Driving home from Monterey

My current plan is to drive home Monday morning. I was going to take 101, but your offer sounds better.

Not sure I can keep up, though. Where are you headed?

Tom Elerding

 

Sounds great but unfortunately my son's starting high school monday morning. Usually come home then but not now, maybe not for many years. It's getting ridiculous how early school is starting these years, really screws up my favorite weekend of the year. But, it's my kid, so it's all good, very exciting time for him. Have a great time. I always take hwy 1, done both and with the traffic on 68 it's only about 15 min more to go the coast typically.
Jeff

 

I will pick up my co-driver at the airport around 10:00 am, then head south on Highway 1, maybe we can plan for coffee at Napenthe or...?
Look for the yellow banger.
I drove 101 south from Santa Barbara last weekend and reallly dont recommend it, it is overflowing with traffic, the road is in lousy condition, and there is construction. Once you hit LA it is better[?] because of the HOV lanes, if you have a passeger. I plan to cut over on CA 46 to 210 to skirt LA and continue down 15-it is twenty miles longer but much better to my way of thinking.It is not so fun clutching and braking at 4 MPH for two hours.
Malcolm

 

Morris-my 275 was there last year, I will look for yours. I am driving up Wed, what about you?
Malcolm

 

It would be good to have a time and place to meet in the Monterey area. Someplace where parking is good while we wait.

I will be staying at the Elks in Monterey. Its just a couple of blocks off the Munras exit from HWY 1. Or the Del Monte Shopping Center which is on Munras at the exit.

A time like 10:30 should allow pickup at the airport and transit to Munras.

But I am open to any other suggestions.

 

How about the gas station on highway one just as it leaves Carmel, the one just before Carmel Valley, I usually fill up there before heading out. Around 10:30 should work, but I will check the real flight schedule today. Look for yellow Daytona. I will PM you my mobile number.Malcolm

 

154 was closed due to fires in the hills above Santa Barbara. I believe it has reopened, but that could change in a heartbeat. Besides it doesn't bypass the congestion which happens further south is SB where 101 goes from 3 lanes to 2.

 

Malcolm:

Is that the gas station off of Carmel Valley Road or the station on the main road just south (near the Barnyard Shopping center)?

 

I have driven Ca 166 and it was just fine. I plan to cut over on Ca 46 this trip, I have done that one before and it is fine too. I havent done the 150? AROUND sb BUT WISHED I had several weeks ago. 101 is brutal, and I was in the clutchless BCGT, A/C, surround sound....and I was miserable. I prefer to be rolling even if it takes a little longer. We should be through LA and onto the grapevine around9:00AM on Wed. I like to start early and then lollygag in big sur.
Look at Google maps and you can examine the roads befor you drive-aint technolgy swell? Malcolm

 

Being local maybe I can help. 154 has been closed due to the Zaca Fire. It re-opened late last week but with strictly enforced 45 mph limits due to many fire vehicles in the area so not recommended. Typically faster by 15 minutes but not now and may close again if the fire flares up. 166 can be pretty dangerous, better cuttting to the 5 on the 46, that's about the only other option. If it's Monday, you'd have to go through SB prior to 2 pm to miss traffic going south, otherwise pretty slow from SB to Oxnard if not further. Sunday would be worse as it would start earlier and last well into the night potentially. Personally, if I were going to SD, I'd to 101 to SB, get off at State Street/154 exit, head like going back up the 154 but exit Cathedral Oaks exit(first freeway like exit) and turn right. Follow the 192 until getting to the 150 and take the 150 through Ojai to the 126(Santa Paula). 126 to the 5 to the 210 to the 15....... The 192 and 150 would be slow going, twisty and some cars getting in the way but no bumper to bumper type traffic, you'll be moving. A bit difficult to keep on the right path on the 192, lots of turns, not straight through so do your research ahead of time. Fun route but will be a bit slow due to the curves and only two lanes, no passing opportunites, going 101-46-5 would probably be quicker. Hope this helps, have a great time!

Jeff

PS-Also, a nice drive is highway 1 from Pismo Beach, connects into the 135 for a brief spell then 1 to Lompoc and then 1 to 101 just east of the ocean, just did that today from Avila Beach just north of Pismo. Faster to cut to the 1 from Arroyo Grande on Halcyon Ave. than connect with it at Pismo(no city street driving). It's not more than 10 minutes slower than doing 101 the whole way, without the frustrations of 101 drivers and much more scenic, beautiful country(maybe I'm biased).

 

I drove from Carmel to LA last weekend. We took 101 south to Paso Robles and then cut across to 5 on 46. It took less than 5 hours. Not as pretty or as cool (105+ degrees most of the way), but if you want to drive fast, unmolested....

Don't forget that our friends who protect us read these forums, especially around this time of year

 

Well, my plan is to take hwy 1 to CA 46 just South of Cambria, then over to I-210, then to I-15. On the Northbound route Wed I will be moving through LA at 9:30ish and plan to do the opposite, but would appreciate any local advice if you think the plan is flawed. Of course, not going through LA at 9:30 would be smart, but I dont really want to start before 7:00.
Malcolm

 

I agree with Jeff. THAT is the best route on Sunday (and the most scenic). But 192 is closed at TORO canyon, but just follow the diversion signs and you'll pick it back up all the way to 150 then to Ojai (I drive that route with the Stadale, and BTW I find places to pass )

Bob

 

Here is a link to the BEST way to get from Paso Robles to I-5.

Hwy 58 is a drivers road with almost no traffic compared to the truck route 46.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Paso+Robles,+ca&daddr=CA-58+%4035.317100,+-119.726930+to:34.955744,-119.443359+to:Frazier+Park,+ca&mrcr=1,2&mrsp=2&sz=9&mra=dpe&sll=35.28086,-119.77778&sspn=0.988747,1.851196&ie=UTF8&ll=35.371135,-118.641357&spn=3.833869,7.229004&z=7&om=1

I will be taking this route on the way up to Monterey on Wed.

I am coming back on Monday as well, if you see an orange Sunbeam Tiger with a roll bar, give a wave!

 

I am towing a large trailer and need to stop in San Luis Obispo on the way back before continuing on to Orange County. It looks like San Luis Obispo is 30 miles south of Hwy 46. I want to bypass Santa Barbara and make it over to the 5 south. Do I turn around and back track 30 miles or can I take one of the other small highways across to the 5? Highway 58 is less than 10 miles north (a short back track) and Highway 166 is south of San Luis. Are they dangerous for a truck and trailer with alot of curves or tough grades? Appreciate recommendations.

 

166 would be fine with a large trailer. 58 is NOT recommended. It has lots of tight twisty corners. Perfect if you unload the trailer tho

 

I agree that 166 will be fine with a trailer, did that one two weeks ago.
Erich, I will try your advice, it seems to cut off the ugly part of 46, but still goes through the valley which I think is interesting, for a while. I will look for the Tiger, i have fine memories of mine which i bought new in 1965-Green with black, I drove it 90,000 miles. The gearvbox was great compared to the typical imports of the time.
Malcolm

 

That's a good choice as well vs. 46.

 

I'd only consider 46 over to the five with a trailer as well. Problem is most roads cutting across go up, not down, therefore you're backtracking. I think 46 is the only good option to miss SB.

Jeff

 

The best part of this route is the climb out of the valley on Cerro noroeste road. It is one sweeper after another. It leads you to Frazier Park where you can pick up I5. If you are pressed for time you can leave this part out and take 166 over to I5 at the bottom of the grapevine.