Roadtrip '04: LA ->SF->Reno/Tahoe ->Vegas

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My best friend from high school and I are roadtripping next month - she's never been to the west coast, so I'm gonna try to show her as much as I can in the space of a week. We're driving to SF up PCH, and I have a rough idea of what to do after that, but any thoughts, ideas, places to see, must dos? Also, if you're in one of these places, perhaps pints can be quaffed.

― luna (luna.c), Thursday, 10 June 2004 18:12 (twenty-two years ago)

I accidentally got re-routed far inland around Santa Barbara on my way back from LA last week and the park/lake/mountain action there was beautiful and strange. Can't remember any names, but it was worth a drive-through. Also - Solvang!

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Thursday, 10 June 2004 18:16 (twenty-two years ago)

I will of course be around to welcome any guests to this my beautiful adopted home.

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Thursday, 10 June 2004 18:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Haha, Solvang!

DB and El Diablo to thread to talk about THE OSTRICH FARM.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 10 June 2004 18:18 (twenty-two years ago)

santa cruz is cool to check out on the way up to SF - west cliff drive and natural bridges state park/beach are cool ocean vistas.

― tk, Thursday, 10 June 2004 18:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Heading on the 33/150(?) from Carpinteria to Ojai is a good detour, if you've got the time for it.

― deanomgwtf!!!p%3Fmsgid%3D4581997 (deangulberry), Thursday, 10 June 2004 18:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Definitely Santa Cruz, maybe Santa Barbara, I considered Solvang, but not sure there's time; I'll take her to the Winchester Mystery House, and probably to see Shakespeare on the shore of Tahoe, but there's so much more I know I'm missing.

― luna (luna.c), Thursday, 10 June 2004 18:49 (twenty-two years ago)

If you go to Santa Cruz, you must eat at Jalapenos. Also, please bring me back one. Will pay you $$$$.

― deanomgwtf!!!p%3Fmsgid%3D4581997 (deangulberry), Thursday, 10 June 2004 18:49 (twenty-two years ago)

What is the Winchester Mystery House? I keep seeing the signs!

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Thursday, 10 June 2004 18:50 (twenty-two years ago)

It's a house built for the heir to the Winchester rifle fortune - when he died, iirc, a gypsy told his widow that tragedy kept befalling the family (one or both of their children died as well) because the spirits of the people killed by winchester rifles were pissed, and to keep them appeased, she had to keep building onto the house, which she did, 24/7 for 28 years until she kicked it as well.

― luna (luna.c), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:03 (twenty-two years ago)

It's not that exciting, but it's quirky and sort of fun.

― luna (luna.c), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:03 (twenty-two years ago)

At least if you're the type of person who enjoys repeatedly hitting themself in the head with a hammer because it feels so good when you stop.

Also, yes dean, I'll bring jalapenos.

― luna (luna.c), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:04 (twenty-two years ago)

wait, 38 years, not 28

― luna (luna.c), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:04 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.parks.sonoma.net/wfhousefront.JPG

Jack London's Wolf House and the town of Sonoma are pretty awesome as far as tourist stuff... awesome food, historic buildings, etc...

― andy, Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Santa Cruz = Olympia/Eugene + $$$$$$$$$$$$

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Madonna Inn, San Luis Obispo?

― hstencil (hstencil), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:25 (twenty-two years ago)

try oxnard more

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:26 (twenty-two years ago)

HAHAHAHAHA

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:27 (twenty-two years ago)

My last visit to Oxnard though, the crusty kid population had certainly risen... problem is.. they don't exactly have a park to themselves, so Target or Best Buy is the closest they can come to a hang out.

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:28 (twenty-two years ago)

There are parks. Shut up, you lie.

― deanomgwtf!!!p%3Fmsgid%3D4581997 (deangulberry), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:29 (twenty-two years ago)

But is there a CRUSTY park?

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:29 (twenty-two years ago)

I think most of them probably hang out in Ventura, anyway. I would.

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:30 (twenty-two years ago)

There are no CRUSTIES in Oxnard, they are just DIRTY EMOS and NARDCORE remnants.

― deanomgwtf!!!p%3Fmsgid%3D4581997 (deangulberry), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:31 (twenty-two years ago)

You are right. They are all in Ventura because that's where THE WHITE FOLKS be.

― deanomgwtf!!!p%3Fmsgid%3D4581997 (deangulberry), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:31 (twenty-two years ago)

speaking of which, between Malibu and Ventura/Oxnard, along PCH, there's a great sand dunes area that's worth visiting.

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:32 (twenty-two years ago)

and please, despite the thread of OMG BEING LOST ON OXNARD BLVD. Take 1 up until Oxnard, fer crying out loud...

if there's time, drop back onto 1 after San Luis Obispo going north... unless you REALLY want to see the penitentiary in Lompoc.

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:33 (twenty-two years ago)

You are right. They are all in Ventura because that's where THE WHITE FOLKS be.

try "the avenue" more

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:36 (twenty-two years ago)

i think she's pretty familiar with LA to SF.

― oops (Oops), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Gygax, don't be mad that I ripped on your purse.

― deanomgwtf!!!p%3Fmsgid%3D4581997 (deangulberry), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:38 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.dce.unr.edu/aacis/reno.jpg

... as featured in "The Wizard" starring Fred Savage.

― deanomgwtf!!!p%3Fmsgid%3D4581997 (deangulberry), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:42 (twenty-two years ago)

coalinga is great for thrifting, they have an annual horned toad festival, and the stench of harris ranch does impressive things to the olfactory.

also, What is the shape of punk to come?

deangulberry, i will cut you.

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:42 (twenty-two years ago)

(and the girl from Rilo Kiley)

― deanomgwtf!!!p%3Fmsgid%3D4581997 (deangulberry), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:42 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm familiar with LA ->SF, and also Reno and Vegas - I guess I mean little out of the way stuff that I might not be thinking of.

― luna (luna.c), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:47 (twenty-two years ago)

I remember 395 going south in eastern California was a nice drive..

And I assume you're visiting Lake Tahoe.

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:55 (twenty-two years ago)

(yes, it says so in your thread subject.. duh)

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:56 (twenty-two years ago)

I am probably doing a similar trip in late July/early August! Perhaps we will meet up?

― Casuistry (Chris P), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Oxnard? Coalinga? This person has never been to California and you guys are giving the most bogus recommendations I've ever heard.

― andy, Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:57 (twenty-two years ago)

The drive through Nevada is both fantastic and terrible. Goldfield, NV, is a key stop, although there's not much there. Watch out for the cops as you get close to a big city, especially around Tonopah.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Emeryville?

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Emeryville!

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:58 (twenty-two years ago)

You're quite right, Andy. We forgot Ojai.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 10 June 2004 19:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Goldfield Nevada is awesome... they should have Paris Hilton live there for a season.

― andy, Thursday, 10 June 2004 20:00 (twenty-two years ago)

The "Dogpatch".

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Thursday, 10 June 2004 20:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Goleta!

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Thursday, 10 June 2004 20:09 (twenty-two years ago)

I have a warrant for my arrest because of Goleta. Fuck Goleta.

― andy, Thursday, 10 June 2004 20:19 (twenty-two years ago)

I have an outstanding parking ticket in Santa Cruz!!

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Thursday, 10 June 2004 20:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Tehachapi is beautiful this time of the year, as is Boron.

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 10 June 2004 20:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Hearst Castle/Monterey/Big Sur (pictures?)

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 10 June 2004 20:23 (twenty-two years ago)

nobody likes MADONNA INN?

― hstencil (hstencil), Thursday, 10 June 2004 20:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Good for eatin'.

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Thursday, 10 June 2004 20:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Skipping 76 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

everytime someone writes "Pahrump" in their post I can't help but hear it as an onomatopoeic interuption.

― oops (Oops), Friday, 11 June 2004 04:53 (twenty-two years ago)

"Art Bell lived in Biff! Pow! Zoit!??"

― oops (Oops), Friday, 11 June 2004 04:53 (twenty-two years ago)

oops do you post from prison?

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Friday, 11 June 2004 04:54 (twenty-two years ago)

I'll give you the answer to that question next Saturday, Bender.

― oops (Oops), Friday, 11 June 2004 04:55 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm sure the Paiute who discovered water coming from the rocks (from the aquifer it sits on) were like, "Dude! Pah-rump!" The emphasis is on the first syllable, I believe.

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Friday, 11 June 2004 08:37 (twenty-two years ago)

395 is a really nice drive. And it takes you past Mono Lake, which was probably better as a surprise feature of our road trip rather than a planned one...but it's still pretty cool and weird.

― sgs (sgs), Friday, 11 June 2004 08:53 (twenty-two years ago)

oh, right. that didn't even occur to me, and makes more sense than going across NV (thhough I'd go through Death Valley the reverse of my suggestion on the way to Vegas). Alternatives to 15 from Vegas to LA would be
1) 93 SE to Kingman, AZ, what's supposed to be a great (but difficult) stretch of Rt 66 to Needles, and then the alternate Route 66 portions of 40 W to Barstow (Edwards?)
2) same route to Needles, continue south to Lake Havasu City/London Bridge and 62 W to Joshua Tree and Palm Springs

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Friday, 11 June 2004 09:11 (twenty-two years ago)

93 SE to Kingman, AZ, what's supposed to be a great (but difficult) stretch of Rt 66 to Needles,

That stretch of road is fucking amazing, especially this time of year (our road trip there was exactly a year ago) when all the desert flowers seemed to bloom at once. And it takes you through the burro-inhabited semi-ghost town of Oatman. It curves slowly up mountains and through a pass before reaching the town, but after that is a pretty smooth descent to Needles.

― sgs (sgs), Friday, 11 June 2004 10:34 (twenty-two years ago)

i had to give up on la taqueria after i got sick from their food ... twice .... on two different meats. no fun.

― tk, Friday, 11 June 2004 14:21 (twenty-two years ago)

when all the desert flowers seemed to bloom at once.

They do! You were very lucky to see that.

― oops (Oops), Friday, 11 June 2004 19:38 (twenty-two years ago)

I seem to recall my ex (who grew up in Vegas) pronouncing Pahrump with the stress on the 2nd syllable but I'll ask him again next time I talk to him (or maybe I won't!).

― Casuistry (Chris P), Friday, 11 June 2004 23:25 (twenty-two years ago)

two weeks pass...

Okay, now thinga have changed slightly.

We're skipping Reno/Tahoe and going to the Grand Canyon instead. SO, what I want to know from you seasoned roadtrippers, would it make sense to go LA -> SF -> Vegas -> Grand Canyon -> (Vegas?) ->LA? Should we skip Vegas on the way back and drive straight in from the Grand Canyon?

― luna (luna.c), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:05 (twenty-one years ago)

why would you wanna go to vegas twice?

― oops (Oops), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Because it's there? I don't know. Don't bother me with trivial details, boy. ANSWER ME.

― luna (luna.c), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:18 (twenty-one years ago)

I wouldn't want to go to Vegas once frankly.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Vegas is great!

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:26 (twenty-one years ago)

But yeah, I can maybe see why it is not your kind of place, Alex.

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:26 (twenty-one years ago)

That reminds me of the time when I asked you if I should go to Calistoga, and you said "Yeah, if you want to be with ASSHOLES"!

Needless to say, I took your advice on that particular issue.

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:27 (twenty-one years ago)

I like Reno way way way more than Vegas. Vegas is too clean.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Does Reno have cartoonish hotels?

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:30 (twenty-one years ago)

YES! Also more skank!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:31 (twenty-one years ago)

50% more to be exact.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:32 (twenty-one years ago)

I'd go to Flagstaff, then take HWY 89A to Sedona, then go to Phoenix and connect with I-10. But you know me: Vegas doesn't appeal to me at all.

― oops (Oops), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:32 (twenty-one years ago)

That said if you drive to Vegas you get to pass through scenic BORON!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:32 (twenty-one years ago)

What is Monolake?

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:33 (twenty-one years ago)

And is it worth going to?

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Do you REALLY want to go to the Grand Canyon? Because if you've only got a week, it's going to be busy.

I'd take this itineary: LA. Up the coast to SF. SF east to CA-120 through Yosemite and then up over Tioga Pass on CA-120 to US-395 and then down to Bishop. Take CA-190 through Death Valley and then hookup with US-95 and take it into Las Vegas. Take US-93 from Vegas SE to I-40 and then into Flagstaff and then up to the Grand Canyon. Come back down to Flagstaff and then head south through Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, etc. until you get to Scottsdale/Phoenix. Get on I-10 west and head back home.

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:35 (twenty-one years ago)

What is Monolake?

Mono Lake is one of my fave areas ever (I heart the East Sierra in general) - http://www.monolake.org/

Yes it's worth visiting.

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:36 (twenty-one years ago)

I've never been to Mono Lake, but it looks pretty.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:37 (twenty-one years ago)

i was hoping this thread would be revived if only to recommend the small chance possibility of driving north across the Golden Gate Bridge and then up highway 1 up to Jenner, then heading east on highway 116 along the russian river which i believe is one of the most gorgeous drives in this state.

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:44 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't REALLY want to go to GC, but she does... Chris, that looks perfect - thank you.

― luna (luna.c), Monday, 28 June 2004 19:48 (twenty-one years ago)

If you're skipping Reno but still going to SF, how do you propose to go to Vegas/Canyon? Are you still going to go across the Sierras and down through the Owens Valley?

Do you have only a week? My route is proposed without any restraints in mind. I don't know if Elvis T's would be faster or make more sense if you have serious restrictions.

From Vegas, I would head NE to Utah, E through Zion NP to Alt-89 E to Marble Canyon, S and then W to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, S to Flagstaff and then W to LA, following the Route 66 alternate roads between Williams, AZ and Victorville, CA.

Along the way, as time allows...

Between Vegas and Zion, follow the N shore of Lake Tahoe and loop through the Valley of Fire.

Before joining Alt-89, detour NE to Bryce Canyon (if you really want to detour, follow Hwy 12 NE through Escalante - to Capitol Reef? - and return or loop NW on 24 and return S)

Along Alt-89, detour S on the North Rim Drive through the Coconino NF to the N. Rim of the Grand Canyon.

From Marble Canyon, detour N. to Page, AZ, Glen Canyon Dam, and Lake Powell. Get a Navajo guide to Antelope Canyon.

Just outside Flagstaff, visit the excellent Museum of Northern Arizona in the foothills of the San Francisco Peaks. From Flagstaff, detour S to Oak Creek Canyon and, ok, its new-age-bullshit-tourist-trap-city Sedona (also home to, among other places, Garland's, an incredibly great Navajo rug store). Sunset Crater and Wupatki NM are other places of interest in the very-broadly-defined vicinity of Flagstaff, though I don't find either extremely compelling.

From Route 66 W of Williams, detour NE to the Hualapai and Havasu Reservations and the long hike to Havasu Canyon

Most of the time I've spent in Phoenix has been at moderately expensive, golf-centric resorts in Scottsdale, so I see it as a very nice, relaxing place, but I don't think it's particularly special as a destination, or so different from say Palm Springs. Two stand-out attractions are Taliesin West and the Heard Museum. The drive between Flagstaff and Phoenix is definitely scenic in its middle section, but not spectacular. And I'm not sure how interesting the drive from Phoenix to LA would be.

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Monday, 28 June 2004 20:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Mono Lake = awesome.

From SF go through Yosemite on 120 and come out at Mono Lake. Spend the night somewhere around Lee Vining or June Lake and then head down 395.

― Michael White (Hereward), Monday, 28 June 2004 21:13 (twenty-one years ago)

mono lake is totally cool and bizarro! definitely take the guided tour thing if you go, nordic. it's kind of boring occasionally but you get some strange information about the lake that seems otherwise unavailable.

it feels kind of like another planet that just happens to fairly closely resemble earth.

― .rob (rgeary), Monday, 28 June 2004 21:17 (twenty-one years ago)

When I was growing up in Yosemite, my dad and I would go camping on the East Side all the time. More recently I've done 50 to 89 over to 395 ('cause the passes were closed) and it's such an amazing drive.

east on highway 116 along the russian river which i believe is one of the most gorgeous drives in this state

Oh yeah, baby. This is the real thing, especially during the summer.

― Michael White (Hereward), Monday, 28 June 2004 21:21 (twenty-one years ago)

In Flagstaff, the veggie/natural-centric cafe/gallery/yuppie/snowboarder-hangout Cafe Express (16 N. San Francisco St.) is a very nice place for a great, quick breakfast. And I usually hate veggie/natural-centric places.

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Monday, 28 June 2004 21:26 (twenty-one years ago)

xpost: i mean, a lot of the routes recommended on this thread have left me scratching my head... "ooh more desert in the middle of a summer swelter!"... why not throw out a nice one that's a little out of the way?

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 28 June 2004 21:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Flagstaff--at 7000ft-- is lovely in the summer, and Sedona---at 5000--is tolerable

― oops (Oops), Monday, 28 June 2004 21:31 (twenty-one years ago)

gygax, it's not like you chose to take a road trip across 3 hot, dry states in the middle of summer. By your ;-) logic, it would be better to skip everything and just drive up the California coast to Oregon

― Michael White (Hereward), Monday, 28 June 2004 21:47 (twenty-one years ago)

i would follow the coasts for the drive and then buy a southwest $39 friends fly free ticket to vega$ from lax/bur. ef that drive in july.

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 28 June 2004 21:49 (twenty-one years ago)

A/C, dude. A/C

― oops (Oops), Monday, 28 June 2004 21:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Is that the Needles or the Kingman drive? Or both? *Scratching head*

― Michael White (Hereward), Monday, 28 June 2004 21:53 (twenty-one years ago)

oops, go up the baker grade in the summer and look at all the overheated cars who left their A/C on.

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 28 June 2004 21:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Then wait 'til it's dark and listen for the varmints creepin' ever forward in search of fresh carrion.

― Michael White (Hereward), Monday, 28 June 2004 21:57 (twenty-one years ago)

nah, i'll take your word for it. i just like to think that modern autahmobeels are above such petty things as nature.

― oops (Oops), Monday, 28 June 2004 21:59 (twenty-one years ago)

hahahahahahahahahahahaha

― luna (luna.c), Monday, 28 June 2004 22:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Gabbneb's routing only makes sense if you have an extra week for the trip. SW Utah is worth driving through, but much of it is highly-patrolled two-lane roads. Not easy to speed on until you get further out east past Page and out to Monument Valley and the four corners area.

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Monday, 28 June 2004 22:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Of course, the FASTEST way to see the Grand Canyon would be to take one of the airplane/helicopter trips out of Las Vegas

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Monday, 28 June 2004 22:05 (twenty-one years ago)

ten months pass...

talk more about reno!

― fra lippo liposuction (Jody Beth Rosen), Saturday, 30 April 2005 02:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Reno, a great place for business.
spacer

In Reno, there are NO:

* Corporate income taxes
* Personal income taxes
* Estate and/or gift taxes
* Unitary taxes
* Franchise taxes
* Inventory taxes
* Franchise taxes on income

The sales tax rate in Reno is 7.375 percent.

Property Taxes
Nevada's assessed value is 35 percent of property value. Nevada statutes limit the rate of ad valorem property tax to a total of $3.64 for each $100 of assessed valuation.

and also: Inc. lists Reno top place for business

― fra lippo liposuction (Jody Beth Rosen), Saturday, 30 April 2005 02:51 (twenty-one years ago)

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