bcrdukes

Hi folks,

I'm planning on taking my 911 on a West Coast road trip from Vancouver, BC down to San Diego, CA.

I know the drive down the I-5 can be a bit boring but I do plan on making a stop in San Francisco to visit some friends/family and then in Los Angeles, followed by San Diego.

Any suggested "fun" routes to take? I've never taken the 101 or PCH the whole way. Also, any particular brands of gas stations to avoid? The goal is to head down in March/April, so I have to do some preliminary planning and get new summer tires. Thanks in advance!

Mike

tomc_mets

Not familiar enough with coastal roads in Cali to comment, but as far as gas stations, I find this a useful web site: http://www.toptiergas.com/

T

tradervic

Too many to list.

Email me at user name at gmail and I'll shoot you over some itineraries.

- Vic

www.facebook.com/PorscheDrive

Comanche_699

There are many amazing roads between Vancouver & San Diego - the choices are nearly infinite! Haha - I'll try and post a few of my favorites, but there are so many options - how long do you plan to be on the road? Is this a one week or one month trip?
Dan

ltcjmramos

I've done the Hwy 1/PCH trip a few times. That's really all you need for your travels.

As Comanche_699 notes, lots of good driving roads around your stopping points. Let us know when you're in SF if you're interested in joining up for a drive.

Check out
http://www.pashnit.com/motoroads.htm
http://www.motorcycleroads.us/

bcrdukes

I'm thinking a week and a bit at the very most. I drove the I-5 down to LA before when I bough the Alfa Romeo Spider in San Fran and boy, that was a boring drive.

E-mail sent!

I will definitely hit you guys up if the time permits!

How would you describe the drive along PCH? I know it's possible to take it from SF to LA but I understand there are stretches of PCH that are heavily patrolled by CHP and the speed limits are a bit low.

Thanks guys!

br911

do not forget to take one of the canyon roads up from PCH when you get to Malibu, drive up to Mulholland Dr., etc. Check out the map of a recent GT3 drive around that area in the 991GT3 forum - that could be a good guide. And if you like Sushi, you might want to stop at Nobu in Malibu, just to recharge. Enjoy.

ltcjmramos

If you're looking for very high speed roads, neither I5, 101, nor 1 will do, but on 101 and 1 you can go briskly, the roads are curvey, and the scenery is beautiful. Well worth the extra time. Fortunately, never had a CHP encounter on these roads.

If your goal is to get from Vancouver to San Diego, take I5, but if the drive is key, avoid it.

PVKPorsche

I have done the So Cal to No Cal a few times. 101 & PCH, that way you can hit places like Carmel, San Simeon and the down south here you can drive from LAX-PCH all the way down to a San Clemente and then eventyally back onto the 5 pass by Camp Pendleton and then get pack on PCH and take it the rest of the way to San Diego. A great trip, a lot to see and even better in a Porsche

bcrdukes

pkancel,

Thanks for sharing your experience! How's the drive on PCH down to San Diego? I have only ever taken the I-5 down that way and unfortunately, in the rain - an awful experience I tell you! I looked on Google maps and it looks like PCH ends at Camp Pendelton / San Clemente.

I have some family in LA and San Diego I need to visit so they are "must stop" cities for me. I need to plan my vacation in advance in order to maximize travel and fun time. Thanks again!

Mike

PVKPorsche

Its a nice ride, albeit much much longer on wends due to increased traffic. Yes rainy days would be horrible but I used to drive to San Diego twice a week when I first moved here and drove that route, PCH each time just to enjoy the coastline and small towns. A lot of stop and go but very relaxing. Yes, at San Onofre-Nuclear Station/Pendelton, slightly before you have to go around by getting back on the 5, then when you get to Oceanside, take the first exit and get back on PCH. From there, nice drive all the way to Diego. Its a very different drive than up North because the drive up North has longer stretches of coastline with no towns, just views where as down South its all town driving but still exceptional. My wife and I and a friend and his wife did that drive from San Diego up to San Fran a few years ago. We were in my wifes Boxster and he was in his 996 cab, other than trying to keep up with him when he decided to blast away, it was an unfortgettable drive. You will enjoy, please post afterwards and let everyone know.