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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ OT: Where's a good half way stop between

Posted by: vesnyder Jan 30 2006, 02:39 PM

Taking the family vacation to the West Coast this summer and mapping out the trip - starting and ending is Las Vegas. Will be spending a couple days in SF before heading back to Las Vegas and do not want to make that trip in one day (how long will that take?). Anybody know some good family stopping spots near Bakersfield and/or Fresno?

Posted by: SirAndy Jan 30 2006, 02:43 PM

barstow

http://www.barstowca.org/

Andy

Posted by: WRX914 Jan 30 2006, 02:47 PM

When you get to vegas, look me up!

702-524-5580

Keith

Posted by: Headrage Jan 30 2006, 02:51 PM

QUOTE (SirAndy @ Jan 30 2006, 12:43 PM)
barstow :trophy:

Stop in Bakersfield.

It's right about 1/2 way and has more to offer than Barstow.

Posted by: lapuwali Jan 30 2006, 02:51 PM

Barstow, or Bakersfield. Definitely drive down CA to get to Lost Wages. There's zippo in Nevada.

Rent a car with satellite radio unless you like Mariachi music...

Posted by: bondo Jan 30 2006, 02:59 PM

QUOTE (vesnyder @ Jan 30 2006, 01:39 PM)
Taking the family vacation to the West Coast this summer and mapping out the trip - starting and ending is Las Vegas. Will be spending a couple days in SF before heading back to Las Vegas and do not want to make that trip in one day (how long will that take?). Anybody know some good family stopping spots near Bakersfield and/or Fresno?

Cool, feel free to stop by and say Howdy! (I'm only 12 miles from 101)

Unless you're masochistic, I'd avoid bakersfield/Fresno in the summer. The coastal route (101 down to 134 to 210 to 15) will have a much better climate, and there's more to see. Traffic across the northern part of the LA area usually isn't as terrible as going through the middle of LA. Traffic north on 15 towards Vegas can get REALLY bad just north of Ontario, if you're travelling at a peak time (weekends, especially friday night).

If you go that route, anywhere between Santa Barbara and Thousand Oaks would probably be a nice place to stop, depending on how you want to split up the trip.

If you insist on going through Bakersfield, I'd think Barstow would be well past the midpoint.

Posted by: Trevorg7 Jan 30 2006, 03:00 PM

9 hour drive from the bay area to LV. Why stop...ah Vegas. More fun there than Barstow.

QUOTE
Rent a car with satellite radio unless you like Mariachi music...

Very good point!

T

Posted by: VegasRacer Jan 30 2006, 03:07 PM

Yosemite National Park. Less than half way. Mucho better than Barstow or Bakersfield.

Or drive down the coast and stay in Santa Barbara.

Attached image(s)

Posted by: Howard Jan 30 2006, 03:19 PM

QUOTE (VegasRacer @ Jan 30 2006, 01:07 PM)
Yosemite National Park. Less than half way. Mucho better than Barstow or Bakersfield.

Or drive down the coast and stay in Santa Barbara.

How old are the kids? Disneyland? No matter how you cut it, CA to Vegas ain't a pretty drive.

Posted by: Porcharu Jan 30 2006, 03:28 PM

Go the "back way" (highway 395) and see Yosemite and the Sierras instead of the California dust bowl (I-5) Stop in Lone Pine or one of those little towns before reaching the Death Valley turn off. We did this last spring and had a great time and it's only a little bit longer than taking the boring route (I-5)

Posted by: lapuwali Jan 30 2006, 03:36 PM

Yeah, the coastal route is a lot prettier, but a lot slower, too. Hwy 1/101 is usually pretty backed up in spots. Santa Barbara is pretty, but it's a long haul from there to LV. Don't go anywhere near LA unless you plan to stop there, as the traffic from the coast east is super evil. It can literally take hours to go from, say, Santa Monica to Riverside.

If you take I-5 down to Bakersfield, you'll get there relatively quickly, even if the drive is quite dull. Just make sure the A/C works.

You can do both. Head down to Monterey to the Aquarium (great kids place), then continue down 1 to San Luis Obispo. Stop for lunch, then head inland to 5 from there. This will add several hours to the drive, but there's not much to see near Barstow, anyway, and entering Vegas at night has a certain dramatic value. Nothing, nothing, nothing, LIGHTS!, MORE LIGHTS!, OLD PEOPLE IN WHITE SHOES! etc.

Posted by: bondo Jan 30 2006, 03:42 PM

If you want a low traffic way to get from 101 to 5, try 166. It leaves 101 near Santa Maria, and hits 5 near Grapevine. That way you'll skip m ost of the boredom and heat of the valley. 166 is somewhat boring, but there's some interesting tiny towns that time forgot. It's kind of like the central coast's route 66.

Posted by: SirAndy Jan 30 2006, 03:45 PM

QUOTE (Headrage @ Jan 30 2006, 12:51 PM)

QUOTE (SirAndy @ Jan 30 2006, 12:43 PM)
barstow :trophy:

Stop in Bakersfield.

It's right about 1/2 way and has more to offer than Barstow.

geeze guys, i was kidding!

Andy

Posted by: TROJANMAN Jan 30 2006, 03:46 PM

There is the place I once stopped, but i can't remember the name of it.
Something with the letters BFE...........

Posted by: SirAndy Jan 30 2006, 03:53 PM

my car broke down near bakersfield once over easter weekend. had to wait 3 days for the shops to re-open to get my broken differential fixed.

that was hands down the worst roadtrip emergency stop ever.

hot, dusty & dirty, IHOP for breakfast, lunch and dinner and entertainment came down to the choice between the "Rocking Rodeo" or hanging with the "Gay Folks" at the park ...

oh, and the mummified dead cat right next to the swimming pool at the "La Quinta Inn" was a nice touch too ...
Andy

Posted by: vesnyder Jan 30 2006, 07:16 PM

Good stuff, but driving from Yosemite to Vegas looks like a tough ride? How long would that take? What's in the small towns outside of Death Valley?

We are taking the coast from LA to SF, so will have already gone that route - probabaly hit the Monterrey Aquarium on the may North.

Thanks everyone!

Posted by: Headrage Jan 30 2006, 07:40 PM

QUOTE (vesnyder @ Jan 30 2006, 05:16 PM)
Good stuff, but driving from Yosemite to Vegas looks like a tough ride? How long would that take? What's in the small towns outside of Death Valley?

If you want quick, I-5 south to 58 east to I-15 north is probably the fastest route.

If you take it, Bakersfield is right at the halfway point.

If you wanna stop in, either for a quick pit stop, dinner, or overnight we will be here to give you whatever you need.

I can tell you, if you are tired and wanting to play it safe and get there as soon as you can, follow this route.

I know it will be boring for about 6 hours but you will get there sooner and have more amenities along the way.

I have everything you may need as far as tools, lift, and parts for your car.

As long as you're not in the teener. I got no parts...

Posted by: Mr.C Jan 30 2006, 07:51 PM

If you drive through I would definately take the 101. Stay away from the 99. There just isn't much to see. In the summer it gets pretty hot in the middle of the valley and the sky is kinda gray.

Posted by: KELTY360 Jan 30 2006, 08:00 PM

The drive through Yosemite Natl. Park would be my choice. 120 over Tioga Pass is a beautiful drive. Well maintained road. You can make a side trip to the Valley...or not. Once you get to 395 there are plenty of places to stay around Bishop. I-5 & 99 are just a fast way to get from A to B IMHO. Nothing to see. Sounds like a great trip.

Marc

Posted by: Headrage Jan 30 2006, 08:05 PM

We are talking speed here guys.

He is going to do the touristic route on his way there..

Posted by: lapuwali Jan 30 2006, 08:06 PM

If you're doing 1/101 north from LA, then I-5 back south for speed, or connect the dots on roads on the east side of the Central Valley through the Sierra foothills if you not in much of a hurry. The Sierras are also very pretty. Yosemite itself tends to be jam-packed, but shouldn't be missed if you're unlikely to be out here again anytime soon.

Posted by: Porcharu Jan 31 2006, 12:16 AM

QUOTE (KELTY360 @ Jan 30 2006, 06:00 PM)
The drive through Yosemite Natl. Park would be my choice. 120 over Tioga Pass is a beautiful drive. Well maintained road. You can make a side trip to the Valley...or not. Once you get to 395 there are plenty of places to stay around Bishop. I-5 & 99 are just a fast way to get from A to B IMHO. Nothing to see. Sounds like a great trip.

Marc

Bishop was the place I was thinking of - they have a FANTASTIC bakery. Almost worth the drive just for that. 120- 395-Death_valley-LV is the way to go.