Road trip. Vegas/LA/SF in a rental Mustang

sugarwood · sugarwood's Garage

We drove from Vegas to the Grand Canyon today. This Mustang cruises at like 1800rpm. I need to paddle the thing down three gears if I don't want to mash the throttle for the downshift.

Next we are heading to LA for 2 nights, and then SanFran for 2 nights.

Any tips for the remainder of the trip? Route 66? Malibu? Non car Things to do while in LA/SF?

wildthing · 08-14-2016, 07:26 PM

CA-1 up to SF from LA will take you a good 2 days with lots of stops... Of course you can rush it in I-5 then just see the regular SF sights.

rcooled · 08:02 PM

I know that you asked about non-car things to do, but you'll be passing right by one of the greatest car happenings on the planet on your way from LA to SF.
From Tuesday, 8/16 thru Sunday, 8/20 is Monterey Car Week, culminating with the Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance on Sunday. The Monterey Peninsula will be crawling with the world's finest classic automobiles, as well as vintage sports & racing cars that most people only get to read about. Not to be missed if at all possible...

Monterey Car Week, Monterey, California, your only source for complete events schedules and local information.

For non-car stuff, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a world-class facility that's well worth a visit, and there's an old-fashioned boardwalk right on the beach in Santa Cruz that's pretty cool if you like that sort of thing.

https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/
https://beachboardwalk.com/

look 171 · 08-14-2016, 08:12 PM

Anywhere you go in LA, add 30-45 min time in the distances you need to travel. We don't get near the Fwys after 2:30 in LA proper. We drive around it. No much to see in Malibu, Getty, beach?

Seahawk · 08-15-2016, 03:15 AM

How much time do you want to spent on the road between Las Vegas and LA?

There are some unbelievable roads but it will an all day deal, at least 8 hours.

sugarwood · sugarwood's Garage

We're open to ideas, but are leaving soon. Let's hear some route options besides Rt15. I don't see 66 on the map.

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

find a cars and coffee to attend. film your exit from it!

sugarwood · sugarwood's Garage

I'm thinking of trying old rt 66 between Victorville and Barstow. Is that reasonable?

Seahawk · 08-15-2016, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugarwood

We're open to ideas, but are leaving soon. Let's hear some route options besides Rt15. I don't see 66 on the map.

I have done this route at least 15 times:

RT 160 to Pahrump

West on Bell Vista Road (which becomes State Line Road) to Death Valley Junction

Take RT 190 through Death Valley to Panamint Springs. Depending on how I feel, I will usually turn left BEFORE Panamint Springs onto Panamint Valley Road. Take that into Ridgecrest.

Other wise, stay on RTE 190 to 395 South. The road out of Panamint Springs is great.

Depending on where you are going in LA dictates the rest of the trip.

Get water.

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

and make sure you have plenty of gas

sugarwood · sugarwood's Garage

In am thinking 95S to 40W and then Essex, Ludlow via 66. Then 40W to Barstow and more 66 to Victorville. Then to LA. Seems viable?

sugarwood · sugarwood's Garage

Interesting route from Seahawks. I will stick to 66 and it's a little shorter than the 7 hour death valley route.. thanks though!

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

heading south through inland empire after VCV or taking blood highway down through palmdale and then 14 down?

Steve Carlton · 08-15-2016, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcooled

I know that you asked about non-car things to do, but you'll be passing right by one of the greatest car happenings on the planet on your way from LA to SF.
From Tuesday, 8/16 thru Sunday, 8/20 is Monterey Car Week, culminating with the Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance on Sunday. The Monterey Peninsula will be crawling with the world's finest classic automobiles, as well as vintage sports & racing cars that most people only get to read about. Not to be missed if at all possible...

This sounds really good! You never know who'll you'll run into at that venue. Make sure you have maximum damage waiver.

wayner · 08-15-2016, 07:15 PM

Angelas crest highway from the desert into the city!

sugarwood · sugarwood's Garage

I am now in Hollywood/LA for 2 nights. Any ideas are welcome.

Steve Carlton · 08-15-2016, 10:19 PM

Stop at Nepenthe Restaurant, Big Sur, California on the way up. Walk around Carmel, too. I like the Alcatraz tour at night.

look 171 · 08-15-2016, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugarwood

I am now in Hollywood/LA for 2 nights. Any ideas are welcome.

The observatory is closed now, but go up and see the city lights before night falls. Even during the day is a pretty place to see the city. You overlook Hollywierd. If you are up for a mile walk, go up to mt Hollywood from the parking lot and you will get a 300 degree view of the city of LA. The trail is very flat and stable. That's the highest point of the city. We used to go up at night to see the city lights, but not sure how safe is it now. During the day, its not a problem. I have done it in flip flops. Go see all the wierdos and walk down Hollywood blvd near the Mann's Chinese Theater.

Drive down to the Groove or the old farmer's market and get some breakfast. What do you like to see?

look 171 · 08-15-2016, 10:46 PM

Drive down Sunset and stop by and have a drink or something on sunset strip then drive out to Santa Monica and walk around a little. third Street is kinda fun if you haven't been. A ton of restaurant to eat out there.

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

[rant] WTF is it with everyone renting convertible Mustangs and driving around here? Only tourists do that....There's like 1,000 in town at any given moment [/rant off]