Nevada City, Ca to San Diego in 3 Days.

OK, one can make it from Nevada City, California to San Diego faster, but why take an Interstate when back roads are available?

We left Nevada City, Ca late after having a good breakfast with a nomad friend, and a final visit with my 92 year old mother in law, so we drove the Interstate for a while.

But once we hit Modesto we had enough of the Interstate and headed out Crows Landing Road. We had been to Crows Landing before, but not from this direction---good reason to head that way.

We spent the night not far from this gas station.



OK, Coalinga is not everyone's destination, but since we used to live and work near there, well --and there is the best burrito place there in the old A & W location---

So from there we headed sort of south. We passed by this place all older Nomads will remember.



OK, we are here.



Cholame was the end of a promising career---we loved the films he left behind.

Then we came across Bitterwater road--Never been there before, so there was no choice---we had to head that way.

Love the wide open spaces of California





We end up in the Carrizo plains which is so magnificent in the spring with wildflowers, but is now winter.

The hill formations along the great fault are wonderful to watch.



And there is the official display of the beautiful old ranch equipment







From there it was off to Santa Clarita for the night and a direct shot down I-5 to San Diego---well, then there is that Lake Hughes Road that we had not taken before.

TThe weather did not cooperate ---fog and rain, but it was still a good choice and down in Pear Blossom, the weather was great.






Yes, it can be a much faster trip---but retirement has its benefits.

Thanks for looking.

Diana y John



[Edited on 12-17-2010 by DianaT]

Wish I had time for the scenic route. Leaving Orange for Shingle Springs in about an hour. Should be about a 6 hour drive. Well, low flight! Have to see Mom, and then be in La Paz by Christmas. Very nice scenery! Gracias!

Diane

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabass Wish I had time for the scenic route. Leaving Orange for Shingle Springs in about an hour. Should be about a 6 hour drive. Well, low flight! Have to see Mom, and then be in La Paz by Christmas. Very nice scenery! Gracias!

Put "Poor Red's" on the schedule. Still a great place for lunch.

Loved your adventure pix, Diane.
Makes me want to explore that country some more on my own. But I'm allergic to cold and believe I will wait for those spring flowers to bloom.

Thank you much for sharing.

nena

Nice stuff, Diane. Looks as though you finally invested in a tripod.

Thanks for the nice comments and thanks for looking. Any time we can find a road that we have not been on before and the more we can stay off the Interstates, that is a good trip. California still has some beautiful wide open spaces.

Bajaguy, on our way up after Bishop, we did go through your area, but did not stop. We were a little concerned about what the weather was going to do, so we quickly took the back way up to South Lake Tahoe---if we were going to get stuck anywhere, we thought that would be a nice place. There was a lot of snow there, but the weather warmed up and it rained. We are very much looking forward to our next trip wandering around the dirt roads and wide open spaces in your neck of the woods.

Bajajazz, there are some great roads in that area. One of my favorites is the Nacimiento Road south of Kings City that goes through Hunter Liggett and over to Highway 1. Except for where the army equipment is, that is some of the most beautiful unspoiled oak tree country around.

Again, thanks for looking. John and I appreciate it.

[Edited on 12-17-2010 by DianaT]

Gracias Bob---California is beautiful place---

Nena, your husband has good taste. The countryside back in there really shows what all of that part of California looked like at one time----and after all of the beautiful oak country, there is a beautiful view of the Pacific.