Don

Looking for suggestions of places to see when returning to L.A. from Sacremento (after traveling L.A. to San Fran along the coast). Will have 3 to 5 days. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

John

Two basic alternatives: head east and follow SR 49 south through the Gold Country, or if time permits, hit Yosemite Park, then on down through the mountains and foothills (Sequoia/Kings Canyon NPs) then sprint into LA; or second, head down I-5 as fast as you can and spend the extra couple of days in the LA area. Traveling down the valley floor on I-5 is one of America's most boring drives. The big highlight is a vast cattle feed lot about half way. Seriously.

Monthrash

Sacto to LA sights? Endless miles and miles of agricultural glory. Great stuff if you are an aficianado of fine alfalfa.

J Correa

I would take a route through the Gold Country and the foothills since you've already been the coast route. If you can avoid it, don't take I-5 or 99 because it is very boring.

Native

Don,

I just told my wife (we are both native Californians) about your question....She started laughing hysterically.

There are two highlights if you travel I-5; There is a tumbleweed farm on the West side of the Interstate about 40 miles North of Coalinga. Just before Coalinga (actually is considered Coalinga) is the Harris Ranch feed lot. This is very scenic if you like to see thousands of cows and their accompanying "odor". It goes for miles.

You might want to detour to Taft and look at thousands of cricket oil wells.
Of course, once you get to LA you will have trouble breathing due to the smog.
Why don't you spend more time in Northern California and drive straight through to LA the day before you leave?

Native

Pat

From Sacrament drive east on US50 to Lake Tahoe and Carson City NV. On US 359 drive south along the east slope of the Sierras. It is a beautiful trip and a relatively lightly traveled highway. When in San Bernardino turn west to LA. You won't be sorry. Take time to drive to Whitney Portal out of Lone Pine. Also check out the site of Manzanar Internment Camp from WWII Japanese relocation and the Alabama Hills where hundreds of movies have been shot. It is a great ride.

janis

Pat means Hwy 395 -- not 359. But it is a great idea. My first choice would be 395 long the back side of the Sierras with side trips to Bodie, Mt Whitney and (depending on when you are going) Death Valley. 3 to 5 days would give you plenty of time for this journey.

ariana

You aren't considering making that drive in an SUV, are you?

Pat

Thanks Janis for correcting my typo 395 it is. No, an SUV is not needed for the side trips Janis mentioned. Bodie, Death Valley are certainly on the top of my list also and I'd add a quick side road to Convict Lake for a picnic lunch and an interesting story as to how the name was applied.

Dan

Spend more time in SF, Napa Valley or Lake Tahoe or even Yosemite and then fly from Sacramento to LA. That way you'll miss one of the most boring drives in the country.

Russ

50 to Reno and 395 down to LA is a nice drive, a beautiful trip into the mountains and slow descent into the high desert, but it's a LONG drive. I'm guessing it's 12 hours from Sacto to LA non-stop. And, if you are planning to do this in winter you need to bring chains and check the mountain passes. Both US50 from Sacto to Reno and US395 are usually very well plowed, but a larger-than-average snowstorm might close them down for a day or so.

read before

Uh - Russ - did you notice Don has THREE to FIVE days for his trip south. You are talking like he has only one day. PAY ATTENTION.

A couple of days is plenty for the drive down highway 395, so 3 to 5 days is VERY ample.

Pat

Hey Russ? When did they reroute US 50 into Reno? Last time I checked, it met 395 about 45 miles south of there. Don, what time of year are you making the trip? With that time, 3 - 5 days there are an abundance of things to see and do depending on what roads are open or not.

Suzie

Russ must mean 80 to Reno and then down 395. Another interesting sight is the Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains east of Owens Valley. These trees are the oldest (known) living trees on earth. I don't know when you're going but the area is open from Memorial day through october.

Mammoth Lakes is a great place too. Lots to see and do. If you hike there are some good short hikes like to Rainbow Falls from Reds Meadow or for a longer trip you can go from Devil's Postpile. You'll either have to take the shuttle or get to the entrance station by 7:00 am to drive your own car.

East entrance to Yosemite is off 395, Tioga Pass. But closed in winter.
Again depends on the time of year you are travelling.

Michele

It really depends on what time of year you are planning on doing this. Bodie is a great little side trip (I happen to love ghost towns), but it's closed completely in the winter, and doesn't open, I believe, until almost summer. Mammoth can be crowded with skiers, making it difficult to find accommodations.

The route through some of the gold town could be interesting, but after 3 they all sort of start looking the same.

No matter which way you take from Sac to LA - 5, 99, or 395 - it is one, long, boring drive. The 99 might offer the most in diversity. At least you do get to go through some towns which breaks up the monotony. The 5 has, as mentioned above, a great cattle feed farm which is guaranteed to clear out even the most stubborn sinuses. And the 395 gives you a great view of California's prisons. Yeah. It's that exciting.

I would suggest leaving Sac very early and making a straight shot to LA. It takes between 6 to 7 hours. Load up on CDs and have a good conversationalist for a traveling partner. Those 7 hours will be the longest you've ever spent on the road.

Pat

There are NO state prisons on 395 between Carson City and San Bernardino. The only one on 395 is near Susanville, 150 miles north of Reno. I think the poster is looking for suggestions for places between LA and Sacramento, not the quickest way to get to LA.

Duh

Michele -- What prisons????? What were you smoking when you drove 395? It certainly is not a boring run!