Hemet, CA to Klamath River RV Park, CA
Considering this family trip this summer. What is best and safest route for this trip. Would I be crossing GG Bridge (which would be great!)? Would like to split trip into two days. First stop...
Forum Discussion
Do you know how much time you'll have to make the trip? You aren't doing it in one day, are you?
Blasting up the 5 is the fastest way, but it's kind of a bummer. It's pretty bleak without much to see. It's not horrible, but it can be a grind. You'll have to go over the Grapevine too, which can be pretty hectic if you're towing.
The 101 takes longer, but there's a lot to see. Depending on what time you go, you might hit traffic in Santa Barbara.
You have to pick a good route to get through L.A. from the I.E. Definitely avoid downtown and the San Fernando Valley. You can go out the 210 to the 118 through Simi Valley and catch the 101 in Thousand Oaks. That's pretty and the traffic isn't horrible, except it can get heavy between Thousand Oaks and Ventura.
Another way is to take 210 to the NB 5 towards Santa Clarita (and towards the Grapevine). Before you get to Castaic, you turn west on 126 to get to Ventura. That's a gorgeous drive.
If you go either of those ways up the 101, you'll hit a couple of grades. Your GPS might send you over the San Marcos pass just past Santa Barbara. Definitely don't do that if you're towing. You'll back up the traffic for miles. Stay on the coast toward Buellton. When you turn inland, there's a short grade just pass Gaviota that isn't too bad.
There's another big grade called Cuesta Grade immediately past San Luis Obispo. It's not that steep, but it's pretty long.
The grade past Gaviota combined with the Cuesta grade still add up to less than the Grapevine.
The 101 from Ventura County up to the bay area is a great scenic route that every CA resident should see at least once. Even though the hills are already brown, it's still gorgeous.
Things will green up once you pass the bay.
Another alternative would be to make a loop and go up the 101 and down the 5 (or vice versa). That way you'll see two versions of the state. (395 is even more scenic, but it's way too far east for this trip.
And make sure and take your hippie spray, because they're everywhere once you get to Humboldt County. It's gorgeous up there though.
Don't sweat the route around the east bay though. You might as well add that to your CA bingo card just to say you've seen it. Just don't stop and ask for directions in Oakland.
Blasting up the 5 is the fastest way, but it's kind of a bummer. It's pretty bleak without much to see. It's not horrible, but it can be a grind. You'll have to go over the Grapevine too, which can be pretty hectic if you're towing.
The 101 takes longer, but there's a lot to see. Depending on what time you go, you might hit traffic in Santa Barbara.
You have to pick a good route to get through L.A. from the I.E. Definitely avoid downtown and the San Fernando Valley. You can go out the 210 to the 118 through Simi Valley and catch the 101 in Thousand Oaks. That's pretty and the traffic isn't horrible, except it can get heavy between Thousand Oaks and Ventura.
Another way is to take 210 to the NB 5 towards Santa Clarita (and towards the Grapevine). Before you get to Castaic, you turn west on 126 to get to Ventura. That's a gorgeous drive.
If you go either of those ways up the 101, you'll hit a couple of grades. Your GPS might send you over the San Marcos pass just past Santa Barbara. Definitely don't do that if you're towing. You'll back up the traffic for miles. Stay on the coast toward Buellton. When you turn inland, there's a short grade just pass Gaviota that isn't too bad.
There's another big grade called Cuesta Grade immediately past San Luis Obispo. It's not that steep, but it's pretty long.
The grade past Gaviota combined with the Cuesta grade still add up to less than the Grapevine.
The 101 from Ventura County up to the bay area is a great scenic route that every CA resident should see at least once. Even though the hills are already brown, it's still gorgeous.
Things will green up once you pass the bay.
Another alternative would be to make a loop and go up the 101 and down the 5 (or vice versa). That way you'll see two versions of the state. (395 is even more scenic, but it's way too far east for this trip.
And make sure and take your hippie spray, because they're everywhere once you get to Humboldt County. It's gorgeous up there though.
Don't sweat the route around the east bay though. You might as well add that to your CA bingo card just to say you've seen it. Just don't stop and ask for directions in Oakland.
