This highway connects to the I-15 and it's honestly not bad at all. The traffic isn't too horrible compared to the 5 or 805.

Spring of 1995...a young 16yo Chun P is in Drivers Ed Class... Drivers Ed Teacher: "When you need to change lanes, turn on your turn signal first, so that the other driver gives you room move into his/her lane..." Spring of 2015...an old 36yo Chun P is in traffic on the 163... Chun P turns on left turn signal. Driver in left lane immediately accelerates to block Chun P from moving into left lane... Chun P: "FUC YOU!!!!" *Repeat* *Repeat* *Repeat* Weekdays from 430PM-630PM this freeway is a FUCing nightmare!!! read more

The 163 is no doubt the nicest highway in the San Diego City limits. The park like scenery almost puts you in a mellow trance as you drive form I-8 to the 94 or vice versa, but then you are out of the beautiful canyons full of trees and shrubs and slam! You are back to the every day hustle and bustle of an ordinary highway. My only complaint is that the length is to small. If only all our freeways could look so nice. read more

163 - A view from Balboa Park - Transportation Near Me - San Diego, California

Part of my daily commute; I know it well. Coming back from North County into Mission Valley is usually fairly fast; but Mission Valley into downtown during commuter times? Fughetaboutit!! You'll be backed up for quite some time and infuriated with the people zooming and cutting over at the last second to get on I-5. On the plus side though - there's a good deal of trees in that stretch and the Balboa Park Bridge arch is there too, so you've at least got some scenery. read more

You know what? I'm in love with this stripper. Seriously! One shouldn't create hype around a highway, but I always like driving the 163!... At this point in my life, I've probably driven onto the 163 from the 15, the 805, the 52, and the 8. When I imagine all the freeway merges I've driven, the 163 has the ones I enjoy the most. (I hate the 5/805 split, the 78/5, 78/15, and 15/8 mergers. The only one I like more is the 5/8 merge). I really enjoy the S-Curve of the 163, driving downhill approaching Friars Road, and even driving from the 8 into downtown. I can't explain it. I really cant. There's just some rush of endorphins that make me a happy person when I imagine and remember myself driving the 163. Possibly because it's the best route into Hillcrest, AKA gay bars, AKA crazy drunk times... but I enjoy it! read more

...sitting in traffic right now, i figured, hey, why not write a review about the 163 while im sitting here?! Not to worry, im using my hands-free setup! First, i get beeped at, then, i get cut off, after that im slamming on my brakes. Looking towards the shoulder, i dont see any po-leeces, so i decide to just cruise right on down the shoulder for a couple miles to make up for the lost time this morning from having to clean up my spilled coffee. Hmm, lemme exit...nope, ill stay on...hey! why you beeping at me?! Damn! that was a big pothole! Why is there no graffiti under these bridges? Why all these idiot drivers? Yes, i am, sarcastic. Im now crossing 4 lanes to exit at the 805, but its ok, im the ONLY person on the road, so it doesnt matter what i do, right?...ohhhhh, there it is, the 805... read more

This has got to be the most beautiful freeway in San Diego hands down. The drive is literally lined up with the most beautiful trees and bridges that have been here forever. This would be an awesome place to actually ride a bike all the way down, but there is nothing like that here.. YET. "Fingers crossed" read more

Coming from Northern California I have NEVER called it THE 163, but this has been my favorite freeway since I went to grad school here in the early '70s. It was so green and beautiful, it always lifted my spirits to drive it. Now that we're here for a visit I was happy to see it again. The closest thing we have to its verdant beauty is Highway 280 on the Peninsula, but this is the best. read more

A poem: Accessing the freeway off of Ash Street, I was driving my Stella on the 1-6-3. Speeding through Balboa Park seeing all of the trees, I saw CHP in my mirror creeping up on me. I slowed her down because I can't afford a ticket. So they sped pass my ass going above the speed limit. As I'm approaching the I-8 West interchange, I spot a black trash can in the number three lane. Garbage everywhere, the freeway was an ugly scene; I'm thinking to myself "CALTRANS need to get this mess clean." Continued my journey north on the 1-6-3. Caught a flat tire. Damn, it really sucks to be me I pulled to the shoulder near Balboa Avenue, Installed the spare tire hoping to make it through. The rest of the trip was really nothing to see, But it was an interesting drive along the 1-6-3. Why am I reviewing this freeway on Yelp? I honestly have no idea, but maybe it will be of some help. The End read more

I almost hate to tell everyone this one. 'The 163' (and that's how we say it here in SD) is my favorite. I've lived here for 8 years and in that time I've most often wanted to take jobs if they were off 'The 163'. Why? Well there are so many reasons. First of all it's the access of all access to most freeways. You can get to the 8 and the 5, and the 15 and the 52 from 'The 163'. Everywhere you want to go this is the best shortcut to places if you can manage it. Some locals overlook 'The 163', they think the I-5 is their freeway, and the 15 used to be a GREAT freeway until the house prices sky rocketed in San Diego and everyone moved North because that's all they could afford, now the 15 sucks. 'The 163' still holds my precious heart in its hands, I'd like to thank the people who made it. And if you don't use it now, please keep doing that, thanks. read more

Ahhhh... the 163. San Diego's first freeway! Correct pronunciation is "the one-sixty-three". It's a short freeway and only 2 lanes on either side as it heads to/from Downtown through Balboa Park. It's a California Historic Parkway and "called one of America's most beautiful parkways". JFK supposedly called it, "the most beautiful highway I've ever seen". It might be an urban legend, but can't be confirmed either way. I'll just keep thinking that JFK loved San Diego. :-) See here: http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/this_just_in/article_83047640-c1dd-11df-8f05-001cc4c002e0.html The only annoying thing about the 163 is that it can get slow when heading North uphill past the 8 towards the 805 merge and often times merging can be tricky since there isn't much space between exits. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_163 I love the part going through Balboa Park and the tall bridge reminds me of a bridge in my friends' small town in Germany that I love. It's quite picturesque. I *heart* this freeway and think it's worth checking out as a tourist for sure! read more

I can't believe I'm reviewing a freeway on Yelp. With that said, I used to live near the Genesee exit, and I like the 163. It got me to work, where I got paid. It got me home. I like that. read more

Now as I write this, and I am asking you, no begging you, please DO NOT start driving the 163 during commuter hours because you read this and it hadn't occurred to you before. Have we got a deal? OK then, it's huggy time! 163 is the best freeway in San Diego. It curves through Balboa Park and is so scenic I go out of my way to take out of town guests on this route. Coming and going from mid-city to the dreaded-working-minionville of Sorrento Valley, it is the best gateway freeway. Meaning it's the best freeway to easily jump on and get your commute going with good momentum. There is a downside, however (minus one star)....you still gotta figure out if you're going to ultimately get on the 5, 805 or 15 to Mira Mesa Boulevard as it sort of disappears as 15 swallows it up. But, until you get to that point, 163 is the clearest freeway, usually unclogged and the most scenic. Now stay your courses, people, understand? If I see it clogging up you've been forewarned.....don't promote driver rage and stay off! read more

The 163 is the most scenic freeway in San Diego. It is the closest to my home, since I moved last year. I used to live across the street from an onramp to the 805, San Diego's ugliest and most unpleasant freeway. I'm really glad to be a 163 guy. When I was an 805 guy, every day started out just wrong. read more

Boo!! The good: The 163 is convenient when I am in Hillcrest and need to get somewhere else. I like how there are lots of ways to get on the 163 from Hillcrest. I also like that I can merge onto the 805 or vice versa when needed. The BAD: Merging from the 5 North to the 163 is often a nightmare. There is a serious bottleneck, even when there isn't otherwise traffic in the area. What's worse is that you can't predict the bottleneck. The best you can do is say a prayer, take the exit, and then try to shove your way to the front of the line. See, I often drive to Hillcrest from the 5 North in the middle of the day when the roads are very clear. It doesn't make any sense why this bottleneck is so often there. I am training myself to skip the 163 altogether and just take the next exit to 6th Ave which might take longer, but is much less stressful. And I do this most of the time. But that darn 163 is so alluring because when the bottleneck isn't there, it is so smooth and fun and scenic. I get a rush just thinking about it. I think it is too much of a gamble, though. One that I shall no longer be taking. read more

I'm partial to the 163 because, if I'm riding on it going south, it most likely means I'm heading to Hillcrest or downtown, which means that I'm going to have dinner, start drinking, and occasionally both. (Then again, if I'm taking it north, it means that the foodie-drinkie-fun-times are over.) But the point is: the 163 deserves a little bit of love because of the special association that I have with it. There are two major highlights to the 163: 1) That downhill stretch of southbound 163 as you approach Mission Valley and see everything lit up at night. 2) Winding through Balboa Park (in either direction) and seeing the hills on all sides of you (especially as you pass under the Cabrillo Bridge). Seriously, who knew a freeway could be scenic? But, like all freeways, the 163 has some problems. The stretch between Friars Rd and University Ave is nightmarish if you've never been through there before, with lanes spontaneously appearing and disappearing. And the lane dividers are faded and hard to see. Well...I guess you can't have everything. And the 163 north of the 805? Boring. The verdict? 4 stars for the 163! read more

163 : banana splits with extra cherries, outside on a sunny day, on a slip and slide.

163 is my way downtown. I havent actually ever hit any traffic on it, so i must be lucky! You can get to Clairemont mesa too, the only asian stuff down here. read more

Probably the most hipster highway in san diego county, Bringing you to the ultra trendy hillcrest, north park, downtown, and clairemont. I drive this thing everyday and its usually traffic free going north in the mornings around 8, and is kinda hit or miss on the way home. If i leave work at 6 it's generally smooth sailing, provided there's np accident, but if i leave at 5, omg it can get congested. That's ok because my prius is built for driving slow. It's a treat driving south into downtown with all the trees and nature on the side of the road. Oh and the el prado bridge is pretty neat when it's not under construction. So in summary, it's a freaking freeway!!! read more

Mostly good, mostly pretty... But the merges, especially with I-5, are terrible terrible designs and cause major backups. North of Friars? Usually smooth sailing. read more