As mentioned before, Dotty and I will be driving our son's Honda Element down to Chula Vista, CA for it's eCamper conversion. We are leaving on the 10th and flying home on the 19th. We plan to go down I-5 to Salinas and then over to the coast. We've got the AAA tour books but I thought I'd ask for "must see " recommendations along the route. Also, any special (inexpensive and good food) places to eat along the way. Thanks, MartyP
ELEMENTal tour
- Thread starter dotnmarty
- Start date
Marty - that's a lot of distance to cover. There's so many things between there and Seattle. While I5 is the fastest way to go, you miss so much by not going down highway 101 or 1 for at least part of the way. Of course if it's foggy, you might not see much on the coast anyway but it's generally SO much prettier than I5 I think it's worth the slowdown and risk of fog. With 9 days, why rush down I5?
I love the entire stretch of 101 along the Oregon coast. There's a state park every few miles and the scenery is just beautiful. I enjoyed visiting the Tillamook cheese factory in Tillamook (I'm a cheese nut though). The sealion caves near Florence are also worth a visit.
In northern CA Redwood Nat. Park is definitely worth a visit. So is Humboldt State Park. I really love Muir woods just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. I couldn't bring myself to drive past there without stopping in. I'd also stop in S.F. for a day just to walk along the wharfs and eat seafood from the local vendors. Monteray Bay aquarium is another not to be missed place. If you take I5, you're so far inland you miss some of the best parts of the drive. You'll just be driving through the agricultural parts of northern and central CA (about the least attractive parts of CA IMHO).
Crap - now you have me reliving my trip coming in the other direction. I guess I'll have to go back that way sometime soon.
I love the entire stretch of 101 along the Oregon coast. There's a state park every few miles and the scenery is just beautiful. I enjoyed visiting the Tillamook cheese factory in Tillamook (I'm a cheese nut though). The sealion caves near Florence are also worth a visit.
In northern CA Redwood Nat. Park is definitely worth a visit. So is Humboldt State Park. I really love Muir woods just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. I couldn't bring myself to drive past there without stopping in. I'd also stop in S.F. for a day just to walk along the wharfs and eat seafood from the local vendors. Monteray Bay aquarium is another not to be missed place. If you take I5, you're so far inland you miss some of the best parts of the drive. You'll just be driving through the agricultural parts of northern and central CA (about the least attractive parts of CA IMHO).
Crap - now you have me reliving my trip coming in the other direction. I guess I'll have to go back that way sometime soon.
Captains Cat
New member
Marty, if you've never been to Monterey, head over there from Salinas (the artichoke capital of the world... :roll: ). Then follow the coast road down as far as you can stand. Great Scenery. We lived in Monterey area for 3 years whilst I was at the Naval Post Graduate School in '67-'70. Take the 17 mile drive around Pebble Beach. Lots of very pretty things to look at. The redwoods are further down the coast. Have fun and drive carefully!
Charlie
Charlie
Marty, from San Diego it's only an extra 1/2 hour of driving to take Hwy 101 to Salinas. If you enjoy boredom and trucks, stay on 5. (g) Stop at DZ Akin's in San Diego for your corn beef sandwich and try not to miss an "In & Out burger on your way North. Wave when you pass Encinitas Blvd north of Del Mar. I'm just 2 miles east of there.
The ride along 101 is great. It pretty much follows the coast from about Ventura to near San Louis Obispo.
If you head north on Hwy 1 from Monterey, don't pass up Capitola CA. A great walking town with some hidden gems. Capitola shares a border with Santa Cruz and is an artsy Wine and Cheese village compared to SC's tired hippy political activist/beer town. Brush up on your PC if you stop there!!!!
Looks like the Brats covered everything in CA north of SF. You can even get an adrenaline rush driving through LA and SF. ESPECIALLY if you cut over to Hwy 1 in San Luis Obispo and stay on 1 through Monterey...! Dot will appreciate the fact that you're driving north and she doesn't have to look WAY down to the ocean about 4 ft. to her right and 200 ft. down....
Don
The ride along 101 is great. It pretty much follows the coast from about Ventura to near San Louis Obispo.
If you head north on Hwy 1 from Monterey, don't pass up Capitola CA. A great walking town with some hidden gems. Capitola shares a border with Santa Cruz and is an artsy Wine and Cheese village compared to SC's tired hippy political activist/beer town. Brush up on your PC if you stop there!!!!
Looks like the Brats covered everything in CA north of SF. You can even get an adrenaline rush driving through LA and SF. ESPECIALLY if you cut over to Hwy 1 in San Luis Obispo and stay on 1 through Monterey...! Dot will appreciate the fact that you're driving north and she doesn't have to look WAY down to the ocean about 4 ft. to her right and 200 ft. down....
Don
dotnmarty":18gjqylf said:
My regular food stops along I5:
The Original Breakfast, Exit 233 Albany OR
Great breakfast, reasonable price ($9-12 as I remember)
Black Bear Diner
Great breakfast, lunch or dinner. I've eaten at the Yreka and Redding locations, can't personally vouch for the others - but I've heard they're all good.
There are a lot of Souplantation restaurants in Cal. I always like those as a good place to fill up for lunch. They provide a good all you can eat buffet. Don't know exactly what the price is but from what I can find online it's somewhere between $7 and $10 for an all you can eat lunch. I always liked it when I was in Pasadena. I know there's one in Chula Vista.
OK here's the flight plan I filed for California.We are driving south with motel reservations in Weed, Sacramento, Salinas, Cambria, Solvang, and San Diego. We plan on spending a night or two with relatives in Fountain Valley.
Thanks for all your help. I appreciate it.
MartyP
Thanks for all your help. I appreciate it.
MartyP
Hey Marty,
Robin's in Cambria is excellent for dinner, and Linn's for breakfast and pie! Also, fish tacos in Santa Barbara Harbor -- a small dive (Minnows maybe -- really small but good). The Harbor (not the pier) is the best part of SB -- plus they have 90 minutes free parking. You can check out the fishing fleet (small boats -- radons mostly) and the CG's new cutter.
In Carpenteria off Santa Claus Lane -- Padero Beach Grill. Good food (fish, salads, burgers) and outdoor tables etc right off the 101 next to train tracks. You'll be lucky if a train goes by (really), quite a site (you'll feel the train before you see it or hear it).
In Ventura, check out Main street downtown. Give me a call and I'll buy you guys a cup a coffee and a pastry (or lunch) if I'm in town. (I may be in Catalina or working in LA depending on when you come through). 805-279-5452 or PM me.
If you really want a corn beef sandwich -- Jerry's Deli does as good a job as anyone -- comparable to the east coast I think. There are a few around. If you take the 101 through LA you can get off at Topanga in the San Fernando Valley(about an hour south of Ventura just as you get into metro LA).
But, you also might want to just take the coast route from Ventura/Oxnard down Pacific Coast Hwy -- it'll put you right onto the 10 fwy east from which you can take the 405 south -- and you'll have a great ride through Malibu and Santa Monica.
Enjoy!
Matt
Robin's in Cambria is excellent for dinner, and Linn's for breakfast and pie! Also, fish tacos in Santa Barbara Harbor -- a small dive (Minnows maybe -- really small but good). The Harbor (not the pier) is the best part of SB -- plus they have 90 minutes free parking. You can check out the fishing fleet (small boats -- radons mostly) and the CG's new cutter.
In Carpenteria off Santa Claus Lane -- Padero Beach Grill. Good food (fish, salads, burgers) and outdoor tables etc right off the 101 next to train tracks. You'll be lucky if a train goes by (really), quite a site (you'll feel the train before you see it or hear it).
In Ventura, check out Main street downtown. Give me a call and I'll buy you guys a cup a coffee and a pastry (or lunch) if I'm in town. (I may be in Catalina or working in LA depending on when you come through). 805-279-5452 or PM me.
If you really want a corn beef sandwich -- Jerry's Deli does as good a job as anyone -- comparable to the east coast I think. There are a few around. If you take the 101 through LA you can get off at Topanga in the San Fernando Valley(about an hour south of Ventura just as you get into metro LA).
But, you also might want to just take the coast route from Ventura/Oxnard down Pacific Coast Hwy -- it'll put you right onto the 10 fwy east from which you can take the 405 south -- and you'll have a great ride through Malibu and Santa Monica.
Enjoy!
Matt
Just a note to say we are well into our grand adventure. We got our Ice Road Trucker license travelling between Weed and Redding. I looked for Sea Wolf Joe's boats in the marina at Lake Shasta. Yesterday we had 85 miles of pure terror on Cal Hwy 1 between Monterey and Cambria. Dotty kept her eyes closed and I kept my good eye glued to the white line . Yahoo, I feel young again.
Seriously though, we want to thank all the C-Brats for making this trip the wonderful experience and memory maker that it is. We listened and stayed where you suggested, ate where you suggested, and saw the sights you said we should. We have not been disappointed. Yesterday we experience the beauty of the 17 mile drive at Monterey, thanks to Captain Charlie. Without his suggestion we would have driven right by this gem. . ..and we're not done yet. This AM we'll have breakfast at Linns, in the delightful town of Cambria, as Matt of Tortuga suggested. Thanks for all your valuable help. We both appreciate it Dotty and Marty.
Seriously though, we want to thank all the C-Brats for making this trip the wonderful experience and memory maker that it is. We listened and stayed where you suggested, ate where you suggested, and saw the sights you said we should. We have not been disappointed. Yesterday we experience the beauty of the 17 mile drive at Monterey, thanks to Captain Charlie. Without his suggestion we would have driven right by this gem. . ..and we're not done yet. This AM we'll have breakfast at Linns, in the delightful town of Cambria, as Matt of Tortuga suggested. Thanks for all your valuable help. We both appreciate it Dotty and Marty.
hoto dotnmarty":1h0m9tm9 said:
For some weird reason I thought you were traveling north. I can understand Dotty's terror in not just a few spots along that route. We towed a 29 ft. 5th wheel up that route and when Mary yelled about "I gotta close my eyes", I answered "me too" and then she REALLY got shook up.
Welcome to So Cal. Most of the shaking is over with (for now), so enjoy yourself. The "Big One" isn't scheduled for this year.
Don
Hey Marty,
Sounds like you and Dot are off to a great trip.
After all my years of traveling back and forth between Seattle and Central California (all of my relatives live in Cali), I've never taken the coast route down (or up). I guess I'll have to add that to my bucket list.
Have a great time!
Peter
Sounds like you and Dot are off to a great trip.
After all my years of traveling back and forth between Seattle and Central California (all of my relatives live in Cali), I've never taken the coast route down (or up). I guess I'll have to add that to my bucket list.
Have a great time!
Peter
Don- Going north wouldn't be so bad as there would be a full lane between us and the cliff. As it was, Dotty was on the edge, literally and figuratively. Last night I dreamed I saw Dezi and Lucy in an RV! Maybe it was you and the Mrs. Unlike Lucy, we only picked up one small rock at Pebble Beach. Today we are in Solvang. God bless the Danes.
Captains Cat
New member
Marty, I remember the I love Lucy episode very well.... She picked up rocks everywhere and stowed them in the trailer and then, going down the mountains, they burned out their brakes.... A classic!
Sleep well and drive safely!
charlie
Sleep well and drive safely!
charlie
Captains Cat":3g1aztls said:
Ahh, the memories......I remember the movie "The Long Long Trailer" starring Desi and Lucy as well. We went as a family to watch the movie and felt that it was a somewhat "re do" of our own family as we camped frequently with a travel trailer. Dad was notorious for getting us into "hair raising" situations with the trailer. (He was also very successful in getting us out of the situations and we'd look back at them and laugh).
Well, tomorrow we drop the Element off in Chula Vista. We are staying the night at Hawthorne Suites here in San Diego. A few minutes ago there was a knock on the door and there stood Joe Bartfay, Jr. You may recall that just a few weeks ago he underwent a liver transplant at Scripps hospital here. So there he was,skinny 6'3" frame, having walked up to our second floor room with no help.Just want to say thank you for all the support you have given to this fine young man. It is sincerely appreciated.
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=13320
MartyP
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=13320
MartyP
Captains Cat
New member
Wonderful Marty. You and Dot have a safe trip home!
Charlie
Charlie