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Pacific Coast Highway-SF to LA anything to see?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Firedome, Jul 11, 2007.

  1. Firedome
    Joined: Jul 21, 2005
    Posts: 274

    Firedome
    Member
    from Austin, TX

    My gal & I are taking a small vacation and driving from San Francisco to LA (on the coast down and inland back to SF)....so my question is:
    Is there any places/items of vintage gearhead interests that you would suggest we stop in to see? We have all the items that are in the tourist books and there just are not a lot of old hot rod shops or old bike (british/euro preferably) mentioned in them, so what would y'all would suggest.
    Thanks in advance!:D
     
  2. MichaelDorman
    Joined: Apr 27, 2001
    Posts: 849

    MichaelDorman
    Member

    Well the drive down PCH from 'Cisco to LA is worth it alone in my opionion.
    I don't know of to many places in the bay, but LA is full of em'...so yea, it's worth it.
     
  3. ChevyGirlRox
    Joined: May 13, 2005
    Posts: 3,496

    ChevyGirlRox
    Member
    from Ohio

    Like link said, the trip alone is worth it. You will find once on PCH 1 there really aren't many oppportunities to get on and off the coast. Oldbobsign, Hotrodladycrusr and I just did that same stretch of road and it was great! The views are breathtaking. Be sure you have plenty of gas and pack a cooler. Necessities along the coast are expensive! Have fun!
     
  4. This is a little off topic being that you are looking for car stuff but when your cruisin down 1 just after you get out of Big Sur National Park (watch out for the hippies) your gonna pass a small library called the Henry Miller Library (doesn't look anything like a library) but just after that there are huge cliffs down to the ocean. My old lady and I took 1 back from Paso and at that corner is thermals that kick up from the ocean and I think its one of the only places in california to see the California Condor. It was the coolest thing i've seen in a long time. Check it out sorry for writing a book.
     
  5. Jobe
    Joined: Oct 19, 2004
    Posts: 1,248

    Jobe
    Member
    from Austin, Tx

    When are you going? A cool place to check out, especially if it's race day is Laguna Seca. Awesome track...
    http://www.laguna-seca.com/Events/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Schedule&EventID=17

    I don't know much else car related, if you get car sick at all the drive down the coast will test your tummy, not many straights for awhile out of SF. All the towns along the way are cool. Pismo Beach is nice, San Luis Obisbo is a cool laid back college town, etc... it's all good. Hit me up at the dog'n'duck if you want to know more, lived in the Bay Area for 8 years...heading out the first week of August with the fam for some cali time
     
  6. ChevyGirlRox
    Joined: May 13, 2005
    Posts: 3,496

    ChevyGirlRox
    Member
    from Ohio

    Oh NO! We were looking for that place and couldn't find it! AND Oldbobsign spent our whole trip looking for Condors and never saw a one! They are going to be peaved when they read this!
     
  7. oldbobsign
    Joined: Sep 21, 2006
    Posts: 851

    oldbobsign
    Member

    WTF!!!!:mad:
     
  8. Firedome
    Joined: Jul 21, 2005
    Posts: 274

    Firedome
    Member
    from Austin, TX

    I have done this ride a few yrs ago on my old `77 Triumph 750, but alas, this time its in a Sebring Conv't rental...
    Its a spectacular site down the coast but I do not know anything about the inland return route (since it will depend upon what sights we may want to take in...)
    Plus I am leaving this weekend for the trip....fairly loose plan at this point.:D
     
  9. Deuce Roadster
    Joined: Sep 8, 2002
    Posts: 9,519

    Deuce Roadster
    Member Emeritus

    My wife and I just did the LA to San Franciso deal on the Pacific coast highway ... simply beautiful ... :)

    We really enjoyed seeing the elephant seals ... @ 2500 to 3500 pounds ... they are truely a sight to see. There is a pull off close to the William R. Hearst mansion ...

    I suggest you stop ... :) They are a LOT larger than they look in my photos ... my wife counted over a hundred of them.
     

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  10. I think hat the old Hearst mansion is along that route (though I can't remember) if it is it is definitly worth seeing, that place is amazing.
     
  11. Beach Bum
    Joined: May 7, 2006
    Posts: 573

    Beach Bum
    Member

    Just south of Hearst Castle is a little town called Cambria. At the north end of Main Street near HWY 1 is a little shop called Vintage Automobilia. Believe me, it's worth a look. The toy soldier shop a little farther down the street is cool to. Also, ask a local for directions to Nitwit Ridge. It's sort of an anti-Hearst Castle built from "found items".

    Carmel is a great place to wander around. Do the 17 Mile Drive around Pebble Beach. The original Pebble Beach Road races used part of it and some of the other roads. South of Carmel is a restaurant perched on a cliff called Nepenthe, can be crowded but worth it.

    Enjoy,
    Kurt O.
     
  12. Nepenthe is awesome! Thats too bad you guys missed out on the condors we had like eight of them flying right over our head about five feet away. Oh and if your into the bar scene i definantely recommend the 540 club on Clement St. a sweet little bar witha great vibe and really cool art and another bar that i don't remember how to get to but a must see is Zeitgiste (the spelling is probably wrong) it a bicycle bar and is another of my favs.
     
  13. JoeG
    Joined: Jan 22, 2007
    Posts: 198

    JoeG

    This is one of my favorite drives. It's just amazing. The guys above have aready mentioned some good stuff so I'll just add a couple more although they are not car related.

    In Monterey there is a tiki themed restaurant called Hula's. The food is kickass and the island drinks are as big as my arm. It's well worth the stop for a good meal.
    Hulas

    If you hit Pescadero Beach around meal time you sould head inland a little to the town of Pescadero and grab a bite at Duartes. It's a little dive of a place that started out with one keg of booze way back when.
    Duartes

    If you want to visit Hearst, plan ahead a little. We were a little surprised to find that the tours do not often go into the late afternoon and they can sell out frequently. There are also many tour options as well. It's well worth the time to add Hearst into your trip. Even the bus ride from the base station to the castle is cool as you'll see lots of animals that hearst used to keep including zebra and wild pigs.
    Hearst Tour Options

    Overall I think this is one of the beest drives anyone could ever make. I've done it a few times and just talking about it makes me want to book the family some tickets right now.

    Hope you have a great time.
     
  14. MichaelDorman
    Joined: Apr 27, 2001
    Posts: 849

    MichaelDorman
    Member

    Also if you like wine, there is Los Olivos. Cool little wine town, while there I recomens doing a tasting at Ridaue and eating at the Brothers Tavern.
     
  15. hotrodladycrusr
    Joined: Sep 20, 2002
    Posts: 20,765

    hotrodladycrusr
    Member

  16. Jobe
    Joined: Oct 19, 2004
    Posts: 1,248

    Jobe
    Member
    from Austin, Tx

    Well on the inland run take 101 or 99...avoid 5 unless you're short on time on getting back to SF...boring! 99 will be hotter this time of year and is mainly farming communities and flat. 101 route will be a little cooler, more in and out of farming but more mountains to look at. i've done both for most of the trip...either would get my recommendation
     
  17. What dates are you going? Yu know the Asphalt Invitational & our (Strangers) BBQ is THIS weekend. Hit the antique stores in Cambria besides the Antique Automotive place there are some neat shops in both the lower & upper parts of Cambria & some great spaces with car stuff. Hearst Castle is just north of Cambria. As you head into Carmel on Hwy 1 look out for Carmel Valley Road, if you head out Carmel Valley Road (you can only turn left off Hwy 1 south) about 10 minutes out, just past Quail Lodge is a place called Baja Cantina (Mexican joint) with an INSANE collection of automobilia & bikes etc... it reallyis worth seeing and the food is ok and they have a killer patio. If it is foggy on the coast you will more than likely get sun at Baja. Duartes in Pescadero has KILLER green chli soup but I had the worst pie EVER there last time I went, the San Gregorio store is about 2 minutes off the road as well and is a cool old place to see, there is a back road that runs from it to Pescadero but I would go back to the coast for the view. Umm the view is killer as you know if you rode it before, on the way back if you take 101 stop in Solvang, its a little bit of a drive off the Hwy but it is a funky place and has a BITCHEN private motorcycle museum which they will open for you if you call ahead on a weekday, it is WELL worht the side trip and Solvang is a pretty cool funny town. The museum has a website with all the contact info as well. As you head back to the bay area you could hit the BlackHawk or god knows any one of the many shops up there. If you are going to be in Monterey before July 27th get in touch, we are heading overseas after that for a few weeks.
     
  18. Firedome
    Joined: Jul 21, 2005
    Posts: 274

    Firedome
    Member
    from Austin, TX

    Gonna miss the events this weekend as I will be working out there all next week:( The vacation happens when the work ends ... but this is great, keep'em coming, ! Thanks:D!
     
  19. Oh yeah as you head up 101 back to the city if you can stop by Rabers Parts Mart, cool old time Brit Bike shop in San Jose & not to far off the freeway (87). Umm for car places might try Gambino Kustoms or Sellers shop but I'm not sure where Steve's place is now..... Enjoy the drive!
     
  20. Hoptup Jalop
    Joined: Sep 29, 2004
    Posts: 1,118

    Hoptup Jalop
    Member

    on the same block is a bakery/grocery store called archangel grocery....fresh artichoke/garlic/ herb bread bread all day long....dont miss this!!!

    in Cambria as earlier mentioned the automobilia shop has moved down a few blocks and off the main street...was closed the day i went by in may and very little inside....nothing like before when it was at the other location........

    bike museum in solvang
    http://www.motosolvang.com/

    also stop here
    http://www.farwesterntavern.com/
    around Santa Maria or here
    http://www.hitchingpost2.com/FindUs.html
    near Lompoc/Solvang for some great Santa Maria Style BBQ steaks!!!
    both are about half way between sf and la.

    enjoy!! scott
     
  21. DIRTYDAG
    Joined: Oct 29, 2005
    Posts: 426

    DIRTYDAG
    Member
    from cleveland

    PISMO!!!!! HARRY"S....NUFF SAID!!!


    Or the buble gum alley place in SLO...Hearst Castle....Morro Bay...Pirates Cove (nudy beach)if you can find it...off the cliffs on the way to Avila Beach...Coastal Access ..Swim in the natural spring baths..
     
  22. roadracer
    Joined: Jan 24, 2007
    Posts: 541

    roadracer
    Member

    definately Hearst's castle as others have said. amazing place.

    carmel, great place to stay, your wife will love it. cutest town in the country. great early morning walk along the beach.

    no time to nip up to napa valley first? great vineyards to have picnics and drink some wine :)
     
  23. eticket
    Joined: Jan 5, 2007
    Posts: 72

    eticket
    Member

    If you between the San Louis Obispo and Santa Maria area around dinner time check out Jockos in Nipoma, small little place but highly recommend the pork chops. Outside of Beullton is 246 that runs through this neat little Danish village of Solvang, go through that and follow it to 154 that will run you to Santa Barbara real nice back road, and if you find the right exit, down in the valley is cold springs tavern.
    enjoy the back roads, lot more fun than the 101

    Mike :)
     
  24. 57 HEAP
    Joined: Aug 16, 2006
    Posts: 3,288

    57 HEAP
    Member

    Hearst mansion is along there near San Simeon. Monterey Bay with the Cannery Row area. San Jose has the Winchester mansion.
     
  25. 54BOMB
    Joined: Oct 23, 2004
    Posts: 2,115

    54BOMB
    Member

    I thought this place was really cool http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/
    I havent been there in 10 years but Im sure its still fun, if you like that stuff.
    I cant think of anything specific to motorcycles, but that whole drive is going to be fun, well maybe the heat in the San Juaquine valley wont, but everything else should be.
     
  26. flathead A
    Joined: Mar 11, 2006
    Posts: 197

    flathead A
    Member
    from michigan

    This is a little off subject,I know this will rub some of you the wrong way,but I like to golf and the pebble beach tour is awesome.Nice scenery ,the food is great at spyglass but real pricy,and if your wife likes to shop she will like Carmel.Just some ideas, when I go on vacation I like to see it all.

    flathead A
     
  27. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 32,411

    The37Kid
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I've run the PCH twice, back in 1975 in a '56 Ford pickup going north and 2002 going south in a rental car. I think rolling south has the best view of things. The bakery at Big Sur is worth a stop for a muffin & coffee, lut us know if the Model TT truck wheels are still in the rock garden. Stop at the Hearst Castle, and check out the elephant seals, they do that Alaska to California swim every year. Question: If you're taking the inland trip going north, I forget the route number but there is a stock yard on the right with the most cattle I've ever seen, what town is that in? You may want to put the top up on that rental convertable before you get there.
     
  28. Bear Metal Kustoms
    Joined: Jul 31, 2004
    Posts: 1,857

    Bear Metal Kustoms
    Alliance Vendor

    On your way through Morro Bay, stop by the shop. We have lots going on. Morro Bay is almost exactly half way between S.F. and L.A. right on the coast right off highway 1. My address is 1147 Scott St. Morro bay. I can tell you of lots to do in the area. There are a couple of cool small auto museums around that aren't well advertized... Jason.
     
  29. Bear Metal Kustoms
    Joined: Jul 31, 2004
    Posts: 1,857

    Bear Metal Kustoms
    Alliance Vendor

    It is called Harris Ranch. It is off the 5 and stinks. It is near Coalinga.
     
  30. 58Lincoln
    Joined: Jun 19, 2007
    Posts: 277

    58Lincoln
    Member

    That drive is one of the most scenic in the world. My wife and I do it almost every year in a 57 Porsche Speedster. There is quite a bit to see. If you have time, Hearst Castle is very interesting, though you may need reservations and the Monterey Bay Aquarium is world class.

    Have a great time!
     

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