You're right -- We originally did the hike in 2003 and picked the Momyer-Vivian loop in order to get away with using a single car. There are other possibilities for closing loops on the road (e.g., Angelus Oaks - South Fork), but this one requires only about 1.5 miles along a pretty quiet road.
An added bonus is that this loop probably has the most elevation gain of any of the choices -- that's not a bug, it's a feature!
We hit San Bernardino East immediately after gaining the ridge. We then went over to San Bernardino and back before hitting Anderson, Shields, Alto Diablo, Charlton, Little Charlton, Jepson, and San Gorgonio. We definitely prefer to hit the big ones last.
We always head directly up Charlton from Dollar Lake Saddle, as opposed to taking the trail around and heading up the gentler side. We also like to divert to High Meadow Springs for water.That's usually our only water stop.