Interesting topographical map of CA
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I drove from Vegas to the central coast two years ago, it really brought home the idea of the 'Central Valley'.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
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I drove from Vegas to the central coast two years ago, it really brought home the idea of the 'Central Valley'.
@jon-nyc said in Interesting topographical map of CA:
I drove from Vegas to the central coast two years ago, it really brought home the idea of the 'Central Valley'.
Yes, we've driven much of that as well in the last 10 years, some of it multiple times. When someone says they've been to California, their experience very much depends upon which part. Driving the length of the state, with side trips to the east and west, is like going to multiple states, each with a different climate and terrain.
As boring as I-5 is, it's certainly an experience to see where so much of the produce in this country is grown. I can't help but wonder how long they can continue getting enough water. So, of course, I suggest stopping for the fresh fruits along the way.
I don't miss I-5 at all, but the fruits are wonderful.
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Yeah. I’ve also done highway 1 from the Bay Area to Santa Barbara. That was lovely. Almost 30 years ago now.
@jon-nyc said in Interesting topographical map of CA:
Yeah. I’ve also done highway 1 from the Bay Area to Santa Barbara. That was lovely. Almost 30 years ago now.
Ayup, we did that within the last decade. It's spectacular and worth the time to get there.
Of all the national parks we've visited, Yosemite is my favorite. I've enjoyed all the parks, even the Teddy Roosevelt parks in North Dakota, but Yosemite is awesome.
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The best drives in California are the east west crossings of the sierras. Often closed in winter.
Before corona I did a drive in late October between Death Valley crossing the mountain ridge on rte 178 into Bakersfield. Did the southern route because the more northerly routes had snow. -
The best drives in California are the east west crossings of the sierras. Often closed in winter.
Before corona I did a drive in late October between Death Valley crossing the mountain ridge on rte 178 into Bakersfield. Did the southern route because the more northerly routes had snow.@bachophile said in Interesting topographical map of CA:
The best drives in California are the east west crossings of the sierras. Often closed in winter.
Before corona I did a drive in late October between Death Valley crossing the mountain ridge on rte 178 into Bakersfield. Did the southern route because the more northerly routes had snow.I did it a tad south through the Mojave desert to Bakersfield and on to San Luis Obispo that same month - Oct 2019
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
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I drove from Vegas to the central coast two years ago, it really brought home the idea of the 'Central Valley'.
@jon-nyc said in Interesting topographical map of CA:
I drove from Vegas to the central coast two years ago, it really brought home the idea of the 'Central Valley'.
Super cool map. I've spend many boring hours driving up and down the valley.
I have very positive associations going over the mountains though (usually meant I was going somewhere fun - Tahoe, LA, Oregon, etc.)
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@bachophile said in Interesting topographical map of CA:
The best drives in California are the east west crossings of the sierras. Often closed in winter.
Before corona I did a drive in late October between Death Valley crossing the mountain ridge on rte 178 into Bakersfield. Did the southern route because the more northerly routes had snow.I did it a tad south through the Mojave desert to Bakersfield and on to San Luis Obispo that same month - Oct 2019
@jon-nyc I went north of SLO and stayed in Cambria. Very nice little town. And then on up Big Sur to SF. Nice drive.
I love long distance driving. Always have. That’s why I’m planning now my florida Dallas trip in March. I have a medical conf in Dallas. Seems like life is slowly returning to normal.Anyway. I have a son, and two sibs living in the Bay Area. So I guess it’s sort of a second home.
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This map also sets up a good analogy for why San Francisco is colder in the summer months than late Spring / early Fall.
The valley is like a hot room - and the Golden Gate is the only big opening in the coastal mountain range. It acts like a door.
San Francisco is directly in the path of the open door. The hotter it gets in the "room" (valley) the more cold air gets sucked over San Francisco.
I'm sure I butchered that at made it pseudosciency - but it's how I explained it to myself anyways.
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This map also sets up a good analogy for why San Francisco is colder in the summer months than late Spring / early Fall.
The valley is like a hot room - and the Golden Gate is the only big opening in the coastal mountain range. It acts like a door.
San Francisco is directly in the path of the open door. The hotter it gets in the "room" (valley) the more cold air gets sucked over San Francisco.
I'm sure I butchered that at made it pseudosciency - but it's how I explained it to myself anyways.
@xenon I hunk that’s why the gate is a fog machine
