Maybe I will make a trip back for the 4th of July. The best wave I ever saw ridden at the pier in SC was under the fireworks show on the 4th of July. 9:30 at night, fireworks going off directly overhead and a guy takes a wave from the pier all the way to the lifeguard headquarters doing floaters and whacks the whole way. Course I had had a few beers by then, so maybe my memory and what actually happened don’t quite jive. But the memory is a good one.
Good luck in San Clemente
P.S. the pier is one of the worst surf spots in the area - only to be ridden when you are short on time and desperately need to get wet
naw, the pier is great! EVERYONE should go there!!!
The drive from San Clemente to the Irvine area sucks during the commuting hours in the morning and evening. You can take the 73 toll road into Irvine for about $4 each way, and this takes about 30 min. The drive from SC to North San Diego cities is pretty open until you approach the 5/805 split in the freeways. The trains to San Diego are OK if you got transport from the stations to your destination. I’ve lived here since '63 and worked in Irvine for 25 of those years. I now work from home, I will not even get on the freeway between 7-10am and 4-7pm. Anyhow, you got a number of options for the commute; try each and see what works for you.
Geez, thanks for reminding me why I moved from the Golden State…
All,
Excellent responses. Much appreciated.
Here is the address of the company that i might be working for.
7535 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine CA 92618
Looks like it’s in the southwest section of the city. See pic.The location is the red teardrop.
Also here is the address where my wife would be working. It seems well north of SanDiego proper. Looks like she’d take the 5 and switch to the 78 in Oceanside/Carlsbad.
12270 Scripps Summit Drive
San Diego
See Pic
Again, much appreciated
I live and work about 3 miles north of where your wife will be working and feel pretty comfortable saying that she, not you, will be the one with the problem commute. I can’t speak for 5 or 78, but with all of the builders selling homes in Riverside Co to folks working in SD the traffic on 15 is bad and getting worse all the time.
Not a problem if she can dodge the rush hour, but really bad at peak. There isn’t much in the way of alternate routes in case of accidents, and the train doesn’t run anywhere near her job.
Matt
in the life of commuting Drew, your drive is a piece O’ cake. Try a test run leaving San Clem at 6:45 to 7am. 5 to 405 and get off at the Spectrum exit. Irvine Center Dr. or stay on the 5 to Spectrum exit.
Good luck!
Your wife is going to be very unhappy.
What about living in North County (San Diego). Oceanside or Carlsbad or something. Really, you won’t hit traffic at the base, so the drive won’t be that much longer for you. Plus, let’s be honest, North County SD has good surf, it’s a good palce to live. Nice to have options to live in such places. Beneath all the crowds and traffic, there will be magic days that match anywhere on earth. Best of luck.
Drew, any chance that you’re working for Y&R? That’s their address.
Lemmee know, as I’ve freelanced there. Also, I can give you the rundown for the train.