vpFREE2 Forums

XVP: Good side trips enroute to Reno?

#1

Hi,

Next week on Monday morning we'll be driving from San Jose, CA to Reno, and then reversing the drive on Friday. We're looking for fun, interesting side trips along the way in both directions -- both things of scenic or tourist value, as well as places to stop for a good meal. Any suggestions?

A couple of things we're considering so far are Chez Panisse (Berkeley, CA) for lunch, and the Jelly Belly factory (Fairfield, CA).

(For reference, some of the things we've done in the past include the Lake Tahoe area, scenic mountain drives, and Sonoma Valley wineries...)

Thanks!

--Joe

#2

Joe, I made frequent trips to Reno/Tahoe when I lived in Mountaain View
1990-1996, then later from Livermore 1996-1999. If you are willing to
take a scenic route and making it a days trip, try taking CA 120
through Yosemite and out the East Entrance, which can only be done
through the summer months. On the other end is Mono Lake. From there
you are about an hours drive south to Mammoth and Devils Postpile, or
you can continue North on US 395 to Topaz Lake, where there is a small
casino/resort. Continue on US 395 through Carson City and on to Reno.
I make that trip 4-5 times over the years for a little extended break
during the summer months.

Hi,

Next week on Monday morning we'll be driving from San Jose, CA to
Reno, and then reversing the drive on Friday. We're looking for

fun,

interesting side trips along the way in both directions -- both

things

···

--- In vpFREE_Reno@yahoogroups.com, Joe Schober <afljoeys@...> wrote:

of scenic or tourist value, as well as places to stop for a good
meal. Any suggestions?

#3

Next week on Monday morning we'll be driving from San Jose, CA to
Reno, and then reversing the drive on Friday. We're looking for

fun,

interesting side trips along the way in both directions -- both

things

of scenic or tourist value, as well as places to stop for a good
meal. Any suggestions?

You might want to consider flying as a scenic value. With gas prices
continuing to increase, the only people who fly to a gambling resort
like reno (absent being comped or part of a promo) are those with
sizeable disposable incomes. If I lived in San Jose and it took 5
hours to get to Reno, I would seriously consider flying for "nostaglic"
reasons.

···

--- In vpFREE_Reno@yahoogroups.com, Joe Schober <afljoeys@...> wrote:

#4

When I have driven in the past (I'm coming basically from San Jose) I
would leave 3 hours before sunrise so to catch the sun coming up over
the Sierras.

You might consider Amtrak as a change of pace from driving.

···

On Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 1:40 PM, chungsterama <chungsty@yahoo.com> wrote:

--- In vpFREE_Reno@yahoogroups.com, Joe Schober <afljoeys@...> wrote:

Next week on Monday morning we'll be driving from San Jose, CA to
Reno, and then reversing the drive on Friday. We're looking for

fun,

interesting side trips along the way in both directions -- both

things

of scenic or tourist value, as well as places to stop for a good
meal. Any suggestions?

You might want to consider flying as a scenic value. With gas prices
continuing to increase, the only people who fly to a gambling resort
like reno (absent being comped or part of a promo) are those with
sizeable disposable incomes. If I lived in San Jose and it took 5
hours to get to Reno, I would seriously consider flying for "nostaglic"
reasons.

#5

Hi,

Next week on Monday morning we'll be driving from San Jose, CA to
Reno, and then reversing the drive on Friday. We're looking for

fun,

interesting side trips along the way in both directions -- both

things

of scenic or tourist value, as well as places to stop for a good
meal. Any suggestions?

A couple of things we're considering so far are Chez Panisse
(Berkeley, CA) for lunch, and the Jelly Belly factory (Fairfield,

CA).

(For reference, some of the things we've done in the past include

the

Lake Tahoe area, scenic mountain drives, and Sonoma Valley

wineries...)

Here's a couple of goodies---since you're coming from SJ, this
doesn't even lengthen the trip that much:

Cross the Sierra via one of the pass roads that are easily doable in
summer---CA 88 or CA 4. I'm hard-pressed to say which one is the more
beautiful. If you choose 4, you can stop at Calaveras Big Trees State
Park, and on both drives, there are nice lakes to swim in, if it's a
hot day. The views from Ebbets Pass (4) and Carson Pass (88) are
AWESOME. Either route winds you up at the junction of 88 and 4 just
north of Markleville, where you can jog back west and take 89 over
Luther Pass into Tahoe, and thence into Reno via NV 28 (Mt. Rose Hwy)
or US 50 to Carson City (I would do NV 28), or you can continue east
on 88 to Minden/Gardnerville and north to Reno on US 395.

One excellent reason to do this is that 4 is closed after the first
snows, and 88 is no fun if it's snowing, so now would be the time to
take either route.

···

--- In vpFREE_Reno@yahoogroups.com, Joe Schober <afljoeys@...> wrote: