Help with CA vaca- Taft to Napa. Is there anything in btwn??

[sunshineandpinot]

Dh and I are combining a work trip with a wine country vaca in July. We have business meetings in both Calexico and Taft. Not the nicest cities from what I can tell. We'll be gone a week. The tentative plan is to fly into San Diego on a Tuesday and spend the day there. The next morning (Wednesday) we'll drive to Calexico for business meeting #1. After that, drive to Taft, probably spending the night in Bakersfield bc I don't think we want to stay in Taft. Meeting #2 that morning- Thursday. I know the drive is ambitious but dh has done it once before and it was doable. 
We'll have about 24 to make it to the wine country on Friday where we're meeting 2 other couples around lunchtime who will then take over the planning. Is there anything to do between Taft and Napa/Sonoma? I'm thinking Monterey maybe? It would just add about an hour to the drive I think. Anyone other recs? We like everything Good scenery, food, wine, beer..... we're not picky. Is there maybe a hidden gem similar to Monterey but maybe not as well known or expensive? We don't have a set budget but I'm frugal by nature  

Thanks! This is my first trip to Northern CA and I'm stoked!

[sunshineandpinot]

May 12, 2015 6:07:01 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

I've never heard of Taft or Calexico, interesting.

If you had more time, I would say the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must-do, but I could easily spend 6-8 hours there I'd say. If you want something that's more of a quick stop, I've always loved the quirkiness of The Mystery Spot and it only takes an hour to do the tour.

Cool, thanks for the rec! Yea- from what I can tell, you're not missing much re Taft and Calexico  

Nothing else is really standing out to me between Taft and Napa. I've heard Monterey is beautiful; doesn't look like we can go wrong there!

The Mystery Spot looks fun! Are the redwoods near Monterey? Dh is dying to see them but I thought they were further north. 

[sunshineandpinot]

Dh would love Muir Woods. However I imagine we'll leave Taft by noon which wouldn't get us there until closer to 5:00. And we need to be in Napa by noon the next day. I wonder in Monterey might be a better use of our time?

Thanks for the ideas! We have a while before we need to make firm plans.

[msmerymac]

Bakersfield is not... Great. But I think it's probably your best choice.

I would drive up to sequoia national park/kings canyon if I were you. It's gorgeous, especially if you've never seen sequoias.

The Gilroy Garlic Festival is in July, depending on when you are passing through!

If you want to drive out to the coast and up that way, San Louis Obispo and Paso Robles would be worth the stop for wine and food.

[sunshineandpinot]

If we did further north, like Muir Woods or Sequoia Nat'l Park, where would y'all rec staying? I'm currently obsessed with airbnb and having so fun find looking at the different options

[msmerymac]

I've mostly done day trips to Sequoia, but Visalia might be your best bet for getting to and from the park. It's to the west, a bit south of Fresno, so it's kind of on your way, or at least not far off your way, if you're taking the 5 all the way up (which, though less scenic, is really the most direct route from SoCal to NorCal). You could stay anywhere near Fresno, really, though I don't have any recommendations. It's just one of the more populated areas around there.

I also did a small trip to Sanger, which is right outside of Fresno, for an event in Sequoia, but it's pretty small and I'm not sure there's really much around there - which, honestly, describes a lot of central CA! But I'm sure you'll have fun. I drove to Napa for my honeymoon and it was awesome.

Kernville is really cool if you love rafting/kayaking, but it's at the south end of Sequoia, so not really at all on your route. 

[alleinesein]

May 12, 2015 6:07:01 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

I've never heard of Taft or Calexico, interesting.

If you had more time, I would say the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must-do, but I could easily spend 6-8 hours there I'd say. If you want something that's more of a quick stop, I've always loved the quirkiness of The Mystery Spot and it only takes an hour to do the tour.

ETA: I just mapped it and that's a LOT of driving over two days while interspersed with meetings!

Do you remember the Easter Sunday earthquake in 2010?  The Epicenter was near Calexico and the town suffered some damage.

OP- if you bring your passport you can pop into Mexico for dinner when you are in Calexico.  Its on the US/Mexico border and Mexicali is on the other side.

[Mushe]

Just pulled up driving directions. If you're willing to divert for Monterey (which I think is a great choice to visit!), you could also look at Paso Robles, which comes before Monterey on that same route. Really cute valley wine area, if that's your thing, and you can divert even more to the coast and visit Cambria, which is one of those special little spots you mentioned. You can visit Hearst Castle and walk along the coast (Hwy 1). It's truly beautiful.

[brookester]

::: Lurker coming out :::

I'm from Taft, and I can promise you won't find much (I.e. Anything to do there) to keep you occupied. Bakersfield isn't awesome either, it's just large and hard to get to anything.

If your husband's meetings don't extend too far into the afternoon I would head to the Central Coast area (which is where I live now). Avila is great, Paso wine country is beatiful, SLO is a great college town. It's 2 hours from Taft and completely worth the quick jog over. From the Central Coast you can take the 101 up to Napa!

Let me know if you need actual recommendations for Taft or Bakersfield

::: Back into lurking:::

[sunshineandpinot]

Thanks brookester! Any recs on where to stay in either taft or bakersfield if we have 8am meeting in Taft? Probably diner the night before too? I'm betting you know where our meeting is; the only place in Taft I imagine

[brookester]

May 12, 2015 22:45:11 GMT -5 sunshineandpinot said:

Thanks brookester! Any recs on where to stay in either taft or bakersfield if we have 8am meeting in Taft? Probably diner the night before too? I'm betting you know where our meeting is; the only place in Taft I imagine

You will want to stay on the West side of Bakersfield. Traffic across town isn't fun at oil field hours. It's about 45 minutes on a two lane highway from Bakersfield to Taft.

Dinner recommendations in Bakerafield - Luigi's is great. Can't go wrong with Mexican. Diners, Drive-ins and Dives just hit up a few more places. Dewar's for ice cream is a must! Go out of your way, it's worth it.

Lunch in Taft - La Salsa is good. Asian Experience is also delicious!

[sunshineandpinot]

Small planning update- I booked a nice little hotel in Carmel for our stop between Taft and Napa. I'm super stoked and pretty sure I'm going to fall in love with this quaint town. Would love any restaurant recs for Carmel