I have read this discussion here with delight because I am wanting to
make this flight over this Memorial day weekend. I studied the
different routes suggested here and plotted them in my flight software
(Voyager) they all seemed OK, but the high terrain and turbulence
concerns me a bit. In thinking about it I thought of maybe getting to
KUDD from KPAO by going the over the hills to the coast via Woodside
then roughly, Salinas, Paso, SLO, Santa Barbara, Burbank, Banning onto
Palm Springs and KUDD.

The terrain is 2500-3000MSL (unless I am not seeing something) and it
is a little longer but only by about 12-18 minutes. Am I crazy or
would this be a good route? It avoids the LAX bravo and seems OK.

I wish that I had more experience with this, but I guess that is why
there are forums where you can ask questions! =)

David
202hrs, VFR pilot, 2003 Piper Archer III