West Coast - Power Tour 2009

[ProVette]

For example,

[streetk14]

I'd have to agree with you; this is the birthplace of hotrodding after all. I know there is a reason why it is usually in the middle of the country, but man, a west coast tour would make for such a nice drive. Start in Portland or Seattle and head down to somewhere in LA or San Diego.

You'd think California had bad roads and horrible weather with the way the Power Tour avoids this side of the country.

[bavtech]

I am in if someone can get it organized.

[79-TA]

I always wanted one closer to home as well. Just as a note though, I sure has heck wouldn't run it on the 5. Waaay too boring. I'm partial to the 395 and/or parts of good ol' highway 1.

[Mkelcy]

I'd be interested in something like this. And I agree 5 all the way would be a drag. From LA, 395 up to Reno, then up 395 to 44, then 89 up to Mt. Shasta is really pretty country. Maybe someone up that way can suggest a more scenic route down to Mt. Shasta?

[youthpastor]

where do i sign up? you know Pleasanton is in May

[6'9"Witha69]

I prefer the 101/1 route myself, but I love winding roads and nice views of the Pacific!

[Mkelcy]

So let's get serious:

Drive south from Seattle, or north from LA?
When - June, July or August?
Limit on the number of cars (other than folks who join for a day) or wide open?

[ProVette]

I am in 100%.

[eville]

I'm in too, but I-5 sucks. Boring drive in the middle of nowhere through CA. And it's hot as hell in the summer.

I suggest a route along the California and Oregon coast then inland through Washington State.

[carguy502]

I'm in too, but I-5 sucks. Boring drive in the middle of nowhere through CA. And it's hot as hell in the summer.

I suggest a route along the California and Oregon coast then inland through Washington State.

Agreed. Not that this should deter any driver, but the smell of manure on I5 in the middle of summer literally brings tears to my eyes.

[youthpastor]

I'm about 5 min. from the fairgrounds and am having a party that Friday night- all PT board members are invited. If you guys are interested in this venue- I could set up a larger destination ie- food, band, parking, marketing etc.----WAIT a minute- that wouldn't work I live here- i WANNA ROAD TRIP TOO- anything in Oregon or north Cal going on soon>>Chris

[Mkelcy]

I'm in too, but I-5 sucks. Boring drive in the middle of nowhere through CA. And it's hot as hell in the summer.

I suggest a route along the California and Oregon coast then inland through Washington State.

I drove the Oregon coast once - it seemed about 1,000 miles long.

[youthpastor]

I drove the Oregon coast once - it seemed about 1,000 miles long.

that is the truth- getting nowhere in a hurry

[eville]

I drove the Oregon coast once - it seemed about 1,000 miles long.

agreed. not a lot of places to stop either.... but I5 does suck

[Mkelcy]

It seems to me it should either be coastal or mountains or both, but not route 5, at least through most of California.

My vote would be:

California 1 out of LA up the coast through San Francisco to
101 north to
37 north and east to
121 north through the Sonoma Valley wine country back to
101 north to
US199 at the northern end of California north and east over to
5 up to the Seattle area

Coming back down, folks could fly down the 5, or:

Take Route 89 at Mt Shasta south and east to
Route 44 south and east to
Route 36 south and east to
US 395, and 395 back to the LA area.

I've done these drives several times and they're pretty nice.

We still need to think about dates, or at least what month we'd be targeting.

[tymbom]

There is plenty of really fun backroads in Northern California. Hwy. 96, 36, 299, and 199. Hwy 299 is the busiest of those. There are parts of 36 that will challenge the best cars and drivers. Hwy 36 can take you from 101 all the way to 395 near Susanville. Hwy 96 has some rough parts, but it is pretty nice to drive. Most of Hwy 96 is next to the Klamath River or the Trinity River. Lots of curves and stuff. The biggest downside to these roads in they are remote. Not too many services out in the middle of nowhere.

[ProVette]

Let's do this......

[streetk14]

Let me know if you guys start to decide on a date for something to happen. June would be a great time of year to do this. Nice weather, not too hot yet, etc.

My vote would be to start in the Los Angeles area and head North up Highway 1 through Ventura, then jump on the 101 and head up to San Luis before switching back to the 1 and heading up the coast through the Big Sir area to Monterey. I think from there we can take the 1 all the way to San Francisco and continue on all the way into Oregon. That would be a very nice coastal drive. No A/C needed here, it's windows down all the way thanks to the ocean breeze. I would much prefer this over an inland drive. Much cooler temps to keep our cars (and us) happy as well as stunning views on highway 1. That's my 2 cents.

I would be down with doing at least couple days of this trip if it happens. Get the word around guys, and lets make this happen.

[MrQuick]

I would love to drive down to Santa Barbara then to follow you guys back up to Sacramento. Fun.