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Best route to drive to L.A., and good place to stay overnight half way there.....

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Photo of Lisa P.

Elite '08

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06/29/2008 Lisa P. says:

Hi There!

I'm taking a road trip to L.A. with my girls next month and am wondering if it's worth the extra time to take Hwy 1 down.  It will be just us three girls and our two small dogs, so of course safety is important too.  I'm thinking I'll drive it over two days to give the girls and dogs a break.  So, having said that, which route would you take down, and what city/area would you stop half way through and stay overnight?

Thanks so much!
Photo of Elise F.

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06/29/2008 Elise F. says:

solvang!
Photo of ben s.

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06/29/2008 ben "Ben S" s. says:

My two bits:

Highway 1 is the way since you have 2 days.  Big Sur Highway 1 is unlike anything else you can take (5 or 101).  I would drive to Cambria, Morro Bay or San Luis Obispo on the first day then you can take 101 South from there to South.  Most people don't stay on 1 and swing out to Lompoc.
Photo of Elise F.

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06/29/2008 Elise F. says:

oh, something to think about: highway 1 south of big sur is shut down right now because of the fires. it's hard to say when it'll be open again, so keep an eye out.
Photo of Tabitha S.

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06/29/2008 Tabitha S. says:

Yeah take 101-Hwy 1 all the way - worth the extra couple hours!

I think Avila Beach is a cool area =) Check it out Lisa http://tinyurl.com/4edbyh
Photo of John S.

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06/29/2008 John S. says:

Don't take the 1 the entire way down.  If you want to avoid the 5, take the 101.  It shares the same route as the 1 for parts of the way, but it's much faster than the 1 the entire way.  If you absolutely must take parts of the 1, I would recommend against the area around Big Sur right now because of the fires.  Take the 101 all the way down to Santa Barbara, and then take the 1 into L.A.  Once you get to Santa Monica, you can take the 10 into downtown or take Santa Monica Boulevard if you want to check out Beverly Hills.

If you're going to take the 101 the entire way, it only takes about an hour or so longer than the 5--if you go pretty fast.  If you do go on the 5, you don't have to worry about CHP for most of the Northern California portion.  The cops show up in Kern County, which the county north of L.A. County (it starts before the Grapevine, but I don't know exactly where.)

I used to drive down to L.A. once a month or so.  I've taken about every way possible.  The 5 is fastest.  The 1 is prettiest, and the 101 is just the right combination.
Photo of Richard N.

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06/29/2008 Richard N. says:

in SLO can you still get Turkey Balls?
http://chicagoist.com/...

If so. MUST have!!!!
Photo of Dwayne A.

Elite '08

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06/29/2008 Dwayne "'cause I'm an emotional Cutter" A. says:

Yeah, the 1 is amazing, and the drive is sort of a vacation in itself -- I think everyone should do it at least once.  The fires present a problem, but just check for road closures...

Morro Bay is indeed a cute place to stay.  I also adore San Luis Obispo.

If you have time, stop at as many missions as you can, they're awesome...especially the one in Lompoc, La Purissima.  

HAVE FUN!!!!!
Photo of Timothy O.

Elite '08

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06/29/2008 Timothy O. says:

John says, "If you do go on the 5, you don't have to worry about the CHP for most of the Northern California portion. The cops show up in Kern County..."

John is wrong. If you're going 10 miles or so over the limit on I-5, you're probably keeping up with traffic on most of I-5. But if you're going over 90 mph anywhere or if you're weaving in and out of traffic, you're asking for (and deserve) a ticket. Kings County is just north of Kern County, and I wouldn't play Speed Racer on their stretch of I-5 either. If you're coming from San Jose to take the 5, there's a CHP station at Los Banos that patrols that area. CHP often does enforcement on the Altamont Pass where 580 meets the 5; sometimes there's a lot of CHP there.

If you have two days and are taking a road trip, then take Highway 1. Everyone should take the 1 at least once. By next month, the fire situation will be better. Besides, do you really want to take a pit stop with your girlfriends and dogs in Coalinga when it's 103 and smells like cow? If you're a AAA member, have them plan some pitstops for you along the 1.
Photo of Thomas F.

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06/29/2008 Thomas "^ EVIL ^" F. says:

Take 101 and stay at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo http://www.madonnainn....
Photo of Thomas F.

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06/29/2008 Thomas "^ EVIL ^" F. says:

http://www.yelp.com/bi...
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Photo of Lisa P.

Elite '08

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06/29/2008 Lisa P. says:

Thanks so much everyone.
Photo of Richard N.

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06/29/2008 Richard N. says:

THE 5 coming North stops at Bakersfield. North from there it's called 5, or Highway 5.
Same with 101, 1, 99, 49, 880, 280, 17, 580, 680, 24, etc etc.  

8-)
Photo of Rachel F.

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06/29/2008 Rachel "Awesoming All Over the Place" F. says:

I completely agree with Thomas. I went to a wedding at the Madonna Inn and it's quite a place.
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07/24/2008 Fishbits "My name?... NO!  I daren't say my name" X. says:

The Madonna Inn is.... uh..... wow.
Photo of Michael M.

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07/24/2008 Michael "The Dragon Slayer" M. says:

If you're taking the 101, you have to drive the speed limit the whole way. The CHP are merciless between SLO and Ventura County.
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07/24/2008 Don "I Can Dance Like Sherlock Holmes" B. says:

My suggestion, like others here suggest, is to take Highway 1 down to SLO, then the 101 down to Oxnard, and then the PCH into LA (since you have the time).

Places to stay? You might think about Cambria, very pretty and sort of artsy, but not a lot to do. SLO is great, decent shopping, a Mission, great hiking, biking, good bars and restaurants (I lived there for a long time, so if you have any questions, I am happy to answer them). Pismo Beach is another stop, but it is a bit run down if you ask me; Avila Beach is actually more quaint and a better place to get a tan than Pismo (the fog runs away a bit faster there). Oh, and if you are heading to Avila, there are the Sycamore Mineral Springs if you want a good soak (http://www.sycamorespr...).
Photo of Eric W.

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07/24/2008 Eric "The Only One Who Can Ride That Horse" W. says:

Stay at the Madonna Inn

http://www.madonnainn....
Photo of Don B.

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07/24/2008 Don "I Can Dance Like Sherlock Holmes" B. says:

Richard N. says:

in SLO can you still get Turkey Balls?
http://chicagoist.com/...

If so. MUST have!!!!
-------------
Ha! I used to work at McClintock's. You know how many Turkey Nuts I've prepped and fried? I am surprised turkeys don't have a contract out on me.
Photo of Don B.

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07/24/2008 Don "I Can Dance Like Sherlock Holmes" B. says:

Michael "The Dragon Slayer" M. says:

If you're taking the 101, you have to drive the speed limit the whole way. The CHP are merciless between SLO and Ventura County.
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They are even worse around King City. They work the plane there constantly. Be very careful between Salinas and Paso Robles on the 101!
Photo of tiffinie m.

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07/24/2008 tiffinie m. says:

I love Avila Beach! ...check out the Inn there :)

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