California Road Trips

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Questions for all you Californians…

A few people at work up here in Vancouver, BC are thinking of doing a road trip down to LA to attend E3 - the big entertainment expo (one of our projects is having a big showing there). There’s always an option to fly down, but after working like madmen for the last year and a half we all kind of want to take it easy. The trip is more of a destination than the even at the end.

My question to all of you is: Any suggestions for good places to stop along the way?

We could get down to LA pretty quickly if we wanted but I’m thinking something along the lines of a week or so stopping off at vineyards and various interesting cities.

Specific questions…

  1. Can a large group stay at some vineyards and do wine tasting type stuff?
  2. Can you suggest any particular ones?
  3. What cities? We’ve all got friends in SanFran but I’m sure there’s a hell of a lot more to offer in other locations.
  4. Think a week will be enough?
  5. Is there a good site I could go to in order to find good tourist information? I did a search but didn’t come up with anything much more specific than “c’mon down - the weather’s great!”.

Thanks in advance!
-n

2

Your first big decision is I-5 or Highway 101 and when? Obviously, you can take I-5 all the way to L.A. and I’m sure somebody will tell you there are good things to see along the way, but you’re most likely going to want to head over to 101 at some point. Highway 101 and/or Highway 1 is the way to go–not as fast, but better things to see. To get to the vineyards of Napa Valley, head west on Highway 20 (I think) past Clear Lake, and then down into Napa, or go to I-80 and then go north to Napa. For a taste of Northern California (and I’m a native of the true North Coast, so San Francisco barely qualifies in my book), take either 199 from Grants Pass to Cresent City or 299 from Redding to Arcata, then go down 101. This route takes you through redwood country, and between Cresent City and Eureka are the most beautiful beaches on earth. (Highway 1 in Mendocino is also a good beach road). This route will take more time–highway 101 is old and there are places where passing is an adventure, but it is a very pretty drive. Eureka has a marvelous resturant called Hurricane Annie’s with desserts to die for(as well as several other good places to eat), and Ferndale is a Victorian Village with charm coming out its evry inch.

Also check out Pt. Lobos just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Big Sur, a bit farther south–both on Highway 1. Monterey is a great town to visit, as is Carmel (although Carmel is a complete tourist madhouse during the summer, Monterey is only a partial tourist hell).

You may try looking for county websites (north coast ones are Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma, Marin), or check out the cities I mentioned above. Oh, and once you get past Big Sur, there’s nothing to see, so you can just haul on down to L.A. :smiley:

3

Woohoo! Thanks Kallessa. I think I need to get a map…

So - do you think it’s possible to see most of those things in a week and still stay relaxed? Relaxation is the key :slight_smile:

If it isn’t possible what would you say are the specific highlights?

I’ve never been down to California so I’m kind of thrashing around…

-n

4

In the order asked:

  1. Yes, but prepare to pay hugely inflated lodging and meal prices. The wine country is among the most high rent districts in the entire state short of Beverly Hills.

  2. If money is no object, dine at The French Laundry (~$150 per person). You may never have a better meal in your entire life. Otherwise I recommend The Union Hotel in Occidental. A bit out of the way, they nonetheless have an affordable and toothsome menu of hearty Italian fare.

  3. To see California at its (time consuming) finest. Cut over from Interstate 5 to the coast of California using Highway 199. Proceed down highway 101 past Eureka and its incredible Victorian houses. Make sure to hit charming Ferndale before you continue south through the Avenue of the Giants where there are some of the largest redwood trees in the world.

Proceed south and just before Willits, head west on Highway 1. This will take you out to the coast once more. There you will encounter the Russian colonial settlement of Fort Ross. Continuing south you will arrive in the famous coastal artist’s enclave of Mendocino. While pricey, it is incredibly picturesque. Continue down Highway 1 and cut inland on Highway 116 to enter the wine country. While in the wine country, you may wish to visit the Krug and Korbel Champagne cellars, the Vichon winery and many others. You will need to sort through the vast opportunities for wine tasting and remember that many of them are no longer free.

From there you can head down to San Francisco. Be sure not to miss the Musee Mechanique and definitely avoid the overpriced restaurants at Fisherman’s Wharf in favor of The Tadich Grill. In operation since right after the Civil War they have some of the best seafood in town at medium-high prices. Check out the soon to open Asian Art Museum and its spectacular Avery Brundige jade collection.

Slide across the bay to Berkeley to visit Chez Panisse where California cusine was born. Located in the heart of Berkeley’s gourmet ghetto, it was one of the first true French restaurants on the Pacific west coast. For good Mexican food, hit La Fiesta for their incredible flautas and superb sopa de pollo con arroz. Both are timeless classics and stand up tp the best Mexican food anywhere.

As you head south to Los Angeles, make the big decision about continuing along the coast or taking Interstate 5. The coast will take you through Monterey and its fabulous aquarium. Further south is the breathtaking Big Sur seashore. Be sure to head inland to hit Solvang, the Danish capitol of America. Authentic smorgasbord, hand dipped chocolates and pastries await you. The Santa Ynez valley contains many wineries that are beginning to produce world class vintages.

A few hours later and you will be in Los Angeles. If you need advice on where to visit in La La Land. Please indicate so and I’ll be glad to post some destinations.

  1. You can do all of this in one week, not counting your time in LA for the convention. A 48 hour straight shot back up Interstate 5 will see you home.

  2. Cross links from the sites I have provided should flesh out things a bit.

Enjoy the most beautiful state in the Union,

Zenster

5

Uhh… yup. I think I’m going to do what Zenster said.

That reply is a thing of beauty. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

-n

6

A little more information:

From Portland, Oregon to Eureka is 400 miles. Because 199 is narrow and windy, I say it take 7 to 8 hours to drive, with minimal stops. But you may want to stop (talking California only, you can sight see in Oregon another trip) at Jeremiah State Park for a picnic in the redwoods. South of Crescent City is a little tourist trap called Trees of Mystery. It has a giant Paul Bunyan and Babe, the Blue Ox. In the right mood, with a group of people, this place can be a giggle. Just before Orick is Lady Bird Grove, a wonderful redwood grove with magnificant ferns. You can see the largest herd of Roosevelt elk near Prairie Creek (late afternoon is good). 35 miles north of Eureka is the seaside town of Trinidad. In addition to some great beach access, there is now an Indian Casino in Trinidad that has a great resturant–very good food and a great view. In Eureka, you may want to spend some time in Old Town–I’m sure the link Zenster provided will give you details (best store is Humboldt’s Finest, selling items from regional artist of all types, really beautiful stuff!). There’s a fairly good brewery in town–Lost Coast Brewery–try the Alleycat Amber. You could drive to Eureka and see the sights (including Ferndale and the Avenue of the Giants) in a long day and a half or two days, but if you wasnt to take a long walk in the redwoods or on the beach, plan on two and a half days.

Between Eureka and San Francisco is about 350 miles, on 101, we always say it’s a 6 hour drive (if you don’t hit traffic south of Santa Rosa); going on Highway 1 will add some miles, and time–it’s a narrow road and the view is fantastic, so you won’t want to drive fast. On 101, this leg shouldn’t take more than a full day, and that includes cutting over to Napa to spend the night–plan a whole day for Napa Valley, it’s pretty and several wineries are worth taking a bit of time at–a few have deli food, so you could save some money and plan of a picnic lunch. If you go to Mendocino, I say that’s a day from Eureka (with time to look around), then half a day to get down to Napa.

Oh, this brings us to weather. The Northern California coast is foggy most of the year. It will burn off in mid-day (sometimes), but you need to be around in August and September to even think about depending on sunshine. Napa will be much sunnier much earlier in the year–by the end of April you can usually count on good weather most days. South of San Francisco, still foggy until you hit, well, say Santa Barbara. Again, when 101 heads inland, you’ll have nice weather most of the year.

Have fun, and spend alot of money in Eureka–my family lives there, and anything to help the economy is greatly appreciated!

7

Niggle,

I’m happy to oblige. You might be able to tell I am that most rare of local fauna, a California native. I love this state and adore sharing it with appreciative people.

While in LA be sure to visit America’s finest greasy spoon diner, The Original Pantry. Order the New York strip steak and be sure not to miss the cole slaw. They are a legend and a mandatory stop for myself whenever I visit the area.

Try and hit the La Brea Tar Pits for fun. I’ve always liked the Huntington Museum with its rare books library and botanical gardens. Imagine vellum editions of Gutenberg Bibles, Benjamin Franklin’s hand written autobiography, Audubon bird books and more. I haven’t seen the new Getty Museum yet but I’ve heard it’s excellent.

Have Fun,

Zenster

8

You can order a free visitor’s guide to California:
http://www.compulog.com/gocal/gocalorder.cfm
Hopefully it will arrive in time.
You’re going to have great fun! :cool:

9

When you’re ready to leave San Francisco (if you feel you must), take CA-1 south to Santa Cruz and Monterey, and connect to US 101 somehwere after that. SF-Monterey is an absolutely fantastic drive, with numerous beaches along the way. Spend a few hours at San Gregorio (just south of JCT CA-84), and then when you work up some hunger, stop somewhere in Santa Cruz and enjoy the quaint hippie-student-stoner vibe. It really is a lovely little town. With a nice waterfront.