Great California Drives

[cyber_nicco]

Hi Everyone.

I thought it would be good to have one thread where we could focus on nice roads/drives in California. I've lived here most of my life, and have spent a fair amount of driving and riding California's roads. I'll try to add a new drive every week or two, and if others could add theirs it would be awesome.

[cyber_nicco]

I'll start this off with a classic California drive - I call it the Mendocino Loop.

About two hours north of San Francisco on Hwy 101 is the town of Cloverdale. From Cloverdale head NW (I can't remember if it says North or West) on Hwy 128 towards Mendocino. This will take you through winding, tree-strewn hills surrounded by farms and vineyards. You will find several towns along the way to eat or gas-up - I recommend Boonville for its quirkiness.

After about an hour the temperature will begin to drop, and the vegetation will change, as you approach the rocky cliffs of Hwy 1 and the Pacific Ocean. When you arrive there, head North on Hwy 1 towards Mendocino. This will have you winding up the coast, crossing bridges, and all the while affording you a beautiful view of the ocean. You will reach Mendocino in a little less than an hour, and find yourself in a quaint little town to have lunch or spend the night, if you're so inclined.

Continuing North on Hwy 1 will lead you to Ft. Bragg, and the next leg of our Journey. A little information about accomodations if one were to make this a two-day drive. Mendocino is very touristy and only offers somewhat expensive bed and breakfasts. but Ft. Bragg has a number of motels as well as bed and breakfasts - offering a wider price-range for the overnight visitor.

Hwy 20 begins and heads East just at the Southern end of Ft. Bragg, and is our last leg of the loop. Hwy 20 is a windy and challenging road that heads through Jackson State Forest. The road spends much of it's time winding along mountain streams under a canopy of towering Redwoods. You will find this road more mountaineous and shady then Hwy 128 - being that it runs through a forest. There aren't a lot of stops on the way, so be sure to have plenty of gas.

Eventually (maybe one to one-and-a-half hours later) you will return to Hwy 101 at a city named Willits. To finish the loop you can head South towards San Francisco. Or, if you prefer, there are tons of additional roads there to explore. More on them later.

I hope that gives you enough of a sense of the drive to know whether or not it is something you would like.

[07SubieQT]

Wow! That was beautiful!! :) Very nice itinerary!! Makes me wanna travel down there and try it out!!! :D

[xxthat girlxx]

Muholland Drive? :)

Although that's not your area of CA.

[buniboo]

When I was in Cali with Lou Legz it was fun to drive on Pacific Hwy! Even though we were by Huntington Beach. Such a beautiful drive. I wouldn't mind going to Cali again thats for sure. I miss it already.

[Pearl07STI]

The Emigrant Trail is a byway of connections. The route links several Oregon and California byways with secluded forest roads. Diverse landscapes unfold around every corner, acting as a segue between beautiful views and popular recreation areas. Finally, find connections to the past in the actual remnants of emigrant trails along the route.

Beginning in New Pine Creek, Oregon, the trail takes in the route connecting the Outback Scenic Byway and Volcanic Legacy All-American Road in Oregon and Modoc Scenic Byway and Shasta Volcanic Scenic Byway in California.

The beginning of the route bypasses Goose Lake, a shallow lake that presents both beautiful views and full-service campsites. The lake is a favorite spot for migratory waterfowl, a bird-watcher's paradise. Plan a picnic or camping adventure at this site.

Continue south on Route 299 until the byway branches east at the XL Indian Reservation to Cedarville. Stop here for a meal, hotel stay, or shopping. Head back to Route 299 and continue south to Alturas, admiring the expansive views along the way. The byway curves along Route 299 to Route 139 through the Modoc Forest for most of the drive. The opportunities for camping, hiking, picnicking and other activities meet you at every curve.

End this byway journey at the town of Tulelake where the byway connects to Modoc Volcanic Scenic Byway and Shasta Volcanic Scenic Byway.

[Pearl07STI]

When I was in Cali with Lou Legz it was fun to drive on Pacific Hwy! Even though we were by Huntington Beach. Such a beautiful drive. I wouldn't mind going to Cali again thats for sure. I miss it already.

Pacific Highway is def. one of the nicest drives ever... Going from Laguna beach to San Diego was a nice hour an half drive, would love to do it with a group of Subies

[buniboo]

Pacific Highway is def. one of the nicest drives ever... Going from Laguna beach to San Diego was a nice hour an half drive, would love to do it with a group of Subies

I couldnt agree more! That would be tons of fun. I think I am meant to live in Cali..

[07SubieQT]

Dang guys!! Im definitely gonna have to choose a few of these to try out this summer!! :)

[xxthat girlxx]

I think I am meant to live in Cali..

I checked out Huntington when I was in LA/Santa Monica. I def. didn't want to leave from that vacation. :lol:

[cyber_nicco]

Dang guys!! Im definitely gonna have to choose a few of these to try out this summer!! :)

Are you heading to California? If so, do you know already what part(s)?

[07SubieQT]

^Not yet, but Its lookin like Im gonna have to plan somethin :lol:

[Pearl07STI]

Just saw this online and thought I would share it with everyone. Its not just for California drives, but the top 10 in America...

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-34348817

[StuSSYsporT]

I checked out Huntington when I was in LA/Santa Monica. I def. didn't want to leave from that vacation. :lol:

OMGBBQ! is this when i first met you?

[xxthat girlxx]

OMGBBQ! is this when i first met you?

The one and only time! :D

[StuSSYsporT]

When I was in Cali with Lou Legz it was fun to drive on Pacific Hwy! Even though we were by Huntington Beach. Such a beautiful drive. I wouldn't mind going to Cali again thats for sure. I miss it already.

guess this is happening again :D

I couldnt agree more! That would be tons of fun. I think I am meant to live in Cali..

same here ;)

The one and only time! :D

sounds like u wouldnt ever want to meet up again.... :lol: . . . . :unamused:

[StuSSYsporT]

ok so now......... a couple awesome drives:

1) Rancho California in Temecula: Start at pt.A, drive to pt.B, then drive it back in reverse (or vise-versa):
Click Me (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Rancho+California+Rd&daddr=33.428719,-117.321968+to:De+Luz+Rd&hl=en&geocode=Fbgq_wEd7WIE-Q%3B%3BFaR2_QEd5N4C-Q&gl=us&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=13&via=1&sll=33.424851,-117.237511&sspn=0.10688,0.222988&ie=UTF8&ll=33.448917,-117.214165&spn=0.2137,0.445976&z=12)
- 25 miles one way / 50 miles roundtrip
- Incredible scenery while driving, lotsa trees, some minor "river crossings"
- one of thee best cruises ive ever been on!

2) Azusa Canyon in Azusa (GMR):
Option 1 - GMR (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=San+Gabriel+Canyon+Rd&daddr=CA-39+N%2FSan+Gabriel+Canyon+Rd+to:34.203969,-117.808764+to:34.155721,-117.836573&hl=en&geocode=FY1NCQIdlRP5-A%3BFb1xCgIdSbv5-A%3BFUHpCQIdhGH6-A%3B&gl=us&mra=mi&mrcr=1&mrsp=3&sz=15&via=1&sll=34.157947,-117.82824&sspn=0.026492,0.055747&ie=UTF8&ll=34.195617,-117.797127&spn=0.105921,0.222988&z=13)

Option 2 - Mt Baldy (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=San+Gabriel+Canyon+Rd&daddr=CA-39+N%2FSan+Gabriel+Canyon+Rd+to:34.203969,-117.808764+to:Mt+Baldy+Rd&hl=en&geocode=FY1NCQIdlRP5-A%3BFb1xCgIdSbv5-A%3BFUHpCQIdhGH6-A%3BFWkNCQId3A_8-A&gl=us&mra=ls&via=1&sll=34.196185,-117.774467&sspn=0.21184,0.445976&ie=UTF8&ll=34.193914,-117.777214&spn=0.211846,0.445976&z=12)

- Option 1 - 27 miles
- Option 2 - 37 miles
- local favorite
- drive at night and barely (if any) cars out
- fun to drive
- U can mix and match what you drive. Location B is like a rest point/hangout spot where u can stop, drive down one way, then back up. then drive down a different way, etc..

3) Malibu
Click Me (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=S+Westlake+Blvd&daddr=Decker+Rd%2FDecker+Canyon+Rd+to:CA-1+N%2FPacific+Coast+Hwy+to:Mulholland+Hwy+to:Yerba +Buena+Rd+to:CA-1+N%2FPacific+Coast+Hwy&hl=en&geocode=FVQoCQIdn9bq-A%3BFbVvBwIdGdDp-A%3BFSR9BwIdmjPp-A%3BFYgnCAIdcwbq-A%3BFTJ4CAIdHjzp-A%3BFQCcBwIdZMTo-A&gl=us&mra=ls&via=4&sll=34.096454,-118.882027&sspn=0.212091,0.445976&ie=UTF8&ll=34.098159,-118.896446&spn=0.212086,0.445976&z=12)

- 32 miles
- great scenery
- near the beach
- fun drive

[djmatao]

^^^just be careful with Azusa canyon now, filled with kid ricers and cops. A while back me and my friend use to smash thru it in his subie late at night cause you could see all the cars ahead with their headlights because of all the blind corners.

Malibu canyon is amazing!! Last time I went thru tho was with SubieTech last October.

[StuSSYsporT]

bump for more awesome drives!