San Jose to Los Angeles trip: 101S to 1S to 101S

[zoomzoomers]

My parents used to live in Pismo Beach so I used to drive up to see them often. So I'm familiar of that route you speak of quite well. It's been a few years since they've sold their place up there and moved away so things might be a little different now, but I doubt it. One tip, do not speed past 80 mph in that entire stretch of road between SLO and Santa Barabara. The LEO's there will ticket you for anything over that.

I do miss driving that stretch of road. It's very scenic in many parts. During morning and early evening (end of work day) there are 3 traffic choke points. 1. Santa Maria area 2. Carpentaria area and 3. 101 S right where you enter Thousand Oaks into and over the pass into the LA basin.

[MyRx]

What scenery is on 101S after he cuts inland from the PCH? Farms I think. I would just take 1 all the down south until you have no choice but to merge on 101 (Oxnard/Camarillo area). PCH is nothing but scenery, 101S...asphalt I remember. Bring a towel, you'll see beaches that'll just magnate you. Make a stop at the Santa Barbara and Santa Monica Piers, take pics and scratch them from your bucket list. Oh, make a stop at the seal/sea lions reserve beach (PCH)...floored with these animals.

Our August annual retreat is Pismo/Avila for a few days then to SoCal for the kids and amusement parks. PCH is the only way for us.

Either route, watch your speed. CHP are on the ground as well as in the air. I just like a lil scenery if I'm going to obey the law and drive the distance.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by hushypushy

What part of San Jose do you live in? It would be a hell of a lot more interesting to take 17 to 1 instead of 101 to 156 to 1...but if you live in south SJ like I do, it will add a pretty good chunk of time to go north just to go south again.

I disagree, 17 isn't that great and then you have to suffer through 1 from SC to Monterey which is awful and odds are you'll get stuck behind farm equipment.

IF you're in South San Jose take McKean > Uvas > 152 to get to 1, way better than 17 could ever dream of being.

Also when you get down South I stuck with 101 through Santa Maria and took 154, I believe the gps said it was faster and it looked twistier and it ended up being a bunch of really fun fast sweepers with beautiful pavement. Gorgeous lake and the definition of California vistas. Also saw an orange Mclaren MP4-12C that I swear is probably Jay Leno's right here: [ame="https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=34.686941,-120.154949&spn=0.002168,0.00151&t=h&z=19&layer=c&c bll=34.686941,-120.155462&panoid=h58XTdbLIS7UwXUrCsyS3g&cbp=12,80 .92,,0,8.01"]Here[/ame]

But to each their own :happy0180:

[BlaineWasHere]

When I go down to Marina for aitoX I always take 101->156->1

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by BlaineWasHere

When I go down to Marina for aitoX I always take 101->156->1

Definitely the quickest way to get out of the bay and actually to the interesting bits.

And I just realized in my post above that my comment about 101 through santa maria and to 154 is already in OP's route. I recommend you stick with it (and you won't have to fiddle with google maps) and you can try something else next time.

[BigFatFlip]

Originally Posted by MyRx

Oh, make a stop at the seal/sea lions reserve beach (PCH)...floored with these animals.

Are you talking about the Elephant seal beach in San Simeon? Definitely worth a stop. Those guys are huge! Specially worth a visit during the mating season months (to watch the males fight...get your mind out of the gutter!)

Originally Posted by MyRx

Our August annual retreat is Pismo/Avila for a few days then to SoCal for the kids and amusement parks. PCH is the only way for us.

Adopt me, please!

[forzajuve]

I live near Valley Fair mall/Santa Clara University area

[BlaineWasHere]

Originally Posted by forzajuve

I live near Valley Fair mall/Santa Clara University area

Me too! I live near Newhall/Monroe.

[forzajuve]

Originally Posted by Travis

I used to live in SLO and have done that drive from SLO drove to LA many times. Its a pretty nice drive once especially once you get down past Santa Barbara, tons of cool beaches and places to stop for pics or food, etc. Decent amount of cops as well so bring a radar detector. As for Highway 1 from Carmel to SLO that is a long ass drive. There will be tons of tourists taking cell phone pictures while driving in their rented V6 mustang convertibles. One of the most beautiful sections of road I have ever been on from a scenery standpoint though

Speaking of radar detectors, what would you recommend? I know its between Valentine 1, Beltronicsand Escort but the price tiers are so extreme. What gets the job done since now CHPs are using lasers?

[forzajuve]

Originally Posted by BlaineWasHere

Me too! I live near Newhall/Monroe.

Dude are you in the white frs with orange rims? If so, I saw you Saturday near InNOut leaving the gas station. You threw me some peace

[forzajuve]

Originally Posted by BlaineWasHere

Me too! I live near Newhall/Monroe.

Yeah, I just saw your build thread and that was you on Saturday. I am off monroe too. Nice looking ride sir!

[hushypushy]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

I disagree, 17 isn't that great and then you have to suffer through 1 from SC to Monterey which is awful and odds are you'll get stuck behind farm equipment.

Well, I think 17 is absolutely fantastic, especially after they resurfaced it a few years ago. It's the fastest twisty road in the area (well, that I know of anyway)...but on the other hand, it's packed with slow traffic most of the time. Since the OP said he was leaving very early in the morning, I thought it was a good choice.

Originally Posted by strat61caster

IF you're in South San Jose take McKean > Uvas > 152 to get to 1

You have a point there 152 is really cool, and hardly anyone drives there.

Unfortunately, that route still doesn't avoid the bad part of 1, which is south of Watsonville until you get to Marina, because it's one lane each way between there. I've been stuck near Moss Landing so many times...

Have you ever driven Elkhorn Road? Taking that onto Castroville Blvd as a detour from Watsonville/Pajaro might be an effective way to avoid driving through Moss Landing...

I've never driven McKean/Uvas...I usually just take 101 to Leavesley to get to 152. Next time I'll take Metcalf to Malech to Bailey to McKean...

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by hushypushy

Unfortunately, that route still doesn't avoid the bad part of 1, which is south of Watsonville until you get to Marina, because it's one lane each way between there. I've been stuck near Moss Landing so many times...

Have you ever driven Elkhorn Road? Taking that onto Castroville Blvd as a detour from Watsonville/Pajaro might be an effective way to avoid driving through Moss Landing...

I've never driven McKean/Uvas...I usually just take 101 to Leavesley to get to 152. Next time I'll take Metcalf to Malech to Bailey to McKean...

Yeah I realized the bad part is between Watsonville and Salinas after posting but I'd still take 152 over 17, which I think you've got to go too fast to get the adrenalin pumping in my opinion, a recipe for disaster. But you're right, the pavement is gorgeous and inspires oodles more confidence than it should.

I will have to do Elkhorn next time I head to Monterey, looks like fun

And the Metcalf to Mckean route sounds like the best motoring you can get in Santa Clara, I know what I'll be doing in a few weekends :happy0180:

[PMok]

hmmmn all this discussion has got me wanting to do a trip now... maybe not all the way to LA, but perhaps a day trip to Carmel or SLO.