Ian928

Danglerb,

Sorry I infact missed your first reply! A Mustang convertible sounds tempting, we will check out prices and see what we can afford.

We never realised Grand Canyon was within reach!

Ian and Kirsti

Nicole

You probably won't find too many such people here...

bronto

It's really hard for me to make estimates about how long a drive it would be because there's so many opportunities to stop. So I'll talk pure driving time, and make a note of the various places you might want to stop.

Driving up the 1 from LA to SF is probably 8-9 hours. Hwy 1 is definately the scenic route, and much slower than the main coastal artery Hwy 101. In many places Hwy 1 is twisty, bad one lane in each direction. But spectacular. I've never actually driven it in one stretch so my time estimate might be off. For comparison, it takes 1.5 hours to get from LAX to here (Santa Barbara), and 4.5 hours to get from here to SF. Hwy 1 doesn't get "slow" until you're halfway there though. Driving Hwy 1 between LAX and Camarillo through Malibu is anice introduction to coastal California, and between Camarillo and Gaviota HWY 1 doesn't even exist; you have to take 101. Worthwhile places to stop along the way are Santa Barbara, Morro Bay, Hearst Castle, Carmel, Monterrey, Big Sur, Santa Cruz, & Half Moon Bay. That's before you even get to San Fran. So you see that you could easily stretch that into a week's trip.

Coming back from SF, the main attractions on some different route would definitely be the Sierras. To get there, you would take HWY 99 which is the main north/south route that stays closest to them. Unfortunately, there's not much to see on 99 itself. The center of California is the San Joaquin Valley, a 450 mile long basin that is now California's agricultural and industrial guts. You could travel from SF to LA via 99 in about 8 hours I think. You *could* start as far north as Lake Tahoe, which is east of Sacramanto. Heading South on 99, Yosemite is the gem. Even in winter it is something not to miss. If you've got the time and the money, stay at the Awahnee Hotel on the valley floor. Driving time from 99 is about 3-4 hours round trip east of Merced. The next diversion south is a good alternative route off the 99 using HWY 180 east of Fresno, coming out at Bakersfield. That takes you through portions of the Sierra and Sequoia National Parks. There are park centers you can stop at to see the Giant Sequoias, and it can be a really nice drive. But it's not at all fast, and very twisty. You'll long for your 928. I think this alt route would add 4-5 hours to your trip.

A 3rd route would be heading from SF all the way to Lake Tahoe, then heading south down the east side of the Sierras on HWY 395. There's really not much to stop here for because this part of California is sparsely populated. But you do drive through some nice mountain country on the north part, go past Mammoth Mountain ski area, and the south part is typical California high desert. Since it's winter, a side trip to Death Valley could be interesting. If you do this route, and you have the time and money, I'd recommend stopping at the Double Eagle Spa resort at June Lake. If weather permits, a side trip to the preserved ghost town of Bodie is fascinating. There are occassional small towns along the way that feel like "the old west".

The roads in California are generally pretty good, with some exceptions. HWY 1 was washed out during a storm several years ago, and while it reopened a couple of years ago there still might be a stretch that's "not right". Anybody else know for sure? The mountain roads are very good, but sometimes very twisty, particularly coming down from Lodgepole towards Bakersfield. HWY 395 is excellent. All the Sierra roads can be trecherous when it's snowing. Your route may be determined by weather. But they get plowed quickly, so it's only a temporary thing. The drivers, especially in LA and SF, are awful. I grew up in Fresno and have come to avoid 99 because of all the crazy people trying to shave 20 minutes off their drive between the bay area to LA.

Have fun!

(BTW, my avatar is a photo of me & the growler at the entrance to Yosemite this past summer)

danglerb

Grand Canyon is a "bit" of a detour, sorry if I got carried away. Unless you really like gambling, Las Vegas is even too far east, and Grand Canyon is about a half day farther. I think there are tours though that package ground transportation with a flight of an hour or so, for a one day event.

Travel to me is an extended version of going out to dinner. Lunch or dinner in the "Old Towne" section of San Diego should not be missed, the Mexican Cantina with a giant marble slab in the front window with tortilla's being made fresh is great. The Shadowbrook south of Santa Cruz for lunch or dinner.

Shopping could be the high point, and not just at 928Intl, San Diego has several huge shopping malls, some near the Mexico border that may offer some kind of tax advantage. Leaving San Diego going north one route will take you past a Fry's store (nerd heaven), plus a number of outlet malls where each store is dedicated to a single or a few related brands, like Sony, Nike, etc.

Makes me want to take a trip.

San Diego to Ashland can be done in a day up I5 most of the route, but I would suggest planning on stopping two nights, one south of San Francsico and one north of it. SF is a dandy place to see, but too expensive to stay if you are just passing through anyway.

Mrmerlin

If your going to go the Grand Canyon , what the heck, why not, you will be getting near Utah and the wonderful collection of State Parks , feel free to stop on by Motorsport,In Salt lake City, and while your at it, then you can take a cruise by the Miller motorsports race track if you came in the the spring or summer you may find many track events to watch

Ian928

We had scheduled to stop by 928 International monday 19th of february, I now see that this is President's Day in US. I suppose this means they are closed?

Ian and Kirsti in Norway

marton

Take out the tire studs & you will get there a day earlier.

A once-in-a-life-time experience is the tram from San Diego to Tijuana, Mexico.
Actually Tijuana, mexico is a pretty crap place and with your wife I would be gone before it gets dark but it is a pretty unique experience to go to mexico by Tram

As danglerb said the gaslight district in San Diego is well worth a visit; also the sea life aquarium.

you really should not miss the opportunity to visit the Grand canyon; truly a unique & unforgettable experience. Especially if you can stay overnight in a lodge there and get up in time for the sun rise.

Las Vegas? try to fly there - there are many cheap (casino subsidised?) flights from US cities. Also a big selection of high end rental cars abandoned by by unlucky gamblers & available for negotiated prices.

I visted 928intl in Anaheim; never realised there was a Disney near by.....


Marton

marton

Just realised you said February.

It can get pretty rough around the Giant Sequoias when it blows a snow blizzard; I lost count of how many cars I saw crash off the road and that was in March.
Also they close the road up to the Grand canyon when it snows; which is a pain if you just spent 4/5 hours to reach Flagstaff,

Marton

bronto

Yep, as I said the mountain roads are good but treacherous when it's snowing. They are good when the weather is good, even if there's snow everywhere else. They make you carry chains but you rarely have to use them. Weather will determine the route.

danglerb

In lieu of chains you might get past the highway patrol check point showing a Norway drivers license, worked for a friend of mine from Alaska. Fly into Flagstaff and take a bus, and no worries, in and out in a day, but I would check local conditions to find out if its buried in snow. Sorry native Californian here, we lack a sense of snow.

16th to 19th is a double whammy two president 4 day weekend, Hwy 1 could be INSANE, as geriatrics test the low speed handling limits of their RVs.

San Diego, I agree on the trolley thing to Mexico, nice day trip, but not the Gas Light District, thats a tourist trap, Old Towne the Mexican tourist trap area.

scott863

Ian,

Beverly Hills is a great place to see some fantastic cars!

gruffalo

I went to college in Santa Barbara, you should definately stop by there!

I would recommend 101 as bronto said, but you might wanna consider 154 up the mouintains from SB, and checking out Solvang and do some wine tasting.

Pismo beach used to have the possibility to rent MC/3/4-wheelers, to play around with in the sand dunes. That's a lot of fun if it's still on.

Ian928

We have changed tha plan a little because the congress my girlfriend is attending is one and a half day longer than expected: We will drive to Ashland and fly back, so I guess it's the coast this time. Mark assured us they will be open feb 19, so first stop is Anaheim. After that we will take our time up the coas, but have not deciden on the exact route yet. We have got a lot of excellent suggestions from this group and we will check out as much as possible!

Danglerb, thank you for the tip, we have ordered a Mustang cab, and the price difference from a standard car was very small!

Gruffalo, Solvang sounds Norwegian, do you know where the name comes from?

We are really looking forward to this trip! It's -7°C and snow here now...

Ian and Kirsti in Norway

gruffalo

Solvang = Danish, it becomes obvious when you get there. For research check out the movie "Sideways", it was recorded around that area. And it's hilarious.

bronto

Consider that the Tour of California is that week, and it will be in the vinicinity of your route, including a time trial in Solvang on the 23rd. If you like bike races this is a good thing, if not it should be avoided. The crowds were huge last year, at least in this area. Solvang is where Team Discovery trains, so it will be considered "home court" and there will likely be an enourmous turnout.

http://www.tourofcalifornia-solvang.com/default.asp