Any Californians out there?

[applepie_eli]

My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to California July 10th. She already took two weeks off a long time ago. Planning on going to Big Sur and just driving up the coast. Since it's just a road trip we're able to wait till the last minute to decide what to do. My question is, is most of California open yet at this point? I've done internet research but there's only so much I can find out. What should I expect if I were to go there today? I'm assuming it will be a little better in a month from now but who knows...

Worst case scenario we go backpacking in Montana again (I'm cool with that).

 

[Norm555]

I live in San Diego and most things are open now. You have to wear a mask into restaurants until you get to the table. I believe just about everything except concerts and other large gatherings will be open by this Friday, June 12th. Just bring a mask because you have to wear it inside places occasionally. I hope the mask thing is over by July.

 

[applepie_eli]

I live in San Diego and most things are open now. You have to wear a mask into restaurants until you get to the table. I believe just about everything except concerts and other large gatherings will be open by this Friday, June 12th. Just bring a mask because you have to wear it inside places occasionally. I hope the mask thing is over by July.

Thank you. I hate the masks too. I use my Sitka lightweight hoodies with the built in mask lol. I'm not too worried about big touristy places (amusement parks, tours, stuff like that) being open. As long as we can eat inside once in a while and shop in some souvenir shops we'll be good. We're from Pennsylvania so I want to make 100% sure before we drive the whole way there.

 

[2rocky]

Most state parks/Beaches should be open.

 

[Rob5589]

Most things should be open by then. The liberal coastal areas are the ones most reluctant to reopen, which is your destination. Things could change so plan accordingly.

 

[JFK]

I live in California. Restrictions really vary by county but things are opening up more and more every week. Big Sur is a great spot and I’d absolutely suggest checking it out. From there (assuming you’re driving North) you hit the Monterey Bay, or you can take Nacimiento Ferguson Rd (long twisty road but cool to do once with good views of the coast) through the Los Padres National Forest, through Ft Hunter Liggett and hit the central coast/Paso Robles. Lots of really good wineries if you guys are into that....also really good pig hunting that way. Paso is a nice town but will be hot in July. Lots of stuff to do and see in Monterey and Santa Cruz area. As you get closer to the large population centers in the Bay Area you are likely to find more restrictions, and quite honestly I’d just drive through there...nothing really worth stopping for. Not sure how far north you plan on going but the north state up by Shasta and Trinity is like a different state. Very few people, good fishing and beautiful. Should be no restrictions up there either since they had very few cases. Try to avoid I-5 between Southern California and Sacramento...not much to see on it until you get a good ways north in the state. Same goes for I-80 East until you get into the Sierras.

 

[Azone]

Big Sur is beautiful and I like visiting that state parks over there, but be warned that people drive like flippin idiots on highway 1. When you come out the north end you will end up in the Monterey area there’s the warf, aquarium and lots of beaches to check out. The Old Fisherman’s Grotto on the warf has some pretty killer clam chowder that they serve in bread bowls. Whale watching boats should be going by then if you want to spend a few hours out on the ocean. The aquarium is kinda neat, it can be packed at times and pricey to get into but it might be worth checking out. If you guys want to go mess around in the mountains look up Los Padres National Forest. Look at the announcements for Monterey Ranger District incase there’s any closures. You could also drive through Ft. Hunter Liggett and maybe catch a glimpse of some tule elk, be advised that the base cops are strict and you must stay on the pavement if you do, Nacimento Ferguson road would take you all the way over the top on to highway 1 if it’s open. A few wet winters have been pretty rough on it though.
Firestone Brewery down in Paso Robles has some pretty good beer if your in to that kinda thing and there is wine tasting every where out here.

 

[Beendare]

Great wine region there around Paso Robles and down near Santa Barbara........but the wineries weren't open last weekend according to a friend. Napa and Sonoma wineries weren't open 2 weeks ago...

The good news is traffic is light!

______

 

[WKR]

It depends on the county. I live in Placer county and we have been open for a while now.

 

[Billinsd]

From there (assuming you’re driving North) you hit the Monterey Bay, or you can take Nacimiento Ferguson Rd (long twisty road but cool to do once with good views of the coast) through the Los Padres National Forest, through Ft Hunter Liggett and hit the central coast/Paso Robles.

You can go to the Hacienda on the base. Just stop at the guard station and ask for temporary pass to eat at the Hacienda. The Hacienda is quite an experience. It's very old and very historic. The drive down to the coast is very, very curvy and very scenic.

 

[Kiwi1]

My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to California July 10th. She already took two weeks off a long time ago. Planning on going to Big Sur and just driving up the coast. Since it's just a road trip we're able to wait till the last minute to decide what to do. My question is, is most of California open yet at this point? I've done internet research but there's only so much I can find out. What should I expect if I were to go there today? I'm assuming it will be a little better in a month from now but who knows...

Worst case scenario we go backpacking in Montana again (I'm cool with that).

Hi from Sacramento
Restaurants are starting to open, and if you down load " All Trails", a lot of the trails have opened up
Yosemite is still closed unfortunately

 

[Old_Navy]

Sonoma County {Santa Rosa } Things are starting to open up,
Here's a link to a status update put out by the County offices.
https://www.sonomacounty.com/coronavirus

 

[68Plexi]

Things are opening up county by county. If you plan on staying at a campground I would try and call in advance as they (on the coast) usually book up pretty quickly. It’s a beautiful drive all the way up to OR and WA with plenty of stops on the way. Enjoy your trip!


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[applepie_eli]

Thanks for the advice and tips everyone! Our plan is to go straight to Big Sur when we get there and then head north. Not sure how far north we'll make it yet. It depends how long we take. I would like to go all the way up into Washington if we can since I was there once for a few days and loved it. But it not no biggie. We are definitely more into the mountains and less crowded beaches. We plan on taking her Subaru or my 4 door Wrangler and camping in some dispersed camping areas. I am hoping we can camp on Nacimiento Ferguson Rd. (or that area) but from my research it can get packed pretty quick. Most of our time will probably be spent along the coast because we like the beach and most of our other vacations tend to be in mountains, but we really don't have a set plan other than heading north on Highway 1 as far as we can. I wouldn't mind avoiding heavily populated regions, but I won't let that ruin the thrill of going to California either. Any information is greatly appreciated, it really is comforting to hear stuff from people who actually live there.

 

[applepie_eli]

Oh and the worst part is all the crap I'll have to go through to make sure that my UNLOADED gun is locked up and all that stuff. Can't even bring my Glock 20 cause of the 15 round magazines. Good thing I recently bought a 43x so I won't be committing a crime just by possessing an "illegal imported high capacity magazine". Idk exactly all the ins and outs of that law yet, but I will definitely lean on the safe side and be extra careful as I'd rather not find myself in legal trouble just from vacationing in an anti gun state. But that's a whole other can of worms...

 

[WKR]

Check out mt.lassen and mt.shasta on your way north

 

[boom]

Thanks for the advice and tips everyone! Our plan is to go straight to Big Sur when we get there and then head north. Not sure how far north we'll make it yet. It depends how long we take. I would like to go all the way up into Washington if we can since I was there once for a few days and loved it. But it not no biggie. We are definitely more into the mountains and less crowded beaches. We plan on taking her Subaru or my 4 door Wrangler and camping in some dispersed camping areas. I am hoping we can camp on Nacimiento Ferguson Rd. (or that area) but from my research it can get packed pretty quick. Most of our time will probably be spent along the coast because we like the beach and most of our other vacations tend to be in mountains, but we really don't have a set plan other than heading north on Highway 1 as far as we can. I wouldn't mind avoiding heavily populated regions, but I won't let that ruin the thrill of going to California either. Any information is greatly appreciated, it really is comforting to hear stuff from people who actually live there.

Sending you a PM. Bring the Wrangler.

 

[srfdmatty]

If you head to SF and north through Sonoma County hit me up. I'll pass along a bunch of good places to eat and camp along the way. Nor Cal has some great camping especially when you get up into Shasta, McCloud and Lassen. If you want to stay more coastal there is also plenty of options for great camping but the weather is likely to be more cold and foggy along the northern California coast in July versus more inland in the Shasta area and up into Klamath Oregon and up to Bend Oregon
Otherwise we're opening up just bring your neck gaiter to use as a mask.
Matt

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[Azone]

Thanks for the advice and tips everyone! Our plan is to go straight to Big Sur when we get there and then head north. Not sure how far north we'll make it yet. It depends how long we take. I would like to go all the way up into Washington if we can since I was there once for a few days and loved it. But it not no biggie. We are definitely more into the mountains and less crowded beaches. We plan on taking her Subaru or my 4 door Wrangler and camping in some dispersed camping areas. I am hoping we can camp on Nacimiento Ferguson Rd. (or that area) but from my research it can get packed pretty quick. Most of our time will probably be spent along the coast because we like the beach and most of our other vacations tend to be in mountains, but we really don't have a set plan other than heading north on Highway 1 as far as we can. I wouldn't mind avoiding heavily populated regions, but I won't let that ruin the thrill of going to California either. Any information is greatly appreciated, it really is comforting to hear stuff from people who actually live there.

If you want off the beaten path take Willow Creek up to South Coast Ridge Road and head north till you hit the pavement of Nacimento Ferguson. If you head inland there are camp grounds along the road. If you end up in the Salinas Valley you could always go up to Arroyo Seco and hike in to the gorge, pretty cool country up there. The Pinnacles are also accessible from the valley.

 

[Beendare]

The bring a jacket recommendation is a good one. Typically the Spring and Fall is the best weather along the north coast....it can get downright cold in the summer.

Not much to see in central CA in the south 1/2, but above SF, central CA is nice. Yosemite is opening soon, but you need reservations.