12 days in April starting from Las Vegas
I've been reading links for California/Big Sur road trips, and am really overwhelmed by so much choice, could anyone help me?
This has to be a relaxing break for us, I want to do the driving so my husband can look out of the window at everything because he hasn't been to America before.
We are starting with 2 or 3 nights in Las Vegas (that's the not relaxing part).
I have found a hotel near Pismo Beach that I would like to get to for 2 or 3 nights so would prefer to be driving from the Los Angeles to San Francisco direction (South to North?).
We love to try new places to eat. If anyone could suggest diner's or family run places we'd love your advice, we don't want gourmet dining. My husband loves cars especially older vehicles so if there are any car museum's that would be great.
I am pretty frightened of the idea of driving in the biggest cities and would prefer to stop in scenic places and go look in some art galleries also. Thanks, Sandra
Relaxed is a State of Mind
There are several auto collections and museums in Las Vegas, including those at the Imperial Palace and the Caroll Shelby Museum at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Unfortunately, you're going to be too early for the Concours d'Elegance held in August each year in Pebble Beach, but art galleries abound around the Carmel/Monterey area at the north end of Big Sur. As far as eating in family run restaurants, I share your prediliction and have found that the best advice I've ever gotten or given is to "Inquire locally". Check with your hotel staff and at local visitor centers. The key, we've found, is to describe exactly what you're looking for and then ask "Where would YOU go?" In general, though, other than Las Vegas and getting around Los Angeles, this is going to be a very relaxing drive with lots of great scenery.
AZBuck
LA area art musuems & galleries --
If you're passing through LA there are 3 or 4 art musuems and galleries (actually areas) you might want to consider
There's the Getty Musuem of course -- one of the leading art musuems in the world these days. That's in Westwood, next to UCLA and very freeway close. Amazing collection...
There's also the Getty Villa, which was the original home of the Getty Musuem. It's in Malibu, and is a recreation of an ancient Roman Villa from Herculanium (near Pompeii). Very nice..
There's also the Norton Simon in Pasadena, which is one of the finest private collections of art. A very good museum.
Also near Pasadena is the Huntington Library & Museum. This is the old estate of Henry Huntington (founder of the Southern Pacific Railway and others), and is both a world-class collection of books and documents, and a pretty good art musuem. Their most famous painting is "Blue Boy" by Gainsbourgh.
For art galleries and etc -- Laguna Beach in Orange County is a famous artists colony and has been for decades. There's also a pretty good art musuem specializing in California landscapes and more modern art. But its fun to just walk through all the galleries of local artists (a couple of dozen I'd guess) or visit one of the many art festivals held there. The Pagent of the Living Masters is quite unbelievable, and associated with one of the larger art festivals there.
Santa Barbara is also a hot bed of design
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Larrison
It's not well known, but just about all the major world-wide car companies have their design centers near LA
One of the companies we profiled a few years ago, is based in Santa Barbara and was instrumental in designing the new VW Beetle and all of the Oscar Mayer Weinermobiles in recent years....
Thanks for this great list of other automotive collections.
In Las Vegas, there is a private collection of vintage convertibles owned by TV magnate Jim Rogers, called the Sunbelt Collection, and I have found that that curator is open to just about any sort of excuse for inviting folks to come check it out!
Mark
Mark You are really patient,
This "Road Turtle" thing... I wish I had saved the article with this words in. Are you familiar with 'cat's eye's? These are the reflective center road markers in the UK. When I read Road Turtle (perhaps it was a typo?) I just guessed it was some center road marking I hadn't heard of.
The article I read was saying in some places at Big Sur if you drive North/South you would be really close to the edge of the road and passenger's may feel reassurred if the driver kept nearer the centre of the road? I thought keeping near the centre of the road on a two lane highway would be first dangerous and second breaking some highway driving regulation?
You have posted great advice - we have decided to travel from Las Vegas, then stay somewhere in the Los Angeles area. Then travel South/North and stop at Pismo Beach,then Monteray, we decided not to stay in SF but get to (sorry for another typing mistake Mark) Bodega Bay (thanks Arizona Bob) before driving back to Las Vegas for our flight home.
Wow! you edited your last post and added a GREAT OTTER photograph I'm so glad I found this Forum and really appreciate your time.
