Things to do in Northern California?

[California]

2017, Tioga Pass didn't open until June 28. Could be later this year.

There are some great photos and a Caltrans video (see below) linked in this 2017 article.

Yosemite's Tioga Pass (Finally) Reopening After Epic Snows | KQED

Road reopens after 10 weeks of digging, plowing and blasting by road crews.

www.kqed.org

Note how steep and winding this route is.

 

[Racenut]

I suppose renting a motorcycle is out of the question? I've seen a lot of great suggestions, I've toured a whole lot of California on my bike, but at that point, the ride is more what it's about more than the destination. Stop and take a pic here and there, otherwise just enjoy the twisty roads and scenery.

Yosemite in August will be crowded. Really crowded. Death Valley won't be as crowded Death Valley is one of my favorite places, but not in August.

If you go over the Sierra through Yosemite on 120 to 395, there's Mono Lake, then south on 395 to Mammoth isn't too bad. Also going down 395 south, there are some spur roads that will take you up into the mountains and tend to end at a lake. South to Bishop and White Mountain. You can go to the Bristlecone forest. Some of the oldest living things in the world, thousands of years old, twisted and gnarly from the harsh winds.

If you go North on 395, you could see Virginia Lakes, Bodie ghost town and up to Bridgeport.

Or just do a loop over one of the passes. Hwy 4 is my favorite, 108 is nice too and has a lane each direction the whole way.

From Sacramento to Yosemite, don't take the main highways, make your way over to Hwy 49 and cruise down through there to Hwy120, much more interesting.

That's a couple suggestions I hadn't already seen. If you're cool with the sights to be seen, you can't really go wrong in any direction.

Bristlecone tree and Lake Sabrina (will have more water for sure this year).

 

[California]

From Sacramento to Yosemite, don't take the main highways, make your way over to Hwy 49 and cruise down through there to Hwy120, much more interesting.

Yes! SR 49 runs north/south at the transition from foothills to mountains (Sierras) which is where the original gold mining discoveries were made. That drive will cover the historic mining towns left over from the 1849 Gold Rush. All are interesting.

If your vacation starts by flying into Sacramento, the shortest way to see this is go up SR 16 from Sacramento's eastern suburbs, to hit SR 49. Much more interesting than the direct route Sacramento/Yosemite which would be an hour down the boring I-5 freeway before heading east up into the foothills.

A little optimistic for day 1 but maybe a later day trip, US 50 from Sacramento up to Placerville then north a little ways on SR 49 will get you to Coloma, the gold discovery site where modern California history began at Sutter's Mill. (From a few hundred simple backwater Californianos to a state population of 100,000 and made a State of the Union. In one year!)

Or even go up I-80 to Auburn, then SR 49 north to Grass Valley, to see the massive gold mine there that is now a state park. SR 49 was built to connect all the mining towns back in the day.

There are all sorts of variations you could plan, to see the SR 49 mining region combined with other goals, visiting Lake Tahoe etc.

 

[plowhog]

If he is going through Nevada, don't forget to mention Virginia City. Somewhat of a tourist trap, but also a hidden treasure. Lots of history there.

A little known fact is that when the Virginia City silver mines were running, they were burning 100 cords of wood per day to run the smelters. 100 cords per day!! In an arid desert environment.

To obtain that wood meant mowing down distant forests and building flumes to transport logs. Some brave (death-defying) folks even rode logs down the flumes!!!

 

[California]

Another Thing To Do is Amtrac over the Sierras. Roseville to Truckee or beyond to the casinos in Reno. The scenery is gorgeous and if you love trains, the diesels pulling hard for miles and miles up maximum grade is awe inspiring.

I don't recognize where this photo is but it illustrates this - from the Central Valley floor, up the canyons, to cross 7k ft Donner Pass.

California Zephyr Train | Amtrak

Take the California Zephyr train between San Francisco and Chicago with stops in Denver, Salt Lake City & more. Book your trip today.

www.amtrak.com

 

[Menagerie-Manor]

I suppose renting a motorcycle is out of the question? I've seen a lot of great suggestions, I've toured a whole lot of California on my bike, but at that point, the ride is more what it's about more than the destination. Stop and take a pic here and there, otherwise just enjoy the twisty roads and scenery.

Yosemite in August will be crowded. Really crowded. Death Valley won't be as crowded Death Valley is one of my favorite places, but not in August.

If you go over the Sierra through Yosemite on 120 to 395, there's Mono Lake, then south on 395 to Mammoth isn't too bad. Also going down 395 south, there are some spur roads that will take you up into the mountains and tend to end at a lake. South to Bishop and White Mountain. You can go to the Bristlecone forest. Some of the oldest living things in the world, thousands of years old, twisted and gnarly from the harsh winds.

If you go North on 395, you could see Virginia Lakes, Bodie ghost town and up to Bridgeport.

Or just do a loop over one of the passes. Hwy 4 is my favorite, 108 is nice too and has a lane each direction the whole way.

From Sacramento to Yosemite, don't take the main highways, make your way over to Hwy 49 and cruise down through there to Hwy120, much more interesting.

That's a couple suggestions I hadn't already seen. If you're cool with the sights to be seen, you can't really go wrong in any direction.

Bristlecone tree and Lake Sabrina (will have more water for sure this year).

View attachment 798927View attachment 798928

I've been meandering the region over several MC trips, the ride from Sacramento thru Nevada on 50 is spectacular but if given the opportunity try the ride from Susanville up to Klamath Falls thru Lassen forest and lava fields it's amazing.

 

[Racenut]

Lassen is an underrated National Park. Hardly ever busy but still spectacular. A couple wildfires have done some damage, but that can still be interesting as witness to the wrath of mother nature. It's a long way from Yosemite. But if you find yourself that far north, do not miss Burney Falls State Park.

Lassen/Burney Falls

 

[Hughman]

Major highway for Yosemite Park closed due to crack in road

One of the three major highways into Yosemite National Park could possibly be closed into the summer.

abc30.com

One more thing to consider for your trip this summer. This would be the route you would usually take from Angles Camp into the park. If it stays closed you will need to take 49 to Mariposa and then 140 east. Bummer because 120 offers a spectacular view into the valley as you drop down off the mountain.

 

[California]

See crews clear Sonora, Tioga passes: ‘Deep enough to stop snow blower in its tracks’

Caltrans has not been able to provide an estimated time for opening either of the southern Sierra Nevada passes.

news.yahoo.com

 

[Sigarms]

Thanks for all the input, it is much appreciated.

Slight change of plans. Staying in Fresno for one night as a tour is booked for Yosemite (pick up at 0530). Will hit the part Wednesday for the tour, so God willing weather will cooperate as well as a better chance of less crowds. After that, will do "most everything" everything from Angels Camp.

We are taking two days to make the drive down highway 1, first night will stay in Santa Barbara, second night in Monterey. Plan is to drive south to Santa Barbara from Angels Camp, take our time, then come back north to hit Monterey. I talked with a customer of mine last night who made the that trip, he said it was fantastic but for the one night around Big Sur where they picked a hotel "on the fly" and he just said it wasn't a pleasant experience as he remembers that hotel. Looked at hotels in Big Sur, and as I told my wife, we don't have Silicon Valley money Looks to be a five hour drive on 1 from San Fran to Santa Barbara so hopefully it should be a good two day excursion.

1- From Angles Camp, any suggestions on where to pick up route 1? (first thought is around San Fran).
2 - Any must see sights in Santa Barbara?
3 - Any suggestions on spots where to stop on route 1? Figure we can hit things going south then coming back north.
4 - Is 5 hours a realistic drive time from San Fran to Santa Barbara?

From Angels Camp, looking at perhaps Route 4 up to the Virginia City area in Nevada. May I ask what is a realistic drive time? Looking at perhaps one more night perhaps north of Lake Tahoe, any suggestions?

Mariposa Grove and the sequoias will be another full day.

I'll need to revisit this entire thread and look at suggested roads and spots and look on the Gazetteer with any follow up questions.

When my wife informed me we're doing two weeks, I was like crap, what the heck are we going to do for two weeks. Now, looking at everything, grateful we have the time. Think the last time we ever did two weeks away together was when she was my girlfriend and I took her and my dad to Utah.