LA -> SF: what's the "fun" way to drive it?

[rhouck]

I have done this drive numerous times when I was young (as a backseat passenger) and a couple times myself years ago, but always as the boring I-5 slog. I'm driving up there later this week and I'm not in a rush (think 1.5 days of drive time available) so would prefer to explore some of the fun/interesting routes between here and there! I'll be traveling with my girlfriend so not looking to drive crazy, just some curvy roads and some decent views

Leaving from downtown area, I am thinking
1. 101->Mulholland Dr
2. Drop down to the 1 either before or after Malibu
3. Head north on the 33 (Maricopa Hwy)... unless the road quality is really poor?
4. ???

Open to any suggestions! (keeping in mind that they don't have to JUST be great driving roads, but also pretty views for the female companion to peek at )

[Sean@PYSpeed.com]

Drive safe and enjoy the road...

[duk]

stay away from 5, there is construction

[Supercar Ace]

Just take the CA 1 all the way up. It's a gorgeous drive

[Z K]

I did the HWY 1 all the way from SoCal up to San Francisco. It took me 10 hours even with hoping onto the 101 after Monterey. It would have taken me 12-14 hours if I'd stuck with the 1 all the way.

It's fun for the first 5 hours with dramatic scenery and nice roads... then you'll get stuck behind other cars crawling at speeds as slow as 20 mph on the mountain roads...

Unless you are planning on stopping along the way to explore the areas, I'd hop onto the 101 to speed things up after you get past Hearst Castle.

[aajami]

1. 101N to Mulholland Dr.
2. Mulholland to Decker Canyon, head north
3. Decker Canyon to Potrero Road
4. Potrero Road to Lewis/Hueneme, head south
5. Hueneme to Ventura Rd.
6. Ventura Rd. to Channel Islands Blvd.
7. Channel Islands Blvd. to S. Harbor Blvd.
8. S. Harbor Blvd. to 1N
9. 1N to 154N
10. 154N to 135/1N
11. Stay on the 1N aaaallllll the way to Castroville, making sure to stay on the 1N
12. 1N to 17N
13. 17N to 35N
14. 35N to 92E
15. 92E to 101N
16. 101N to San Francisco

It'll take you 17 years, but it's a hell of a drive.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by aajami

1. 101N to Mulholland Dr.
2. Mulholland to Decker Canyon, head north
3. Decker Canyon to Potrero Road
4. Potrero Road to Lewis/Hueneme, head south
5. Hueneme to Ventura Rd.
6. Ventura Rd. to Channel Islands Blvd.
7. Channel Islands Blvd. to S. Harbor Blvd.
8. S. Harbor Blvd. to 1N
9. 1N to 154N
10. 154N to 135/1N
11. Stay on the 1N aaaallllll the way to Castroville, making sure to stay on the 1N
12. 1N to 17N
13. 17N to 35N
14. 35N to 92E
15. 92E to 101N
16. 101N to San Francisco

It'll take you 17 years, but it's a hell of a drive.

This is exactly the drive I did except for the SoCal roads. I'm a SF guy so didn't know those roads. Just started the 1N and this route except I went from 17N to 101N - also skipped the 35/92 as I've driven that ad nauseum. 10 hours on a weekday.

[rhouck]

Originally Posted by Supercar Ace

Just take the CA 1 all the way up. It's a gorgeous drive

I've actually done that one before, coming from Seattle to LA... it was MANY years ago and I just remember it starting to feel VERY slow after awhile But it certainly is gorgeous, and my gf has never seen any of it, so I'd like to get in some of it for sure.

Originally Posted by aajami

1. 101N to Mulholland Dr.
2. Mulholland to Decker Canyon, head north
3. Decker Canyon to Potrero Road
4. Potrero Road to Lewis/Hueneme, head south
5. Hueneme to Ventura Rd.
6. Ventura Rd. to Channel Islands Blvd.
7. Channel Islands Blvd. to S. Harbor Blvd.
8. S. Harbor Blvd. to 1N
9. 1N to 154N
10. 154N to 135/1N
11. Stay on the 1N aaaallllll the way to Castroville, making sure to stay on the 1N
12. 1N to 17N
13. 17N to 35N
14. 35N to 92E
15. 92E to 101N
16. 101N to San Francisco

It'll take you 17 years, but it's a hell of a drive.

Thanks for the detailed list!!! This is awesome.

My plan is to get up early on Wednesday and hit the road, find somewhere to stay the night along the way (maybe Santa Cruz?), then try to get into Benicia (going to visit family before heading into downtown SF) by perhaps mid-day on Thursday. This looks like it is certainly doable in that timeframe.

Question about Mulholland: it looks like there is a chunk that is dirt on GoogleMaps (and they won't let me route along it even if I wanted to!). Is it best to just hop north to Ventura Blvd, then head South on Canoga to pick it back up (and loop through Topanga Canyon Blvd)?

[aajami]

Originally Posted by rhouck

I've actually done that one before, coming from Seattle to LA... it was MANY years ago and I just remember it starting to feel VERY slow after awhile But it certainly is gorgeous, and my gf has never seen any of it, so I'd like to get in some of it for sure.



Thanks for the detailed list!!! This is awesome.

My plan is to get up early on Wednesday and hit the road, find somewhere to stay the night along the way (maybe Santa Cruz?), then try to get into Benicia (going to visit family before heading into downtown SF) by perhaps mid-day on Thursday. This looks like it is certainly doable in that timeframe.

Question about Mulholland: it looks like there is a chunk that is dirt on GoogleMaps (and they won't let me route along it even if I wanted to!). Is it best to just hop north to Ventura Blvd, then head South on Canoga to pick it back up (and loop through Topanga Canyon Blvd)?

Yeah, I usually hop on Mulholland off of Topanga Canyon from the 101.

[JusCruzin]

When you get up to Carmel, try the Laureles Grade road from Carmel Valley to Laguna Seca. You can see some of the road from this Porsche commercial.

[rhouck]

I didn't get to do Laureles, but did the rest of the route as planned. EXCELLENT route with some great scenery. There are a few hairy parts in there (i.e. single lane roads with blind curves), but no issues. Ran into some unfortunate fog on the 1, but no way to help that.

I also took a detour on Bear Creek Road (off HWY 35, where Summit Road becomes Skyline Blvd) and I am VERY glad I did. That is one of the best roads I have ridden/driven anywhere in the country. The pavement is perfectly smoothly, great sweeping turns, right in the woods, and minimal traffic. I just wish I lived closer (or could have spent more time running it back and forth). Oh, and the turns are the perfect speed where the tires will howl but still near/at the speed limit.

Thanks again, aajami, for taking the time to type up that list. It made for a great and memorable trip.

[kindafast]

I tried going down PCH for about half the road from SF to SoCal and couldn't take the slow a-holes who didn't use turn-outs, so I ended up cutting out to the I5. I would do it all over again though, Big Sur definitely leaves an impression...

If you have the patience take the PCH.

[dagolfpro]

Looking to do SFV to San Jose on 11/1. Planning on leaving around 9:00 and hoping to be in San Jose no later then 5:00. Hoping to do 1 but want to avoid the slower roads, any suggestions?