TMT,
I started using Bushard, accessed via PCH(s)/Seapoint/Garfield, to skip over the Main Street HB area, especially during the Surfing Contest. I would usually turn around at the Medusa Salon or as soon as I saw a lady with a shocking hair color (haha). This gives a total ride of about 46 miles from Los Al.
On Saturdays you might run into the Viet Velo club ride. I once rode into their paceline coming through balboa_bay_bridge/Mariners_Mile and they _all_ dropped me. I found out later that this is their sprint zone! Once they hit Brookhurst/Bushard they slow down and start chatting again.
cheers