California travel

Hey Dennis,

Check out Google Maps. Those parks are not on the way to Alameda. As for what to see...

* Drive up Hwy 1 from Santa Barbara
* Hearst Castle
* Big Sur
* 17 Mile Drive & Carmel
* San Francisco
* Continue North to Napa and wine tasting
* Head over to Yosemite and the other parks
* Work your way back to Alameda
* Join PCNC for dinner on the last Thursday of the month at Coco's in Sunnyvale

Cheers!
Garth

They look like I can hit them on the way to Alameda. We will be driving into CA via 15 South, then up on 5. I was figuring that we could wander off the direct track and stop off at Monterrey, then the other parks while working our way up North to Alameda. Am I wrong?

If you plan to go more North, then sure check out the US 101 (Redwood Hwy) - the "Avenue of the giants" being part of that road - and the parks along the road.

And stay out of downtown Oakland

Nope, I'm not Californian, but my father lived in the SF area for about 25 years (moved to NM now), and my brother still lives there - I thus know the area a little bit...

And taste wine, lots of wine

We'll be starting our journey from the Bakersfield area. Where should I jump on the 101 to see the scenery? Any recommended stops along this route?

quote:

We'll be starting our journey from the Bakersfield area. Where should I jump on the 101 to see the scenery? Any recommended stops along this route?

Coming in to Bakersfield through Barstow (from Vegas)? I go to Bakerfield quite often because my in-laws are there.

Ok, so here's an idea for a nice scenic loop through Central and Northern CA (only as far north as Napa): http://tinyurl.com/25rldmq

This would allow you to see a lot of scenic country and coastline along the way, meet the great folks of the Pantera Club of Northern California, eat at famous Alice's Restaurant on Skyline Blvd in the Santa Cruz Mtns, and enjoy the rugged California coast through Big Sur. If you're a fan of Missions, you could modify your journey and head East on Carmel Valley Road in Carmel out to Hwy 101 and tour several missions on your way down 101 (you could also visit missions in San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Clara, etc).

If you have the time...

I'd skip most of the first part of the 101, and go for the 1 (costal hwy) instead to start with. Cross the Golden Gate bridge, and leave the 101 towards Muir beach. Depending on time and how many bends you wish steer the cat through, head for the 101 again via Willits, or keep on the 1 until the end of the hwy (Leggett). Then head for Eureka via the 101. You'll spot the signs for the "Avenue of the giants" along the road - the avenue, a 30 miles or so strip - follows the 101. The entire area above SF is just full of state parks. Some Googleing should return plenty of useful stuff.

Especially driving the 1, and the Avenue were impressive (when it comes to views and driving). Make sure to make time for some hiking - it's a really great area!

While you're that close (just an hour away from Alameda) you've gotta check out Infineon Raceway.

http://www.infineonraceway.com/

And the rest of the Sonoma Valley !

http://www.sonomavalley.com/in...about-Sonoma-Valley/

http://www.bestinsonoma.com/

Not that you've never seen an ocean, but drive up the coast route, it's a great and beautiful ride.

Like Garth said, all great idea's !

* Drive up Hwy 1 from Santa Barbara
* Hearst Castle
* Big Sur
* 17 Mile Drive & Carmel
* San Francisco
* Continue North to Napa and wine tasting
* Head over to Yosemite and the other parks
* Work your way back to Alameda
* Join PCNC for dinner on the last Thursday of the month at Coco's in Sunnyvale

Cheers!
Garth

You didn't mention whether you were planning on making the drive in the Pantera or not, and if so, how far from civilization and the AAA you were willing to take her

I love visiting the National parks in California whenever I get the chance, and over the years, I've developed a seasonal plan:
In the spring (April/May), I go inland to Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite as that is when the snow is melting and the waterfalls are at their peak (by mid-summer the falls are often little more than a trickle)
So, In the summer, I hit the coastal sights Muir Woods, Avenue of the Giants, Hearst Castle, Napa Valley, Carmel, 17 Mile Drive etc.

That being said, Yosemite at this time of year is still a natural wonder and you have an opportunity for a drive that isn't possible in the snowy parts of the year... If Highway 120 and the Tioga pass is open now, I'd recommend the drive in through Tuolumne Meadows into Yosemite, or maybe on your way back out, I haven't done the drive for about 17 years, but from what I remember the views were spectacular (it's a long drive though, so if it doesn't fit into your route, don't add it on (Google street view does have all of this mapped, so you can always watch it on your computer to get the experience anyway) ... it does take you past Mono Lake - very erie - and can give you a chance to go through Death Valley then up through Lone Pine where a lot of westerns were filmed - you'll recognize the landscape instantly.

Make sure you get back to Yosemite in the spring to see the waterfalls though, you'll be glad you did.

As for Sequoia and Kings canyon, you have to visit General Sherman tree and the redwood groves, and visit Moro Rock - it's a bit of a climb, but the view is fantastic! http://www.travelblog.org/Nort...ark/blog-106878.html

Depending on how far north you go, the lava tubes in Lassen are kinda cool to walk through (bring a flashlight or rent one from the ranger station), but you're from Hawaii, so maybe they're not so exciting?

... you really can't go wrong at any of the parks or drives, and it sounds like you've got the perfect excuse to make the trip a few times per year.

I was in SF for a week in -89. Then we went to see the redwood trees. Stil, the single thing I remember the most from that trip. You might end up feeling a little small....

Thanks for the tips guys! When I was in Hawaii, I was the one planning all the sites for visitors and now I find myself the tourist! OK more dumb questions:

Is highway 1 known as the Pacific Coast Highway?

Where should I get on it and at what point do I get off and not miss anything spectacular?

quote:

Originally posted by 4NFORD:
Is highway 1 known as the Pacific Coast Highway?

Yep, correct - the part in between LA and SF is the best known, but personally I don't think the part North of SF is less beautiful.

quote:

Originally posted by 4NFORD:
Where should I get on it and at what point do I get off and not miss anything spectacular?

You'll have a hard time to keep your eyes on the road because of the constant spectacular views, so if you don't pay enough attention, you might get off in an unplanned way...

Shedule in enough time for the drive, as you again and again will feel like stopping for taking pictures.

Ok, I think we narrowed down this trip to include Highway 1 and probably save the inland places like Yosemite for the next run out there. I think we'll take #5754's advice and save those for an early in the year trip.

I figure that we'll stop over in Carmel then to Monterey in the afternoon. Spend the night, see the aquarium the next day, and then start the road trip again the following day.

Any other recommended sites to see along this route? I figure that we'll do the 17 mile drive and are open to other "must see" stops along the way.

I don't want to scare you away from Yosemite in the summer, it's always beautiful. I'm just more of a thundering waterfall person

To give you an idea of the difference, here's a a pair of shots from approx the same spot in April and October of '06
April:

October:

Thanks for the shots, not scaring me away, I love waterfalls as we had many of them in Hawaii. I figure my trip there would be more worthwhile while they were flowing. Your pictures confirmed that! How is Sequoia and Kings canyon in the summer? Same issues as Yosemite or should I plan to stop there on my way back to Las Vegas? Thanks!

I'll have to let the locals chime in on Sequoia and Kings Canyon in terms of summer vs. spring, I've only been there a couple of times, I liked the spring better because the snow made it a bit cooler for hiking. However, since it doesn't have the same waterfall vistas as Yosemite, the season you visit may not be as critical ... I'm just not certain if the views are impacted by air quality in the different seasons.

quote:

How is Sequoia and Kings canyon in the summer?

Dennis,

Both those parks are having road work done this summer. See this link:

http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyo.../road-conditions.htm

Larry

Thanks Larry, maybe I'll catch them both on the next trip!