bucket list road trips?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 252
Likes: 16
bucket list road trips?
Do you have a wish list of drives in your 996?
I did a 600 mile trip from Jackson hole to Red lodge Montana and back that was really great.
I hope to do Zion and Brice canyon this fall as well as the PCH
The Chief joseph highway is so twisty and hilly it was great just to do the speed limit of 65 most of the time.
I did a 600 mile trip from Jackson hole to Red lodge Montana and back that was really great.
I hope to do Zion and Brice canyon this fall as well as the PCH
The Chief joseph highway is so twisty and hilly it was great just to do the speed limit of 65 most of the time.
Last edited by wyo; Mar 10, 2015 at 05:52 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 458
Likes: 5
From: Maple Ridge
Bucket list item: buy a turbo in SoCal and drive it home on the PCH
A great drive is from vancouver to jasper...have done vancouver to banff many times and thats pretty awesome.
Crowsnest highway from hope to fernie is spectacular but long.
A great drive is from vancouver to jasper...have done vancouver to banff many times and thats pretty awesome.
Crowsnest highway from hope to fernie is spectacular but long.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 252
Likes: 16
One thing that surprised me as a new owner of a 996 is what's great touring car it is
Silky smoth on the open road, pretty comfortable, easy to get the cabin temp just right.
The car loves to cruise in 5th and 6th gear.
Silky smoth on the open road, pretty comfortable, easy to get the cabin temp just right.
The car loves to cruise in 5th and 6th gear.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 796
Likes: 3
From: Capital Region of NY
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 198
Likes: 1
I lived for years in both Monterey and San Francisco.
Highway 1 is great anywhere, but the stretch south from Carmel to Paso Robles, or in Marin going north are far better than the stretch between Carmel and SF.
There are many great loops in the area that have a portion of the route along Hwy 1. My personal favorite:
Start in Monterey. Begin with a full tank, as you'll be driving in areas that lack fuel for long stretches at a time and run through unimproved areas. And part of the route is on a Federal military base, so have your papers in order, and behave appropriately, or you'll learn a lot about MPs. And you cell phone will have spotty or no coverage along the way. Best traversed in company with a second vehicle, as you may be waiting a long, long time if you have difficulty in a rural area.
Begin going south from Monterey to Carmel, and south on Carmel Valley Rd (G16). Follow Carmel Valley Road south to the end, and continue on G16, although now it's Arroyo Seco Rd, headed towards Greenfield.
At Greenfield go S on 101 for ~10 miles. Just N of King City, take the exit for Jolon Rd. Jolon Rd only goes south from 101.
Jolon Road will take you into Fort Hunter Liggett. You will have to pass muster with MPs (provide your license, registration, and insurance) before being allowed onto the post. If you have time on the post, the Mission San Antonio de Padua is there, and as the least visited of the California missions, it is quite a contrast to the more famous Carmel Mission.
Continue S on Jolon road, until the only intersection, with Mission Rd, about three miles into FHL. Turn to the west on Mission Rd.
Somewhere along the way, Mission Road turns into Naciemiento - Ferguson Rd.
Naciemiento - Ferguson is a peek into the past - 1 1/2 lanes wide, beginning in the valley, and winding its way across the coastal range through stands of oak trees, and ending with a drop down into Hwy 1. There are no developments, few signs or guardrails, but the best, most unspoiled land, for mile after mile. A relatively unknown gem, and perhaps my favorite coastal road in central California. There are better roads in the far north of the state, but they're a long way away.
At Hwy 1, fall in behind a knot of traffic, and make your way north, back to Monterey. Enjoy the view, because Hwy 1 is double-striped all they way between Carmel and Hearst Castle. You can't make time on this road, unless you got up a 5AM on a Sunday in Monterey, and rode or drove to the south down Hwy 1. Just settle back, enjoy the cruise, and drink in the scenery. There can be fog in the AM and late afternoon on Hwy 1. Leave Monterey at 10AM, and you have a good chance of clear weather along Hwy 1 in the afternoon.
Non-driving enjoyment can be found south of Carmel at either Pt. Lobos (my mother was a docent there), or Missionary Beach. There is a Carmelite Mission on the landward side of Hwy 1, and the chapel is open to the public. As you might expect, the views from the chapel, and the chapel itself, are worth seeing. The Sisters have taken vows of silence and are cloistered, so don't expect much in conversation, if you happen across a member of the order. And the chapel is closed to the public when the sisters are worshiping inside.
Back in Monterey, refuel and reflect on one of the best sections of coastal roads on the US.
it scores a 95 on my 100 pt scale of approval. Lots of incomparable rural roads, and just a bit of Interstate 101 along the way.
~175 miles, and allow 5 hours. Other than short stretches north and south of the 101, you won't be making great time.
Highway 1 is great anywhere, but the stretch south from Carmel to Paso Robles, or in Marin going north are far better than the stretch between Carmel and SF.
There are many great loops in the area that have a portion of the route along Hwy 1. My personal favorite:
Start in Monterey. Begin with a full tank, as you'll be driving in areas that lack fuel for long stretches at a time and run through unimproved areas. And part of the route is on a Federal military base, so have your papers in order, and behave appropriately, or you'll learn a lot about MPs. And you cell phone will have spotty or no coverage along the way. Best traversed in company with a second vehicle, as you may be waiting a long, long time if you have difficulty in a rural area.
Begin going south from Monterey to Carmel, and south on Carmel Valley Rd (G16). Follow Carmel Valley Road south to the end, and continue on G16, although now it's Arroyo Seco Rd, headed towards Greenfield.
At Greenfield go S on 101 for ~10 miles. Just N of King City, take the exit for Jolon Rd. Jolon Rd only goes south from 101.
Jolon Road will take you into Fort Hunter Liggett. You will have to pass muster with MPs (provide your license, registration, and insurance) before being allowed onto the post. If you have time on the post, the Mission San Antonio de Padua is there, and as the least visited of the California missions, it is quite a contrast to the more famous Carmel Mission.
Continue S on Jolon road, until the only intersection, with Mission Rd, about three miles into FHL. Turn to the west on Mission Rd.
Somewhere along the way, Mission Road turns into Naciemiento - Ferguson Rd.
Naciemiento - Ferguson is a peek into the past - 1 1/2 lanes wide, beginning in the valley, and winding its way across the coastal range through stands of oak trees, and ending with a drop down into Hwy 1. There are no developments, few signs or guardrails, but the best, most unspoiled land, for mile after mile. A relatively unknown gem, and perhaps my favorite coastal road in central California. There are better roads in the far north of the state, but they're a long way away.
At Hwy 1, fall in behind a knot of traffic, and make your way north, back to Monterey. Enjoy the view, because Hwy 1 is double-striped all they way between Carmel and Hearst Castle. You can't make time on this road, unless you got up a 5AM on a Sunday in Monterey, and rode or drove to the south down Hwy 1. Just settle back, enjoy the cruise, and drink in the scenery. There can be fog in the AM and late afternoon on Hwy 1. Leave Monterey at 10AM, and you have a good chance of clear weather along Hwy 1 in the afternoon.
Non-driving enjoyment can be found south of Carmel at either Pt. Lobos (my mother was a docent there), or Missionary Beach. There is a Carmelite Mission on the landward side of Hwy 1, and the chapel is open to the public. As you might expect, the views from the chapel, and the chapel itself, are worth seeing. The Sisters have taken vows of silence and are cloistered, so don't expect much in conversation, if you happen across a member of the order. And the chapel is closed to the public when the sisters are worshiping inside.
Back in Monterey, refuel and reflect on one of the best sections of coastal roads on the US.
it scores a 95 on my 100 pt scale of approval. Lots of incomparable rural roads, and just a bit of Interstate 101 along the way.
~175 miles, and allow 5 hours. Other than short stretches north and south of the 101, you won't be making great time.
Last edited by sfv_rider; Jun 9, 2014 at 12:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 252
Likes: 16
Great post sfv_rider
Now I have to go do that section - the only draw back is that I am stuck in JH until mid October. I drive back to Sea for a couple of months, if I drive straight home its about 900 miles if I detour to the California coast it is about 2223.
I did part of the central coast about 4 years ago in October and had really bad weather but that is when I can get a break from work.
Now I have to go do that section - the only draw back is that I am stuck in JH until mid October. I drive back to Sea for a couple of months, if I drive straight home its about 900 miles if I detour to the California coast it is about 2223.
I did part of the central coast about 4 years ago in October and had really bad weather but that is when I can get a break from work.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 424
Likes: 3
From: Mass
The Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia is tops on my list. Lots of twisty up and and down coastline in a place populated by very hospitable people.
The highway from Moncton to Kouchibougiac is second. Drove it for 2 hours on a summer day without seeing another car.
The highway from Moncton to Kouchibougiac is second. Drove it for 2 hours on a summer day without seeing another car.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Mid Mo
I lived in Carmel/Monterey/Pebble for 5 years....PCH one from Carmel to Big Sur...then up from Carmel to SF...take your time and enjoy the road and the views. Post Ranch for lunch or get a sandwich from Compagno’s Market & Deli....trust me on this one...great food and locals keep it a secret. Carmel Valley road is fun and sunny if the fog is in then over the grade to Lagua Seca for some laps.