[UntzUntzUntz]

Hello everyone,

Heading out to NorCal this Thursday - Sunday from SoCal with another friend's f80 to enjoy what these cars were born to do. We're departing from LA to Lake Tahoe > Sacramento > Napa > Monterey/Big Sur and back home taking south of PCH. What roads to take between those I have some sense by looking at Google Maps, but wanted to ask about what the locals find worth carving through between those areas. In case someone might suggest something worth going to that's off road, we also have an off-road spec Tacoma so we're not limited to a paved road.

Starting off with the most boring drive to Lake Tahoe by taking the 395hwy straight all the way north. Any stops worth making on the way, please let me know. So far stopping by Bishop and Mammoth Lakes before we have our first night in Tahoe.

Day 2 (Friday), it looks like there's many options going from South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento. There's 50 El Dorado Fwy or 88 Carson Pass Hwy or 80hwy and many little roads trickling out of those. Those little roads look interesting since I'd imagine the least traffic and the most curves i.e Mormon Emigrant Trail, Mosquito Rd, 49hwy.

On the same day we're continuing from Sacramento to Napa/Valley/County. This is shorter but I see Hwy 128 and 121 as the 2 prospects. Maybe go slightly off track in search for some more exciting roads such as Knoxville Rd by Lake Berryessa or Chiles Pope Valley Rd or Trinity Rd or all of the above.

Day 3 (Saturday), we're heading all the way west to make our way towards downtown San Francisco. Here I'm having the most trouble because I can't find any canyons between these 2 cities. PCH is part of it but what to take until then? There's 1 road that looks worth the time and that's Skaggs Springs Rd connecting to PCH. It's far north from our route so going south towards Oakland area is also an option. From there we make our way south to Monterey for our final night stay. If there's anywhere you'd suggest worth going to instead of Skaggs so I can save some time, please suggest them.

Finally, Sunday morning we depart from Monterey and take PCH south as the finale.

If anyone from around any of these areas, please share some feedback in what's planned and what you might suggest is worth taking instead. It's my first time in that area and want to make it a fun experience with the f87 and friends.

If there's any already planned drives or fellow m2's going to cars & coffee's around those areas this weekend we'll be interested to join or visa versa, if you're in the area you're also welcome to join us along the way!

Thank you in advance!!

[west1]

Originally Posted by UntzUntzUntz

Hello everyone,

Heading out to NorCal this Thursday - Sunday from SoCal with another friend's f80 to enjoy what these cars were born to do. We're departing from LA to Lake Tahoe > Sacramento > Napa > Monterey/Big Sur and back home taking south of PCH. What roads to take between those I have some sense by looking at Google Maps, but wanted to ask about what the locals find worth carving through between those areas. In case someone might suggest something worth going to that's off road, we also have an off-road spec Tacoma so we're not limited to a paved road.

Starting off with the most boring drive to Lake Tahoe by taking the 395hwy straight all the way north. Any stops worth making on the way, please let me know. So far stopping by Bishop and Mammoth Lakes before we have our first night in Tahoe.

Day 2 (Friday), it looks like there's many options going from South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento. There's 50 El Dorado Fwy or 88 Carson Pass Hwy or 80hwy and many little roads trickling out of those. Those little roads look interesting since I'd imagine the least traffic and the most curves i.e Mormon Emigrant Trail, Mosquito Rd, 49hwy.

On the same day we're continuing from Sacramento to Napa/Valley/County. This is shorter but I see Hwy 128 and 121 as the 2 prospects. Maybe go slightly off track in search for some more exciting roads such as Knoxville Rd by Lake Berryessa or Chiles Pope Valley Rd or Trinity Rd or all of the above.

Day 3 (Saturday), we're heading all the way west to make our way towards downtown San Francisco. Here I'm having the most trouble because I can't find any canyons between these 2 cities. PCH is part of it but what to take until then? There's 1 road that looks worth the time and that's Skaggs Springs Rd connecting to PCH. It's far north from our route so going south towards Oakland area is also an option. From there we make our way south to Monterey for our final night stay. If there's anywhere you'd suggest worth going to instead of Skaggs so I can save some time, please suggest them.

Finally, Sunday morning we depart from Monterey and take PCH south as the finale.

If anyone from around any of these areas, please share some feedback in what's planned and what you might suggest is worth taking instead. It's my first time in that area and want to make it a fun experience with the f87 and friends.

If there's any already planned drives or fellow m2's going to cars & coffee's around those areas this weekend we'll be interested to join or visa versa, if you're in the area you're also welcome to join us along the way!

Thank you in advance!!

Cars & Coffee will be in Folsom Palladio on Sat Mar 19. Weather forecast is less than perfect. http://carsandcoffeefolsom.com/

Recco, Tahoe weather might require chains to get over the mountain(s). I personally wouldn't drive my M2 in this weather over the mountains. Once the ambient temps hit 45F, your Pilot Sports will lose their grip.

Advice, check CalTrans website for weather and restrictions.

If you're coming through South Lake Tahoe, hit Izzy's Burger Spa (South Lake Tahoe Blvd, and stop to see the lake. it is stunning!) for a great charbroiled burger lunch, with great fries and onion rings. The drive up out of the Tahoe basin on 50 has scenic outlook points. Worth the photo IMO. This is a beautiful ascent with runoff, snow and icicles too.

The drive down Hwy 50 is beautiful and nice. Try to go down without braking. Stop to see Desolation Wilderness mountain hike from Hwy 50 https://www.sherpaguides.com/califor..._Arealarge.gif

Twin Bridges has a lot of runoff to see depending how the water is flowing. It's a pretty impressive sight to see. https://www.traffic-cams.com/twin-br...540didkey19480

Downtown Placerville is a nice old town to see on Hwy 50 West. Some good bbq there that's worth hitting, https://www.hogwildbarbque.com/

If you're into wine, detour off Hwy 50 down Latrobe road and head to Amador county wineries. Latrobe road is nice to drive if it's not full of cars. Twisty and fun. And the wineries in Amador are top shelf. lmk if you want winery suggestions and i'll reply back. Worth buying some for your trip, IMO.

Salmon Falls Road in El Dorado Hills is a nice drive too. Takes you from Hwy 50 (E Dorado Hills Blvd to Salmon Falls Road, out all the way over the South Fork of the American River and up to Hwy 80 area). I drive this often. I can be crowded with idiot Camry drivers so plan accordingly.

Hwy 88 might have winter closures. Check CalTrans website before you go for data on open and closed roads.

Reply back if you want more info. I think weather is your biggest issue right now as it's still winter up here and mountain passes can change quickly and can be dangerous for non-residents with no experience.

If you're doing Napa/Sonoma, I'd drive the Silverado Trail in Napa. Personally I prefer the Sonoma side for less expensive and fabulous wines/food. Hwy 12 is a drive worth experiencing.

Or you can drive up Napa Hwy 29 and then go through the Petrified Forest and come across and down to Sonoma. This is a beautiful drive and fun. Just past Calistoga, hit Petrified Forest Road to Calistoga Road. see google maps to map out this run. From there you can connect onto Hwy 12.

Hwy 12 has some great wineries and downtown Sonoma Square has great restaurants. reply back if you want reccos.

just my thoughts off the top of my head. i am local in this region and often hit SLT to Reno to Carson City and drive to Napa/Sonoma and Silicon Valley and SF. Marin is also worth hitting and so if the Redwood Forest (Star Wars was filmed there). There's just a lot to see up here. Depends how deep you want to go.

[beanfritter]

Originally Posted by UntzUntzUntz

Monterey/Big Sur

Highway 1 between Big Sur and Cambria is awesome if you don't get stuck behind some doofus who wants to do 10 under and not pull out anywhere. I get it, the view is amazing. But sometimes when I drive that road I'm not in it for the scenery.

Originally Posted by UntzUntzUntz

Napa/Valley/County. This is shorter but I see Hwy 128 and 121 as the 2 prospects. Maybe go slightly off track in search for some more exciting roads such as Knoxville Rd by Lake Berryessa or Chiles Pope Valley Rd or Trinity Rd or all of the above.

121 and 128 are OK, but when I've driven them I always get stuck behind traffic. If you're going to go up to Pope Valley, then you might as well go to Middletown so you can drive 29 between Middletown and Calistoga. There's some great twists and a couple places where it opens up to two lanes for passing. I've explored the other ones you mention and wouldn't go out of my way to drive them. Knoxville is kind of chewed up and gets real narrow and gravelly north of the lake.

Originally Posted by UntzUntzUntz

Skaggs Springs Rd connecting to PCH.

Now you're talking. It gets real narrow in the woods closer to the ocean, and last time I drove it there was a gravel patch where the road must have washed out or something. But this one is worth it.

Highway 1 between Tomales and Pt Reyes Station is fun if there's not a lot of cars.

If you are going down highway 1 between San Francisco and Santa Cruz, there's some great driving if you're willing to skip the coast between like, Pescadero and Santa Cruz. Go south on 1 -> east on 84 (San Gregorio, La Honda), to 35. Can either cross 35 and hit some great twisties going back down 84 towards Woodside, or head south on 35. Might be worth going to Woodside then back up 84, then heading south on 35. Where 35 intersects with 9, my suggestion is to go down 9 to Saratoga. There's a gas station in Saratoga with high-octane fuel. Then turn around and blast back up 9 (it's better going up), cross 35, and take 9 through Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, and to Santa Cruz.


That's all I got.

[UntzUntzUntz]

beanfritter

west1

Thank you guys, much appreciated the detailed responses. I'll be replying individually as the dates get closer. Currently arrived to Bishop and have this route set to Lake Tahoe tomorrow (Thursday) morning: https://goo.gl/maps/cwb7PpBbyZd7auWx6

Originally Posted by west1

The drive up out of the Tahoe basin on 50 has scenic outlook points.

Question about your comment, did you mean take 50 N that wraps around the lake? There's a close on Hwy 89 and forces us to enter Lake Tahoe in from NV side. Based on the map I linked above, I set a beach that's North of Hwy 50 then south to the stateside where we'd be staying our 2nd night.

Will be mapping out the drive from Lake Tahoe to Napa for the following day. Looks like that's when things start to get interesting!

Thank you again!

[UntzUntzUntz]

Originally Posted by west1

Here's the following day's map options.

The Salmon Falls route:
With route 49 - https://goo.gl/maps/qwWqjDryeL4H8iYPA
With route 193 - https://goo.gl/maps/bAA4i2UxJgowdxfj7

The Vineyard route:
https://goo.gl/maps/MX4gHWdXm9sBm8Fp6

It includes both options you mentioned and mapped them out for the first half of that day towards Napa. I will discuss with the group what they prefer between the two but since you mentioned the vineyards, what's one you suggest going to? I've just set one on the map as a placeholder.

The Salmon Falls route both of what I linked look good from here, but just mentioned them in case you've been to both and favor one over the other.

Definitely will go to Izzy's as well, it's right next to our stay, look good.

Will be posting pictures on this thread for sure, you guys are a big help.

[beanfritter]

Also: https://www.alpinespeedstars.com/map/

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by beanfritter

If you are going down highway 1 between San Francisco and Santa Cruz, there's some great driving if you're willing to skip the coast between like, Pescadero and Santa Cruz. Go south on 1 -> east on 84 (San Gregorio, La Honda), to 35. Can either cross 35 and hit some great twisties going back down 84 towards Woodside, or head south on 35. Might be worth going to Woodside then back up 84, then heading south on 35. Where 35 intersects with 9, my suggestion is to go down 9 to Saratoga. There's a gas station in Saratoga with high-octane fuel. Then turn around and blast back up 9 (it's better going up), cross 35, and take 9 through Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, and to Santa Cruz.

^^^^ THIS x1000. Best advice in the entire thread. I used to live in Redwood City right alongside 84. Could jump in my car and blast through the mountains to the coast anytime I wanted to - still one of the most spectacular drives anywhere. One of the things I love about 84 is that it's got a ton of fast, wide sweepers, where you can see well ahead of you, making rapid driving a safe endeavor. Also plenty of blind, tight turns where you need to be more careful. Scenic and spectacular. Man I miss the Santa Cruz Mountains for driving.

[west1]

Originally Posted by UntzUntzUntz

beanfritter

west1

Thank you guys, much appreciated the detailed responses. I'll be replying individually as the dates get closer. Currently arrived to Bishop and have this route set to Lake Tahoe tomorrow (Thursday) morning: https://goo.gl/maps/cwb7PpBbyZd7auWx6



Question about your comment, did you mean take 50 N that wraps around the lake? There's a close on Hwy 89 and forces us to enter Lake Tahoe in from NV side. Based on the map I linked above, I set a beach that's North of Hwy 50 then south to the stateside where we'd be staying our 2nd night.

Will be mapping out the drive from Lake Tahoe to Napa for the following day. Looks like that's when things start to get interesting!

Thank you again!

395N to 50W will get you into the Tahoe basin. This is a nice road as 50 driving up the Sierra Nevadas is a great ascent and once you reach the top, is a nice decent into the basin. As you drive down (W) into Tahoe on 50, there is an INCREDIBLE view of the lake if the skies are clear. Like really nice.

This area of 50 also has a turn out to 28N which is the NV road that takes you to North Lake Tahoe (Incline Village).

I would not take 50 heading north. Just 50 west and then it turns south as you drive along Lake Tahoe. You'll go through a really cool mountain tunnel (Cave Rock Tunnel, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_Rock_Tunnel)

i'd recco staying in Stateline NV as there are casinos there with cheap room nights and good food options, if this is your desire/budget.

Fore breakfast, on South Lake Tahoe Blvd if you;re staying here, i'd recco an old school greasy spoon, Red Hut. This place is a classic and has great, cheap food, https://www.yelp.com/biz/red-hut-cafe-nevada-stateline

If you drive to the CA side, there's another, newer Red Hut Cafe, but hti sone IMO is more boggie, https://duckduckgo.com/?q=red+hut+NV...73&iaxm=places

[west1]

Originally Posted by UntzUntzUntz

Here's the following day's map options.

The Salmon Falls route:
With route 49 - https://goo.gl/maps/qwWqjDryeL4H8iYPA
With route 193 - https://goo.gl/maps/bAA4i2UxJgowdxfj7

The Vineyard route:
https://goo.gl/maps/MX4gHWdXm9sBm8Fp6

It includes both options you mentioned and mapped them out for the first half of that day towards Napa. I will discuss with the group what they prefer between the two but since you mentioned the vineyards, what's one you suggest going to? I've just set one on the map as a placeholder.

The Salmon Falls route both of what I linked look good from here, but just mentioned them in case you've been to both and favor one over the other.

Definitely will go to Izzy's as well, it's right next to our stay, look good.

Will be posting pictures on this thread for sure, you guys are a big help.

tough choices here. depends what you'd really like to do. i like wine and Amador is a great stop and still some nice roads. Salmon Falls road is a nice and challenging drive (no side rails with deep mountain fall offs if you fk up in the turns. butt clenching hairpins that demand respect).

i'd do the 49 route if you elect Salmon Falls solely.

I like Amador wine country and then you'll drive Latrobe north going back up to 50 which has some spirited sections worth driving.

If you do Amador, i recco Jeff Runquist wines to taste at (https://www.jeffrunquistwines.com/). really great wines and very reasonable prices. Or Helwig if you want some food and wine (https://www.helwigwinery.com/). Good wines and good food too. Villa Toscano has a nice bistro (pizza and sandwiches, reasonably priced). (https://www.villatoscano.com/) wine is okay, i recco their reserve Port if you want something real nice to remember the trip by.

If you do Salmon Falls from North to South, hit Friends With Benedicts for breakfast or Lunch. It's just west of Salmon Falls Road as it turns into El Dorado Hills Blvd, on Green Valley road (https://friendswithbenedictsinc.com/)

Lemme know if you need more data. These places are really my hood as I work in El Dorado Hills and live in Folsom (not the prison but the prison is DEF worth seeing (museum too https://bhpmuseum.wixsite.com/bighouseprisonmuseum)

[west1]

did you guys do this trip?

[UntzUntzUntz]

Originally Posted by west1

did you guys do this trip?

Yes! We couldn't make to all the suggestions everyone made due to time but the ones that we did, it was an absolute blast!

I'll post the routes we ended up on, the stops we made, and some pictures for future drivers to take advantage of.

I'm still gathering everyones pictures and noob attempts at drone shots to post up here.