Going back to cali
Discussion
A rather late reply I know, but have you looked at the Blackhawk museum? Its in Danville, East Bay - depends where you are staying, but its well worth going to see some very valuable cars. Impressive collection and great access. Other than that, Laguna Seca isn't too far away, but the calendar for events is pretty limited so maybe not much going on there. On top of that, dig around for some other hot rod events. The Good Guys shows in Pleasanton are great, but there are others to look for. And there are a few "cars and coffee" meetings - look out for them too, but think they are in San Jose.
Lots to do other than that though - why not head out to the Sierra Nevada mountains for a drive. Or maybe up to Marin County to see the sights? Highway 1 is essential and there are loads of other roads to try if you want to do that type of thing. Not sure this helps though.
For a laugh, do try the "Fremont auto mall" which is just a long road with dealer after dealer after dealer.... its impressive and you can see all sorts of cars there. But watch out for the sales people!
Lots to do other than that though - why not head out to the Sierra Nevada mountains for a drive. Or maybe up to Marin County to see the sights? Highway 1 is essential and there are loads of other roads to try if you want to do that type of thing. Not sure this helps though.
For a laugh, do try the "Fremont auto mall" which is just a long road with dealer after dealer after dealer.... its impressive and you can see all sorts of cars there. But watch out for the sales people!
Thanks for the reply. Just got back a week ago, another amazing trip. Managed to fit in a big drive up to Newcombs Ranch on the Los Angeles crescent highway, the scenery is breathtaking, the roads in Scotland are amazing in parts but the scale of mountains on that road was amazing my only complaint was that the hire car chassis was very soft and front wheel drive but what can you do.
I am back out in September so your suggestions will be at the top of the list.
If you end up in the bay area, down towards Monterey is Laguna Seca. They have motorsports events almost every weekend, as already noted. Some events are just clubs doing their thing, but they have a few bigger pro races every year. Laguna Seca is on park land, so spectating there can be done by hiking all around the inside and outside of the track if you want to be active. You can also plan ahead and do camping if you're into it.
While you're down that way, it's worth stopping by Canepa. They're a combination high end car shop and auto museum. Their showroom is fantastic if you like sports cars, and upstairs they have a vintage race car museum. They've been doing cars and coffee on Saturday mornings where they open the whole place up to visitors, but you can call and stop by during the week and wander around. http://canepa.com/
Down by Monterey is "17 mile drive" which is a toll road. You can get similar views all along highway 1 in that area, but 17 mile drive condenses them ok, and you drive through neighborhoods with elaborate houses (my spouse enjoys that part).
Driving to/from that area is good for a mix of coastal driving (highway 1) or mountain driving (17, or any of the smaller roads). 17 is usually pretty clogged with traffic though. There are a number of routes you could drive depending on time, but a north bound loop I'd recommend maybe doing Highway 1 up to Half Moon Bay, maybe cut over the mountains on 92, and take skyline boulevard down to Alice's Restaurant, then head back somehow
If you're on the northern end of the bay area, Sears Point (now Sonoma Raceway) is another notable race track. You can usually find events going on there every weekend (like laguna seca), and it's not far from wine tasting land.
While you're down that way, it's worth stopping by Canepa. They're a combination high end car shop and auto museum. Their showroom is fantastic if you like sports cars, and upstairs they have a vintage race car museum. They've been doing cars and coffee on Saturday mornings where they open the whole place up to visitors, but you can call and stop by during the week and wander around. http://canepa.com/
Down by Monterey is "17 mile drive" which is a toll road. You can get similar views all along highway 1 in that area, but 17 mile drive condenses them ok, and you drive through neighborhoods with elaborate houses (my spouse enjoys that part).
Driving to/from that area is good for a mix of coastal driving (highway 1) or mountain driving (17, or any of the smaller roads). 17 is usually pretty clogged with traffic though. There are a number of routes you could drive depending on time, but a north bound loop I'd recommend maybe doing Highway 1 up to Half Moon Bay, maybe cut over the mountains on 92, and take skyline boulevard down to Alice's Restaurant, then head back somehow
If you're on the northern end of the bay area, Sears Point (now Sonoma Raceway) is another notable race track. You can usually find events going on there every weekend (like laguna seca), and it's not far from wine tasting land.
May be worth noting that if you pay the toll to go into the 17-mile drive area (Pebble Beach), you can recover the fee by spending that amount or greater in some of the shops there. When there, I will typically have a Guinness and an appetizer around one of the firepits on the patio at Roy's, the restaurant adjacent to The Inn at Spanish Bay, where they either refund the entry fee off of my bill or give me a voucher for a refund at the gate on the way out. The food there is quite good. The restaurant/hotel also has a lone bagpipe player saunter near the patio around 5:30 p.m. who plays until about 6:00 before disappearing back into the heathers (check w/ restaurant for times, as this could change seasonally).
The sled said:
Thank you for all the replies I am heading to LasVegas in Sept then driving to L.A. has anyone been to the airplane graveyard?
Which one? The big one that I was aware of is down by the border, so not really on the way. But I guess there might be another one too? Maybe one in the Mojave desert?If you are driving from LV to LA - do take in death valley though. Its worth a drive through and there is a great vista point at Dante's Peak and also there is a loop you can drive around one way through the red rocks. Its fun and looks amazing too. I was talking to a friend last night too, seems that he really rates the track at LV raceway too. So might be worth taking a look there too - not been myself though.
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