Re: [T3] Itinerary via SF to the Invasion

[Hal Sullivan <tristessa@tristessa.us>]

<x-flowed>On Jul 12, 2006, at 5:52 PM, Dave Hall wrote:
> Yes, but I was looking at a prettier route than I5, even though it's 
> not really
> sensible, and I have heard of L. Tahoe.  If we've already taken a good 
> look at
> the Sierra Nevada at Yosemite, it might not be all that special to see 
> even more
> mountains and huge sequoias, though.
>
> Probably go up I5, maybe break the journey near Mount Shasta - looks 
> impressive
> on Google Earth.  I'd rather spend a day or two seeing something of 
> local
> interest than pore over piles of Chinese tourist items in SF.
>
> Riverside Lodge Motel is one of the host motels for the Invasion - I 
> sure hope
> it's in Oregon!
>
> I think the trip from SF to the invasion was given as over 400 miles 
> and around
> 7 hrs driving.  I don't fancy that in a day, even with A/C.  I've got 
> time to be
> a bit circumspect!   Thought we could see a bit of the real CA on the 
> way -
> where's that?
>
> Is the Sonoma Valley worth the detour if you're not going to do a 
> vinyard tour?
>
> We're saving the coast for the way back.

The real CA is scattered all over the place, but it hides itself to 
keep the recent
immigrants to California from destroying things. :-)

I-5 is pretty boring until you get past Redding.  Flat, dry, farmland.  
 More scenic
from SF is 101 north to Eureka (270-some miles, about 6 hours), then 
299 from
Eureka to Redding (150 miles, about 3 hours), and taking I-5 from 
there. You'll
still get to see Mount Shasta, plus some of the California wine 
country, the
"other" redwoods (coastal vs. sequoia), and a bit of the coast in 
Eureka .. but not
enough of the coast to spoil it for you.

If you're not doing the winery tours, skip Sonoma Valley.  The traffic 
can be bad,
and there's not a whole lot else to see around there except an old 
Spanish
mission and Jack London's estate (now a park).  If you take 101 instead 
of
I-5 you'll see plenty of vineyards without making a side trip. 

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