Hamish,

This brings back memories, one of my first "solo" IFR flights after getting
my rating was from Reid Hillview (RHV) in San Jose, down to Santa Monica
(SMO), I also used it as my qualifying long XC for my commercial ticket.
Here is the email I sent to my CFII afterwards letting him know how his
newly minted instrument pilot faired on his first trip into SoCal. Since
then I've flown into SMO on a couple of Angel Flights and I've Filed/flown
the same route as the first time (FERN5 STAR, vectors after VNY for VOR-A
approach).

BTW, I've always dropped Angel Flight passengers off at Supermarine, seems
like a nice place. Exit the runway on the RIGHT and pull well clear of the
runway before stopping for your after landing checklist. There is a
continuous apron along the runway in SMO rather than defined taxi-ways, so
you can pull off anywhere. This confused me the first time - I was unsure
where TWR control ended and GND began (some airports can be a real pain
about this - it is never clear exactly where you should stop. Example, in
PAO you need to pull onto the parallel taxiway - do that in RHV and they
will be asking you to phone the tower). I stopped as soon as my tail was
clear of the runway - when I called up GND they told me I should have taxied
well clear of the runway before stopping.

Brenor
.....

Leg 1 RHV to SMO

Filed: RV VINCO V107 PXN V113 ROM V485 VTU V299 SADDE SMO DIRECT, 9000'
Clearance from 13L at RHV : to SMO, Fly runway heading to 400', right 290,
RV VINCO V107 then as filed, Climb 3000' expect 9000' after 5 min.

On contacting NORCAL I got, Climb 4000', on leaving 2100' right 090. Then I
got own navigation and cleared to 7000'. Around Hollister I got cleared to
9000'.

Got an ammended clearance between just before FLW VOR on V485

"Cleared SMO, V485 OHIGH, then FERNANDO FIVE ARRIVAL, maintain 9000'

Before I got to OHIGH, I was cleared direct FIM (Fillmore VOR is back in
service)

Then got cleared down to 7000' & 5000' just passed VNY I got a couple of
vectors and a clearance the VOR-A approach into SMO.

Made a straight in approach to 21 at SMO.

Leg 2 SMO to SBP

Filed: RV SADDE V299 VTU V25 RZS V12 GVO V27 MQO SBP DIRECT
Clearance from 21 at SMO: to SBP, fly runway heading to intercept LAX R315,
then right 270, RV VTU, RZS then as filed, Climb 3000' expect 8000' after 5
min.

LA Approach cleared me to 6000', then "direct VTU when able".

After VTU I was given another ammended route "V25 RZS then direct MQO"
(skipped the GVO VOR, more direct off victor airways)

Flew that without problems and made a visual straight in approach to SBP.

Leg 3 SBP to RHV:

Filed: CREPE3.PRB V113 ROM V485 LICKE RHV DIRECT
Clearance from 29 at SBP: to RHV, CREPE3.PRB then as filed.

Basically exactly the route I filed, I flew it without change until I
started getting vectored for a visual into 31R at RHV.