hey All,
I'm gettin' ready for a nice long trip around California and figured some of you might have some useful input on the route, camp spots, motels, points of interest, and cool places to eat.
http://bit.ly/ns9ja
I'm starting out in the Sierra Foothils and hittin' backroads (mostly) to Santa Cruz via the Golden Gate Bridge and Hwy 1. I have friends there, so that parts covered.
Headin' down the Coast Hwy, Big Sur and would like to camp in San Simion or Cambria. (input?)
From there, back roads S. of Morro Bay thru Oceano along Hwy 1 to Los Olivos and down to Santa Barbara on 154. 176 to Los Olivos would be an alternate. It IS wine country after all! Also, has anyone been on W. Camino Cielo, Forest Rt. 5N12 (
AKA Rattlesnake Canyon) Twisty!!!
OK, from there, on to San Diego hugging the Coast thru Malibu, Venice, San Pedro, Hunting Beach, Dana Pt. probably camp at San Elijo State Beach in Solana Beach. Couple of days in SD then on to the mystery part of the trip.....
Here's where I could use your input. From SD plan to take 15 N past San Bernadino to Cajon, then 138 to Palmdale, continue on 138 / 14 thru Mojave and past Armistead to 178. That'll be a long HOT day and thought I'd find a decent camp spot or motel around Lake Isabella. Heard there are also some hot springs around there too. Could probably use one after that long day!
Leaving Lake Isabella area, head up thru Kernville on the Kern River Hwy., which turns into Mountain Hwy 99. On thru Roads End, and past Johnsondale. Should I be lookin’ for any special points of interest, or take my time and hang out somewhere along the way? I’m not really on a time schedule here. Just past Johnsondale, hang a Left onto Parker Pass Dr. / M50 to 190 the “Great Western Divide” Highway, and head North. I’ve never know anyone who has done Hwy 190, so could really use some input here.
At Springville, I’ll take a Right onto Springville-Milo Rd. No idea how long any of this part of the trip will take since leaving Lake Isabella. The reason for this route is to stop off at Sequoia and Yosemite and Tahoe on my way back.
At Milo the road changes to Yokohl Valley Rd., (looks like an interesting area on Google Maps) which then turns into 198 the “Generals Hwy” heading NE up into Sequoia. This looks like an awesome section of road with not much in the way of gas along the way. This may be a section that I should start in the morning to give myself plenty of time to get up the hill.
Looks like 198 turns into 180 heading West. Not much out here by the looks of it. I turn off 180, onto Silver Ln. which then turns into Elwood Rd. A Right onto Pineflat Rd. takes me to E. Trimmer Springs Rd where I make a Right and head North to Trimmer. From there I take Maxson Rd. to a Right on Watts Valley Rd., which turns into Burrough Valley Rd.
The road ends at Tollhouse Rd. where I go Right. Left at the fork and continue onto Lodge Rd. which ends at 168 where I go Left. Go Right at Millerton Rd. towards Millerton Lakeand Friant where I pick up 41 North towards Yosemite.
From there I’ll pick up 120 to 49 and head home. I appreciate anyone who’d read this far and especially to any of you who can offer some experiences you’ve had along the way.
I’m looking forward to this trip and will be posting my own tips along with photos, route info etc. Thanks again and I look forward to hearing from you. Mick