Headed to SoCal in November

flyfishexpert

flyfishexpert

Adventurist
Krista and I are in the early stages of planning a trip to California this November. The rough plan is to fly into either Sacramento or San Francisco, rent an economy car, and drive down to San Diego. We have budgeted 10 days for the trip, and plan on spending most of the time traveling down the Pacific Coast Highway. We have friends and family along the way but we are looking for some inside information on the best mom&pop restaurants, and other eating establishments, along the way. We will probably spend half of our time camping, and would like to hear your recommendations on the best campgrounds along the route.

Thank you for your help!
 
There is so much you'll miss if you don't cling to Hwy 1, and you almost have to go out of your way to avoid the freeway at points. Other areas, you have no choice but to take the Hwy.

Big Sur and the areas north and south are going to be the highlight of Hwy 1. There's a lot of mom & pop shops and campgrounds along the way.

We don't do a whole lot of stopping when we take this route, because it's such a long drive and we usually only have a weekend to get to Sac and back.

Once you're down in SD, send me a PM! :)
 
Easy recommendation Beau... I used to live in Redwood City, halfway between SF and SJ on the Peninsula. I spent a lot of time biking and exploring the in-between the Bay Area and the Coast.

First, fly into SFO. Pick up your car and set your course to the PCH by taking I-380 (easy to get to from the rental car terminal) then I-280 North to SF terminating at the Presidio and the base of the GG Bridge and my favorite place there, Fort Point. Run around inside the old fort like a kid. Go outside the ramparts and experience the Pacific Ocean making it's way underneath the footings of the GG bridge.

From there get on the Great Highway, Hwy 1, and go south, staying on it all the way to your end point in San Diego. You'll see the back-drop almost every car-maker has ever filmed in the US for a commercial along the coastlines of San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara counties. Numerous beaches to pull off at at your discretion but one of my favorites is Ano Nuevo where there is abundant tidal pools and plenty of opportunity for observing aquatic wildlife, most notably otters and Elephant Sea Lions. But before getting to that beach you'll be getting hungry from the brisk salt air soon so be prepared to take a right off of the PCH into the tiny coastal town of Pescadero. Pull into the dirt lot on the side or out front on the street and enter http://www.duartestavern.com/. In one form or another has been serving delicious local food since 1894. My recommendations... Cream of Artichoke or Cream of Green Chile Soups, ANYTHING with Dungeness Crab, the Abalone (OMG - get me a tissue - I'm drooling), or Pacific Oysters (baked or fried). This isn't a fancy place and it's filled with locals most often.

After slapping your belly in postprandial satisfaction, admiring your decision to pay heed to my recommendation, stroll across the street and a short walk down to Arcangeli Grocery Company / Norm's Market. Small but filled with some of the best artisanal baked goods you will find. You think you've had SF Sourdough but it's a pale comparison unless it's made with the real-deal yeast which is ONLY possible in this region. Artichoke Garlic Herb - remember that code word for the bread and if your lucky enough to be there early, you'll score a loaf. Select a local wine from their terrific collection. Since 1929 they've been baking some awesome breads and if you're really lucky you'll score a Rhubarb Pie that will make an ARSES alumni cry in shame.

Make your way south to Santa Cruz on the Cabrillo Highway but keep your eyes peeled for Pigeon Point Open Space. Does "Mustangs" mean anything to you? If it doesn't you must not surf and must not know California surfing history. Check out the movie "Chasing Mustangs." You'll get it. I could keep you occupied with wonders and back-roads that would make you brain hurt but this is a good primer.

There's your first day... go get 'em, tiger.
 
Awesome guys! We plan to stay as true to Hwy 1 as possible. It has been a long time since I was down there and I am super excited!! My great grandmother used to live off of the highway in La Conchita and I have family in Cambria. We would, as a child, travel from Idaho to CA about every other year to see family. Other than the one year I worked in LA, I have only been back to CA once, and it was too for work. It is time to see the coast again!
 
If you're interested in Santa Barbara, we have a burgeoning gourmet/wine tasting area known as the Funk Zone. If you can, you can camp at Refugio State Beach or El Capitan State Beach (NOT the RV park). There's a free spot up there, too, but it depends on your camping situation - or we have lots of places to stay (including my place). The harbor has great food, State street has good shopping and restaurants or just park near the beach and relax...it's SB! If you head south, think of camping at Leo Carillo or Sycamore Canyon down near Malibu - those are great spots.

I don't want to type it all out, so you can visit my guidebook that I have for people who rent my apt (don't worry, you can stay with me if you don't mind a fun well-mannered, scary lookin' dog. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1255342#maps reclick 'maps' if the map doesn't display right.

For reference, us So-cal kids call Highway 1 the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).

Passing through Malibu - depending on your appetite and wallet
Expensive for what it is, but it's in all the movies: Neptune's Net
If you're up to avoid some PCH, turn left up Mulholland Drive and stay on it until you reach the Rock Store. On Saturday, you might run into Jay Leno and a sweet car. Turn right on Malibu Canyon to dump you right back on PCH. The BLT and egg sandwich is a good breakfast!
Expensive but awesome sushi - Nobu
Duke's Malibu is a tourist spot but not bad. 1/2 price bottles of wine on Wednesday :D
Tra Di Noi - fantastic Italian food in Malibu
D'Amore's Pizza - really is quite good
Country Kitchen in Malibu - locals eat here. 'Nuff said. :cool:
Moonshadows - overpriced, but hey, the view kicks butt (I had the same view from my apartment up the street)
Cholada Thai down near Topanga - good Thai food! NOM NOM. Cruise across the street to watch Topanga waves
Gladstone's at PCH and Sunset Blvd - meh nope.
IF YOU CAN - GET TICKETS TO THE GETTY VILLA IN MALIBU or simply plan to visit. The views of LA are spectacular.

I've been out of LA about a year and a half now, so I'll leave anything south of this up to the Angelenos now!
 
I really appreciate everyone's suggestions! We just booked our flights, and we will be arriving in Sacramento on Nov. 22nd. We have to make a stop in Woodland (hint hint) before we head to Napa for a couple of nights. We will then head to the coast and make our way south on the PCH. Once we get to San Diego, we will head east to the Salton Sea, then north to Joshua Tree, and then back to Sacramento.

I am putting everyone's suggestions on a Google Map, so I can start planning a route!

The trip has the following objectives:
  1. Vacation!!!
  2. Spend time with family/friends
  3. Prepare/eat some great food with friends and family
  4. Drink some great wine/beer/spirits with friends and family
  5. Eat more great food
  6. Develop stories for our Food on the Road project
  7. Develop a series of stories for TCT Magazine

I am really looking forward to this trip, and cannot wait to get down there! I will keep everyone posted on our (tentative) itinerary; we hope to meet up with some of you guys along the way!
 
Here are some last minute suggestions since you'll be in the San Diego area. It's sort of a mini roadtrip from when the Mrs and myself used in organizing car camping trips for our private meetup group a few years back. Feel free to peruse through the articles and links to some of the places that were part of this trip.

The destination was Lake Morena, located off the oldest highway in California, the border-hugging Route 94, which was once a major stage coach route. It is still miles of fun, a nice stretch of rolling, uncrowded, and picturesque road. A terrific article from “Sunset” magazine turned me on to the many splendors of this area.

http://www.sunset.com/travel/california/70-perfect-miles-0

We stayed in three of the cabins in Lake Morena. http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/parks/CampingCabins/Documents/CabinBrochure.pdf

And links to some of the many stops we made along the way. Some of the stops are mentioned at the end of the article but I can't seem to find my links. Lots of good photo ops.

Motor Transport Museum
http://motortransportmuseum.org/
http://www.socalsacc.com/Motor Transport.htm

Desert View Tower
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/9178
http://www.imperialcounty.com/phototur/photo16.htm

Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
http://www.psrm.org/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...outhwest_Railway_Museum-Campo_California.html

Barrett Junction Cafe (This probably one of the best fish fry I have found West of the Mississippi and they GIVE. There are plenty of other food options on the menu for vegetarians and non-fish lovers too. The tables run the length of the long Quonsett hut that makes up the place, so it is a fun, rowdy and rustic place for groups like us. Dinners were about $15 bucks or less each at that time.)
http://barrettjunctioncafe.com/

We headed back to LA by way of Julian, stopping amidst the wonderful classic american vintage trailers at Pinecrest retreat.

Pinecrest Retreat
https://pinecrestretreat.squarespace.com/

If you do go by Julian, don't forget to stop by and sample some some of that good ol' famous Julian pies.

Julian Pie Company
http://www.julianpie.com/index.html

Last but not least, try some of the restaurants in Little Italy, Gaslamp District and particularly Ocean Beach. I personally like the beer battered fish & chips try Mitch's Seafood by the waterfront in Point Loma behind a sport fishing tackle shop so just park and walk along the side of the shop. Sit outside where you get a nice view of the fleet of fishing boats. http://mitchsseafood.com/index.html


Have fun sir!
 
bruinlad said:
Here are some last minute suggestions since you'll be in the San Diego area. It's sort of a mini roadtrip from when the Mrs and myself used in organizing car camping trips for our private meetup group a few years back. Feel free to peruse through the articles and links to some of the places that were part of this trip.

The destination was Lake Morena, located off the oldest highway in California, the border-hugging Route 94, which was once a major stage coach route. It is still miles of fun, a nice stretch of rolling, uncrowded, and picturesque road. A terrific article from “Sunset” magazine turned me on to the many splendors of this area.

http://www.sunset.com/travel/california/70-perfect-miles-0

We stayed in three of the cabins in Lake Morena. http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/parks/CampingCabins/Documents/CabinBrochure.pdf

And links to some of the many stops we made along the way. Some of the stops are mentioned at the end of the article but I can't seem to find my links. Lots of good photo ops.

Motor Transport Museum
http://motortransportmuseum.org/
http://www.socalsacc.com/Motor Transport.htm

Desert View Tower
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/9178
http://www.imperialcounty.com/phototur/photo16.htm

Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
http://www.psrm.org/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...outhwest_Railway_Museum-Campo_California.html

Barrett Junction Cafe (This probably one of the best fish fry I have found West of the Mississippi and they GIVE. There are plenty of other food options on the menu for vegetarians and non-fish lovers too. The tables run the length of the long Quonsett hut that makes up the place, so it is a fun, rowdy and rustic place for groups like us. Dinners were about $15 bucks or less each at that time.)
http://barrettjunctioncafe.com/

We headed back to LA by way of Julian, stopping amidst the wonderful classic american vintage trailers at Pinecrest retreat.

Pinecrest Retreat
https://pinecrestretreat.squarespace.com/

If you do go by Julian, don't forget to stop by and sample some some of that good ol' famous Julian pies.

Julian Pie Company
http://www.julianpie.com/index.html

Last but not least, try some of the restaurants in Little Italy, Gaslamp District and particularly Ocean Beach. I personally like the beer battered fish & chips try Mitch's Seafood by the waterfront in Point Loma behind a sport fishing tackle shop so just park and walk along the side of the shop. Sit outside where you get a nice view of the fleet of fishing boats. http://mitchsseafood.com/index.html


Have fun sir!
Click to expand...
Jeeze! I've lived here for 3 years, and have not heard of 80% of this stuff!!! And now I'm hungry.
 
Here's one I found browsing the link the previously posted hereinabove regarding the Desert View Tower. Since you wanted to stick to PCH 1, you can stop at this Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum in Carlsbad. Haven't been but I figured since most of us here are to some extent grease monkeys, you might get a kick out of it ;)

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/40893

Here's a restaurant we found in Santa Ynez called Cold Spring Tavern. It used to be a stagecoach stop back in the 1860's. I wanted to try it since I heard hat they had bear on their menu but turned out that they stopped so I settled for for venison instead which was quite delectable. Don't be surprised by rows of motorcycles as this is a popular stop for bikers. Google cold springs tavern for more images than their site features and you'll see what I mean.

http://www.coldspringtavern.com/
 
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If you get to Julian in SD County, stop by Jeremy's on the Hill. A restaurant west of town in Wynola on Highway 78. Jeremy, the chef, is a good friend of mine. He specializes in Farm to Table using fresh local meat and produce. He has some very unique creations. Try the Brussels Sprouts appetizer, and I am not really a Brussels Sprouts guy.
 
Great suggestions guys, thank you!

Well we had a bit of a scare yesterday, it was looking like our plans were starting to unravel a bit. We got things ironed out, and we are ready to hit the road on Saturday. Four Wheel Camper has really stepped up and offered to let us tour around in their shop Tundra and a Fleet pop-up camper! I started pulling our gear together, over the weekend, and just have to add our clothing and we are ready to rock-n-roll.

We are looking at either staying at Sugarloaf Ridge or Sonoma Coast SP the first night. Sugarloaf Ridge was recommended by the guys at FWC, but I am kind of thinking we would bypass Napa/Sonoma and just head straight for the coast. What are your thoughts?

***Edit

Looks like Sonoma Coast SP is full, so Sugarloaf it is!
 
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