Pismo to Knotts Friday

Question

Hi,

We will he travelling from Pismo or San Luis on 11th April for a day in Knotts on 12th.

Ideally would like to spend some time in Pismo at the beach and then the outlet village before driving down in the afternoon.

I am reading about crazy traffic on Fridays.

Would this be mad to attempt woth 2 kids in the car?

Would a Saturday be better if we had an extra day or a stop over in Santa Barbara?

We are not concerned with a 4/5 hour drive as can split up with lunch etc and kids are used to being in the car but dont want to lose a whole day in traffic.

Thanks

Answer

Traveling from Pismo Beach or San Luis Obispo to Knott's Berry Farm on a Friday can be challenging due to Southern California traffic, particularly as you approach the Los Angeles area in the afternoon. With kids in the car, long delays may become stressful, especially if your plan includes stops at Pismo Beach and the outlet village before heading south.

Here are some considerations and options to make the trip more manageable:

Friday Travel: Expect heavier traffic on I-101 and I-5 south, particularly from Santa Barbara through Ventura and into LA. Leaving early in the morning could help you avoid the worst congestion, but if you want to spend time in Pismo and at the outlets, you’ll likely hit peak afternoon traffic.
Saturday Travel: Weekends can also be busy, especially near tourist areas, but traffic can be more predictable. Starting early from Pismo and breaking the drive into segments can reduce stress. Consider leaving around 9–10am to give a morning at the beach, a stop at the outlets, and then a smoother drive south.
Stopover Option: A stop in Santa Barbara can be an excellent way to split the drive, give the kids a break, and enjoy a scenic lunch. Areas like State Street offer restaurants and short walks, plus a nice view of the coastline to stretch your legs.
Drive Split: With 2 kids accustomed to car travel, plan multiple breaks along the route: Pismo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, then final leg to Knott’s. This can make a 4–5 hour drive much more comfortable.

Recommendation: If keeping the day fun and relaxed is important, I would lean toward leaving on Saturday with an optional stop in Santa Barbara. This way, you get the Pismo beach experience, visit the outlets, and avoid the stress of peak Friday traffic in LA. Alternatively, if Friday is fixed, consider leaving early in the morning, minimizing stops, or planning a stop in Santa Barbara to break up the drive.

Overall, the drive is doable with kids, especially with breaks, but Friday afternoons in Southern California traffic can be very unpredictable, so planning for extra time is essential.

Pismo to Knotts Friday

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