on the way to Solvang

[blattajon]

we have a week to drive up to SF and back.Where should we stay if we want to make a stop between LA and SF passing Modesto?after two nights in SF we return to Solvang on no 1.
Are Monterey or Carmel nice places?How is the water temp at that time?
regards Jon

[datsunrides]

I'll start by saying Monterey and Carmel are very nice places. Plenty of things to do at either town. The Monterey bay aquarium is awesome. Water temps will be pretty cold still. As for staying anywhere interesting near Modesto, (assuming you are traveling up hwy 5 or 99) good luck. Not much up the 5 or 99 corridor until you get to Sacramento. Although, if you go up 99 near Modesto, you are not really that far from Yosemite. That would be a cool place to visit. You would be better off going to SF up 101 if sightseeing is in the plans. Hearst castle, Big sur, Morrow bay and plenty other cool places not far off the hwy.

Mark

[dbrick]

Depending on on how far you will be driving from San Francisco, we stayed at the Sea Otter Inn in Cambria, right by Hearst castle, way south of Monterrey. http://www.seaotterinn.com/ It was very nice, excellent restaurant walking distance from there. Beach was full of seals, very scenic. Hearst Castle was also a fun half day.
Monterrey was nice, a bit touristy downtown, but unique, the "nice" restaurant in the Aquarium was top notch, reccomended to us by a few people. If there are just 2 of you ask to sit at the bar, you'll be seated quickly. The chef likes to experiment, never know what they have.

Plan to drive down Highway 1, instead of the freeway, it was unbelievable watch out for bicycles, they will surprise you.

[Datrock]

Bicycles.... we had to watch out for Ferrari's on last years trip home....

[dbrick]

Bicycles.... we had to watch out for Ferrari's on last years trip home....

Yes, but if you hit a guy on a bicycle and send him flying into the Pacific, you feel bad.

[FergO2k]

I'd recommend this "sidebar":
1. From 101 South, after passing Nipomo
2. Turn left at CA-166 E/Cuyama Hwy Continue to follow CA-166 E 15.1 mi
3. Turn right at Tepusquet Rd 14.7 mi
4. Slight left to stay on Tepusquet Rd 1.1 mi
5. Turn left at Foxen Canyon Rd 14.7 mi
6. Continue onto Zaca Canyon Rd/Zaca Station Rd 3.1 mi
7. Turn right at CA-154 W/San Marcos Pass Rd 0.2 mi
8. Turn left to merge onto US-101 S 5.8 mi
9. Take exit 140A for CA-246 toward Solvang/Lompoc 0.1 mi
10. Turn left at CA-246 E 3.4 mi

[Gregs672000]

I'd recommend this "sidebar":
1. From 101 South, after passing Nipomo
2. Turn left at CA-166 E/Cuyama Hwy Continue to follow CA-166 E 15.1 mi
3. Turn right at Tepusquet Rd 14.7 mi
4. Slight left to stay on Tepusquet Rd 1.1 mi
5. Turn left at Foxen Canyon Rd 14.7 mi
6. Continue onto Zaca Canyon Rd/Zaca Station Rd 3.1 mi
7. Turn right at CA-154 W/San Marcos Pass Rd 0.2 mi
8. Turn left to merge onto US-101 S 5.8 mi
9. Take exit 140A for CA-246 toward Solvang/Lompoc 0.1 mi
10. Turn left at CA-246 E 3.4 mi

And this brings them right by your house? And of course they would see that carefully placed Roadster near the road, inviting them in... never to be heard from again!!! "Come on by" said the spider to the fly...
So that's how you get your parts!

[fj20spl311]

The best site for driver roads I have found is http://www.pashnit.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;"

It was free for years, but now it's $20 a year.




There is write up with pictures of each of these roads.

You can get the names for free and look them up yourself, but its not worth the effort.

[Linda]

Where are you guys flying in to? A Triple A(AAA) guidebook has some good info on roads, restaurants, lodging etc. I can get copy for you, they are free.

Linda

[dbrick]

Phil, try the Wayback Machine
http://waybackmachine.org/*/http://www.pashnit.com

[Datrock]

Doesn't Caltran have a "virtual drive" page that you select your route and waypoints then it shows still photos as if you were driving down the hwy, a few years back I tried to follow hwy1 north of the Bay area and it actually worked, complicated but it worked... Bill

[MSmethers]

If coming down Highway 1, make sure the road is open. As of right now, a big ole chunk of the highway fell down into the ocean. Last I heard it will be at least a month before it's reopened. South of Carmel.

http://www.ksby.com/news/second-hwy-1-c ... businesses

[nismou20]

May I recommend Daniel Boones (Fess Parkers) Winery off of Foxen Canyon rd on Fergus's recommended side rd tour. It was used in the movie (Sideways). Nice country up there, it was on one of those runs we did years ago during the Solvang meet. Now that's Spirited driving! No, I am not endorsing drinking & driving. We're all grown ups here.

[dbrick]

May I recommend Daniel Boones (Fess Parkers) Winery off of Foxen Canyon rd on Fergus's recommended side rd tour. It was used in the movie (Sideways). Nice country up there, it was on one of those runs we did years ago during the Solvang meet. Now that's Spirited driving! No, I am not endorsing drinking & driving. We're all grown ups here.

We watched "Sideways" on the computer on the plane home from Solvang. It was cool to see places we had just been. Never did see the last 15 minutes, battery died.

[Linda]

Here is the official link to check Highway conditions:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Linda