California Decision

From Palm Springs take the I-10 west to the 210 fwy in Redlands, Ca. Stay on the 210 all they way to the I-5 north to avoid downtown Los Angeles traffic.

2oldman wrote:
I don't think you'll see any problems on that route.

me either :)

With the route you describe, you won't be going near any of the affected areas. And the only thing that would stop you from driving would be the Hwy 101 closures near Santa Barbara, which are temporary anyway. You can still easily drive through the Napa/Santa Rosa fire areas on 101.

The only thing you have to decide is at what point you're going to swing over to the coast. I recommend taking Hwy 20 to Fort Bragg and then continuing north to the Oregon coast. If you take 299, that's a long, windy road, and if you wait until you get to Grants Pass (the next feasible opportunity), then you're doubling back south to get to Brookings via 199.

I believe Hwy 1 north of Cambria is still closed to thru traffic due to a massive mudslide last year. That's the scenic route along the coast to Monterey area.

I think you've been watching too much news reports.
The only current area of concern, is the 101 closure between Ventura and Santa Barbara, from the mudslides.
It should be open by this weekend.

But, as former residents of that area and Napa Valley, we are bypassing both areas, on our upcoming trip, because of the heartbreaking destruction.

Your planned trip would not include U.S. Hwy 101 through Santa Barbara which is our only big issue right now. No fires are burning. I recommend you buzz through Los Angeles County on I210 but you will still have traffic....morning, noon and night.

I don't think you'll see any problems on that route.