Southwest USA & The West Coast (California, Arizona etc) - General Thread

jackieblack

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

nooooooooooooooooooo ---- SLO is one of my favorite places. Oddly enough, I don't know why ! Its simply somewhere that I feel perfectly at home :beer:

Currently watching Man vs Food Nation on Food Network, Rib Line in SLO
OMG :drool: :drool: :drool: (:o)

:doh:Can't do another trip to CA, too many other places we haven't been yet!:D

Murphy_The_Cat

jackieblack wrote: »

Currently watching Man vs Food Nation on Food Network, Rib Line in SLO
OMG :drool: :drool: :drool: (:o)

:doh:Can't do another trip to CA, too many other places we haven't been yet!:D

thats just mean posting that link -- I'll have to search for it when we're over there. I THINK that they operate one of the large open air BBQ's at the Thursday night Farmers Market.

p.s. counting down the days now to blast off.

p.p.s try Texas - I had a cracking holiday there 3 years ago.

jackieblack

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

thats just mean posting that link -- I'll have to search for it when we're over there. I THINK that they operate one of the large open air BBQ's at the Thursday night Farmers Market..

When he said SLO, I thought of you straight away, Murphy

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

p.s. counting down the days now to blast off..

Hope you all have a great trip

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

p.p.s try Texas - I had a cracking holiday there 3 years ago.

It's on the list.......
One of our problems now, because we're restricted to school hols, is finding places that will be warm enough at Easter or not too hot in July/August :think:

Murphy_The_Cat

jackieblack wrote: »

It's on the list.......
One of our problems now, because we're restricted to school hols, is finding places that will be warm enough at Easter or not too hot in July/August :think:

We toured Texas from 23rd March to 8th April and the weather was very warm to slightly hot (perfect for us at the time). If Easter is late, it would be a destination that is well worth considering. Plus, there is very good access to Texas from the UK

Mich81

Dirk_Gently wrote: »

Perhaps it's one of those Blackadder-style "opinion is divided" things, but I always prefer going North. I think it works better with the way overnight stops pan out (but of course there are a myriad of different ways of doing this of course) but overall as a driver I feel safer.

Going North, on the right, I can look at the views *and* the other side of the road at the same time. Going South although I'm closer to the road edge and the views, to look at them I've got to look away from the other side of the road rather than across it.

So as a driver I'm convinced I get a better experience going North.

You've almost got me convinced to change my route now to go North

Although that means I don't end the trip in Vegas, unless I did LA - SFO then fly to Vegas but then how do I get Death Valley into there.

Decisions decisions, its a good year I have a year to think about plans and routes :rotfl:

jackieblack

Mich81 wrote: »

You've almost got me convinced to change my route now to go North

Although that means I don't end the trip in Vegas, unless I did LA - SFO then fly to Vegas but then how do I get Death Valley into there.

Decisions decisions, its a good year I have a year to think about plans and routes :rotfl:

I'd always recommend going south.
We prefer not to have the views spoiled by passing traffic. Lots of Vista Points to stop at for photos etc and all on the correct/convenient side of the road when travelling south. No having to pull out across traffic to the opposite side of the road as you need to when going north.

Mich81

Another curveball!

Going South would be better for the itinerary if I want to end up in Vegas.

I did the trip North last time, although I wasn't the driver so I can't quite recall how narrow the roads were.

I don't want to throw myself too far in at the deep end, as someone who has never driven on the 'wrong side' of the road before!

Murphy_The_Cat

Mich81 wrote: »

Another curveball!

Going South would be better for the itinerary if I want to end up in Vegas.

I did the trip North last time, although I wasn't the driver so I can't quite recall how narrow the roads were.

I don't want to throw myself too far in at the deep end, as someone who has never driven on the 'wrong side' of the road before!

curveball back at ya :beer:

Travelling Nortbound is a breeze -- the road aren't narrow at all, & there are plenty of pullin/look out points.

Its a wonderful drive and I was really looking forwards to it. My wife and two children promptly fell asleep after we passed Hearst Castle and missed the lot !

joaniemerc

Dirk_Gently wrote: »

Also, Big Sur is a lovely place to stop - depends on time, but I have stayed at some log cabins there with a great eating house just across the road. Cheap and nicely located - although it takes time to see Big Sur properly.
QUOTE]

Thanks for this helpful post.

We are planning this trip/drive (via Yosemite) but not until next year.

Can you remember, by any chance, the name of the log cabins you stayed in at Big Sur please?

jackieblack

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

curveball back at ya :beer:

Travelling Nortbound is a breeze -- the road aren't narrow at all, & there are plenty of pullin/look out points.

Its a wonderful drive and I was really looking forwards to it. My wife and two children promptly fell asleep after we passed Hearst Castle and missed the lot !

Did they see the elephant seals on the beach at/around Cambria?
That was one of the highlights for my DD