Flying from KSDM to KOAK

The Special Flight Rules is similar but not the same as the Coastal Route. The LA TAC has the verbal depictions, SFR is based off the Santa Monica VOR and Coastal off the LAX VOR. The Mini Route shared the Santa Monica VOR but different radial. 4500 feet coming up the coast would interface with the John Wayne Class C airspace unless you go a little more off shore.

The Coastal Route would be with SOCAL not LAX tower and require a Class B clearance. Tower would be on the Mini Route so you are correct the SFR does not require contact with LAX tower. If you use flight following (highly recommended with all the traffic at both ends of the route) at 6500 the Class C at John Wayne is not an issue and ATC will ask how you intend to transition the Bravo, i.e. request the Coastal Route etc.

I've considered your original route for trips north but prefer going along the coast due to less time over the "mountainous" terrain. Your concerns about winds around San Bernadino/Banning are spot on.

This was my original plan which avoids all the Class B airspace. The main concern are the winds when crossing at Cajon (San Bernadino)

Thanks for the detailed flightplan

Is the LASFR route the same as the Coastal Route as it goes through LAX? Its not entirely clear on the sectional if these are on the same path. If thats the case I can just pass through at 4500 above the runway without contacting the tower. 

Here is the current plan. I'm going east to RNM first just because I have flown there countless times and it avoids the congestion near SAN. 



 

I would recommend departing Brown, take the corridor to VPSMS (Mt. Soledad), then to OCN to WILMA intersection for the Coastal Route. After exiting the Coastal Route direct to RZS (San Marcos) then to PRB (Paso Robles) then up the valley to the Bay area. That can be flown at 6500. I'm more comfortable crossing the Coastal Range at San Marcos vs. the grapevine area. Use flight following (necessary for the Coastal Route as well as crossing through the LAX Class B to the grapevine). The section from VPSMS to WILMA will be slightly off shore but easily close enough to land in case of an engine failure. There are good places to refuel along the route and restaurants too. Sounds like a fun trip.

I will be flying my coupe from KSDM in San Diego up to Oakland as a new pilot.

Has anyone done this route? Any suggestions? I'm thinking of going over the grapevine above the i5 at 8500. Alternatively, I can go towards Santa Barbarbra or cross at Canyon Pass - though the winds are a concern.