Looking for a California roadtrip...

Does anybody have any ideas? I'm looking to explore my state and look for gold in the process (for fun and who knows?) something I've always wanted to do.... I'm in the L.A. area and looking to travel North.... any ideas would be asppreciated


Thanks !

A few years ago i took a motorcycle trip up HWY 1 from Santa Monicato Monterey. It was a very scenic trip especially once you get out of the LA area.

I'm from north of Sac and it is really great up here in the gold country. Right now it is all smokey from the fires in the foothills. But if that clears up I would total recommend anywhere between Sacramento and Tahoe. There is even a hot springs spa place ! lots of conifers and camping.

Traveling the entire length of Highway 49 in the Sierra Nevada Gold country is worth a look, from Jackson up past Nevada City (I live near there) makes a delightful and interesting trip with things of historical interest all along the way.





the smokie is all gone from the fires now, although the legions of Harley Davidson motorcycle riders never is.

I used to go up to Sonora every year as a kid and they had the old west town with gold mining etc. Not sure you'd want to plan a trip around that, but might be worth checking out. (It was about an eight hour drive.)

Check out Calaveras Big Trees State Park~!

I will be doing a road trip myself in about another week. I live in the L.A. area and plan on taking Highway 1 all the way to San Francisco. Depending on how many days you have you can either head straight up via highway 1 or the Interstate 5 (less scenic,but faster,) If you plan it right, there are many sights along the way, historical and scenic. My road trip will take a total of 7 days with 3 of them in San Francisco,,,but if I had more time I would probably continue to Napa Valley then to Redwood National Park, then come back down to Yosemite National Park...if you only have a couple of hours then San Luis Obisbo would be a very beautiful drive,,,about a 4-5 hr drive from L.A. with cute little towns along the way. You definatly gotta get outta L.A. for a little bit...it will help you to see why California is such a beatiful state and why we are so intent on keeping it "green."
If you are a member of the "Auto Club" you can get maps and travel guides for free. It has guides for every state and since it is the "Auto Club," there are special road trip sections to help you plan a nice trip.
Well hope this gives you some ideas, have a great trip!

PulpFriction,

have you ever gone to Yosemite National Park? One of my favorite places in the world. But if you go there and then leave through Tuolome Meadows, you can go out to Mono Lake area, and then north, into the Gold country. Gorgeous areas.

Have fun!

Another vote for Yosemite. Just amazing. And if you have a special someone with you, grab a romantic dinner at Crystal Falls Inn in nearby Oakhurst. Lovely place surrounded by the natural beauty of the area, great service, delicious food. Was there for Thanksgiving Dinner a few years ago and it was just terrific.

This might be a little too late but here it goes. If you are coming from LA take the 101 along the coast and then take a detour on the 146 to Lake Cachuma. It has an excellent view if you are going south on it. You get the city view down the valley with the ocean just beyond with the sun setting. then turn out to Solvang and see the windmill buildings with some Danish cookies.
Then hop back on the 101 and next stop is San Luis Obispo. Stop off at Pismo Beach for what they claim to be the world's best clam chowder at Splash Cafe then head over to See Canyon to the apple farm and winery. Montana de Ore is nice too. Then head on over to SLO and go into town to one of the few drive in theater around and visit my alma marter, Cal Poly. If you are going to be staying in the area the melodrama is an interesting show in Oceno and go strawberry picking if you are there in the right season in Santa Maria. Or see the butterflies in Pismo Beach.
Then go up HWY 1 to Cayucos for the best smoked fish taco at Raddell's and enjoy the beach. Then next stop would be Hearst Castle. On the way up, if you are lucky, you can see elephant seals. After the little adventure at Hearst castle you can either trek back down HWY 1 to HWY 46 thru the central coast wineries to bring you back to the 101 or go thru Big Sur up to Monterey.
Driving thru Big Sur makes you apprieciate nature as you realize what you are see is actually real life and not just pictures. Then as you make it up to Carmel, swing by Carmel-by-the-Sea and see all the unique houses with names instead of house numbers and visit the boat house by Wright or the glass house further in the city. Monterey in itself is another adventure and and the wineries there. Dont forget to admire the Bixby bridge as you drive on it on your way up to Monterey.
Next, I would continouse up Santa Cruz and visit the broad walk and the Mystery Spot.
Then next stop would be the city already and I would say San Jose is pretty much like LA so nothing super special. And everything else up there is the city until you get to Santa Rosa and the Snoopy Museum.