I've never seen I-35W look anything like that unless there's an accident or something else holding up traffic. That pic is awful and indeed representative of why I'd never want to even visit there.
Like I said, most people hating on OC have never even been there...
That picture would the 405 in LA County on it's worst day. The OC comes no where close. Freeway traffic isn't really a problem if you're smart about it.
But if you want to stay in the ubiquitous wasteland that is Minnesota, be my guest. It's beach weather on the coast today, and the ski slopes are open in the Mountains.
West Coast, Best Coast.
Southern California should be excluded from the definition of West Coast.