Expert: Steve Summers - 11/25/2004

Question
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Followup To
Question -
We (husband myself 2 children 9 and 12) are flying to San Francisco late March and returning from LA 2 weeks later. We will spend a few nights in SF then want to go to Death Valley-  Las vegas- LA. My question is will the roads be too snowy to safely and comfortably go via Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Lakes and if so what route do you suggest and what would be a nice stopover place please? I presume the route through Yosemite will be closed. Many thanks, Gill.
Answer -
Gill,

I can guarantee that Tioga Pass will be closed (http://www.nps.gov/yose/now/tioga.htm), so that pretty much leaves I80 or I50 over the Sierras, or heading down south and crossing at 58. I50 & I80 are usually kept open, but you never know. Just keep an eye on the road conditions, which are updated at http://www.jrabold.net/nocaski/nocroa.htm.

If you do go over the Sierra at Tahoe, I highly recommend staying in the little town of Lee Vining. It's a great stopping point after driving up and over the Sierras. Have a meal at Bodie Mike's, the ribs are great. If you don't stop in Lee Vining, then stay in Mammoth or Bishop. And be sure to get something at Schatt's Bakery in Mammoth or Bishop. It's the best.

Have fun,

Steve


Just one more question please Steve, I am uneasy about going the High Sierra route there would be nothing worse than having hundreds of miles to drive and finding the roads closed, blizzards etc. If we took a southern route perhaps someway down the coast then heading along the 58 are there any places you might suggest to stop off overnight please. I am familiar with the lovely coastal places but not once you get inland. Many thanks Gill.  

Answer
Hi Gill,

I started to reply to this on Thanksgiving, but my Internet connection failed while I was vacationing in Pismo Beach.

If you want to enjoy the more scenic coastal route, the best places to stop would probably be San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, or Santa Maria. From there, you can take highway 58 or 166 over the hills to Bakersfield, then take 58 from there to I-15. Otherwise, you can just take I-5 south to Bakersfield and spend the night there. I-5 is much faster, but not very scenic.

If it were me, I would either try to drive it all at once, since there is nothing to look at when you cross the Central Valley or the desert; or take the coastal route and stay in or around Pismo.  For an interesting stay, try the Madonna Inn in SLO (www.madonnainn.com). Check out the rooms online! Apple Farm is also a nice place to stay in SLO. We like to stay at the Quality Suites on Monterey Rd, because they give you a great breakfast and there is a great pool for our kids.

Hope this helps,

Have fun!


Steve