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Subject: OT: Car trip up Pacific coast SD to Wineries
Posted by: rockafellerskank
- Dude [27652109] Sun, Apr 13, 2008, 16:09
Any ideas or suggestions welcome.
Sometime in the next 12 months, I'm planning a trip. Part of the point is to enjoy the drive / see the Pacific coast as I spend way too much time in airplanes / Hilton's. Blah. I'm looking for ideas regarding stopping points and ideal time of year. The trip is an open slate right now...
I live in Phoenix. I'll probably rent a convertible and head west to SD or LA(?) as a starting point. I want as much scenic driving as possible right up the coastal highway. I have 7-10 days for the entire round trip. I'd prefer not more than 8 hours driving in anyone day. I'll be in a hurry to get no where in particular. Will have the girl with me, so a baseball junket is out of the question. ;)
I'd like to end up in the area of Napa Valley for 3-4 days to visit some wineries.
The trip back to Phoenix can be a straight shot single day drive. No frills.
If anyone has any suggestions for favorite vineyards, sites, B & B's, or "can't miss" coastal views, please feel free to post.
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| 1 | Weykool
Leader
ID: 41750315
Sun, Apr 13, 2008, 16:19
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I would proably start out in SD.
There is Sea World, SD Zoo, Wild animal park, as well as Mission Bay.
There is no PCH in SD as it starts in Orange County.
Take I5 north to San Clemente (home of the western White Hous when Nixon was prez).
Take the exit at Pico and go towards the ocean.
When you get to the ocean you turn right and you are at the beginning of PCH.
PCH begins and ends in varous places along your trip north.
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| 2 | Skidazl
Leader
ID: 379312323
Sun, Apr 13, 2008, 20:35
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If you like wineries, you should definitely spend a day on the way up or down in Los Olivos. Neat little town, tons of wineries. Firestone is really nice, as is there sister winery Curtis.(you pay one wine tasting fee and it covers both wineries.) Eat lunch or dinner at Los Olivos Cafe, good food, GREAT gingerbread dessert. If you saw the movie Sideways, this is the wine country it was all filmed in. We did the same trip last year, but only went as far as Monterey. I'll post some more when I have more time.
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| 3 | Skidazl
Leader
ID: 379312323
Sun, Apr 13, 2008, 20:50
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In addition to above, stay away from the sandwich place kitty corner to Los Olivos Cafe. Worst service I've ever experienced anywhere, plus way over priced.
Close to Los Olivos is Solvang, a nice little dutch town, very quaint and nice to walk around. Try the abelgivers(sp?), very good treat item. You can do both these in a day easy.
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| 4 | WiddleAvi
ID: 251113917
Sun, Apr 13, 2008, 21:20
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Not that it makes THAT much of a difference but it makes more sense to drive DOWN the coast as that way you are on the right side of the road. Just an idea
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| 5 | GoatLocker
Leader
ID: 060151121
Sun, Apr 13, 2008, 21:56
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Firestone was sold to Foley.
So, you can no longer taste both for one tasting fee.
Napa is old.
I would recommend that you go to Paso Robles instead.
Let me get my head screwed on later and I will make some recommendations.
Also lite off MST and give you some thoughts.
I kind of agree with WiddleAvi on going North to South.
One option would be to drive from Phoenix to Paso Robles, spend a couple of days, and then go over to the coast.
I would then say see Hearst Castle before you head south.
And there is a really great old general store right down by the pier.
Pismo Beach is a great stop.
So is Santa Barbara.
Appleskivers in Solvang are great, and there are now like 6 tasting rooms in Solvang.
Like I said, I'll get out my wine maps for each Appelation and give you some thoughts.
Paso is up to over 150 wineries now.
And a large majority of the wineries are Botiques Wineries, so smaller production and a lot of fun to sit and talk with the wine makers.
Nice B&Bs in the area there also.
Let me find my California B&B Book.
Haven't used it since we bought the RV.
More to come.
Cliff
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| 6 | GoatLocker
Leader
ID: 060151121
Mon, Apr 14, 2008, 10:34
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Before I do this, let me know if Napa is a must or not.
Just been a real long time since I have been up there.
If you do include Napa, probably want to talk to Species about that portion of the trip.
I'll give you more thoughts later that won't be driven by the outcome of where you want to spend the bulk of your time.
Also, will give you some websites to help out.
Cliff
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| 7 | rockafellerskank
Dude
ID: 27652109
Mon, Apr 14, 2008, 13:21
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GL:
I'm not married to Napa specifically. I'm looking for some nice scenery, B & B's, and R & R.
Good idea on driving N or S --- D'oh!
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| 8 | GoatLocker
Leader
ID: 060151121
Mon, Apr 14, 2008, 13:59
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The point on the direction is that if you Drive North to South on Pacific Coast Highway up south of Monterey, the passenger is basically all but hanging over the edge of the cliff by the ocean.
Most will tell you this is the better direction to drive to see things.
I'm not personally that sure that it matters.
Will give you some thoughts and ideas tonite when I have time.
I've got a lot of it mapped out in my head already.
Cliff
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| 9 | GoatLocker
Leader
ID: 060151121
Tue, Apr 15, 2008, 10:00
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Well, didn't get back to this last nite after all, but will continue to work on it.
If it were me, I would probably do the trip sometime in Oct.
Still nice time for the views, and the kids are back in school.
For most of the stops, I'll try to recommend one or two B&Bs, but they can all be found on California Bed & Breakfast Inns
DAY ONE
I would just head west on I10 the first day and make the first stop Santa Monica.
I know you have done San Diego before, so think this gives you a chance to see some other areas.
A nice place to stay would be Channel Road Inn.
"Named by the readers of Sunset Magazine as one of the best B&Bs in the West, this inn is nestled in the rustic Santa Monica Canyon just one block from the beach. All 14 rooms in this historic home are individually decorated and have private baths. Two rooms have fireplaces. A full breakfast of California fresh fruit, baked breads and hot souffles are served each morning. A flowering garden, Jacuzzi and bicycles for exploring the 30-mile oceanside bike path are available for guests."
And of course then you can spend time on the Santa Monica Pier.
Lot's of nice places for dinner and will add them later.
I'm going to chop this up instead of trying to do it all in one supper post.
Cliff
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| 10 | rockafellerskank
Dude
ID: 27652109
Tue, Apr 15, 2008, 12:59
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Cliff: Thanks so much for the input.
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| 11 | GoatLocker
Leader
ID: 060151121
Tue, Apr 15, 2008, 16:49
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1st Days driving would be right around 400 miles give or take.
And a 1 hour time change.
Will try to do a couple more legs tonite.
Cliff
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| 12 | GoatLocker
Leader
ID: 060151121
Tue, Apr 15, 2008, 20:16
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Alot of what I was thinking about leaves you with real short driving days other than coming over and going home.
There are probably two options from Santa Monica that are both nice in there own ways.
One would be to head North up PCH (Pacific Coast Highway).
The other would be to go south to San Pedro and then take the boat over to Catalina Island for a nite or two.
Really neat place and some nice relaxing things to do.
The glass bottom boat is a nice trip and so is the submarine.
Couple of nice places to eat on the island and lots of eclectic shops and places to stay.
Also, October is the Jazz festival on the island each year, but would probably need to make reservations early if you wanted to do that.
Oct 3,4,5 / 10,11,12 / 17,18,19
Catalina Jazz Festival
Then again, rumor has it a lot of places book up a year in advance.
Restaraunts for the evening of Day One
Two recommendations.
Both in Marina Del Rey.
Short Drive from Santa Monica.
Species and I ate here at the RotoHog Baseball Banquet last year
Nice place and on the water.
Cheesecake Factory
Go to California and then Marina Del Rey.
I haven't eaten in this one, but we just love this restaraunt chain.
And reasonable food with a huge menu.
Also on the water.
Next post will head north from Santa Monica.
Cliff
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| 13 | GoatLocker
Leader
ID: 060151121
Tue, Apr 15, 2008, 21:39
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DAY TWO
OK, this will be a tough driving day, but just gorgeous going up the coast. All 85 miles of it.
You will just head North on PCH from Santa Monica. You will end up on the 101 in Oxnard and take it to Santa Barbara as that is where PCH ends for one of its many stops. You will be able to see the ocean again from the 101 once you get through Oxnard and Ventura.
I would leave about 1030 or 1100 and enjoy a nice lunch at one of two places.
Dukes Malibu
This isn't that far from where you spent the nite, so if you are going to eat here, I would leave a little later.
You can set out on the deck looking out over the ocean.
Great View.
Neptunes Net
Just over the border in Ventura County, but still in Malibu. Malibu is 20 some odds miles long.
We really love this place.
And so does Sunset magazine.
Probably two places that I would look at to stay in Santa Barbara
The Secret Garden Inn and Cottages
"The Secret Garden Inn is a complex of cottages shaded by mature trees and banded together by beautiful gardens. The main house consists of an inviting living room, a country dining room and two guest accommodations. The other guest rooms are located in the four cottages, all with their private bathrooms and separate entrances. Five of the accommodations have their own private patios with a personal hot tub. The whole atmosphere is very romantic, peaceful and restful."
Old Yacht Club Inn
"One block from East Beach! Santa Barbara’s first and finest Bed & Breakfast. Wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and a full gourmet breakfast. Borrow our complimentary bicycles. or stroll down the block with our beach chairs and beach towels to one of the worlds best and romantic beaches. Walk to the pier, bird refuge and downtown shops before heading back to the Inn for our afternoon wine social. Gourmet gift baskets and custom floral arrangements with cards available upon request."
You have the pier and wine tasting and restaurants to check out.
Also State Street(downtown) is a great place to wander around and enjoy.
You could easily spend more than one nite here, but I would go with one so that you can continue North.
Cliff
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| 14 | GoatLocker
Leader
ID: 060151121
Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 16:09
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Haven't forgotten about you.
Just got busy.
Will get back to this tonite or over the weekend.
Cliff
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| 15 | rockafellerskank
Dude
ID: 27652109
Fri, Apr 18, 2008, 19:00
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Thanks for all your help GL. No hurry.... I have plenty of time to plan it.
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| 16 | GoatLocker
Leader
ID: 060151121
Sun, May 18, 2008, 17:10
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Really haven't forgotten about this, just been absolutely buried at work.
Will get back to it shortly.
Cliff
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| 17 | GoatLocker
Leader
ID: 060151121
Sun, May 18, 2008, 21:28
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DAY THREE
Head north out of Santa Barbara on 101.
When you get to Buellton, go east on 246 to Solvang.
Great Danish community.
Nice place to spend a few hours wandering around and enjoying window shopping.
Also about 6 or 7 wine tasting spots in town.
Link to Wineries
I would hit the wine tasting rooms in town, and then when I was ready to leave, continue east on 246.
When you get to Santa Ynez and pass by there, Gainey Winery will be up on the right.
Great place to stop and taste.
Leaving Gainey, continue to the east on 246 and then go north on 154.
This will take you back to the 101 and you will continue north.
Total driving for the day will be about 110 miles.
Stop for the nite will be in Pismo Beach.
No B&Bs here, but lots of places on the water to stay.
My recommendation would be Sea Venture Resort
Depending on what you want to do, you could spend two nites here.
We just love Pismo and it is a really nice laid back place to relax and enjoy the beach.
Just a great small community on the water.
Pismo Beach
To eat seafood, try Steamers, Brads, Splash Cafe in Pismo. Fins in Grover Beach.
Steak would be McClintocks.
For wineries, look at the link.
There are two valleys.
Arroyo Grande Valley:
Laetitia and Talley is who I would recommend.
Edna Valley:
Domaine Alfred and Corbett Canyon is who I would recommend.
Check out the Chardonnays from edna Valley.
The rest of the trip kind of gets driven by how much time you spend in Pismo, but will try to give you the options.
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| 18 | rfs on treo
ID: 3441798
Mon, May 19, 2008, 00:28
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thnx gl. I will be in dc and nyc next 2 weeks then we will make plans. date will likely be in october.
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| 19 | GoatLocker
Leader
ID: 060151121
Mon, May 19, 2008, 09:30
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I'm actually planning it around October to have you in Paso Robles for the Wine Harvest Festival.
That is the 3rd weekend in Oct.
Cliff
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