Road Trip - LA, San Fran, Lake Tahoe

[yellovett]

We're planning to drive the C4 From L.A. to San Francisco next month. Have it in my head to drive CA highway # 1 the whole way. Is that a good idea? Is it a smooth road surface or would it be better to take #101? We've been as far as the Hearst museum before. Planning to do the '17 mile drive' at Carmel. What else does anyone recommend.
Also, does anyone have recommended lodging in either San Francisco or Lake Tahoe?
How about highway 50 across Nevada? I've read it's pretty desolate. That's OK, but again, how's the road surface? Is there a speed limit? (We'll just miss the Silver State road race.)

thanks,

yellovett

 

[vett boy]

The only thing I can answer is the question is it a good idea ??? The answer is yes.No matter what have a great time

 

[Patrick]

We're planning to drive the C4 From L.A. to San Francisco next month. Have it in my head to drive CA highway # 1 the whole way. Is that a good idea? Is it a smooth road surface or would it be better to take #101?

The Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1) is an amazing, scenic drive, but you have to remember that in a lot of small towns it goes through, it becomes 'Main Street.' Figure on lots of lights and slow traffic. If you're in a time crunch, the 101 may be better.

How about highway 50 across Nevada? I've read it's pretty desolate. That's OK, but again, how's the road surface? Is there a speed limit? (We'll just miss the Silver State road race.)

Highway 50 was recently featured in an episode of Top Gear- the episode also featured Jeremy Clarkson being impressed with the new ZR1. I think it's called "The Loneliest Highway in America." The road surface is fine, but it's basically a long, straight stretch with nothing but desert to look at. You'll have to fight the urge to fall asleep from the boredom.

 

[Bow-Tie Guy]

Yellovett,

I have to concur with Patrick on the time issue. If you're on a schedule to get your destinations, then US101 is definitely quicker - maybe by two hours, depending on traffic in Santa Cruz.

But if you're just looking to head north and stop whenever, Hwy 1 is a beatiful way to drive.

I've done that drive before myself. The last time was with my C5 from Hearst Castle up to Pacifica. It's a great drive! Some sections are fairly smooth with mild curves, while others will have you slowing down and "churning the gears" around a few tight turns - but all of it fun!

The majority of the way is your basic two-lane road with plenty of sections to downshift and pass. The only parts of Hwy 1 that turns into a "freeway" are the parts just south of Santa Cruz (Watsonville/Aptos area) and just north of Pacifica, right before San Francisco. Also, when you get to Santa Cruz, you'll have to drive through the city to continue north on Hwy 1.

All in all, it was a satisfying drive - especially when you've got the view of the Pacific ocean almost always on your left side to look at! Cheers!!

 

[yellovett]

Thanks to all for the replys. We're allocating about a day and a half for the trip from LA to San Francisco, so depending on how many coffee and ice cream stops we need, we should have adequate time. This will likely be our one chance in life to drive the historic highway, so we're going for it.

btw. It's the C5 we'll be driving, not the C4. It will be our maiden voyage. (Still not used to having one.)

 

[Larry McIntosh]

road trip

We take the highway 1 from SF to Hearst Castle every year that we go south in our motorhome. It is neat I would not miss it for anything. We start in northern Idaho. We do it in a day. It should be a blast in your Vette. I am looking forward doing it someday in my CE LT4. Larry

 

[yellovett]

I guess if you can do it with a motorhome, I should be able to stay on the road with a C5. I've read that the southbound trip can be a little more harrowing... being in the outer lane.

Right now I'm like a little kid trying to wait until Christmas. Not sure it will ever get here.
Be sure to hang onto the LT4. They are way cool. Don

 

[o2bnkc]

How far are you going on Hw 50? I've driven your route 50 or 60 times. It's a blast. Hw 1 will be slow, though. If you come over the hill from Lake Tahoe, (Hw 50) you will come through Carson City. (About a 20-25 minute drive) Stop and say hello. I'll have a cold one waiting.

 

[yellovett]

That sounds pretty tempting. However, it will probably be mid-morning when we come through. Maybe a little early for a cold bud-light. We're planning to take 50 all the way across NV, maybe Ely or even Delta or Fillmore, UT if we can make it. What is a reasonable speed on highway 50 between Carson City and Ely? Is there a posted limit?

 

[Danger731]

I'm doing the same thing, I'm going from San Diego thru LA, Capitola to SAn Jose, 1st full week in May

 

[gmc_kurt@yahoo.com]

you guys are making me jealous

my son just got back from afghanistan, and he is in ft campbell kentucky in the 101st airborne. he is to report to ft lewis washington by july 8th. i have always wanted to go to washington state, and now you guys are putting crazy ideas of me taking my vette and comming down the west coast into california.my 2000 convert only has 24000 miles so im sure the trip wont put two much miles on her.how is california in september?:confused

 

[yellovett]

I can't think of a better use of time than to visit a son and then cruise highway 1. The only thing that might improve it would be if you could catch the Pebble Beach auto show, but I think that's in August. As for weather, I'm from Nebraska, much like Illinois, so California must surely be better.

yellovett

 

[Patrick]

how is california in september?:confused

If you're coming from Washington State, I think you'll find that Washington and Oregon can start to become wet in September. Northern California will be pretty nice: October is the finest month of the year in the bay area. Southern California is likely to start getting a bit hot (I think September/October are the months the Santa Ana winds start making the LA Basin a bit hot and dry, and fire-prone.)

-Patrick

 

[LLC5]

If you're coming from Washington State, I think you'll find that Washington and Oregon can start to become wet in September. Northern California will be pretty nice: October is the finest month of the year in the bay area. Southern California is likely to start getting a bit hot (I think September/October are the months the Santa Ana winds start making the LA Basin a bit hot and dry, and fire-prone.)

-Patrick

Washington State typically has it's best weather between the end of July and the first week of August. No guarantees though.

 

[XLR8]

All these roadtrips sound fantastic! Just remember to take the camera and share lots of photos with us!!

Lots of helpful threads in this forum for photo posting Site Help & Feedback - Corvette Action Center and I'm always glad to help anyway I can.

Jane Ann

 

[napacruzerC5]

That sounds pretty tempting. However, it will probably be mid-morning when we come through. Maybe a little early for a cold bud-light. We're planning to take 50 all the way across NV, maybe Ely or even Delta or Fillmore, UT if we can make it. What is a reasonable speed on highway 50 between Carson City and Ely? Is there a posted limit?

I don't remember seeing speed limit signs. You won't fall asleep cruising in the high 80's low 90's with occasional forays into the 'teens. Just remember to obey the posted limits approaching and through the few towns in-between the emptiness. Carefull through the mountain passes as there are NV State Police ambush spots and wildlife which could ruin your day. Radar detector may be a good investment (Valentine?). Ely is a nice place to stay the night. Try the Copper Queen Casino hotel (I think its a Ramada). Stay across the street from the casino. Next door is a superb Mexican restaurant. Nothing much between Ely and Delta. Don't remember Fillmore though. A game you may want to play: after coming down a mtn pass try to guess how long it will take till the next pass in the distance (pick a point you can see). My wife and I kept over-estimating the time plus it didn't help that I kept pressing harder on the go peddle.

Point to consider: going from near sea level to the mountains you'll gain a few pounds of air pressure in your tires especially with the hot blacktop. I went from 30psi to 38-39 by the time I got to Ely from Napa and vice versa when you come down off the mountains. In the C5 the DIC kept warning me of high tire pressures (mostly the right front). Even the next morning after staying the night in Ely pressures were 34-35 in the morning. Bled them down to 30 and had no problems until I got home. Then the next morning at home, pressures were 28-29 cold.

Enjoy Hwy 50 - you may see and/or pass 10 cars your whole trip. It is the "loneliess road".:cool

 

[cscarlson]

If anyone comes near Salt Lke City ,UT...... let me know.. i would enjoy meeting...

 

[yellovett]

This is a test to see if I can upload photos. In case you recognize this photo, it was on eBay, where I bought the car. It was located in Long Beach and has been waiting for me in Marina Del Rey since January. It has been resting up for it's big trip to Nebraska, where it will meet it's older brother, the '96 LT4.

Life is good.

Yellovett

 

[cscarlson]

I see the yellow corvette

 

[yellovett]

Napa, Thanks for the info and advice. It turns out we have a Valentine, so I will keep it turned on at least approaching any city limits. And the Mountain passes. I guess they don't help much for animals, which I hadn't thought about. That would definitely ruin my day. And the warning about tire pressure is appreciated. This is my first car with pressure indicators, and I have a guage in the glove box for good measure. Depending on the time of day by Ely, we may opt to stay there for the night. If so, I'll be looking for the Copper Queen.