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Old 05-13-2018, 06:30 PM
 
Location: Memphis, Tn ~ U.S.A.
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What's a good scenic drive that's not a crazy distance from Los Angeles?

Thanks!!
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Old 05-13-2018, 06:50 PM
 
Location: Laguna Niguel, Orange County CA
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Define crazy distance.
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Old 05-13-2018, 08:29 PM
 
Location: Memphis, Tn ~ U.S.A.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LuvSouthOC View Post
Define crazy distance.
Round trip maximum 8 hours if possible
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Old 05-13-2018, 09:02 PM
 
Location: Studio City, CA 91604
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L.A. to Bishop is gorgeous!
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Old 05-13-2018, 09:03 PM
 
Location: Laguna Niguel, Orange County CA
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Ride to Big Sur and Monterey, but not sure if that bridge is open yet.
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Old 05-13-2018, 10:25 PM
 
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The drive to Ridgecrest, or go to SD, and then drive to Calexico.
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Old 05-13-2018, 11:08 PM
 
Location: West Los Angeles and Rancho Palos Verdes
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LuvSouthOC View Post
Ride to Big Sur and Monterey, but not sure if that bridge is open yet.
And while in Monterey do a few laps at Laguna Seca.
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Old 05-14-2018, 04:31 AM
 
Location: Memphis, Tn ~ U.S.A.
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W-O-W! Thanks for the great suggestions. Looks like I have several routes to choose from
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Old 05-16-2018, 11:05 AM
 
Location: Idaho
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Too late now, but a springtime drive, a few weeks after the rains, to Anza Borrego is pretty awesome! It's not a 'drive out and back'. The best experience is getting out of the car when the desert flowers are in full bloom.

If you are in relatively decent physical shape, a drive to Devil's Punchbowl is worthwhile. Not when it is too hot. There is a short 1-mile loop down into the "punchbowl" or a longer hike to "the Devil's Throne". They have a nice, small interpretive center with static displays and some live birds. Save this one for winter/spring . . . or early morning before the heat becomes too strong.

It varies year to year, depending on the amount and temporal distribution of the spring rains, but a visit to the Poppy Reserve is very colorful and usually spectacular. Their website will advise the best times to visit.

If you are a 'desert rat', there is all kinds of things to see and explore in the Mojave Desert; especially if you are somewhat interested in geology.

I second the drive up 395 to Bishop. Be sure not to miss Manzanar, and if you have time, a trip up into the White Mountains to the Bristlecone Pine Forest will give you an experience 'out of this world', (the oldest living things on the planet). If you walk the trails in Bristlecone, you have to be in really good shape. The altitude will 'kill' you otherwise. Further up 395 past Bishop is Mono Lake and their Tufa Towers. And past that, for a really long trip from L.A. is Bodie State Park, an abandoned mining town that is preserved in a state of "arrested decay". Be sure to bring your camera to any of these.

Lake Isabella is worth a day trip. You can get to it from Bakersfield or from the 395. Personally, from 395 is more scenic.

Another day trip is Sequoia National Forest. Highly recommended. Those trees are huge! Summer is a good time for this trip as you'll be up in the hills, above the heat.

Enjoy. The best part of California is its natural beauty, and so close to major population centers.
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Old 05-16-2018, 12:12 PM
 
Location: NNV
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kttam186290 View Post
L.A. to Bishop is gorgeous!
I agree but this would be 8 hours without stopping along the way to visit or have a meal. I'd allow 10-12 hours. Better yet stay overnight. And have tri-tip barbeque at Copper Top in Big Pine.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Exitus Acta Probat View Post
And while in Monterey do a few laps at Laguna Seca.
I prefer Sonoma Raceway (ex Infineon and Sears Point) myself!!!
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