zeeboost Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I've always wondered why all of the car enthusiasts chose to stay in Cali, despite the pointless and annoying smog/emissions laws. I took my vacation this week to head to California - a road trip that's been planned for months. We (g/f and I) took I-10 from Texas to SoCal. As soon as I entered L.A., I was unimpressed with the roads, and prayed it was just the area I was in. Well, yesterday I drove from L.A. to Castroville on CA-1 - GOOD GRAVY this place is GORGEOUS! I've never driven on so many windy twisties around mountains, and an awesome view of the ocean to compliment everything. From Castroville we hopped on 101 to San Fran., and just about an hour ago I finished making the drive from San Fran. to Yosemite nat'l park...again, yet another amazing drive. We hiked a few trails so far, and have a lot more planned for tomorrow, but the scenery here is speechless. Although, I will admit, the one vehicle I wish I had with me is my R6 - especially when I was stuck in San Fran. traffic, since it's legal here to ride between vehicles (lucky!!). Unfortunately I was unable to bring a Z - it seemed more feasible to drive the little Hyundai sh*tbox, since it get's 30+mpg, has a/c, and is still a 5 spd. I can see what motivates people here to cruise without a destination. I also went up to see the Hearst Castle, and wow! The whole experience was :shock: . The view of the bay from Alcatraz was very photogenic as well. Anyways, just wanted to share how awesome the landscape is in this state of Cali. I don't know how I can ever return to the flat, boring roads of Texas. I mean, we have a mild hill country around Austin, which is okay, but after driving through Cali, I don't think I'll ever feel the same about them. As a side note, in the past 2 days I've seen 26 of the new 2010 Mustangs already...what the hell? I didn't think they were that great - maybe it's a Cali thing. I also saw my first Lambo in person a couple of days ago while eating in Hollywood - much sexier in person, might I add. Okay, I'm done now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckolander Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 For the record, Cali is beautiful, just not all that great. Oh, and riding a bike between cars is not legal, just accepted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big-phil Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 For the record, Cali is beautiful, just not all that great. Oh, and riding a bike between cars is not legal, just accepted. Yeah but on CHIPS they do it? I've never been to Cali but would like to see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arif Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I grew up in SoCal and you should have seen it 15 years ago. The roads were nice and smooth and it wasn't 50 million people on the freeway. PCH is a very beautiful drive with the ocean views. Cali has a lot of natural beauty but the population growth is driving down the quality of everything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rolling Parts Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 That ride along the coast is great road (well, ANYTHING is a great road when compared to the I-10 trip through El Paso!). The weather there is also a plus. Have a safe trip back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Getting out of LA or the Bay Area really opens your eyes to how great this state really is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strotter Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I'm up in Lodi; you probably passed within a few miles of my house on your way to Yosemite! There are thousands of miles or pretty empty roads, once you get off the main path. From San Francisco, anything northbound on the coast is awesome. Hwy 1 continues north (after a break) all the way up to Oregon. One of the most beautiful roads - and challenging for "spirited" driving! BTW, cutting lanes in California is legal - we're one of the few states that allow it - with some limitations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon 74 260Z Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 zeeboost, you should move here -- we need more taxpayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARiskyCvt Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Sounds like you had a great time. I was born and raised here so I love it here. As for the motorcycle sharing lane, CA is the only state that allow lane sharing to cut through traffic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auxilary Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 For the record, Cali is beautiful, just not all that great. Oh, and riding a bike between cars is not legal, just accepted. Actually, yes it is. http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html Can motorcycle riders "split" lanes and ride between other vehicles?Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible but must be done in a safe and prudent manner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy 77zt Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 if you can go out of the east side of yosemite and head north on hwy 395 and check out lake tahoe.there are some dumpy cheap old hotels on the west side of harvey's casino that arent bad -but arent good but doable to avoid expensive hotel.harrahs buffet on the top is good for dinner.problem with cali is expensive cost of living and high taxes.plus crowded cities and high crime in some places.the best places in cali arent known by tourists Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeeboost Posted July 17, 2009 Author Share Posted July 17, 2009 I grew up in SoCal and you should have seen it 15 years ago. The roads were nice and smooth and it wasn't 50 million people on the freeway. PCH is a very beautiful drive with the ocean views. Cali has a lot of natural beauty but the population growth is driving down the quality of everything else. I've heard the same thing from people that have lived in Austin for a while - at least you were around at that time to enjoy it. I still enjoyed driving through the L.A. area. I'm up in Lodi; you probably passed within a few miles of my house on your way to Yosemite! There are thousands of miles or pretty empty roads, once you get off the main path. Too bad I didn't know this earlier, I could've used your place as a pit stop so I can fix the high-beams on my little crapbox (and of course check out your Z). if you can go out of the east side of yosemite and head north on hwy 395 and check out lake tahoe.there are some dumpy cheap old hotels on the west side of harvey's casino that arent bad -but arent good but doable to avoid expensive hotel.harrahs buffet on the top is good for dinner.problem with cali is expensive cost of living and high taxes.plus crowded cities and high crime in some places.the best places in cali arent known by tourists I just looked at it on the map, and it's a bit too far out of reach for us - we have everything plotted out and have certain checkpoints that we need to be at certain times. The pictures on the internet make it look very appealing, though. Thanks anyways for the tip. We finished hiking a few miles today, yielding some great panoramic views. Tonight we'll head to glacier point for some astronomy, and tomorrow we plan on visiting the sequoias before out departure. *Another side note, have any of you witnessed or received tickets from aircraft? I've seen the signs everywhere and have had several random pops chirp from my radar detector, but no signs of aircraft. Just curious... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaparral2f Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Now if only us Oregonians could convince all those Californians to share your sentiments ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tfreer85 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 *Another side note, have any of you witnessed or received tickets from aircraft? I've seen the signs everywhere and have had several random pops chirp from my radar detector, but no signs of aircraft. Just curious... The aircrafts fly rarely now days, but still do fly. If you did get a ticket from one of them its not from radar, its done by passing through a mile marker in a given amount of time. I've never got one, the signs are pretty frequent around me as well. That all said, if you notice a airplane and think its after you, slow down a lot, it'll throw off the timing and they can't prove you were speeding. Then proceed to the speed limit, until the plane is out of sight. Most of the radar dectectors, that I've used, seen used etc. in Cali pick up Emergency radio towers and sometimes truckers too. On the note of CA, I live in the "conservative armpit" of the state and its still beautiful here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMWHYR0HEN Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Stop promoting CA this place is already crowded enough! It is really is hard for visitors not to like CA though.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 When I visited California a long time ago the freeways were breathtaking, not a lot of traffic and they went on forever. Not particularly impressed by the Chev hire car though. Hardly anyone walking, LA looked deceptively deserted where I went. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 "I can see what motivates people here to cruise without a destination." I've done that since I could drive. Living in SoCal has nothing to do with that urge. As for this: Can motorcycle riders "split" lanes and ride between other vehicles? Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible but must be done in a safe and prudent manner. Anybody else remember when the speed limit was 'Safe and Prudent'? There were many states out west where this was the case prior to the national speed limit in 1973. Even after that change, it took some time for State Troopers to bother with you unless you cracked Triple Digits. I remember driving with my dad (no seatbelts) in his Plymouth Fury going around 100mph across the desert on a trip from an educators conference. And gas was 5$ a tank...with change given by the attendant that topped fluids, checked yer blades, battery, and anything else they think they could find a problem with and sell you for an outrageous middle-of-nowhere price! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbk240z Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I visited San Francisco x-mas of 1996. I had a good time. Did the Napa valley thing, Alcatraz tour, visited Pier 51, or was it 15, 59, or? I was dating the niece of the curator of the zoo there at the time, man did he have a nice house which we lucky enough to stay at. There were some great restaurants there also. Man, the niece was a hottie, but way too high maintenance, pain the a$$, too spoiled, etc. But, I had a great time there in Cali. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 The Roller Coaster http://www.panoramio.com/photo/14029102 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 The Rest Stop http://www.panoramio.com/photo/7319485 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.