Hulk23

So assuming we come up with a trailer to get out cars there, what roads, routes, stops would you recommend being can't miss in Southern California? (From Monterrey to San Diego) We have done several Northern California trips from Monterrey North but never gone South. Any recommendations? We will be there in late July early August. Obviously Hwy 1 is a must but what other roads, places to stop, take pictures etc. that may be on or off the coast?

mattyf

Angeles Crest Hwy is one of the best twisty roads in SoCal. Grab lunch at Newcomb's ranch while you're there. Go on a weekday after morning traffic. Weekends have way too many people (racers, harleys, and bicyclists).

Edit... also watch out for cops it can be heavily policed down closer to town and an app like Waze can help. Also if you head off on Big Tuhunga it's also fun and not as much traffic.

Edgy01

I just drove my favorite again today, from Santa Barbara to Sacramento. Above San Luis Obispo you take the first exit off N101 once you cross the Cuesta Grade. Go into Santa Margarita (Route 58) and exit onto W Pozo Road and then onto 229 toward Creston. Then transition to Rt 41 to Shandon. (There's a nice park on the entry side of Shandon for a potty break). After Shandon, take 41 on toward 46 which after a very short run will take you to the 'town' of Cholame. Within Cholame is a memorial to James Dean who died in his 1955 550 about a mile and a half NE of that spot along Route 46. (Alignment is different from 1955 so you don't really cover that spot). The Route 229 portion of this route is narrow and about 1-1/2 lanes wide with no center marker. It is shared by the public but mostly ranchers use it to get in and out of their places. The real users are the Porsche Pushers and the Harley riders who have learned about this spot.

911 Crazy

Don't forget all the In-n-Out Burger stops!

Marine Blue

Mt Palomar.

Stop in Julian for some lunch and Pie. Or keep going and stop in Temecula for the evening where they have about 15 small wineries with a great selection of wines.

tarheel15

I second the Angeles Crest Highway (Rte 2) from La Canada on north. On a clear day, it's breathtaking. Also, Mulholland is well worth the visit.

RJT

Man, you are making me homesick.........



When in LA drive the Canyons.

Kika

Hwy 33 off 150 from Ojai.

CORSASCHNELL

I have lived in Southern California for 23 years now. Everyone knows our roads are heavily congested but the sad truth is that the nice twisty roads off the beaten path are also congested and full of cops. Having lived in the bay area for 2 years, I found many more roads north of SF with hardly any traffic and no cops.

As mentioned above Angeles Crest highway, Julian and PCH are always nice if you don't mind driving at posted speed limits.

Edgy01

IF you were going as far north as San Francisco I would have to recommend Route 1 off 101 to Stinson Beach--just don't try it when the school buses are running! It's a great series of linked twisties--a lot like snow skiing with linked turns!

Also, way up north of Point Arena, there is Route 128, with a great link between Route 1 and 101.

You need a great deal of time to do all of this. (It helps to live in the state and be retired).

dasams

When I bought my car in Long Beach last Dec, I had the pleasure of driving back to Marin and decided on 101 instead of Hwy 1 or 5. In Santa Barbara, I noticed Hwy 154 with a sign that said 'lights on next 35 miles'. Yep, 35 miles of twisties dave

Hulk23

Thanks everyone for your input.

mattyf- You are the second one to recommend that same drive so that will be added to the list for sure, and thanks for the input on where to stop as well.

911 Crazy- In and out is always on the list... especially if the Mrs. is with me!

marine blue- Are there decent places to stay in Temucula around the wineries if we want to stop in there for an evening?

Kika- 33 looks like a great route! Then maybe 166 back towards the coast?

Edgy 01- You are talking about my favorite area of california. We have spent a few trips up in that area. Up to Fort Bragg, Eureka, the Wine country, sonoma, all through 101 and 1. I don't think we are going to go that far North this time... we will see....

AP997S

Here's a nice Google Map done by a buddy of ours that leads a yearly pilgrimage to the Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_u...UFvbENzOWh4WDg

onedae

All the roads mentioned above are beautiful. My favorite is 33 north from Ojai into 66 west back to the coast. Also, 154 above Santa Barbara (State Street exit off 101) to Los Olivos and into 101.
Great lunch stop off 154 at the Cold Springs Tavern (not open everyday so check it out).
All these roads are pretty empty during the week and pretty jammed on the weekends. Tons of cops on the weekends but few during the week. Do NOT go to Angeles Crest on a Sunday - it's overloaded with crazy crotch rockets testing their limits. Have fun!!

Alan Smithee

I would think twice about that. As beautiful as it may be, it can be very crowded during the summer...