California trip…recommendations please.

[Da Yooper]

I’m planning a road trip from the U.P. of Michigan to California to research the area where the story in the book I’m writing (well, plan on writing) takes place. My wife can’t get time off work so my mom will be riding with me.

We really have no time constraints and are looking for suggestions of “don’t miss this while you are out there” destinations (including restaurants).

We plan on taking I80 and I76 to the Denver area to stop in by my cousin. From there we will continue on I70 to Hwy 50 to Reno (no gambling for me thank you) and pick up I80 into California.

The bulk of our time will be spent between the foot hills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the coast, including Sacramento, Oakland and San Francisco. I’m really interested in Sacramento and even more so in the area between Sacramento and the mountains along I80.

I haven’t decided on a return route but am considering taken a more northern path. Any suggestions on that would be welcome.

Also, if any of you are located along this route we would love to stop and see your bees. We are getting our first nucs in May and it would be great to see some first hand prior to their arrival.

Thank you.

In His Peace,
Fred

[kaisfate]

Hi Fred, There are SO many things out here that you should do while you are here. If you can make it over to Yosemite it is well worth the trip and probably the #1. Of course, go check out the Capital building. Alcatraz while you are in SF and the Monterey Bay Aquarium are both really cool. MoMo's in SF is delicious.

If you want to head further north of Sacramento you can check out Shasta and Lassen Volcanic Park. Shasta and Lassen are both old volcanoes. Napa is very nice if you like fine dining and wine.

If you can go a little further south, take Highway 1 down the coast to Cayucos...its an AMAZING drive. And if you make it that furth south you might as well hit Hearst Castle while you are here.

PM if you need more info or anything else :)

[JohnK and Sheri]

Fred, if you havne't been before, don't miss Yosemite and be sure to take time to visit a grove of mature redwoods. Up near Yosemite there is a grove, (someone out there please help) is it the Mariposa grove? Also, Kings Canyon has some huge trees, they are so awesome, everyone should visit them once in their life.

You may be coming through by us some time on your way out or back. You threatened to stop in some time, :) well, you might not get any closer. Wanna see nucs? We got a few we could show you.
When did you plan on making the trip?
Sheri

[kaisfate]

Fred, if you havne't been before, don't miss Yosemite and be sure to take time to visit a grove of mature redwoods.

Giant Sequioas actually...but yes, a must see.

http://www.redwoodsinyosemite.com/sequoias.htm

If you dont do anything else, make it to Yosemite :)

[JohnK and Sheri]

Thanks Sarah
The last time we were in Yosemite was in late November 07, and it was a great time to visit, no crowds! no traffic! Still lots of wildlife and gorgeous surroundings. I am not sure when it starts getting very busy but I would assume at this time of year on a weekday would be better than a weekend.
Sheri
PS snow and flooding can be an issue, not sure what the snow levels are like out there now. We got chased back down the hill by a snow storm that '07 November visit, were lucky to make it out without having to scrounge around for chains.

[Da Yooper]

If you dont do anything else, make it to Yosemite

This seems to be the place not to miss... We'll do our best to work it in. Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'm a country kind of person so would much rather see a bunch of very large trees and wilderness than a lot of people in a city. We will drive through Oakland and San Fransico so I at least have a reference as I'm writing. I have intentions on visiting the capital building and get to know Sacramento a bit.


You may be coming through by us some time on your way out or back. You threatened to stop in some time, well, you might not get any closer. Wanna see nucs? We got a few we could show you.
When did you plan on making the trip?
Sheri

That threat still stands. :) When we go to visit my in-laws in Tomahawk we plan on taking ride to see you. Could be sometime in May.

Thanks,
Fred

[Ishi]

I t is farther north but if you are able go see the Redwoods some place between Fort Brag and Crescent City. Since you are that far north might as well see the Oregon Cost also.

[JohnK and Sheri]

I'm a country kind of person so would much rather see a bunch of very large trees and wilderness than a lot of people in a city.Fred
If you have the time, take HWY 49 from Grass Valley down to the Yosemite area. It is a gorgeous road going through lots of historical gold towns.

I have intentions on visiting the capital building and get to know Sacramento a bit.Fred
I lived in Sacramento for a few years prior to moving to Wisconsin. Its grown to the point I hardly recognize it now.


That threat still stands. :)

Give us a shout.
Sheri

[stangardener]

sutter's fort and the railroad museum in "old sacramento".
what time period will your book take place in? any particular subject?

[JohnK and Sheri]

I'm curious about the book as well.
Sheri

[Da Yooper]

sutter's fort and the railroad museum in "old sacramento".
what time period will your book take place in? any particular subject?

This is great information. Where is "old Sacramento" and is the fort and railroad museum easy to find?


I'm curious about the book as well.
Sheri

My book is going to be Christian fiction and takes place sometime in the not too distant future. The railroad museum is the kind of information I’ll be looking for because while the book is based in the future, the main setting will have history associated with it. And the railroad is a substantial part of that history.

I’ll also be interested in learning about the mining history as well as the agricultural development. We’ll be spending two or more days in the foothills trying to learn as much as possible about current and past activities and customs. And of course there is the history of the local religions and their development.

The book is fiction so I can make up what I want to but I’d like to keep it somewhat realistic to the area. I don’t want to write about growing coconuts when I should be writing about grapes. :doh: That’s why we are taking the trip. Thanks for the info and we’re getting excited to see and learn about the area first hand.

In His Peace,
Fred

[JohnK and Sheri]

This sounds like a book I will want to read.
We had family out there for the gold rush, my Gr Gr Gr Grandfather (1806-1854)was killed by a runaway coach in San Fransisco after making a small fortune ($10,000, a lot of money in those days) in the gold fields.

Another Gr Gr Grandfather (1860-1944) was a presbyterian minister. He founded two churches in the area, one in Winton, the other in Crow's Landing. The one in Winton is still a "church", but showing it's age. The one in Crow's Landing, a typical Victorian built in 1893 with stained glass and steeples, is now a stained glass gift shop.

Life is funny. Some early settlers to California had money, bought land and their descendants are rich. Some were ministers, their descendants are poor, and take honeybees out to work on the rich settlers' land, over 100 years later.:D
Sheri

[Da Yooper]

Another Gr Gr Grandfather (1860-1944) was a presbyterian minister. He founded two churches in the area, one in Winton, the other in Crow's Landing.
Sheri

Why in the world am I about to drive 2500 miles when I can just visit you and get all the history I need right here in Wisconsin? We could drive 150 miles and be back the same day... :scratch: It is too funny that you have that connection to where we're going and what I'll be researching.

Do you have the addresses to the churches; especially the one that is still a church in Winton. I'd love to put them in the navigator and visit them if we get a chance. ( I just looked up Winton on the map it is pretty far south)

Thanks for adding to my excitement of going on the trip.

Fred

[KQ6AR]

The bulk of our time will be spent between the foot hills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the coast, including Sacramento, Oakland and San Francisco. I’m really interested in Sacramento and even more so in the area between Sacramento and the mountains along I80.


Fred

I know Randy Olivers bee farm is in that area http://www.scientificbeekeeping.com/ He might be open to a visit.
Also Sac is known for its old trains.

[walking bird]

Um, do you REALLY want to drive through Oakland? Maybe someone out in that neck of the woods has seen something worth seeing there, but in my few trips and experiences... well, it's a great place to drive past :D

All the other stuff people have recommended... great, can't go wrong. The Giant Sequoias are perhaps the most humbling thing you'll ever see, the Golden Gate is magnificent, Old Sac is really cool, and as a side benefit you're tooling around the part of Cali with the most beeyards per square mile (not an official stat, but it sure seems that way) of anywhere in the state, or maybe the country.

Have fun!

[RayMarler]

You'll need to stop by Sutters Fort in Sacramento, and Coloma where the gold was first found in 1849 at sutter lumber mill. I live in Sacramento at the moment, but will be start to moving to marysville in may. Don't know your timing, but give a shout on email and stop by if you can. We'll have an BBQ and see some sights. Old Sac train station and Sutter's Fort and the Capitol Building in Capitol park, drive to Coloma for the gold rush tour, whatever you like.

[Da Yooper]

Um, do you REALLY want to drive through Oakland? Maybe someone out in that neck of the woods has seen something worth seeing there, but in my few trips and experiences... well, it's a great place to drive past :D

the Golden Gate is magnificent,

We plan on never leaving the interstate while going through Oakland. :no: I just want to get a "feel" for the city from a distance and then head to the Golden Gate bridge.

Thanks,
Fred

[Da Yooper]

We'll have an BBQ and see some sights. Old Sac train station and Sutter's Fort and the Capitol Building in Capitol park, drive to Coloma for the gold rush tour, whatever you like.

All of these are destinations I'd like to experience. Thank you for the offer. I'll be in touch. We are leaving Saturday and plan on being in the area Tuesday.

Thank you all for the suggestions.

In His Peace,
Fred

[stangardener]

stop in at the donner party site when you come over the pass. at auburn you can take 49 south to the gold discovery site in coloma. get on 5o at placerville (old hangtown) and decend into the valley. sutter's fort (new helvetia) is on a high point where the sacramento and american meet. old sacramento is on the river (front street). sacramento in all it's glory is a river city and delta, 1400 miles of delta. follow the river road (16) to the bay. you'll go through freeport, courtland, isleton, locke (really cool) riovista..
when you see the bay and bridge you'll have some background.
i like taking the trolley up to china town.
fort ross is a neat place and story.
i also have a deep fondness for jack london state park in glen ellen.
when i hear people try to button hole california or californians i know they're ignorant or have a private agenda. california is truly wonderous and varied.

[JohnK and Sheri]

california is truly wonderous and varied.
As a 3rd generation Californian who happens to live in Wisconsin I can second this. People around here often think of California in terms of either Disneyland or Los Angeles/Hollywood. When I tell them California has probably more Wilderness than the entire state of Wisconsin has acreage, it opens their eyes.:D It is a nice place to visit......
Sheri

[MapMan]

We had family out there for the gold rush, my Gr Gr Gr Grandfather (1806-1954)was killed by a runaway coach in San Fransisco after making a small fortune ($10,000, a lot of money in those days) in the gold fields.
Sheri

You forgot to mention that he was the oldest living human being when he was killed by the runaway coach. Imagine how old he would have been if his life wasn't cut short! :D

MM

[JohnK and Sheri]

You forgot to mention that he was the oldest living human..... :D
MM
LOL, yeah, I guess I overestimated his age a little bit, I will go change it. Thanks for the heads up.
Sheri

[tecumseh]

da yooper writes:
I’m planning a road trip from the U.P. of Michigan to California to research the area where the story in the book I’m writing (well, plan on writing) takes place. My wife can’t get time off work so my mom will be riding with me.

tecumseh:
I made the exact same trip some time ago with my father in law, a long trailer and antique car in tow. It is a long drive, but my father in law did manage to keep me entertained. He was quite entertaining when I set him out in a truck stop (he admitted to me later he had never stopped in a truck stop). It is a bit unusual to be standing in a truck stop watching a high energy physics guy explaining the pa-co (sp? quite obviously) effect to some trucker.

I guess no one mentioned Lake Tahoe or Donner Pass.... both quite pretty places. Of course historically California came into the union quite late, created something of a stink when it was admitted and it seems that much of the earlier Spanish history of California seems to have become somewhat lost (with the exception of the names of various locations).

Railroads... make me think of Stanford University who's founder built railroad and as I assume was common for the times bilked the US government out of a great deal of property in the exchange (charging the government for two miles of track for every mile built). There is quite a nice art exhibit (statue type) at Stanford University standing on the lawns in amongst and between the buildings. Cannot recall the artist name (quite famous european). Although a number of his slightly larger than life size statues are quite compelling I suspect a lot of folks would be drawn in awe to his 'gates of hell' statue.

As far as natural history I personally enjoy the coastal area north of San Francisco myself. Much fewer people and the redwoods can be quite awesome. At the very end of that drive is Patrick's Point (I think I have spelled that correctly???) which I suspect most native american spiritual followers would find quite compelling. I have had a local native american shamen do a couple of 'smokes' there for fallen comrads (in arms) in the past.

[Da Yooper]

tecumseh:
I made the exact same trip some time ago with my father in law, a long trailer and antique car in tow. It is a long drive, but my father in law did manage to keep me entertained. He was quite entertaining when I set him out in a truck stop (he admitted to me later he had never stopped in a truck stop). It is a bit unusual to be standing in a truck stop watching a high energy physics guy explaining the pa-co (sp? quite obviously) effect to some trucker.

tecumseh,

Thank you for the additional information and for sharing your experience with your father-in-law. While I really would have loved for my wife to take this trip it just didn't fit with her schedule and am very happy to be able to do this with my mom. She still has her health and as corny as it may sound, I'm looking forward to having this memory with her to cherish for a long time to come.

Thanks again; I really appreciate all of your posts to Beesource.

In His Peace,
Fred

[Da Yooper]

I guess no one mentioned Lake Tahoe or Donner Pass....

I'm looking at the map and I can't seem to figure where Donner Pass is exactly. :scratch: I can see Donner ski area and Donner memorial off I80 but don't see reference to the pass and what highway it is on. Can anyone help with this please we will be right in this area and would like to drive through it.

Thanks,
Fred

[MapMan]

Here. (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=donner%20pass) Toggle on the Terrain view to see it in detail.

Donner pass is actually about 9 miles west of Truckee. It is at the head of Donner Lake, and as you can see it is very steep from the east, and has a gradual slope from the west.

MM

Oh if you want to see it in street view, drag the person icon down in Goggle Maps, and you will see that they filmed Donner Pass Road in street view.



I'm looking at the map and I can't seem to figure where Donner Pass is exactly. :scratch: I can see Donner ski area and Donner memorial off I80 but don't see reference to the pass and what highway it is on. Can anyone help with this please we will be right in this area and would like to drive through it.

Thanks,
Fred

[BEES4U]

Here is a web site that you might find useful.

http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/listed_resources/
Ernie

[stangardener]

donner site post #19. the panthers eyes might not be what they once were:)
visiting donner site, gold discovery site, sutter's fort and fort ross you see how they all tie together. sutter bought the hardware from fort ross to help outfit his fort in new helvetia.
though it's not a happy tale the forts both have information about the people before the european invasion.
the russians even imported aleutions and their kyaks to harvest the otter to near extinction.

[Da Yooper]

Hi all. It's Monday late afternoon and we made it to Ely, NV where we are staying the night. We plan on being in California sometime tomorrow afternoon.

The ride has been absolutely beautiful since we hit Denver. We made it throuth the Rockies yesterday late afternoon and they had a snow storm over night and the pass we had just gone through was now requiring chains to go through. I'm very thankful we made the descision to go through the pass after visiting with my cousin instead of staying in the Denver area.

Rest of the ride through Colorado, Utah and part of Nevada has been wonderful to experience. :popcorn: We are excited to continue tomorrow and see the rest of Nevada and then California.

In His Peace,
Fred

[BEES4U]

Is the mounted Polar Bear still there to greet you at the local restaurant acrosss the street from your lodging?
Ernie

[nursebee]

Along the lines of CA ag development you want to learn...

Make of list of your ailments and go visit one of them fancy pharmacies. Might help the creative faculties.

[Da Yooper]

What a trip....4,950 miles in 8 days. Thank you all for your suggestions. We didn't stay in CA long. We visited the areas I needed for my book and we left for the ride home. I underestimated how much I would miss my wife and being home. This is a beautiful country and I'm really glad we went but the experience really opened my eyes to the blessing we have right where are.

A special thanks to Ray and his mom for their hospitality. That was the first time I have ever been around an open, active hive and seen the frames and foundation removed.

By the way Ray, one of your bees is flying around the U.P. My mom drove over in her car and got in our van to go somewhere and there was a honey bee on her pants. It had to have been in her car all the way here from your place. I have never seen one here before and it sure looked like one of yours.

Thanks again,
Fred