Kidd, is right on as depending on time of day traffic can get a bit hairy. 5 north (coming from Lindbergh( is usally very congested in the pm but 5 is getting LA like and even in the morning can get backed up.

With the price of gas soaring, taxi fares have also skyrocketed and from the airport I would say that you are now looking at a $75 taxi fare ride with tip at the minimum. Kidd is correct again in that renting a car is the most cost effective and gives you the most freedom. Rental cars are available right off the airport, the big ones just off Harbor the others just off Pacific Coast Hwy (which is on the east side of the airport, harbor is on the west and right next to the terminal). Almost all if not all have shuttle service. I would say give yourself an extra fifteen to thirty minutes if you are renting.

(Kidd, I will be heading past your way tomorrow as I need to see my doc again at UCLA. My appointment is at eleven and the total trip distance is about 129 miles just about all of it freeway so I will be leaving here hopefully no later then 8am and will be sweating most of the way that I will be late. I really do not like driving in LA traffic).

The drive to the meeting is straightforward and once again as my friend in Orange County points out there are a whole lot of things to see and do if you have your own wheels after the meeting. If nothing else and you are pressed for time but do have a few extra minutes on your way back down to the airport I suggest that you take Highway 101 or Pacific Coast Highway instead of 5 back to Lindbergh or at least most of the way back. It goes along the coast, goes through some quaint 50's towns and neighborhoods, has some great views of the Ocean and gives you a great idea of why people like to live here and along the Ocean. As Kidd said if you want to go north Laguana Beach, Balboa Island, Dana Point then in San Diego you have our mountains, zoo, Sea World, ignorant city government, Chargers, Padres, gaslamp district, corrupt city government, Coronado, Midway aircraft carrier museum, Balboa park etc etc etc..

It use to be that once someone visited San Diego they usually moved here for good within six months. Heck while watching Monday night football this week the announcers kept asking themselves why they did not live here. So enjoy yourself and take you time

God Bless and Have a Safe Trip

marc