San Diego to Monterey, best route.

Been some time since I've driven this far north.

Leaving tomorrow morning, aiming for a 6am start which sadly for my wife and I usually means about 8:15

Google shows mileage and time to be nearly identical between the 5 vs. 101 routes, but what about real world experience. Traffic, road conditions, etc.

Just going for fewest hours in the car on the way there, we'll do something more scenic on the trip home.
I was tempted to take the Tundra so we, errr.... I mean "she" could watch movies on the new HU to pass the drive, but that would cost a LOT more in gas than her little Mazda and I fear this vacation is already gonna' be freaking expensive!

What say you? I'm leaning towards the 101 option, but what do you guys think?

 

I’d much rather drive “the 101.” You can check real time traffic through the apps before you leave but unless the 5 is significantly faster and you’re in a hurry, the 101 is just such a nicer drive.

 

The 101 will not be that scenic honestly and both routes skip the 1 which has the best scenery up through Big Sur. Those routes on the 1 have been falling off the hillside of late though and not sure if all sections are still open. I'd just take the 5 (blah) and save whatever traffic the 101 would present. Even quicker if you take it all the way to Los Banos before you cut over.

 

Take the little Mazda, haul ass and only have to make 1 gas stop, easier parking.

 

Hadn't thought of that.

"Los Banos"... doesn't that mean The Bathrooms? I've been to some towns that I'd refer to as a shithole, but never actually seen one named that. (My apologies to anyone from Los Banos)

 

Yeah, that math didn't take me long.

30+ MPG Mazda vs. Tundra be like




One thing I've noticed (and I feel kinda' wimpy complaining about it) is that her light, nimble, sporty little CX-5 has a pretty strong self-centering to the electric power steering.

Not an issue and probably a benefit when zipping around town, but it becomes tiresome almost to the point of being fatiguing on hours long road trips. (I know... "Man up, Buttercup")

 

I thought the same and after working there can partially confirm. But it’s actually the “City of Baths”

 

Aaahh, okay. That's better... I guess?

Now I'm picturing a bunch of hairy-backed dudes in some Russian bath house in a scene from "Law and Order" reruns. I got issues.

 

"From 1808 to 1833, Spanish missionaries discovered the area when they traveled over the mountains from Mission San Juan Bautista on missionary visits with the Yokut Tribes in the region. Padre Felipe Arroyo de la Cuesta on such visits discovered pools of water in the rocks of the summit of the mountains in a little creek bed that flowed down into the San Joaquin Valley. On account of these pools he named the area “Los banos”, which meant “The Baths”. Reports of these baths led to the local ranchers naming the creek “El Arroyo de Los Banos del Padre Arroyo”. In time that lengthy moniker was reduced to “Los Banos Crick”

 

If wine tasting is a thing for you or for her then take the 101!

 

I've driven both several times - the part in grey on your original map has more than enough to see as far as coastline - ocean vistas not to mention better food if want some. If you have the time this route makes sense - its doesn't add much time overall - Might even throw in Hearst Castle (advance tixs needed). Luck.

 

See, now that's WAYYY better. I almost heard Huell Hauser's voice as I was reading that.

Any of you guys remember this show on PBS?