S12PPL From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 6 days ago) and read 1542 times:
Well, this Friday night I leave for a 15+ hour drive to Southern California. I've been asked to come instruct at an umpire camp down there for a week. I'm going to stop in the Bay Area each way for a day to rest, and see family.
Is there anything to see, or any good places to stop in I-5 between the Bay Area and So Cal??? I'm gonna be bored enough on that stretch. I have a unit in my car to play DVD's, etc., so I have entertainment. But, how about good things to do/see?
AirCop From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 1527 times:
I-5 from I-580 to So. Cal has got to be the one of the most boring highways in the country ranks up with I-70 in Kansas and anything in Western Texas.. In short nothing to see or do. But the good news the CHP won't request your signature until you're near 85-90. (all bets off if the plane is out doing speed work).
Luv2fly From United States of America, joined May 2003, 11957 posts, RR: 51 Reply 2, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 1525 times:
Tootallsd From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 542 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 1518 times:
I would drive down 101 or 1. 101 will take somewhat longer -- a ffew hours more but be infinitely more rewarding.
KaiGywer From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 12028 posts, RR: 43 Reply 4, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 1505 times:
Quoting S12PPL (Thread starter): I have a unit in my car to play DVD's, etc., so I have entertainment
Chrisair From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 1774 posts, RR: 4 Reply 6, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 1475 times:
It's six hours (if that) from the 580 to So Cal. There's absolutely nothing except cows, grass and a four lane freeway.
Be careful if you go the 152 to 154 to the 5 route. That intersection between 152 and 154 can be very deadly.
FutureSDPDcop From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 1291 posts, RR: 5 Reply 8, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 1460 times:
I always stop in Grapevine, CA (the north end of the grapevine) as it serves as a halfway point between San Diego and Livermore. Nothing out there except a quick gas and food stop. You could always spend a day at Magic Mtn. Other than that, there is not much else to do or see out there in farm land.
My best time travelling the 463 miles is 6 hours and 30 mins, which includes my 15 minute stop at Grapevine. Mind you, this was leaving SD at 6am so there wasn't much traffic.
TAM1079 From United States of America, joined May 2005, 92 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 1429 times:
The 101/1 HANDS DOWN!!! If you are strapped for time, the 101 isn't that much longer than taking the 5. A much more rewarding view of the California coast. Tons of cool little towns, and other assorted Americana down the 101. Enjoy!
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 10, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 1409 times:
Quoting Ba757gla (Reply 5): i thought it was only about 8 hours to drive SFO - LAX or are you driving furher!
It isn't that long, unless you are caught in some sort of traffic. Also, he is driving from Oregon.
I have to agree that the 101 drive is much better. Doing the entirety of 1 would be best, but that would definately slow you down. 101 is nearly as fast as 5 if you are going the same speed (even shorter for some routes) but you can almost never do the kind of speeds on the 101 as on the 5 through the Central Valley.
Here is my question. Where exactly in Southern California are you going? If you are going to San Diego or Orange County, 5 would probably be the best. If you are going to many parts of Los Angeles or Ventura County however, 101 is going to be shorter
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
AeroWesty From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 18889 posts, RR: 64 Reply 11, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 1403 times:
From downtown SF to Hollywood has always clocked in at 5 1/2 hours for me, but at least 7 hours via the 101. The Bayshore traffic, Ventura traffic, and the requisite stop at the Madonna Inn are always time killers.
Heading south out of Portland, stop at Medford to gas up, because it's going to be until Red Bluff before you can get any decent prices again. Dunsmuir is a nice spot to stop, but if you aren't going to tour the Dunsmuir House, just keep on going.
Remember to take the Willows cutoff going into the Bay Area, you'll save an hour or more. The cheapest place for gas is the ARCO right before you cross the Carquinez Straits on I-80. And I mean it's right before you cross, the very last exit, turn off, swing around, and you'll see it. (It's been a couple of years since I've driven that way, so it might be something else than an ARCO now. I could eek it out from Medford to the bridge on one tank no problem.)
Heading south out of the Bay Area, stop at Pea Soup Andersen's just outside of Los Banos. You'll see the signs. It's the only decent restaurant for 350 miles if you're hungry. Kettleman City is almost exactly halfway between SF and LA, so if you want to do it in one quick trip, you can stop there too, and they have a Carl's Jr.
I've been riding/driving down 5 between SF and LA or on the way to Fresno since before there was even a 5, LOL. It's BORING!
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 12, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 1392 times:
Quoting AeroWesty (Reply 11): From downtown SF to Hollywood has always clocked in at 5 1/2 hours for me, but at least 7 hours via the 101. The Bayshore traffic, Ventura traffic, and the requisite stop at the Madonna Inn are always time killers.
You are more likely thinking of Santa Barbara traffic than Ventura traffic. Santa Barbara is hell on the weekends because of tourists but Ventura is never that bad and has gotten even better because of the rebuilding and widening of the Santa Clara River Bridge.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
AeroWesty From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 18889 posts, RR: 64 Reply 13, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 1389 times:
So the traffic on the Ventura between about Ventu Park and Laurel Cyn. doesn't got stop and go, sit and wait, stop and go, sit and wait, stop and go any longer?
I wasn't sure whether he'd be driving thru L.A. on Saturday or Sunday nights, but Sunday can be hell on wheels all the way from Santa Babs to L.A. cos of weekenders returning.
Oldman55 From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 1517 posts, RR: 38 Reply 14, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 1389 times:
Quoting Luv2fly (Reply 2): Anything over 4 hours and I would fly!
totally agree and with gas prices in CA over$3.00 a gallon It would probably not cost that much more to fly, if You can get a discounted ticket.
too bad most of us get too soon old and too late smart
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 15, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 1381 times:
Quoting Oldman55 (Reply 14): totally agree and with gas prices in CA over$3.00 a gallon It would probably not cost that much more to fly, if You can get a discounted ticket.
Actually, it would likely cost less, though if he needs a car it may be cheaper than renting.
Quoting AeroWesty (Reply 13): So the traffic on the Ventura between about Ventu Park and Laurel Cyn. doesn't got stop and go, sit and wait, stop and go, sit and wait, stop and go any longer?
Ventu Park Road is in Thousand Oaks, which is like 20 miles from Ventura. Usually, traffic at rush hours slows from Borchard to Lynn (only about 2-3 miles) and then speeds up from Lynn all the way through to Calabasas. At times it slows after Las Virgenes and is hit or miss till it widens in Woodland Hills. It slows up around 405 as well as near the 134.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
AeroWesty From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 18889 posts, RR: 64 Reply 16, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 1380 times:
Quoting N1120A (Reply 15): which is like 20 miles from Ventura
LOL, I think we were misunderstanding each other earlier. I was referring to the Ventura as the 101 not the city.
S12PPL From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 17, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 1370 times:
Thanks for all the input, guys!
I'm driving to San Bernardino. I think the 101 will take me longer to get to San Bernardino, won't it? I have a big window of time to get to San Bernardino. I just need to be there between noon and 3 PM on Sunday. I'm going to assume traffic shouldn't be that bad on a Sunday? Either way, I'm prepared for a long, boring drive down the central valley. I've seen it from the air a bunch of times flying into LA....And wow. And I've driven it one time, in 2002.
I was just hoping someone here knew some nice restaraunt along the way, or something to stop off and see. Sounds like the central valley offers nothing, unless you are traveling 99.
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 18, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 1368 times:
Quoting AeroWesty (Reply 16): LOL, I think we were misunderstanding each other earlier. I was referring to the Ventura as the 101 not the city.
Ah yes, I realized that with your second post. Remember, it is the Ventura Freeway from Seacliff to Pasadena (US 101 to the Hollywood Freeway, SR 134 to its terminus at I-210 in Pasadena).
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
AeroWesty From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 18889 posts, RR: 64 Reply 19, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 1368 times:
Oh yeah, Sunday mornings are no problem usually.
Take 5 if you're going to San Berdoo, then cut off on the 210 towards Pasadena. You'll save tons of time. (Check mapquest.com for the route.)
S12PPL From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 20, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 1367 times:
Quoting AeroWesty (Reply 19): Oh yeah, Sunday mornings are no problem usually.
Take 5 if you're going to San Berdoo, then cut off on the 210 towards Pasadena. You'll save tons of time. (Check mapquest.com for the route.)
Yeah. I have a navi system in my car. It's kind of nice, really. Saved my ass a few times all ready. So, it will continue to update an ETA for me as I drive.
AeroWesty From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 18889 posts, RR: 64 Reply 21, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 1367 times:
Quoting N1120A (Reply 18): Remember, it is the Ventura Freeway from Seacliff to Pasadena (US 101 to the Hollywood Freeway, SR 134 to its terminus at I-210 in Pasadena).
I think the screwiest thing is the exit markers follow the highway number, not the name. Going northbound on the Hollywood north of Universal the sign will say Laurel Cyn. is the next exit, but it's ONLY if you follow the 101 to Ventura, not continue north on the Hollywood.
Georgetown From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 230 posts, RR: 1 Reply 22, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 1358 times:
On I-5 stop at Harris Ranch. Seriously, the best meat in the world. (Lots of other stuff too) It is where many of the top steakhouses in the west get their meat. I always pull off there when driving down 5 (which I've only done about a zillion times).
Where on I-5 is that? Is it an easy off, easy on to I-5? If not, I'll have to catch it on my way home. I'll be somewhat time crunched going down. Coming home I can take two days if I want.
Dc10s4ever From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 24, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 1346 times:
Get a large regular coffee at Starbucks, and add three shots of expresso, then have two cans of red bull.
25 N1120A: Actually, that is the AASHTO standard, they follow the highway number not the name. The names are only there to show the continuous alignment of the
26 Georgetown: It's right off the road (200 yards or so). You can't miss it, either, as there's huge signs, etc. Besides a decent hotel, there is a nice steakhouse,
28 Georgetown: Haha, thanks Isitjustme, that probably would have been easier. It's late.
29 Itsjustme: No problem Georgetown, I work the graveyard shift. It's early for me.
30 S12PPL: I was going to stop by for lunch maybe...Then I saw the prices. Holey crap! I think I'll stick with finding a Subway or something.
31 Tom in NO: There's always the truck stop at Kettleman City . Tom at MSY
32 N1120A: Which you will not have trouble finding. I swear, the reason Subway has grown even larger than McDonalds is because every po dunk truck stop town has
33 Tom in NO: Years ago we actually found a mom-and-pop burger joint in Avenal that made absolutely killer hamburgers. Tom at MSY
34 N1120A: Avenal?!?! Tom, you really go out in the sticks.
35 S12PPL: I'll have to keep a look out. I also have my naiv unit that gives me lists of dozens of fast food, and sit down restaraunts, in addition to gas statio
36 Tom in NO: Avenal, Kettleman City, Lost Hills.....it's all in knowing the hot spots . Somehow, though, Los Banos seemed a bit of a reach for us . Tom at MSY
37 N1120A: Hot is an understatement out there in the summer. Then again, you grew up next to Fontucky, so you know all about that.
38 AeroWesty: Los Banos has a great Dairy Queen, LOL. But the center of town is about 10 miles or so from the 5. Pea Soup Andersen's is an easy exit off the freewa
39 N1120A: I prefer the original in Buelton, which is also just off the 101. Much prettier area and excellent soup.
40 AeroWesty: Oh so do I, by a long shot! I must admit, I used to drive 101 just to make a stop in Buellton to eat, and pee in SLO.
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