JCtx

Forgot to put 'requested' after info on the title; sorry about that. Anyway, plan on visiting SoCal from Oct 06 to Oct 10, primarily to take my wife to see her brother in Dana Point. Will arrive at LAX, rent an F-Type (probably the base one <340HP>, which has the same power as my 2016 CGTS), and was planning to do a loop of the Angeles Crest Highway (2) and San Gabriel Canyon (39) on our way to Dana Point that day, but google doesn't allow it; is it blocked or something? Could get to Cedar Springs and head back to Dana Point, as an alternative. Would that be worth it???

The next day (in Dana Point), was planning for a solo early drive to the Ortega Highway until Lake Elsinore and back (probably an hour or so, correct?). Is that recommended?

And finally, was thinking of Hwy 33 when we're in Santa Barbara. My wife gets dizzy with hairpins fairly quickly, and I don't enjoy them that much in a car (in a motorcycle a bit more, but prefer medium-speed twisties and sweepers with both types of vehicles), but would have to do 33 with her, since we'd be alone there. Would have to drive slower, but no big deal. Those are the roads I found on google maps. Looking for reassurances, and/or other suggestions. You can reply here, or PM me if desired. Thanks in advance.

Elumere

Angeles Crest highway is (or was until recently) restricted due to a sinkhole, making it a dead end. It looks like it might be back open. Call Newcombs Ranch for info, and go eat lunch there. Drive the 2 regardless of if it connects. 39 is not really worth it in my opinion, you're better off on the backside of the Angeles forest.

The Ortega highway is neat.

Route 33 is probably the best Porsche road. The turns aren't hairpin (until you are over the pass, there's a few), but rather long sweepers and sometimes baked cirves. The pavement is great, the landscape kills. If you like dystopian-light, end it in Maricopa and Taft on the Oil highway (Petrol Road or something) and drive those oittle connector roads between pumps. It's quite something, especially at sundown.

JCtx

Thanks a lot for your help; greatly appreciated. Called the restaurant, but no answer. Will keep trying. May I ask what you meant with 'drive the 2', since you said 39 wasn't worth it? If it was to go all around (in case it's still blocked) from the other side no way I have time to do it. If it's open, might be able to drive it all and back, but will have to calculate the time and mileage, to avoid rush-hour traffic towards Dana Point. Hope the first part of Hwy 2 is better than the last half (he he); seems less tight on the map.

Okay, I'll definitely drive the Ortega highway; thanks.

Finally, great news on hwy 33. But do you happen to have more detailed info on the roads between Maricopa and Taft? There're lots of them, and won't have time to wander around aimlessly. I also see hwy 154 out of Santa Barbara, but doesn't seem that nice, and only a small portion in green. Thanks again for all your help. Have a great weekend.

bronto

I've driven 33 between Maricopa and Taft many times, I wasn't aware there were other options. That's oil country, not something I think is attractive. However 166 from Maricopa to Santa Maria is a pretty drive, curvy but no hairpins. You can then head back down to So. Cal on 101. Taking 154 from Buellton to Santa Barbara is what most of us locals do, it saves about 15 minutes. Staying on 101 gives you an extra 30 minutes of driving on the coast, so you might appreciate it. 154 is mountain driving with traffic. Los Olivos, Solvang and Santa Ynez are interesting stops,along with the Chumash casino if that's your kind of thing. And that's wine country.

As for restaurants, there's a great place for pies in Ventucopa, and if you take 154 the Cold Springs Tavern is a GREAT stop.

Lastly, mind the traffic thru Santa Barbara. Southbound and the end of the weekend is bad.

bronto

I should have mentioned that there was a big fire along the 154 a few months ago. That area is still blackened.

JCtx

Thank you very much for all your help. Just got confirmation the F-Type I had rented (Sixt) is not available anymore (no reason). Damn. They only have a base E300 (17" wheels) as the next best, so moving on to something sportier. Hate Hertz, which is also a lot more expensive, but will probaby have to rent from them... just not a Camaro, Mustang, or Challenger, please. Ha ha. Also a lot less miles (75 vs 175) on nice cars, so even more expensive. I believe they had a C63 for about $300 more, and a base 911 for about $500 more... but before mileage surcharges, which I'd surely need with them. Oh well. We'll travel to Santa Barbara next Sunday from Dana Point, hopefully when others are coming back. Wife said after breakfast. Google shows 405 as the best route. We could take the Ortega highway, but would probably make it a lot longer, so I'd drive that highway alone on Saturday morning and head back to my wife's brother's house for breakfast. Thanks again for all the help and suggestions. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

JCtx

Sixt canceled the F-Type on me, so had to rent a C63AMG (apparently coupe) from Hertz instead. A lot heavier (and more expensive), but still a capable car. Wanted to try one (never owned a Benz before), as it could be my next car. My current 2016 Cayman GTS with X73 is a bit much for my wife for any long trip in both cabin noise and suspension-induced discomfort (18-way seats are awesome though). We'll see how she fares on the Benz. There won't be a nicer driving car than my little Cayman, so if she's not comfortable on that car either, no sense in replacing it. And even if she is, will think long and hard about doing that. He he.

Hey, was thinking of taking my V1 with only the Ka band active (all others cause massive false alarms), but wanted to hear if in CA, the CHP also use almost exclusively the Ka band, like in TX, NM and AZ. Otherwise, I'd leave it home. Not interested in constantly hearing false alarms. Thanks gang.

samurai_k

Hwy 1 from LAX all the way to Ventura is a great cruising drive. There are some cool canyons in Malibu that connect the 1 to the 101. Can't remember the roads as it's been a while I have been on them.

I grew up in SB and SYV area. There is beautiful country to drive through. Here are a few...

1. North of Santa Barbara there is the 156 that connects the 101 to Santa Ynez. Lots of history as this is the old stage coach route. At the top of the pass is Cold Springs Tavern which was a resting stop for the coaches and now a restaurant with bikers. If you want some twisty hairpins there is Old San Marcos pass that connects north SB to the 156.

2. Once you get to Santa Ynez there is a nice twisty drive on Ballard Canyon Road that connects Solvang and Los Olivos. Los Olivos is great place to get lunch or dinner as well some wine tasting as the local wineries all have tasting rooms. The wine cask is a great restaurant and wine store.

3. North of Los Olivos are some nice canyon roads. The drive to Rancho Sisquoc winery and Fess Parker winery is great. Lots of exploring you can do in these canyons...

Have fun but be careful. Lots of CHP and cyclists...

JCtx

Thank you folks. Didn't read the last post before leaving, but no way my wife was up to the Ballard Canyon road. Ha ha. But 154 was cool though, although more than half had traffic, so no fun there. Did the Ortega Highway and it was really nice, but lots of traffic too. Was able to have a bit of fun, but not much. The best road was 33 on our way to SB. My wife was with me and up to it, since it was too long to do by myself later. Didn't do it all, but had great luck when I was the first car to stop due to just 1 lane open near the bottom. Put that thing to dance big time, and with all modes in their most aggressive setting, it wasn't that bad. It actually handled a lot better than I thought for its weight (C63AMG), and when I caught up with the traffic ahead of us, just made a U-turn and caught traffic almost at the 1-lane stop, so had a good 1/2-hr of constant fun. That road on my X73 Cayman GTS would had been a hoot, but too far to drive there. Hertz also has a (base) Cayman, I believe, but want to rent the F-Type and 911 first. We're going there again in Feb or March, to pick up where we left, this time from SLO to Monterey, the entire BigSur area. Thanks again for all the great info and comments.

Elumere

You're welcome!

bronto

You do know that HWY 1 is closed, right?

JCtx

Knew it was closed from San Luis Obispo to Carmel (until today, supposedly), so basically canceled our BigSur trip, and instead visited my wife's brother in Dana Point, and ended the trip in Santa Barbara, visiting Ojai and Solvang. Plus there're a couple of fires now, so it wasn't a good time. Plan to do that one in late Feb or early March, starting where we left off, which would be San Luis Obispo, I guess. Hopefully in the F-Type this time.

bronto

Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge indeed opened on Friday:
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/highway_conditions.html

However the Mud Creek slide isn't going to be fixed any time soon.

https://www.wired.com/2017/05/photo-...pic-landslide/

The first link lists a detour, but I am not familiar with that road nor it's suitability for a sports car. But basically you can drive south until just past Lucia, detour over to 101 then back to the 1 at Cambria on the 46.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...789062502&z=10

Elumere

I've driven Nacimiento Road before. It's superbly tight, almost entirely consists of 1st/2nd gear twists and turns, but it leads up to a few hidden camp grounds and onto a high area that's utterly gorgeous. For us it was worth it. Has a certain rally feel to it.

Just curious: Is the road still locked below Nacimiento Road or above? I somehow cannot make it out of those maps.