2022 My trip to California

Planning

It has been my tradition to have a winter trip over the darkest period of the PNW. In the past, I’ve gone internationally somewhere warm and sunny. The pandemic has made me focus more domestically. America is vast and beautiful. After last year’s trip to the Southwest, it’s overdue for something similar. California has came to my mind, partially due to it’s proximate to the Washington which makes it suitable for a no-flying road trip.

I decided to start on 1/2 and come back before MLK day instead of taking advantage of the extra holiday blocks. For one thing is I wanted to host for holidays and also get enough time to relax before working again. On the road I was pretty much getting up at 5:30am and hitting the road just at sunrise around 7:30am. That way I was able to maximize my day time and return to my lodging before 5pm.

In total was about 3600miles in 13 days total.

Itinerary

Day 1

Uneventful drive on I5 other than stopping in a Costco Roseburg to stock up some beverages and snacks for the road. Upon check into my hotel the staff told me that Ashland is a hidden resort town that’s only 45min to world class ski resort. Funny thing is, Ashland was quite warm, was hovering around low 50F, sharp contrast to at the time in WA of its winter storm and below 20F days.

I stayed in a Comfort Inn & Suites in Ashland, OR. It was 16,000 Choice points redemption, I believe the retail price would be $120.

Day 2

Driving through the Mt. Shasta area was a bit rough, as the snow was just falling as I was driving. Managed to get passed through it before the Chain requirement was activated.

By the time I hit Napa (Silverado trail), it started down pour rain. It was a weekday so most wineries were closed too. I opt-ed for an early day. Even the restaurants I wanted to get food at in American Canyon, CA were all closed for some reasons. I ended up with just McDonalds.

I stayed at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Napa Valley-American Canyon for 14,000 IHG points. Pretty good value given the high taxes in CA, the retail value was above $100.

Day 3

This is the real fun begun. Driving from Central California towards Point Reyes National Seashore and the PCH.

Hiking to Tomales Point. It was a very pleasant hike the temperature reached low 60F

While the hike was stunning, it was also taking too much time (8 miles RT) by the time I finished, I had very little time left for other sights I planned on visiting in the park.

After that I just drove towards Mill Valley via CA 1. The road was really curvy!

I stayed at Mill Valley Holiday Inn Express with my Chase free night. It was a good redemption since the retail was close to $200. However, the hotel was less than optimal due to construction and unstable internet. That area is quite pricy.

Day 4

I had to backtrack to Muir Woods National Monument from Mill Valley. Not a big deal, just short 15min detour.

I didn’t take many good pictures due to the thick fog and rainy condition. It’s still mesmerizing to see grassy land turns into giant tree groves.

Next stop was Marin Headlands to see the Golden Gate. It’s still stunning how much nature there is just across the bridge from SF. No wonder why it’s such an expensive city!

Next stop was Lands End on the other side across the bridge,

It’s getting quite late, I still managed to sneak another short hike in Mori Point before getting to Santa Cruz for the night.

I stayed at Quality Inn Santa Cruz, CA for only 8,000 Choice points. I think the retail would be around $90. Not the big neighborhood, and Santa Cruz is much smaller than I have thought even though it’s not that far from the bay area.

Day 5

Finally I was out the thick fog Bay area and reached Monterey, CA. It’s very resort-ty and touristy place, never the less, I enjoyed it.

I rented a bike (only $10/hr) and traversed the city

Next was the 17-Mile Drive. Again as touristy as it gets, I think the entrance fee was $12 or so with taxes.

After passing through Carmel by the sea, I went to Point Lobos. Weather started to be very nice, high 60F as I remembered.

Still a bit sunlight left, figured I’d get a nice Vietnamese dinner before calling it a day.

I stayed at Rodeway Inn near Downtown Monterey Monterey, CA for $70. It’s definitely a steal. It’s a motel, but the room was clean though it’s probably too close to the highway I’d like. I would have to spend $200 for anywhere in Carmel by the sea.

Day 6

The big day to Big Sur!

First stop is Soberanes Point, a 1.8mile loop trail. I got there quite early, at around 7am, so I basically had the entire park to myself.

Next is the famous Bixby Bridge. Again, I had it all to myself

Continue on CA1

Next is Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Most trails are still closed due to the wild fire.

I did both Pfeiffer Falls and Valley View trail. I think it was less than 2miles. It was a nice day hike to my exercise done, but I guess I am missing some Wow factor.

More costal photos before reaching to Partington Cove

 Partington Cove Trail is a 1.1 mile up and down trail. It was just interesting to see how the redwoods were lumbered and transported back in time when natural beauty had to make way to humanity

After the Cove, I continued to McWay Falls – the parking lot was poorly maintained and it didn’t seem there’s a way to pay entrance fee. I think California state parks you only need to pay once a day for all parks? not sure.

And more random shots after the Fall

Next is to Salmon Creek Falls. Took me a while to find the trail head, the parking is near a turnout lot.

Last stop was Black Swift Waterfalls in Ragged Point. This is a tough one as the trail is very steep and slippery

After that, it’s time to watch some wildlife

It’s really cool to see how those marine mammals interact and make all sorts of crazy sounds. Very soothing!

I stayed at Quality Inn near Hearst Castle San Simeon, CA for $88.11 with taxes. Alright deals I guess.

Day 7

Started off to Montaña de Oro State Park for a beautiful morning hike

Valencia Peak Trail is a 4.4 mile RT hike, I took a slight detour so around 5mile total.

Up next is the Danish Capital of America called Solvang:

it’s a tourist town just like Leavenworth, WA. It was very crowded, so I didn’t stay for long.

After that, I just continued onto Santa Barbara via Cachuma Lake Recreation Area. Desert lake looks great in cleared weather.

There was lot of traffic going through LA. By the time I got to San Diego was already after sunset. I went to my hotel in San Diego South – Chula Vista for $238.40 for two nights.

I thought about staying in downtown so that it’s more walkable, after extensive research I gave up on the idea. For one thing I would have to pay $100 a night more on top of $40 parking. Another thing is from Chula Vista is quite easy to get to downtown, it’s a short 10min drive and my hotel is next to the light rail station that would get me straight to downtown.

I guess it worked out well for visiting a big city like SD. Park in the outskirt of the town and rely on transit/uber for inner city commute.

Day 8

Got up early and went straight to Balboa Park. It has free parking and wasn’t too difficult to secure a spot.

I walked for a few miles until noon-ish and decided to take Lyft to downtown see USS Midway. Lyft ride was only a few dollars.

It’s a Sunday so parks get quite busy.

It’s approaching dinner time, but the seafood restaurant I wanted to go was closed to due COVID related staff shortage. After wandering for a while, I settled with a restaurant called The Lion’s Share. It has all sorts of exotic meats. I definitely enjoyed a lot, wish I had more dishes to try out. The cocktails and beer are delightful, definitely the best meal I’ve had throughout the trip.

Lastly, I took Lyft back to the Balboa park for a total $10.40 including the ride earlier. Not only I was able to save on parking, but not having to circle back to a parking lot is very convenient way to tour the city too.

Day 9

Time to get out of San Diego. First stop is the beach neighborhood Sunset Cliffs

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park turns out to be a neighborhood park, not managed by NPS. Nevertheless, it’s relaxing to see people surfing early in the morning on a Monday morning. Maybe there’s an alternative to work all day every day?!

Next was Cabrillo National Monument

The Monument is actually quite nice, so the pictures that I took didn’t tell the whole story. It’s great to learn some early Spanish part of the American history.

After that I decided to make a quite stop to the Old Town

There’s lots of historical artifacts, I probably could have easily stayed for a few hours more.

Continue on to Sunrise National Scenic Byway. This is often overlooked judging by how few cars were there. I think it’s a hidden jam.

It definitely resembles Death Valley, one of my favorite national parks. I initially was contemplating if I wanted to revisit since I only visited half of it last year due to COVID restrictions.

Entering Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

The main event of the day was the Borrego Palm Canyon Trailhead. It’s a short 2mile RT Desert Oasis hike, probably my favorite hike on this trip.

After that I headed to Indio for my hotel stay.

I stayed in Quality Inn & Suites Indio I-10 Indio, CA for 16,000 points. I vaguely remember it’s very close to the highways, so I probably didn’t get the best rest. I think the Inn was mainly for the truckers, they are not the most quiet people.

Day 10

Officially north bound. First stop is Joshua Tree. I actually didn’t know what Joshua Tree was.

Cottonwood Spring is on the south side of the park, it’s close to 9miles. It’s a good trail, but I was overly ambitious. By the time I finished, I was just completely exhausted.

Here’s some hightlight:

It was really nice and peaceful, I was the 3rd car in the parking lot so having the vast NPS by myself is cool. Really helped me disconnect.

After the hike, it’s time to see the Joshua Tree:

They are definitely different than those tall Saguaro Cacti I saw in Arizona, even though they share the same desert.

After that, I headed towards the north side of the park where most of the tourist spots are. I skipped most of them, in part I was extremely tired then. Also, the park got really crowded all of a sudden given it’s still a mid-weekday.

it’s still early in the day, I decided taking my SUV for an off-road ecology drive in the park.

After the gruesome day, I wanted to have a nice meal and perhaps some drinks. The Twentynine Palms area seemed to be quite sketchy to my like. After failed attempt to get some drafts at a local bar, I decided to order some “Asian” take outs. Chicken curry Karaage. I think the chef is actually Asian. Having to wait have an hour for my food and the chicken turns out to be flavorless didn’t leave me the best impression. I guess I really had high hope in town since it’s close to the Joshua Tree.

I stayed at Twentynine Palms- Joshua Tree for 20,000 points for a retail price at around $150.

Day 11

Off a morning start to do a loop hike just outside of Joshua Tree

It’s called High View Nature Loop Trail, I think it’s just a bit more than a mile. My very last hike of this trip. Bitter sweet.

Up next is the Rim of the World Scenic Drive. This is a stunning drive around the Big Bear lake area.

Not much going on of the day other than getting to Tulare, California

Stayed at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tulare for 15,000 points. I was going to a bar since there was quite a few shopping malls around, but once I saw a Popeyes, I just couldn’t resist…

Day 12

Hitting towards Kings Canyon

My original itinerary was to go visit Yosemite Valley. Perhaps I was home sick, or perhaps I just didn’t feel like driving 2 hours in and another 2 hours out just to see a frozen waterfall. (Most of the park was closed due to winter condition). I decided to just hit home so that I could be home for my birthday.

I ate at this amazing burgar&beer called “YAKS on the 5” joint in Dunsmuir. The restaurant staff didn’t wear masks, but yet I found out the owner knew some Chinese food and even Sichuanese Peppercorn. One staff there was actually from Taiwan (son of missionaries) and can speak fluent Mandarin. Perhaps it was the last thing I expected from a small highway town. The world is strange, nevertheless.

I stayed at Travelodge by Wyndham Dunsmuir for 15,000 Wyndham points.

Day 13

Home bound! The weather conditions were much better than when I was driving south.

Summary

Driving through California wasn’t as relaxing as I hoped, I didn’t quite finish the books I was listening other than Atomic Habits.

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly is a fun book. Not sure how much educational value there is.

Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance gives more context on the BLM movement and perhaps reflection on my own ignorance as well

Cost

The major expensive is gas.

Type	Amount
Gasoline	$381.76
Hotel Cash	$238.40
IHG Points	49,000 points ($245) + 1 certificate ($100)
Choice Points	40,000 points ($320)
Wyndham Points	15,000 Points ($135)
Misc (tolls, tickets)	$215.54
Food	$315.35

It was a good trip and I don’t really have much to say other than that I enjoyed it.

I also probably over optimized on hotel cost, perhaps I just enjoy optimization as part of the travel experience.