PCH Help needed please.
Discussion
Found a site that shows where the PCH is still blocked by landslides.
I am traveling next week.
San Francisco- Monterey Bay -San Simeon -Santa Barbara.
Then back up.
Could anyone with local knowledge please explain to me where the blockages are.
I have tried to work it out but can't seem to get my act together in working out where in the route the problems are.(maybe too excited)
Many thanks Andy.
I am traveling next week.
San Francisco- Monterey Bay -San Simeon -Santa Barbara.
Then back up.
Could anyone with local knowledge please explain to me where the blockages are.
I have tried to work it out but can't seem to get my act together in working out where in the route the problems are.(maybe too excited)
Many thanks Andy.
Oh, my post didnt post.... I had typed out a bunch of stuff but now lost it. Let me try again.
PCH does seem to be a problem. Caltrans is a good site and usually very accurate:
https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
Its slightly weird, but you have to select what you want to see - so make sure you select road closures etc. You will see that a lot of PCH is actually closed. Google Maps is also pretty good, but I have found that its not great at showing opened roads again.
Much of PCH south of Big Sur is closed and I see that Naciemento road is also closed, which would be an alternative. There are some other roads that you might want to consider though. Mainly inland, but could be an option. Are the start and end points fixed?
Highway 33 into the LA area (you can turn right and go to Santa Barbara) is also closed from what I can see, which is a shame and it does limit your options. Its going to cause issues as the roads are likely to be busier with more local traffic.
Do you have any thoughts on alternatives? I can provide some recommended roads that arent PCH.
PCH does seem to be a problem. Caltrans is a good site and usually very accurate:
https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
Its slightly weird, but you have to select what you want to see - so make sure you select road closures etc. You will see that a lot of PCH is actually closed. Google Maps is also pretty good, but I have found that its not great at showing opened roads again.
Much of PCH south of Big Sur is closed and I see that Naciemento road is also closed, which would be an alternative. There are some other roads that you might want to consider though. Mainly inland, but could be an option. Are the start and end points fixed?
Highway 33 into the LA area (you can turn right and go to Santa Barbara) is also closed from what I can see, which is a shame and it does limit your options. Its going to cause issues as the roads are likely to be busier with more local traffic.
Do you have any thoughts on alternatives? I can provide some recommended roads that arent PCH.
Bugger. Been trying to do this for 3 years. Hotels are booked with SF as start and Finish. Wanted to do a nice leisurely trip down and back. Got 3 nights SF. 3 night Monterey bay with whale watching. San Simeon and hurst castle 1 night. 2 nights Santa Barbara and then back up with a stop off on the way.
Do you think that is possible with diversions now or is it all gone to hell 🤣
Many many thanks for your help, Andy
Do you think that is possible with diversions now or is it all gone to hell 🤣
Many many thanks for your help, Andy
MrAndyW said:
Bugger. Been trying to do this for 3 years. Hotels are booked with SF as start and Finish. Wanted to do a nice leisurely trip down and back. Got 3 nights SF. 3 night Monterey bay with whale watching. San Simeon and hurst castle 1 night. 2 nights Santa Barbara and then back up with a stop off on the way.
Do you think that is possible with diversions now or is it all gone to hell ??
Many many thanks for your help, Andy
Ah damn, ok, lets see if we can save this....Do you think that is possible with diversions now or is it all gone to hell ??
Many many thanks for your help, Andy
PCH from SF to Monterey should be fine. Looks like Upper Great highway around the SF peninsular is closed, so I would drop to Skyline for a short part and then pick up CA-1 from there. That is going to take you down past Pacifica. You can stop at Rockaway Beach and check out the surfers there as it might be good (depends on the time).
Follow PCH from there past Half Moon Bay (worth a quick stop if you have a chance, its a bit of a tourist trap). Then on from there on PCH down to Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is a bigger city so might be convenient to stop at, but it will be busy so be cautious with the traffic. If you want to skip PCH to Santa Cruz, you can take CA-92 from Half Moon Bay up to CA-35 and across the mountain ridge. Looks ok but expect some roadworks and electrical repairs. If you go this route (and its beautiful) you will skip the ocean, but be cautious, dont go via Ben Lomond on CA-9, its closed! You will have to go down CA-35 to then get on CA-17 and down to Santa Cruz from there.
Santa Cruz on the PCH is ok, but you will drop inland for a bit past Watsonville, but its OK. There is a motorcycle shop on the route there I think with a giant motorcycle made from scrap outside, which is kinda cool. Follow PCH around into Monterey. Monterey is a great place, but be warned that its likely to be busy with tourists. Well worth a stop and the whale watching can be good - did it myself once and didnt see a single whale....
This is where you might need to take some diversions. You can get from Monterey to Big Sur and its a nice enough drive with the big tourist views and bridges. Big Sur is a good stop for a hike and wander, but be warned, fuel there is VERY expensive, so make sure you stock up before getting there. However, if you do go to Big Sur, you will have to double back again. Your call, but be aware that PCH is closed after Big Sur.
You can go via Carmel Valley though - so going inland from Carmel-by-the-sea (which is well worth a stop - its a beautiful place). From there you can take the road right down to Greenfield and onto CA-101. You could then take CA-101 to King City and then off to Jolon. Its deserted and open here. From there cross to Lockwood and take the road to Lake Nacimeiento via Bee Rock. From there, head out to CA-101 again via one of the local roads around there - its a great drive.
This is the section for Hearst Castle though - and to get to it, you would have to take the local roads from Jolon down and across the mountains to get here. I wouldnt risk it, and if you want to go there, I would do the drive to Lake Naciemento and then up CA-1 to Hearst castle and then back again - double back on yourself. Its going to add some extra miles, so its worth working out if this is good for you.
You could then take CA-46 out to PCH again and then pick it up via Morro Bay (another nice little stop), but its going to add a pretty long drive and some roadworks. Maybe skip it as you will have done a pretty long day so far. Morro Bay is worth a stop (small ocean side city and a cheap stop). From here, PCH disappears a little and goes inland. I would pick up CA-101 again and go via Pismo Beach. From there you can drive PCH (CA-1) all the way to Santa Barbara.
You could do combinations of the roads on the way back and I would recommend CA-154 from Santa Barbara to Los Alamos. Some good scenery to see. Nacimiento to Valleton and then up to Lonoak and Bitterwater is a nice enough drive - but no ocean and might be a bit deserted, but you can go to the Pinnacles National park and then on up to Hollister and Gilroy and into the Bay again. Not sure if you are going back, but some recommendations at least.
Let me know what you think. Use Google Maps for the planning as its pretty accurate and cross reference with Caltrans for roads that are open. That should do it. Oh, and be warned, some major parts of the roads on PCH and the country roads will not have mobile phone coverage. Be prepared. And the signs for 'next gas station' are usually accurate, so again, be aware. Other than that, its beautiful and well worth the trip.
Bloody hell. You absolute star. Thanks so much for your time and effort.
The link for the road closures you gave, I can actually understand that one.
I will spend the next few days checking it all out, but I think by the sound of your suggestions sound pretty damn good to me.
Once thanks again. for lal your suggestions and help.
PH at it's finest.
Andy.
The link for the road closures you gave, I can actually understand that one.
I will spend the next few days checking it all out, but I think by the sound of your suggestions sound pretty damn good to me.
Once thanks again. for lal your suggestions and help.
PH at it's finest.
Andy.
Not a problem! Happy to help.
Been in California for 9 years now and while it has its challenges, the roads are fantastic and some of the scenery is amazing. I havent got even close to discovering a fraction of the roads (mainly motorcycle trips for me), and will continue to explore and find cool stuff.
Oh, and if you havent been to the US before - no one drives at 55. 5 over the prevailing speed limit is acceptable (except in a school zone) and usually when you are out of the cities, most cops dont really mind if you are 7 or more over. Once you are out into the country though, probably will rarely see a cop / sheriff anyway. Most freeways are 65 (55 in the cities) and most drivers will do 70-75. Highways will be 55 for the most, but some bigger ones will be 65 (like CA-101 in many places). Its not usually a problem though.
And one final point - many California counties have forward facing speed cameras now. Usually not the smaller city cops, but the local county sheriffs will have something if its a newer Ford Explorer. That means they can get you for speeding going the other way. It seems to be fresh news to a few people here - I got caught doing 75 in a 55 and they very kindly dropped it to a 'over 65' penalty for me.
Been in California for 9 years now and while it has its challenges, the roads are fantastic and some of the scenery is amazing. I havent got even close to discovering a fraction of the roads (mainly motorcycle trips for me), and will continue to explore and find cool stuff.
Oh, and if you havent been to the US before - no one drives at 55. 5 over the prevailing speed limit is acceptable (except in a school zone) and usually when you are out of the cities, most cops dont really mind if you are 7 or more over. Once you are out into the country though, probably will rarely see a cop / sheriff anyway. Most freeways are 65 (55 in the cities) and most drivers will do 70-75. Highways will be 55 for the most, but some bigger ones will be 65 (like CA-101 in many places). Its not usually a problem though.
And one final point - many California counties have forward facing speed cameras now. Usually not the smaller city cops, but the local county sheriffs will have something if its a newer Ford Explorer. That means they can get you for speeding going the other way. It seems to be fresh news to a few people here - I got caught doing 75 in a 55 and they very kindly dropped it to a 'over 65' penalty for me.
Many thanks again, During our stop at Monterey, we will drive down as far as we can pn PCH, just so we've done as much as we can. Turn round and double back.
Planing doing the Carmel scenic trip, toll rd, if it's worth it.
Will take your advise about going over Carmel valley and around the lake. drop down on to the 46 and head up to San Simeon.
Don't thing we will be speeding,Thanks for the warning anyway.
As it's meant to be a nice chilling holiday, just cruising and stopping wherever and watch the world go by, whether that be on the coast or nice little place to stop for coffee.
You are star.
Planing doing the Carmel scenic trip, toll rd, if it's worth it.
Will take your advise about going over Carmel valley and around the lake. drop down on to the 46 and head up to San Simeon.
Don't thing we will be speeding,Thanks for the warning anyway.
As it's meant to be a nice chilling holiday, just cruising and stopping wherever and watch the world go by, whether that be on the coast or nice little place to stop for coffee.
You are star.
MrAndyW said:
Many thanks again, During our stop at Monterey, we will drive down as far as we can pn PCH, just so we've done as much as we can. Turn round and double back.
Planing doing the Carmel scenic trip, toll rd, if it's worth it.
Will take your advise about going over Carmel valley and around the lake. drop down on to the 46 and head up to San Simeon.
Don't thing we will be speeding,Thanks for the warning anyway.
As it's meant to be a nice chilling holiday, just cruising and stopping wherever and watch the world go by, whether that be on the coast or nice little place to stop for coffee.
You are star.
Never done the scenic drive, but I am told its worth doing if you have the time. Its speed limited for obvious reasons and bikes dont really suit it. But worth it if you can! Planing doing the Carmel scenic trip, toll rd, if it's worth it.
Will take your advise about going over Carmel valley and around the lake. drop down on to the 46 and head up to San Simeon.
Don't thing we will be speeding,Thanks for the warning anyway.
As it's meant to be a nice chilling holiday, just cruising and stopping wherever and watch the world go by, whether that be on the coast or nice little place to stop for coffee.
You are star.
As for the other routes - take a look at the following:
https://www.seemonterey.com/things-to-do/attractio...
Covers the routes you are mentioning and provides some more details. Carmel valley drive is nice and worth it. You will see a dramatic difference in the scenery too. One hour its ocean views and crashing waves. The next hour its evergreen forests and then the next hour its rolling open countryside. It should be all green by the way too - though give it a month or two and its all going to be golden.
Oh, and one thing that I fell for, if you didnt know in the US - parking! You park in the direction of the traffic. Dont pull over and park facing the wrong way as you can get a ticket. Probably wont, but its worth considering it. Parking should be fairly available, but in the tourist locations it can be a challenge (Carmel, Monterey etc). Look for public parking if you can, but if not parking is open pretty much anywhere - just check the signs. Usually a block or two walk and you can find plenty of parking - Americans like to park as close as possible to their destination. Pulling over on CA-1 can be a challenge and watch for the signs. When it says no parking, it means no parking and at peak times tow trucks will patrol it. The really popular places will be busy, but there are so many places to pull over and stop and most will have some sort of chemical toilet too, should you get desperate. But, the one thing that I do notice is that tourists can be nightmares - and I mean Americans! Its as if they forget the rules of the road and do stupid things, because its a tourist area. You will find people pulling u-turns where they arent allowed. Pulling to a stop ON the highway to find a parking space etc..... it can be shocking! I live in a tourist town up in the foothills and its shocking to see how people just forget their brains - as if no one lives here..... Grrr....
And for places to grab coffee etc - Google maps is your friend here. Almost everything is registered and you can easily find somewhere close by that is not a brand name (Peet's, Starbucks etc). Most of them are great and I strongly recommend trying anything that is a local one, non-brand and has a few reviews on Google. Never had a bad stop yet. Food will also be good. I would recommend avoiding the Taco Bells and other major chains, for obvious reasons. It can be really surprising where you can find excellent food. Once stopped in Maricopa - middle of the desert in an oil town (there are some operating oil fields in California). The local Chevron gas station had a food area and they had the most amazing smoked pulled pork! People were lining up around the building at lunch time. Be a little adventurous, it usually pays off.
Thanks for the parking and all the other tips.
Will be trying not to use the chains for food if we can.
Planed a route south. Original route to Monterey.
G16 out of Carmel. all the way to 101
South to King city.
Off on G14 to Lockwood,Bee Rock and Lake Nacimiento.
Then to Adelaida through vinyard drive to pick up the 46 and on to San Simeon.
Then carry on with original and the sighseeing on the way to Santa Barbara
Back North. Santa Barbara 154/101/1 Atascadero onto the 41
Pick up 101 to Greenfield Then G16 back to Monterey.
Seems like an ok route to me.
Back might be slightly altered to make it more interesting drpending on drive time.
Once again many many thanks. You have made it really easy for me.
Andy
Will be trying not to use the chains for food if we can.
Planed a route south. Original route to Monterey.
G16 out of Carmel. all the way to 101
South to King city.
Off on G14 to Lockwood,Bee Rock and Lake Nacimiento.
Then to Adelaida through vinyard drive to pick up the 46 and on to San Simeon.
Then carry on with original and the sighseeing on the way to Santa Barbara
Back North. Santa Barbara 154/101/1 Atascadero onto the 41
Pick up 101 to Greenfield Then G16 back to Monterey.
Seems like an ok route to me.
Back might be slightly altered to make it more interesting drpending on drive time.
Once again many many thanks. You have made it really easy for me.
Andy
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