Road Trip - Oregon border to Los Angeles
10-13-2009, 02:49 AM
#16
Pro
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater Seattle (via NH)
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In Monterey (and Carmel) there is the 17 mile drive. It is a very twisty very slow speed drive around the Monterey peninsula and on weekends full of tourists which reduces the average speed to about 20 mph. The closest I can relate it to would be the Palos Verdes area in LA. But 17 mile drive winds around the coastline - through some of the most expensive real estate in Ca. It is actually a toll road (about $9 to enter it). It goes past the Pebble Beach Golf Course (where the concours is held), and several other private golf courses in the area. There is also a road that climbs a way up Mt. Shasta in No Ca.
Ca Rt 1 from Monterey/Carmel down past San Simeon is THE ROAD for your trip. The Ca. coast is so remote south of Monterey there is no cell phone service most of the way.
Ca Rt 1 from Monterey/Carmel down past San Simeon is THE ROAD for your trip. The Ca. coast is so remote south of Monterey there is no cell phone service most of the way.
10-13-2009, 02:50 AM
#17
It's 17 mile drive...great scenery, but certainly not a place where you going to use 500 hp.....! South of Monterey, near south end of Big Sur, on the ocean side of Hwy 1, stop and take in Nepenthe...great restaurant, fabulous views.
Denny
Denny
10-13-2009, 02:58 AM
#18
Drifting
Thread Starter
10-13-2009, 06:09 PM
#22
Drifting
Thread Starter
2010 BMW X5M Blk/Blk. Ordered to my spec, 1st allocation non "launch" vehicle.
It's amazing to write those specs in this thread and people think it's a Gallardo or Zo6, etc. What a great SUV
I'll have pics up on Monday.
10-13-2009, 08:22 PM
#24
Drifting
Thread Starter
Why would I be joking about a vehicle that:
0-60 in 4.1
555 HP
Does the ring in the same time as the E46 M3
Can tow a Pcar to the race track while at the same time, will best many if not most DE cars.
Is as fast on the drag strip as a 5 yr. old Dodge Viper (12 second times)
0-60 in 4.1
555 HP
Does the ring in the same time as the E46 M3
Can tow a Pcar to the race track while at the same time, will best many if not most DE cars.
Is as fast on the drag strip as a 5 yr. old Dodge Viper (12 second times)
10-13-2009, 11:34 PM
#26
Drifting
Thread Starter
10-14-2009, 01:42 AM
#27
Pro
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater Seattle (via NH)
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As you drive south from Monterey to Big Sur, you could call ahead and make an appointment at the Esalen Institute. This is one of the holdovers from the 60's. You can't just drop in. But if you call ahead and say you want to have someone evaluate getting your "mind right". Just bring plenty of pillows, whipped marshmallows and a lot of money. And prepare to have your mind unf***ed.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/esalen-institute-big-sur
If you've never visited the Hearst Castle (San Simeon) it is worth a tour. This is the second largest private home open to tourists in the U.S. (The Biltmore estate in S. Carolina is larger). At one point in time, either William Randolf Hearst (the movie Citizen Kane was made about him) or his father, owned about 80 miles of mid-California coastline.
If you drive south from SF down to Monterey Penninsula, stop in the towns of Monterey and Carmel. I promise you parking your new X5M on the street will draw nary a second glance. That's because you will see Ferraris, Austin Martins, Rolls Royce's, and lots of Porsches parked there - even not during the Concours week. Go for a walk at Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey. Gawk at all the beautiful California girls.
South of San Simeon is unknown to me. But I drove north from LA a long time ago - stopping along the beach and camping out. As an east coaster - I was surprised at how cold the Pacific ocean is. The Atlantic has prevailing currents that go north along the east coast. The Pacific ocean has currents that come South from Alaska along the Pacific coast. So even in summer, a wet suit is helpful for surfing.
There are lots of quaint rest stops all along Ca Highway 1 between Monterey and San Simeon. You won't have time to stop at all of them. Lots of restaurants & campgrounds which feature hiking trails that wind down through forest to the rocky coastline. Lots of elephant seals, an occasional whale to be seen (only at certain times of the year when the migrate between N & S America.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/esalen-institute-big-sur
If you've never visited the Hearst Castle (San Simeon) it is worth a tour. This is the second largest private home open to tourists in the U.S. (The Biltmore estate in S. Carolina is larger). At one point in time, either William Randolf Hearst (the movie Citizen Kane was made about him) or his father, owned about 80 miles of mid-California coastline.
If you drive south from SF down to Monterey Penninsula, stop in the towns of Monterey and Carmel. I promise you parking your new X5M on the street will draw nary a second glance. That's because you will see Ferraris, Austin Martins, Rolls Royce's, and lots of Porsches parked there - even not during the Concours week. Go for a walk at Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey. Gawk at all the beautiful California girls.
South of San Simeon is unknown to me. But I drove north from LA a long time ago - stopping along the beach and camping out. As an east coaster - I was surprised at how cold the Pacific ocean is. The Atlantic has prevailing currents that go north along the east coast. The Pacific ocean has currents that come South from Alaska along the Pacific coast. So even in summer, a wet suit is helpful for surfing.
There are lots of quaint rest stops all along Ca Highway 1 between Monterey and San Simeon. You won't have time to stop at all of them. Lots of restaurants & campgrounds which feature hiking trails that wind down through forest to the rocky coastline. Lots of elephant seals, an occasional whale to be seen (only at certain times of the year when the migrate between N & S America.
