BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.

Subject: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 12:04 PM

Well folks couldn't get project Kisssimmee off the ground, so now the plan is.......Fly to SF on 2/11, spend 2 nights at hotel, pick up hire car, and drive to LA the pretty way, like Yosemite, Death Valley, Las Vegas, whatever. Arrive LA 14/11, 2 nights hotel, then broomstick back home to the cold north of Scotland. Suggestions welcome, [no not that one it's physically impossible] The one person I would like to see is Amos, if I have the time to get down to San Diego, maybe I could take the Tijuana Taxi! A nice itinerary would be welcome California Catters.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 02:30 PM

I am sure others who have traveled more recently than I will weigh in soon, but in the interim here's some info from a Santa Cruz resident who used to travel all the time but now stays home with hubby and tyke (when she isn't working):

Yosemite is indeed beautiful, but after the rainy season has started (which it just did, yesterday), the through roads are often snowed in, so you would most likely have to go in and come out to the west. This makes it a lengthy though potentially worthwhile side trip.

Las Vegas appeals to some, but there's not much to recommend the scenery around it. The drive is (IMHO) very long and tedious.

Can't speak to Death Valley.

I can, however, venture that a trip from SF to LA concentrating on Coast Highway 1 and hilly Highway 101 -- as opposed to the dreary but fast, Central Valley route, Interstate 5 -- makes a fair compromise between speed and scenery. The coastline is spectacular, there are many Spanish Californian-era missions and the like to visit (more on that later if you are interested; I'd have to do some looking-up), plus Monterey and Santa Barbara are wonderful cities to stroll through, and there are "roadside attractions" such as Hearst Castle (an early 20th century U.S. version of a great house) and Solvang (a deliberately quaint, rather twee Danish enclave) to visit on the way as well.

Happy to provide more detail on anything that intrigues you. Cheers!

Claire

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: PoppaGator
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 02:57 PM

One especially "pretty way" to drive between SF and LA would be Highway 101, the Pacific Coast Highway. There are not as many individual attractions (like Yosemite) as on the inland route, but the entire route is spectacularly scenic, if somewhat perilous. Most of the time, there's a steep uphill cliff immediately to your inland side and a steep dropoff to the ocean on the other side, and the road is constantly winding.

For someone accustomed to driving on the opposite side of the road, Hwy 101 might be just plain too difficult. I've tried driving a bit on 101 north-to-south (where the oceanside is on the right while driving in the right lane), and even an American like myself was too scared to maintain a reasonable speed.

South-to-north on 101 is much less nervewracking; at least you're in the "inside" lane. Too bad you can't fit that into your itinerary...

Death Valley would be *well* out of your way on a trip from SF to LA, and Vegas is even further east. You might be able to fit in a sidetrip to those two places after your arrival in LA.

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: PoppaGator
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 03:07 PM

I started writing my post an hour or so before finally completing and submitting it - I'm at work -- so I hadn't seen ClairBear's informative message until after I had sent mine.

I had forgotten all about Highway 1, which is near the coast but not right on it like 101 and is straighter, more level, etc. There must be a scenic-but-comfortable route that combines stretches on the two roads. Using 101 all the way would not only be nervewracking, but too time-consuming as well. On the other hand, I agree with Claire that the quick inland route, Interstate 5, has nothing to recommend it.

The Hearst Castle is pretty amazing. It's the real-life counterpart of "Xanadu," the title character's estate in the film "Citizen Kane."

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: Amos
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 03:12 PM

Oops!! No, there is nothing perilous about 101, which is a broad highway through some of the prettiest country in California. However, the COast Road, U.S. Highway 1, which winds right along the coastline like the edge of land on a map, will show you even more spectacular views of the Pacific Coast, but at a much slower speed. One compromise is take US1 down from just outside San Francisco, past Big Sur and down through the Monterey area and then swittch across to 101 down through Santa Barbara and Ventura and into LA.

Hell, Jock, we'll work something out. PM me.   It is about 90 miles from LA to San Diego, but because of traffic it often takes 2 hours to drive.

At the very least I can offer you a home cooked meal, and a place to put up for the night if you want, and some music and wine!!

Mudlark is also part way south from San Francisco, near the 101, in the area of PAso Robles. She is a much better cook than I am, but that's between the two of youse!! :D

A

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: Maryrrf
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 03:46 PM

I was in the San Francisco area in September and did some driving along the coast - to Monterey and a little beyond. You'll love it. Coming from expensive Scotland (just got back from there - whew! Bad news for anybody exchanging dollars for pounds) you'll enjoy the relatively inexpensive USA - the pound is strong against the dollar and that makes a big difference!

One of the nicest parts of my California trip was spending a day in Berkely - it took me back to my days as a sixties (well, early seventies) radical - still wild and progressive there with tons of old hippies and interesting shops. There is a music store along the main drag called Rasputin that has a great selection and I picked up some wonderful folk recordings like Texas Gladden, Classic Mountain Ballads, etc. You'll find the CD's very reasonably priced in comparison to the UK, so load up.

Enjoy!

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 04:20 PM

And while you're in Berkeley, go a bit north (5 miles or so up San Pablo Avenue) to El Cerrito for a side trip to Down Home Music, where you will find whatever you couldn't at Rasputin.

And yes, what Amos said about alternating between 101 and 1 -- that's what I meant. But one amendment: Big Sur is south of Monterey and it's some of the prettiest scenery, so I think it might be worthwhile for you (depending on how nerve-racking you are finding the driving) to keep to Hwy 1 all the way to the Santa Barbara area, where 1 joins with 101.

Because the coast immediately south of SF is actually some of the most perilous and not necessarily the most scenic, I might suggest you start out on 101 (or better still the much prettier Hwy 280) in SF and cut over to 1 a bit later, either via 85 & 17 to Santa Cruz (a perilous dive itself [though I manage it every day], but pretty), or later via pleasant Hwy 156 to come out on 1 a few miles north of Monterey.

Oh, and I forgot to mention Carmel Village and Point Lobos (here), both a few miles south of Monterey. Carmel's quaint and rather pretty; Point Lobos is glorious scenery and home to the lone cypress tree you've probably seen in postcards as epitomizing the California coastline.

Claire again

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 05:55 PM

Great stuff you guys, I'm looking at all these places in my Rand McNally. Driving on the left is no problem for me, I've driven stateside a couple of times, and I drove trucks all over Europe for 15 years. Heck I even survived the racetrack from Toronto to Niagara once.
Keep it coming.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: Mudlark
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 02:24 AM

Hi Giok...

I agree, Big Sur is worth the slow but spectacularly beautiful coast road, Hwy 1. Besides, there is also a spectacularly beautiful road from the coast over the coast range to ... Paso Robles! And I live only 10 miles e. of there. I have a detatched guest room, would be honored to have another mudcatter for a visit, I've got a couple of spare guitars, 2 dulcimers and an autoharp if you need an instrument, lots of good local wineries, if your into wine tasting, or just plenty of it to drink, and very peaceful rural location. PM me for info about getting here, plus all the great places to see withing a 50 mi radius of Paso Robles, about a 5 hour drive (check w/Amos on that) from San Diego. Looking forward to hearing from you... Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: Maryrrf
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 09:08 AM

If you like garlic, be sure to stop in at Gilroy, California - the "Garlic Capital of the World".

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: GUEST,John 'Giok' MacKenzie's Secret Santanator
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 11:06 AM

Travels, travels, ooh what fun....hohohohoho
(santa is adding to the list)

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 12:58 PM

Everything is confirmed for the 2nd November arrive SF at 14.05 on the same day. The hotel bookings are not confirmed but should hear on Monday for definite. The flights are at a difficult time for me, as I can't get to Heathrow from Inverness on the 2nd in time to catch my flight to SF, so will have to come down to London the day before, same on the way back. Never mind all part of the holiday experience.
Giok.....California here I Come

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: PoppaGator
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 01:45 PM

Hey Giok,

Sorry I got highways 1 and 101 confused with each other -- it's been a long time since I lived out there!

As a Scot, you probably have plenty of experience driving on mountain roads, and since you are also apparently "ambi-driverous" -- able to drive on either side of the road -- I suppose that the coast road won't pose too much of a problem for you, after all. Especially if you get good directions for switching back and forth between 1 and 101.

Looks like you're gotting solid info and good advice from the *real* Californians; you should have a great time!

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: Dave Swan
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 02:02 PM

Hey Giok,

You've gotten good advice from Claire and Amos re: what's what on the road from SFO to LA.

I love the coast roads of California. I grew up here and have never tired of the ocean. A short way north of SF you can visit western Marin and Sonoma counties (including Inverness, California) home of soft rolling hills and ocean views (okay, so you can get those in Scotland) and redwood trees the like of which you won't find anywhere else. It's worth a thought.

Saving time for Yosemite and Death Valley is worthwhile. You won't find scenery like that anywhere else. The quality of light in Yosemite is quite different from anything in Scotland. My uncle, who lived in Perthshire, always looked forward to the striking downlight of the Yosemite Vallay. It's a great time to visit Death Valley, neither too cold nor too hot, perhaps some green vegetation to be seen. You might also consider Bodie, a ghost town in a state of arrested decay held by the park service.

Give me a PM. I'll be off duty your first few days here. I live just across the bridge from San Francisco. I'll give you all the native son advice you can stand, and buy the first pint. I might even be able to scare up some music.

Amos will find an excuse not to come up here for a pint, but he's just that way.

Cheers,

D

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: Amos
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 02:34 PM

Ooooh!! Slanderous!! I been up more'n yew been down, man!! Huh?? Woddya say to that? Huh?

I'm going to give Koko your street address.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: Dave Swan
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 02:54 PM

Look, man...don't make me use the "I'm rubber and you're glue" defense.

D

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: Amos
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 02:55 PM

That would be too tacky!

OK, ok.

Maybe next month, huh?


A

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 05:05 AM

Right Renoir Hotel Mcallister St SFO, 2 nights. 2nd and 3rd. Then off down the coast for a visit to Nancy {PM en route} Then touring down to old San Diego town to let Amos buy us a drink or two, with a side trip or two. Last 2 nights, 14th and 16th, at Furama Hotel Lincoln Boulevard LA. I will have my cell phone with me, 07739 464742 if anybody wants to meet up en route. I think you have to dial as if you are calling the UK, and drop the first zero.
That's it then folks, I'm off for a folk music weekend, back Sunday, fly off Monday to London, and Tuesday I arrive in sunny CA.
See y'all soon.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Kissimmee's off, SF and LA's on.
From: mg
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 03:55 PM

The train goes through some great places..can't remember specifics..and ends in a wonderful train station in LA, right next to a very old Mexican market that is great. Probably cheaper and safer than driving. mg