San Francisco Bypass

[CurtPutnam]

We went thru SF in '08, missed a freeway change and had to tour downtown SF in a 36' MH. Do not want to do that with a 34' TT + 20' TV. We'll be coming up the 5. We are headed from Sequoia to Klamath. Driver is a very novice trailer puller.

Option 1
Sr-12W to Santa Rosa

Option 2
Sr-36W from Red Bluff to Fortuna

Option 3
Just follow Google thru town and over the GG bridge

Option 4
something else

[bikendan]

12W from I80 to 101, goes through vineyards and is usually a pleasant drive.
Forget Options 2 and 3.
Many go Highway 20 from I5, to 101.
Option 3 only makes sense if you're in a car. Even then, it would have to be the middle of the night, to take that route.

[CurtPutnam]

Driver has proposed taking the 299 from Redding to the 101 on the northbound leg and the I-580 on the southbound leg.

I am really dubious about the I-580. Looks as if it would be equivalent to the I-10 East from Santa Monica on a Friday eve. It can be done, theoretically. But, then we need to get to Monterey, sp coast hugging seems to be in order.

A cursory look at the 299 makes it seem harmless enough, if much slower than a freeway. What say you all?

[W5CI]

I-5 doesn't go thru SF

[MtBiker]

5 North, 12 west to Napa, 29 north thru wine country up to Geyeserville, follow 101 up north and out to the coast and continue to Crescent City just below the Oregon border. Take 199 north east to Cave Junction and on to Grants Pass then Medford area. From Medford/ White City take 140 east out to Klamath.
We did most of this a year ago and found great spots everywhere along the way.
Stay away from San Francisco and the Bay area. Just one giant traffic jam anytime the sun is up.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by CurtPutnam

Driver has proposed taking the 299 from Redding to the 101 on the northbound leg and the I-580 on the southbound leg.

I am really dubious about the I-580. Looks as if it would be equivalent to the I-10 East from Santa Monica on a Friday eve. It can be done, theoretically. But, then we need to get to Monterey, sp coast hugging seems to be in order.

A cursory look at the 299 makes it seem harmless enough, if much slower than a freeway. What say you all?

580 can work but it depends on time of the day. I'm from the Bay Area and I know when 580 works and when it doesn't. We lived in Napa and always took 580 to go south to 101.
299 to 101 means you drive I5. It's nowhere as scenic and interesting as going 12W to 101N. If you just want to get there faster, then 299 will work. But if you have the time, 12W to 101N is a great drive.

[CurtPutnam]

Dan - Thanks again.

Google proposes taking the 99 from Visalia up to Redding. I had previously assumed a dive to the 5 south of the bay region. I'm nervous about the 99 and it's RV friendly gas stations. She (the driver) gets really uptight at gas fillup time. Freeway truck stops may be ugly and expensive but they are easier.

Klamath to Monterey will be one long day down the 101. Depending on when we leave, I'd guess we'll hit the bay area later in the afternoon - probably the rush hour peak. Monterey to home is easy enough, but boring at this point.

[MtBiker]

Originally Posted by CurtPutnam

Dan - Thanks again.

Google proposes taking the 99 from Visalia up to Redding. I had previously assumed a dive to the 5 south of the bay region. I'm nervous about the 99 and it's RV friendly gas stations. She (the driver) gets really uptight at gas fillup time. Freeway truck stops may be ugly and expensive but they are easier.

Klamath to Monterey will be one long day down the 101. Depending on when we leave, I'd guess we'll hit the bay area later in the afternoon - probably the rush hour peak. Monterey to home is easy enough, but boring at this point.

Klamath to Monterey? you could drop down 5 all the way to Los Banos and then across to Gilroy/ Hollister then 101 on to Monterey. That would be the simple easy less traffic route.
Also note that 99 is a good sized truck route with plenty of fuel stops that or RV accessible.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by MtBiker

Klamath to Monterey? you could drop down 5 all the way to Los Banos and then across to Gilroy/ Hollister then 101 on to Monterey. That would be the simple easy less traffic route.
Also note that 99 is a good sized truck route with plenty of fuel stops that or RV accessible.

What Carl hasn't specified, is whether they're in a hurry and want the quickest route or that they want a scenic route and have the time.

x2 on 99. It was the truck route way before I5 was built and still is a very active truck route with plenty of bigger fuel stops.

[CurtPutnam]

Originally Posted by bikendan

What Carl hasn't specified, is whether they're in a hurry and want the quickest route or that they want a scenic route and have the time.

x2 on 99. It was the truck route way before I5 was built and still is a very active truck route with plenty of bigger fuel stops.

I'll have to refer to the driver to answer the question. Her preferred max daily drive time is 4 - 6 hrs., but in this case, we need to do it in 1 day if we are to have any time on the Monterey Peninsula which is arguably our favorite place in the world. Given our choice, we'll always opt for scenic over fast, schedule and roads permitting.

Taking the 101 -> 580 route means that we would likely hit the bay area in the afternoon on a Wednesday, which I assume is not optimal.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by CurtPutnam

Taking the 101 -> 580 route means that we would likely hit the bay area in the afternoon on a Wednesday, which I assume is not optimal.

NOPE, not a good time unless it's early afternoon, before 2:30.

Quickest route to and from Klamath, is 299 and I5.

[OldGal3]

For clarity.....
Talking Klamath, California

or

Klamath Falls, Oregon

Klamath, California does not involve Hwy. 140 out of Medford.

[CurtPutnam]

Originally Posted by OldGal3

For clarity.....
Talking Klamath, California

or

Klamath Falls, Oregon

Klamath, California does not involve Hwy. 140 out of Medford.

Sorry. I am talking Klamath, CA

[upflying]

Originally Posted by CurtPutnam

Driver has proposed taking the 299 from Redding to the 101 on the northbound leg and the I-580 on the southbound leg.

I am really dubious about the I-580. Looks as if it would be equivalent to the I-10 East from Santa Monica on a Friday eve. It can be done, theoretically. But, then we need to get to Monterey, sp coast hugging seems to be in order.

A cursory look at the 299 makes it seem harmless enough, if much slower than a freeway. What say you all?

I580 is a parking lot 24/7 over the Altamont from Tracy to the Bay Area.
I wouldn't go near the SF Bay Area with an RV.
High cost of living has sent all Bay Area commuters to the Central Valley for housing.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by upflying

I580 is a parking lot 24/7 over the Altamont from Tracy to the Bay Area.
I wouldn't go near the SF Bay Area with an RV.
High cost of living has sent all Bay Area commuters to the Central Valley for housing.

Don't agree that it's 24/7. Have you lived in the Bay Area?

Carl, I mixed up my "80s". 680 is the preferable N/S route around SF.
580 would only be useful, for getting to 680.

[upflying]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Don't agree that it's 24/7. Have you lived in the Bay Area?

Carl, I mixed up my "80s". 680 is the preferable N/S route around SF.
580 would only be useful, for getting to 680.

I lived and worked in the Bay Area for 60 years. I drove over the Altamont last week.
680 is fine, 11am to 1pm.
You and I probably shared some calls.
Retired Bay Area LEO.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by upflying

I lived and worked in the Bay Area for 60 years. I drove over the Altamont last week.
680 is fine, 11am to 1pm.
You and I probably shared some calls.
Retired Bay Area LEO.

I see you also are a Cali Refugee![emoji6]
Born and raised in the North Bay.
Was FF/EMT in Napa County and Ventura County.

[upflying]

Originally Posted by bikendan

I see you also are a Cali Refugee![emoji6]
Born and raised in the North Bay.
Was FF/EMT in Napa County and Ventura County.

Raised in Oakland, served in El Cerrito, Concord and Pittsburg..34 yrs.
Daughter and SIL live in Livermore.

[DASchell]

Live in Bay Area now. Avoid 580. The Altamount pass gets stuck with traffic all day not fun for an RV. 99 has some fairly nice stretches. If you need to make the run quick Take 99 through Elk Grove to the 5 through Redding to 299

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by upflying

Raised in Oakland, served in El Cerrito, Concord and Pittsburg..34 yrs.
Daughter and SIL live in Livermore.

Born in Bezerkely and raised in Sonoma Valley and Cloverdale.