Author Topic: Best Way WW to SF Bay Area (Read 34487 times)

BikingBrian · « **on:** Dec 13, 06, 03:14:17 AM »

What's the best way from WW to the SF Bay Area? Especially if it might snow next weekend, when I'd be going?

Through Gorman: 138, 14, 138, 5
or
Through Tehachapi: 138, 14, 58, 99, 46, 5
or
any other way?

raddog · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 13, 06, 03:37:14 AM »

One way you might try is

138, 14, 58, 99, 46, 101 and then up to San Francisco from there

BikingBrian · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 13, 06, 04:01:07 AM »

Would probably consider that if I had more time, but this trip needs to be somewhat quick.

Hillbillies · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 13, 06, 04:12:41 AM »

Quote from: biking_brian on Dec 13, 06, 04:01:07 AM

Would probably consider that if I had more time, but this trip needs to be somewhat quick.

Brian, is it too late for you to book a Southwest flight out of Ontario?

Stitches · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 13, 06, 04:14:36 AM »

Do you have to leave on Saturday morning or can you leave on Friday night? It is an 8 hour trip and you may want to bite it off in chunks. My parents live in the Bay Area and I lived in Tehachapi for about 6 years so I've made this trip many times. The drive from Tehachapi to SF is not bad. You can actually leave early Saturday morning and get there for a late lunch.

For example, if you leave from here on Friday night, you can drive 138 to 14 to 58 to 99/5 and stay in Bakersfield. One hour to Palmdale, one hour to Tehachapi and one hour to Bakersfield. Then you can get up early and drive to SF and be there by lunchtime.

I wouldn't recommend the 101 route because it is not as fast as the 5 and there are more little towns along the 101. Besides, going through San Jose area is no picnic.

With the possible snow on Saturday you may want to leave early. When will you be heading back? Looks like there is no snow projected for Tehachapi or Frazier Park so I don't know if there is a possibility of snow but possibly on the way back?

raddog · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 13, 06, 04:16:12 AM »

Here is the quickest way to drive from mapquest

138 West, 5 North, 580 West, 80 West

6 hours and 27 minutes, a distance of 413.5 miles

BikingBrian · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 13, 06, 04:22:43 AM »

I have to be there for a business meeting Monday and Tuesday, after which I'd visit family/friends in the area (that's why I'm driving instead of flying). Hopefully I can play in the snow with my son on Saturday, so I'm going to try to leave early Sunday morning (weather permitting).

I remember back in 1989 I was visiting a friend in the Bay Area and we drove from there to Vegas. I remember the drive on 58 from Bakersfield to Barstow being a little slow, but it looks like much of it is freeway now.

Stitches · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 13, 06, 04:32:14 AM »

raddog's got the route I used to take except since I lived in Tehachapi I just took the 58 to the 5. I can't believe it is 6 and a half hours. I've never made it that fast but maybe that doesn't include four or five stops to the gas stations for the kids.

The 58 is pretty much freeway now with a few tricks around the Bakersfield area.

Another option that we used to take was to get off the 5 at Los Banos and go over the 152 to Gilroy. Then take the it past the 101 to Watsonville. My husband has a sister who lives just north of Santa Cruz and using this route avoids San Jose all together.

gypsywolf · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 13, 06, 05:47:49 AM »

My hubby drives that route regularly for work and he makes it home from San Rafael, which is just north of SanFran in about 7 hours if he only stops once for a short time.

Hard to tell which pass would be worse as far as snow. Sounds like there is an equal chance it will be snowing in both areas.

We were just there this weekend eating in-season Dungeness Crab and garlic-infused noodles at Thanh Long's. Oh my stars...to die for! If that wasn't enough, we went to Max's Opera House Cafe and had the most wonderful desserts. Great friends, great food and a beautiful city!

Have fun!

kew · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 13, 06, 07:12:38 AM »

I use 138, 14, 58, 5, but with the weather outlook for the weekend, that will be the deciding factor. It might be worth leaving ahead of the storm if possible. Drive to Bakersfield before the storm hits and, depending on timing of the storm, wait there for it to pass. Then finish the trip. Good luck!!

Stitches · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 13, 06, 02:54:05 PM »

That's what I was talking about Ken. Leave early and stay over for a night and then continue the following day.

Gypsywolf, that trip sounds like heaven. I miss my mom and haven't been back to San Francisco in two or three years. I like to go during the summer as it is cool there. This time of year (actually anytime of the year) my dad used to drive down to fisherman's wharf for lunch and buy a dungeoness crab and eat it in his car. That's his favorite lunch.

Looks like the forecasts show a pretty low snow level so I'd definitely watch the storm as it approaches. Good luck Brian.

clint · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 13, 06, 11:20:08 PM »

If your that worried about weather, go 15 south, 210 west, 101 north.
It's probably actually faster than taking the back way. And there will no snow issues.

Hillbillies · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 14, 06, 12:52:40 AM »

Ventura Highway in the sunshine......
Where the days are longer.....
The nights are stronger than moonshine....

clint · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 14, 06, 01:04:01 AM »

Your gonna go,

I know, oh wo, oh wo, oh wo, oh wooooo

ezzpete · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 14, 06, 03:08:42 PM »

the BEST way would be up PCH.

gypsywolf · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 14, 06, 03:25:02 PM »

Quote from: Clint on Dec 13, 06, 11:20:08 PM

If your that worried about weather, go 15 south, 210 west, 101 north.
It's probably actually faster than taking the back way. And there will no snow issues.

Clint hit the nail on the head. If the snow level drops to low, the Grapevine will be closed, if not delayed by escorts. Tehachapi will be even worse.

rdnckgrl78 · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 14, 06, 03:52:25 PM »

If the Grapevine is closed and Tehachapi is a mess or closed you may have one heck of a time unless you head out to the 101. Many years back when I was in the hospital my dad had to come down from Bakersfield. It took him 8 hours becasue of the snow on the highways. He was forced to go the 101 route. Due to every other highway being closed it was a traffic nightmare.

sky watcher · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 14, 06, 09:13:31 PM »

I traveled this many many times since my kids live in the bay area. Take the 138 to the 14 to the 58 then the 99 until you get to 7th Standard Rd. in Bakersfield take it to the 5 then its a breeze to the bay area. In the last 10 years Tehachapi has never been a problem. Have fun.

wwpt · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 14, 06, 09:19:01 PM »

I agree...If weather does come in, you're better off on a major route where snowplows are stationed. I'd cut over to I-5 on 7th standard road as Hwy 99 has alot more on and off traffic and the fog is worse on that side of the valley. Very unusual for Tehachipi to get shut down for long....but watch the forecast carefully and time it so you're not in the mountains during the worst part of it. The Harris Ranch is a good lunch stop.

gypsywolf · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 15, 06, 03:17:00 AM »

Harris Ranch is definitely YUMMY!!!!!!!

Then you can wave at all the poor bovines in the stock yard just up the road and know you put them out of their misery

Author Topic: Best Way WW to SF Bay Area (Read 34487 times)

Hillbillies

gypsywolf

kew

clint

Hillbillies

clint

ezzpete

gypsywolf

rdnckgrl78

sky watcher

wwpt

gypsywolf