Up The California Coast

[SoCalSmithie]

Hi everyone!

I'm planning a week-long road trip up the California coast, Los Angeles to San Francisco (farther up too if possible - perhaps, Mendocino) and back down to L.A. I'll be going sometime in the first two weeks of January 2006 with a friend who hasn't been to CA before (I live in San Bernardino and have been up north, but not for substantial periods of time. And, I've only driven the I-5 up). I'm driving a 2001 Ford Mustang (hard top - shame, but it'll be chilly, anyway, right? :) ). I've also bought the Lonely Planet California Coast road trip book and have been reading through that.

I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions for places to go/see, any routes to take, other books/literature to look at, any vehicle precautions (esp. since the trip is in January). We're also two college age women, so any advice about where to go/where to NOT go (a.k.a. danger) would help too!

Any help would be great!

Thanks so much!
Krystal

[Robert Schaller]

Welcome to the RTA forum!

Among my favorite spots on the northern coast is Fort Ross -- a former Russian settlement north of San Francisco. When we think of the settlement of North America, most people think of England, Holland, France and Spain -- but the Russians played a role as well. Fort Ross is a place to learn about it.

If you are interested in the 1950s "beat" scene, a not-to-be-missed landmark of that time is still there for you to see on the edge of Chinatown in San Francisco -- the City Lights Bookstore, where the beat poets held forth regularly.

I also really enjoyed the evening tour of Alcatraz -- they fill up though so make reservations ahead of time if you are interested in that.

For your vehicle, stop by to see your mechanic and tell them to check it out for a road trip -- they'll know what to look for and it shouldn't cost much (if you are a regular customer, they may not charge you at all) -- basically it's just a normal 15 or 20 point safety check.

Bob

[roadie]

Hi there,
Not sure what you like to see or do, but here's an itinerary that
I came up with of things that I've done and enjoy seeing. You'll have
a great time exploring.

Check your windshield wipers. Weather can be unpredictable in January
but always interesting. I've seen everything from Santa Ana winds
resulting in clear blue skies and warm weather to rain and fog.

Day 1
San Bernadino to San Luis Obispo.

Stop along the way at Santa Barbara or Solvang for lunch.
Explore either or both towns.

Take a bathroom break at the Madonna Inn. The Madonna Inn is famous
for their unusual themed rooms and bathrooms.
http://travel.discovery.com/fansites...athrooms7.html

Proceed to San Luis Obispo.

Explore downtown SLO.

Day 2
San Luis Obispo to Monterey
Drive to Hwy 1.

Stop at San Simeon. Take tour of Hearst Castle.
http://www.hearstcastle.com/

Stop to see elephant seals near Piedras Blanca Lighthouse.
http://www.pelicannetwork.net/sansimeon.html

Proceed to Monterey via Hwy 1.

Stop at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to see McWay Falls.
Iconic waterfall along the Big Sur coast.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=578

Take a break at Nepenthe. Sit on the deck and enjoy
a refreshment.
http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/

Arrive in Monterey.

Explore Cannery Row.

One place I've always wanted to stay at is Asilomar. It's part of the
California State Parks system. Call them as soon as possible for
availability.
http://www.visitasilomar.com/index.html

Day 3
Go to Monterey Bay Aquarium. Some hotels have packages with lodging
and admission to the aquarium.
http://www.mbayaq.org/

Spend afternoon doing:
Point Lobos hiking
http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us/
Explore Carmel
17 mile drive
See Monarch butterflies in Pacific Grove
http://www.ci.pg.ca.us/monarchs/default.htm

Spend another night in Monterey.


Moss Landing near Monterey on the way to San Francisco
Day 4
Drive Hwy 1 to San Francisco.

Sights to see in SF.
Alcatraz
Coit Tower
Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39/Embarcadero (Ferry Building)
Marin Headlands/Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Presidio
Fort Point/Crissy Field/Golden Gate Bridge
North Beach
Golden Gate Park (The new De Young Museum)
Ride cable cars
Muir Woods

Day 5
Drive to Mendocino via 101. Not sure I'd recommend this because it's a rather
long drive out and back. Rather than do this, I might suggest another
day in SF.

Stop at Anderson Valley Brewery for a taste at least for the non driver.

Things to do:
Explore Mendocino.
Hike Stornetta Public Lands, newly acquired by the Feds. The trailhead
is along the road to the Point Arena Lighthouse (Lighthouse Road).
Visit Point Arena Lighthouse.
http://www.pointarenalighthouse.com/default.html

Day 6
Drive to Napa Valley.
Explore wineries.

Day 7
Drive Hwy 5 back home (6-7 hours).

[SoCalSmithie]

What a great help! Thanks so much! :)

[roadie]

Have a great trip. Let us know how your trip went.

I've always loved the coastal route between LA and SF, ever since
I was a kid on family vacations. I especially enjoy it during the winter
and spring seasons when the hills are covered in green.

The towns along Hwy 101 from Santa Barbara, Solvang, San Luis
Obispo, and Paso Robles are very quaint. It's wine country all
along the central coast too, if that's your interest.

A short cut route option from Hwy 101 in Santa Barbara would be
Hwy 154 which cuts into the mountains past Lake Cachuma
and reconnects to Hwy 101. It's a two lane mountain road, but
cuts some time off the trip. Another small town along this
route is Los Olivos.

Exploring the back roads between Solvang and Santa Maria is worthwhile
too. Stop at a winery and have a picnic lunch.

Consult a map to find your way around and drive safely.

[Mark Sedenquist]

I've also bought the Lonely Planet California Coast road trip book and have been reading through that.

Krystal,
One of the places that Paige discusses in her book is the seal lion sanctuary. Be sure to plan to take some time -- the docents are very knowledgeable and the antics of these massive critters are quite fun to watch. Here is a photo from my recent visit there. Plus, this thread has a bunch of local information about this region.

Mark

[Syv]

Check your windshield wipers. Weather can be unpredictable in January
but always interesting. I've seen everything from Santa Ana winds
resulting in clear blue skies and warm weather to rain and fog.

Great ideas. I'm looking into doing a similar trip in the hopefully near future. What temps are we looking at in January? Will there be snow anywhere along the coastal route of California?

[roadie]

Syv,
No worries about snow along Hwy 101 or Hwy 1 between LA and
SF. It would be a freakish event if it snowed. Towards the North
Coast in the more mountainous areas, I'm uncertain about the
likelihood of snow.

Mostly you need to be prepared for rain. Temperatures are pretty moderate,
lows in the low 40's and highs probably in the mid 60's. Rain can vary in
intensity from drizzle to Biblical.

On some rainy years you might have to alter your route due to mudslides.

Last year there were major slides in La Conchita just south of Santa
Barbara. I don't recall if Hwy 101 was closed, but it did cause
traffic delays.

Some rainy years, Hwy 1 can also experience road closures, in particular
around Big Sur.

Parts of Hwy 101 north of Willits can also have road closures due to
mudslides.

You'll have to check with Caltrans or CHP for road closures.

Snow along I-5 at the Grapevine (south of Bakersfield) is not
unusual.

Great ideas. I'm looking into doing a similar trip in the hopefully near future. What temps are we looking at in January? Will there be snow anywhere along the coastal route of California?

[roadie]

Another place to see elephant seals in at Ano Nuevo State Reserve:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523

It's along the San Mateo Coast. I've never been there, but it's on
my list of places to visit. It's 55 miles south of SF.

I believe you need to make a reservation to take a walking tour.

Krystal,
One of the places that Paige discusses in her book is the seal lion sanctuary. Be sure to plan to take some time -- the docents are very knowledgeable and the antics of these massive critters are quite fun to watch. Here is a photo from my recent visit there. Plus, this thread has a bunch of local information about this region.

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

I believe you need to make a reservation to take a walking tour.

Not really necessary -- docents are around most days

Mark

[Correction -- I had the preserves mixed up -- yes at Ano Nuevo State Reserve you do need those reservations]