Sacramento to San Diego.

[puppychow]

Wanting to ride to San Diego from Sacramento this weekend. I have the option of leaving either early Friday morning or early Saturday morning. Wondering how bad the long weekend traffic will be on I-5 on Saturday? Of course once I hit So Cal will traffic be more terrible on a Friday afternoon than a Saturday afternoon?

I was thinking of 2 routing options:

Option #1: Wimp out and take I-5 all the way down to San Diego.

Option #2: Take the scenic route, I-5 to Hwy 152 to Gilroy to Monterey and follow Hwy 1 PCH to SLO and then Hwy 101 through Santa Barbara and follow it into LA and meet up with I-5 again. Once again traffic will be a big influence, plus I don't know what the condition of the PCH is this winter following all the rain storms we have had.

If any locals with insight or more info would please pipe in with suggestions, I would appreciate it very much.

Thanks!

 

[exskibum]

Done the Auburn to LA thing too many times in the last 4 years. PUKE at your option 1 (I-5 all the way) unless it's required by time constraints. I'd go 1 or 101 from Salinas/Monterey area to enjoy it a lot more. You're adding a few hours to the trip (obviously more with 1 than 101), but with the exception of the regular construction aided traffic jams on 101 through Santa Barbara, the traffic is a LOT better (as is the scenery).

On 5, esp. for a holiday weekend, you're generally stuck in 80 to 90 mph traffic in 2 lanes each way, going straight. To my sensibilities, that's a lot more conducive to stupid cager tricks. I just don't enjoy that road at all. 1 is hit and miss depending on the weather and mud slides this time of year. If you get a good day and clear road, it's always a blast. If not, I'd take 101. Whichever the route, I'd leave Friday, except that if you're doing it in one day, you probably don't wanna be going through LA on Friday before a 3 day weekend, esp. between 3 pm and 7pm, on 5 or on 101 to 405 or 5.

Current PCH road conditions from https://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi :

SR 1

[iN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA]

NO TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ARE REPORTED FOR THIS AREA.

[iN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA]

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS FROM 1.5 MI SOUTH TO 0.5 MI

SOUTH OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO/MONTEREY CO LINE FROM 0700 HRS TO 1400 HRS MONDAY

THRU FRIDAY THRU 3/1/10 - DUE TO CONSTRUCTION

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC 3 MI SOUTH OF GORDA (MONTEREY CO) FROM 0730 HRS

TO 1600 HRS MONDAY THRU THURSDAY & FROM 0700 HRS TO 1400 HRS ON FRIDAY THRU

4/16/10 - DUE TO CONSTRUCTION

[iN THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA]

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC FROM 2.5 MI SOUTH TO 2 MI SOUTH OF THE

JCT OF SR 128 (MENDOCINO CO) 24 HRS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK THRU 0001 HRS ON

2/28/10 - DUE TO PERMIT WORK - MOTORISTS ARE SUBJECT TO DELAYS OF UP TO

10 MINUTES

 

[puppychow]

Thanks for the reply! I will probably be doing it in one day, I might have an offer to spend the night in Thousand Oaks on Friday night, if that pans out then I would love to split it up into 2 days, but most probably it is going to be a day long ride to San Diego.

So, according to you it is probably better to leave very early Saturday morning then. I think I will skip Hwy 1 for this trip, also skip the madness of I-80 and I-680 bay area traffic as well and use I-5 and Hwy 152 to get to Hwy 101 and then just follow it into LA to catch I-5 again. LA freeways do scare the hell out of me, so I am mentally preparing myself for some OH **** moments...

 

[exskibum]

Of those choices, my preference would be to do Folsom to Thousand Oaks Friday, and then on to SD Saturday. I wouldn't eschew 1, though, if it was a nice day. If it's not raining, then it's not like summer when fog is a lot more likely; you might get something spectacular. In a car, I'd avoid it, but not on the bike. I LOVE 1 on the bike. Either way, 101 is reasonably nice, but it's not 1 on a gorgeous February day.

If you can't stay Friday night in Thousand Oaks and have to do it in one day, I'd leave early Saturday and bite the bullet to ride 5 all the way. Yechhh! But at least you wouldn't be dealing with Friday traffic through LA and ought to be able to get into S.D. pretty comfortably and before dark.

 

[tcfjr]

So, according to you it is probably better to leave very early Saturday morning then. I think I will skip Hwy 1 for this trip, also skip the madness of I-80 and I-680 bay area traffic as well and use I-5 and Hwy 152 to get to Hwy 101 and then just follow it into LA to catch I-5 again. LA freeways do scare the hell out of me, so I am mentally preparing myself for some OH **** moments...

If you decide on I-5 to SR-152, you can add some real fun to the ride by hitting SR-25 south from Hollister. This is a great motorcycling road - little traffic, nice sweepers, great scenery, and a big improvement over the adjacent section of US-101. Turn off onto G-13 to join back up with the 101 in King City.

If you want to maximize your time with a view of the ocean, stay on 101 south of Los Alamos - but another scenic option is to take SR-154 into Santa Barbara. SR-154 cuts 12 miles of the equivalent drive on the 101, but you get some decent curves, a view of the newly replenished Lake Cachuma, and some great views of the ocean from on high as you get closer to Santa Barbara.

Another fun detour that only adds 8 miles to the route as you near Santa Barbara: exit the 101 at Betteravia in Santa Maria, and follow it east until it turns into Foxen Canyon Rd. Take Foxen Canyon past the wineries until it meets up again with the 101, right at SR-154. From there, take either the 101 or the 154 into Santa Barbara.

 

[James Burleigh]

Done the Auburn to LA thing too many times in the last 4 years. PUKE at your option 1 (I-5 all the way) unless it's required by time constraints. I'd go 1 or 101 from Salinas/Monterey area to enjoy it a lot more. You're adding a few hours to the trip (obviously more with 1 than 101), but with the exception of the regular construction aided traffic jams on 101 through Santa Barbara, the traffic is a LOT better (as is the scenery).
On 5, esp. for a holiday weekend, you're generally stuck in 80 to 90 mph traffic in 2 lanes each way, going straight. To my sensibilities, that's a lot more conducive to stupid cager tricks. I just don't enjoy that road at all. 1 is hit and miss depending on the weather and mud slides this time of year. If you get a good day and clear road, it's always a blast. If not, I'd take 101. Whichever the route, I'd leave Friday, except that if you're doing it in one day, you probably don't wanna be going through LA on Friday before a 3 day weekend, esp. between 3 pm and 7pm, on 5 or on 101 to 405 or 5.

Current PCH road conditions from https://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi :

SR 1

[iN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA]

NO TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ARE REPORTED FOR THIS AREA.

[iN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA]

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS FROM 1.5 MI SOUTH TO 0.5 MI

SOUTH OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO/MONTEREY CO LINE FROM 0700 HRS TO 1400 HRS MONDAY

THRU FRIDAY THRU 3/1/10 - DUE TO CONSTRUCTION

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC 3 MI SOUTH OF GORDA (MONTEREY CO) FROM 0730 HRS

TO 1600 HRS MONDAY THRU THURSDAY & FROM 0700 HRS TO 1400 HRS ON FRIDAY THRU

4/16/10 - DUE TO CONSTRUCTION

[iN THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA]

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC FROM 2.5 MI SOUTH TO 2 MI SOUTH OF THE

JCT OF SR 128 (MENDOCINO CO) 24 HRS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK THRU 0001 HRS ON

2/28/10 - DUE TO PERMIT WORK - MOTORISTS ARE SUBJECT TO DELAYS OF UP TO

10 MINUTES

Uh, what he said. That just about sums it up. (I never realized ESB provided such comprehensive trip-planning services.... )

 

[madmike2]

Uh, what he said. That just about sums it up. (I never realized ESB provided such comprehensive trip-planning services.... )

You've no idea.....he's one of the best. :clapping:

Sshhhh....he might start charging a fee. :blink:

 

[RsvlFeej]

+1 on SR-25 south from Hollister. Excellent twisties and you avoid some of the CHP between Soledad and San Miguel on the 101 (thicker than maggots on meat through there). I hit Hwy 25 at least 3X a year since my family is down in that area. Unfortunately, I have seen bikers getting lifeflighted twice in the last 4 years - so look out for the boys who think it's a racetrack. You can cut off to 101 at King City or continue south and cut over to 101 on 198.

Also agree any time on Hwy 1 between Monterey and Morro Bay is time well spent, but definitely not a way to get anywhere in a hurry.

 

[puppychow]

Thanks guys! You guys are A+ awesome!

So, I heard back from my friends in Thousand Oaks, I am welcome to sleep at their house on Friday night, so Hwy 1 is a go! Woohoo! My first time on Hwy 1 between Monterey and Morro Bay on my bike. My friends asked me if I had time to do some of the canyon roads in Malibu on Saturday and the answer would be YES! I guess I would let them lead me through!

This should be fun! :rockwoot:

 

[puppychow]

Damn rain is rolling in on Friday, I think I will wait it out till Thursday, if they are still calling for rains on Friday,then I guess I will have to push out my trip till Saturday and take the yucky route on I-5. Damn weather always playing the villain this time of year.

 

[madmike2]

Damn rain is rolling in on Friday, I think I will wait it out till Thursday, if they are still calling for rains on Friday,then I guess I will have to push out my trip till Saturday and take the yucky route on I-5. Damn weather always playing the villain this time of year.

Sam, I'd still consider taking 101.

I-5 is such a drone! 101 has turns and scenery plus, like Hwy 99, there are many places to pull off for gas, drinks, stretch, hot chocolate/coffee, etc. Since it's a 3-day weekend, most folks should be done with their traveling on Friday so it may be a pleasant ride South,

 

[puppychow]

Damn rain is rolling in on Friday, I think I will wait it out till Thursday, if they are still calling for rains on Friday,then I guess I will have to push out my trip till Saturday and take the yucky route on I-5. Damn weather always playing the villain this time of year.

Sam, I'd still consider taking 101.

I-5 is such a drone! 101 has turns and scenery plus, like Hwy 99, there are many places to pull off for gas, drinks, stretch, hot chocolate/coffee, etc. Since it's a 3-day weekend, most folks should be done with their traveling on Friday so it may be a pleasant ride South,

Funny you should post this, I was thinking the same and made up a google map route to follow. I am going to give Hwy 101 a try, just leave Folsom at daybreak or a little earlier.

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&...4bfd30bad06a157

 

[ynotride]

For your day 2 leaving thousand oaks I would suggest avoiding going thru downtown LA and using the 101S to 405S to 5S to get to Del Mar. Going thru downtown always sucks and there is always traffic.

If you have extra time then I would suggest going down Malibu canyons to PCH (HWY1) and riding to Del Mar down the coast but obviously this route would take a few more hours then the freeway.

Have a nice ride.

 

[puppychow]

I will be riding down to San Diego in 1 day on Saturday, but on your suggestion, I will modify the route to take 101S to 405S and then catch up with 5S again. Thank you!

 

[exskibum]

I will be riding down to San Diego in 1 day on Saturday, but . . . .

[SIZE=18pt]FOOL!!![/SIZE]

Check the weather for San Simeon or Cambria tomorrow! Send a PM to KhunaJawdge or dcarver to confirm via some local knowledge, check out the Golf Channel starting at noon today for video of what the weather at the north end of Hwy.1 looks like in real time today.

I left Tahoe in the mid 90s to live in the Carmel area for a couple or three years where we had friends even before that. I'm telling you, there are February days down there (when it is cold elsewhere in the state) that are as pleasant as it gets, shirtsleeve weather. (I was badly golf addicted in those days and the ex and I worked for Pebble Beach Co. for a while.) There's a good reason why the PGA Tour's AT&T Pro-Am is this weekend -- there are some weather days, but when you get a good one? It just doesn't get any better.

My take on riding south? Looks like if you dress for the cool you get from being out in the wind on the bike AND have your digital camera at the ready, tomorrow might be one of those truly great days on the bike on 1 -- sensory overload with pic opportunities like you see in travel brochures. And you have a place to stay in Thousand Oaks to make it 2 days. NO QUESTION what I'd be doing for that trip to SD. B)

note: LOL to mm2 and JB -- I AM gonna start charging guys like puppychow if they keep making ******* decisions like throwing away a potentially spectacular ride opportunity on 1 south from Carmel on a beautiful Feb. day. He may not even deserve to live in Calif with decisions like that, and I bet we could get a dozen or so Canadians or east coasters who'd trade out with him for that day on 1 if given the chance -- and even pay for the privilege! puppychow -- I'll sketch the route, you leave 'em the bike to ride it on. Heck, I'll go over there and lead the damn ride!

 

[Khunajawdge]

I will be riding down to San Diego in 1 day on Saturday, but . . . .

[SIZE=18pt]FOOL!!![/SIZE]

Check the weather for San Simeon or Cambria tomorrow! Send a PM to KhunaJawdge or dcarver to confirm via some local knowledge, check out the Golf Channel starting at noon today for video of what the north end of Hwy.1 looks like in real time.

Yes, as Rich's Cal Trans Report for Highway 1 near Central Cal Coast says;

[iN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA]

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS FROM 1.5 MI SOUTH TO 0.5 MI

SOUTH OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO/MONTEREY CO LINE FROM 0700 HRS TO 1400 HRS MONDAY

THRU FRIDAY THRU 3/1/10 - DUE TO CONSTRUCTION

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC 3 MI SOUTH OF GORDA (MONTEREY CO) FROM 0730 HRS

TO 1600 HRS MONDAY THRU THURSDAY & FROM 0700 HRS TO 1400 HRS ON FRIDAY THRU

4/16/10 - DUE TO CONSTRUCTION

If it were me, I'd put Highway 25 out of Holister as the best bet for heading south. Highway 1 sees a lot of gravel strewn from high ledges and mountain sides in this season giving the road a cringe factor.

The weather is nice down here and there is No snow anywhere, but there may be some recent potholing and the residue of flooding on the backroads. Should be a nice ride for you though. No rain for the next 5 days. Temperature today in the low 60's with a high overcast. Supposedly(?) by tomorrow a High pressure zone will establish and the temps should be well into the 70's by Saturday. This is great weather for riding Cen Cal Coast.

I'm not going to be around (heading to the Southern Desert, or I'd offer to meet you somewhere and guide you deeper into the county on more rural routes. PM me if you want.

keep the rubber side down and all that!

 

[puppychow]

Thank you! Gravel is definitely a no-no, I didn't mention in this thread that I am new to this bike, so I would like to err on the side of safety, esp. since I am traveling alone. I would still like to have some fun which hopefully Hwy 25, Foxen Canyon and Hwy 154 will provide me along the way.

As for Hwy 1, I would be love to return there hopefully with some riding company.

Thanks guys!

Sam

EDIT - Ooooh peer pressure! Yes, maybe I am a dumb-*** for giving up this riding opportunity on Hwy 1, I am seriously tempted though...

 

[exskibum]

Thank you! Gravel is definitely a no-no, I didn't mention in this thread that I am new to this bike, so I would like to err on the side of safety, esp. since I am traveling alone. I would still like to have some fun which hopefully Hwy 25, Foxen Canyon and Hwy 154 will provide me along the way.
As for Hwy 1, I would be love to return there hopefully with some riding company.

Thanks guys!

Sam

EDIT - Ooooh peer pressure! Yes, maybe I am a dumb-*** for giving up this riding opportunity on Hwy 1, I am seriously tempted though...

Well, you may have redeemed yourself.** It was George (khunajawdge) who showed me Foxen Canyon in Sept. 08, and 154 (San Marcos Pass) into Goleta IS a better ride than 101 to the same junction (shorter, too). You'll enjoy both, esp. Foxen Cyn. I have yet to ride 25, mostly because I can't stay away from 1 when I have the time and opportunity to be in that area.

Have a safe and enjoyable one.

** Since tomorrow is Friday, I was considering a poll on the propriety of a dogpile in consequence of throwing away stellar riding opportunities, mostly for the benefit of our snowbound brethren and sisteren who are probably reaching that level of cabin fever that they just might kill for a chance to ride Hwy.1 on a glorious February day. (In fairness, I would have noted that consideration should be given for the fact that at least you are riding.)

 

[tcfjr]

If you had more time, you could add a few detours and have a great sample of riding through the Central Coast:

• SR-25 from Hollister to King City
• County G-14 from King City to Jolon
• Naciemento-Fergusson Road from Jolon to SR-1 (named one of the Ten Best Motorcycling Roads in the World by Motorcyclist magazine)
• SR-1 to Santa Rosa Creek Road in Cambria
• Santa Rosa Creek Rd. to SR-46, to Vineyard, Templeton and Homestead to SR-41
• SR-41 to SR-229, a little bit of motorcycling heaven (right Carver?)
• SR-229 south to SR-58 west and back to US-101
• US-101 south to SR-166
• SR-166 east for 15 miles to Tepusquet Road
• Tepusquet for 16 miles to Foxen Canyon
• Foxen Canyon to SR-154
• SR-154 south to US-101 in Santa Barbara