Need "scenic road" help in Nor CAL | FerrariChat
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Need "scenic road" help in Nor CAL

Discussion in 'California & Nevada (Northern)' started by LAfun2, Jan 26, 2005.

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  1. LAfun2

    LAfun2 Three Time F1 World Champ

    Oct 31, 2003
    39,248
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    Ryan
    #1 LAfun2, Jan 26, 2005
    Dear F chatters,

    Planning a weekend of just driving. Small roadtrip within Northern California. I know many of you have lived here for many years (Art, Dan, Rich, PeterS and others) thus I ask for your help.

    I have done the SF to Monterey/Carmel drive many times.

    I was thinking of Point Reyes (that looked really nice online). I have never really spent much time north of the GG Bridge.

    Any suggestions would be welcomed.

    Just 2 people, a two seater, fun drive.

    Some Criterias:
    1) No more than 3 hours or so outside of the City
    2) Away from civilization is good
    3) Twisties is better, but not required
    4) Has to be scenic. Tired of the I-5 (those of you that know me, know I do the LA to Seattle drive often)
    5) Rather not be inland unless you guys can suggest something spectacular.


    Ok up for all ideas. Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.




    -Ryan
     
  2. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
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    Apr 28, 2003
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    #2 Texas Forever, Jan 26, 2005
    Ryan, where have you been?

    Dale
     
  3. diablo roadster

    diablo roadster Formula Junior

    Jul 31, 2004
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    Martin
    #3 diablo roadster, Jan 26, 2005
    well, i was thinking of Skyline Blvd from SF to Los Gatos that drives along the top of the Santa Cruz mountains. That is a great drive.

    i found this, which is in the east bay, but i dont know how great it is having never driven it. http://www.pashnit.com/maps/GrizzlyPeak.gif
     
  4. LAfun2

    LAfun2 Three Time F1 World Champ

    Oct 31, 2003
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    #4 LAfun2, Jan 26, 2005
    Good evening Dale. I have been away from the boards for a while. Been really busy setting up shop (wrote in the business section a little). Its something you don't really like (service industry). Its something I have been wanting to do for a while, and finally pulled the trigger. So that is all set and done, and took a few months of my considerable time.

    Also was really busy with law school applications. Heard from a few places already, and have some good options. Most of the other ones don't come back for a few more months. But I have been accepted to my top choice and couple of other great schools.

    However, with business going well, I am at a real fork in the road of life. I am not really sure which way to pursue. Law school has been a dream of mine for many years. Though at current time, it seems chasing the dream was more fun than actually going through with it. Now that I have the options, I am thinking of forgetting it, and focusing on the business full time. With full time management, I want to expand to two more locations and fully concentrate on that. I really like people, and people centered business works well for me. I am not really sure 3 more years of education in a field that day by day I lose my devotion to, would be any help or even the right thing to do. Thus as you can see, I have lots on my mind.

    How are you? Hope all is well with you and your family? Did your son decide on school yet? Daughter looking at LSATs? Hope they are all fine.


    -Ryan



    THank you for that. Having lived in Berkeley for 3 years, I have lots of 2 wheel/4wheel time spent on Grizzly Peak. I have also spent considerable time on Skyline and highway 9 out there.

    Truly stunning drives, yes.

    But need something new, to change it up. :)
     
  5. vincent355

    vincent355 F1 Veteran
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    #5 vincent355, Jan 26, 2005
    Ryan,

    128 from calistoga to Mendocino, fantastic. then loop back down on 1.

    On the way give me a call and we'll play with the 355.
     
  6. 2000YELLOW360

    2000YELLOW360 F1 World Champ

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    #6 2000YELLOW360, Jan 26, 2005
    101 to 128, then over to the coast. Great drive. The 101 part takes about 1.5 hours, the balance about 2 hours. Absolutely great drive. If Vince is going, let me know, I'll bring the 360.

    Art
     
  7. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 PeterS, Jan 26, 2005
    Sonora is 2.5 hours from you with great roads and a free lunch at Melodie's when you are done!
     
  8. redhead

    redhead F1 Rookie

    Dec 26, 2001
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    ~Red~
    #8 redhead, Jan 26, 2005
    Sorry Mang.

    I do not know the North Bay at all.I think I have been to Sears point only 5 times in my life,and that is the farthest north I have been in that area.

    Good Luck
    Post Pics(of her)
     
  9. bobafett

    bobafett F1 Veteran

    Sep 28, 2002
    9,193
    #9 bobafett, Jan 26, 2005
    Going up to Pt. Reyes and into Nicasio is decent - lots of coastal stuff, but 1 to Stinson is NOT the best-paved road. A bit hairy if you cook it, and plenty of opportunities to bottom out. Also, past Pt. Reyes, you'll head in-land.

    One of the best drives of all time is to Mendocino. I can say that both years we did this, it was a rousing success. Basically, cruise up 101 for about 70 miles, and at cloverdale, take 128 West.

    50 miles of the BEST roads you can find. beautifully paved, redwood forests, open straights, sweeping bends, fast switchbacks, twisties - you name it. Two lanes and few cars. Best of all - you pop out onto 1 in a nice small town. John is out there, so maybe ask him about his spa for the girl (assuming you're taking big "lips") :D

    BTW - careful running up 101. Lox and I ... had an incident. Still pending, not the biggest of deals, but keep the v1 on. They were around cloverdale (about 10 miles south).

    --Dan
     
  10. 4i2fly

    4i2fly Formula 3

    Apr 16, 2004
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    SF, Bay Area
    #10 4i2fly, Jan 27, 2005
    Boy, 101 to 128 sounds like a fantastic run and I am determined to do it as soon as the weather opens up.

    Another run that I usually do with a good mix of 2nd and mostly 3rd gear twisties with plenty of 5th and 6th gear for triple digits. I take 84W from Woodside to Hwy 1 with the choice of a short run to HMB on 1 north (too short) or the long version to Santa Cruz on Hwy 1 south to 17 north back through hwy 9 and magically back to 35 north and 84 east to Woodside. You get the whole NorCal experience in this drive (maybe with the exception of vineyards). Definitely recommended midweek, too many riders on Fri, Sat, Sun...

    You gotta love NorCal, just way too many choices to feast your sensories.
     
  11. bobafett

    bobafett F1 Veteran

    Sep 28, 2002
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    #11 bobafett, Jan 27, 2005
    Great run, short or long, but best days are middle of the day tues-thurs. Too many idiots and organ donors during the weekend days, as Matt mentioned.

    --Dan
     
  12. vincent355

    vincent355 F1 Veteran
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    #12 vincent355, Jan 27, 2005
    sounds like a weekend drive is in the offing
     
  13. infraredline

    infraredline Formula 3

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    #13 infraredline, Jan 27, 2005
    I know you said you didn't want to do anything too inland, but Vasco Rd North off the 580 (livermore to brentwood) has lots of good high-speed sweepers that wind through (now) green hills full of those windmills. Unforunately I've also seen a some radar-jockies and traffic can kill the fun just as fast. Take roads parallel to vasco for more remote twisties.

    For winding vineyard roads absent of traffic and police, take the N. Livermore exit south and just follow it. Some of the roads off that exit are breathtaking (in beauty as well as some ass-puckering blind turns with huge elevation changes). I find something new and challenging every time I explore out there.
     
  14. bobafett

    bobafett F1 Veteran

    Sep 28, 2002
    9,193
    #14 bobafett, Jan 27, 2005
    BTW, if you DO end up going inland, 25 is of some repute. Absolutely brilliant ribbon-smooth roads. But, from San Juan Bautista, by the time you get out, you'll be damn near King City.

    Long trek back up - ask Gary. He, Lox and I ran it... holy cow was it a long drive back.

    --Dan
     
  15. redhead

    redhead F1 Rookie

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    #15 redhead, Jan 27, 2005
    Wait....this is my hood...you stay north bay...I will stay southbay.
    I have many roads down here to tell you about.

    Re: Vasco road. Do not speed on it. Anytime day or night.....They LOVE that road I swear!!!!
     
  16. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

    Jul 13, 2004
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    #16 speedy_sam, Jan 27, 2005
    Great post ... I will be exploring these roads when I get back ....

    The pashnit site already posted (http://www.pashnit.com/motoroads.htm) has a lot of nice roads - I have already done quite a few of the roads in the 35 / 92 /1 / 17 quadrant.

    Of course rental cars are not best cars for these road but what the hell...
     
  17. LAfun2

    LAfun2 Three Time F1 World Champ

    Oct 31, 2003
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    #17 LAfun2, Jan 27, 2005
    First of all, thank you everybody for the great ideas! As always, the Nor Cal crew comes through. I am definitely doing the 101 to 128 up to Mendocino drive. Sounds fabulous. I am spending tomorrow changing the differential oil and tranny oil before the run. Looks like I will make two runs. One with a few F chat boys (looks like art/vince are interested) and another one with big "lips" as Dan refers to her ;) The trip with her will include staying a couple of nights out in Mendocino. :)

    Vincent & Art
    WHat kind of schedule work for you guys? Let me know.

    PeterS
    Thank you for the lunch offer. The whole time I have known you, I always thought you lived in Sonoma and not Sonora. Man 2.5 hours east is quite a drive ;) Next time I go to Yosemite this year, I will take you up on your offer :D

    Rich
    Ask Dan what she looks like. He's seen her.

    Dan
    Looks like I decided to do the 128 route. Sounds incredible. I assume you are talking about Riverflyer? Yeah I thought about sending him a Pm, which I will do soon, right when me and her have the date fixed to get up there. However, I will make a solo run there with couple of F chat guys before, so that I can scope up the place. BTW Russia is history, and its new territory for her. Time of my life ;)

    As far as the V1, well I am not really looking for a hair raising, spine tingling driving adventure. Looking for something more soothing, inspiring, and scenic. I get plenty of the "oh crap was there a cop there" driving experience on 2 and 4 wheels often enough. Maybe I am getting old, just looking for a change of pace. :) Plus with her "lips" she weighs the car down considerably ;) :eek: :D :D

    412fly
    Yeah the 128 drive sounds fab doesn't it? You are welcome to join us. :) The woodside drive is fabulous. I have done that with a few of my riding buddies over the years. Its been great. We usually go really early Tues or Thurs morning.

    infraredline
    Thanks for that info! I will definitely try those out in the upcoming month. I have some free time now, so I will venture out there. Sounds exciting. Pinole valley has some roads similar to that which you speek of, high elevation changes, great high speed corners. Fun when we have the liter bikes out there. Also if you are looking for challenging, the Lake Berryessa area has some fabulous roads. :)
     
  18. 4i2fly

    4i2fly Formula 3

    Apr 16, 2004
    1,333
    SF, Bay Area
    #18 4i2fly, Jan 27, 2005
    Sounds like a lot of fun (different fun) as to your intentions of enjoying the sceneries. You can count on me for this drive if it's midweek. Let's see if it lines up with Vince, Art and Dan...
     

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