California - Mohave to Monterey - routing suggestions?

Next week I will be driving from the Antelope Valley to Monterey. Once I reach Bakersfield, looks like I have 3 roughly similar (distance-wise) options to cross the mountains to reach the 101:

A. continue west on 58 from Bakersfield to the 101 just north of San Luis Obispo
B. Route 46 from Wasco to Paso Robles
C. Go north on I-5 then west on route 198 through Coalinga

I'll be heading out of the Mohave area around noon on a weekday.

While I've driven extensively throughout southern and central California and Nevada over the past 25 years, this will be my first time crossing from the central valley to the coast in this area.

Any suggestions on which of the 3 routes would be most the enjoyable/scenic? I enjoy driving through the mountains, but don't want to spend very extensive time on twisty mountain roads on this trip since I'd like to reach Monterey by early evening and get some rest before meetings the next morning. (but boring straight highways wouldn't be too fun either)

One issue I'm wondering about is the weather, what kind of elevations would these routes entail, should I be concerned about snow/ice on any of these paths?

And finally, I'll then be heading from Monterey to LAX, leaving Monterey around noon Friday, to catch a redeye flight out of LAX at 1030pm. Any option to consider other than taking the 101 all the way down to the 405?

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

And finally, I'll then be heading from Monterey to LAX, leaving Monterey around noon Friday, to catch a redeye flight out of LAX at 1030pm. Any option to consider other than taking the 101 all the way down to the 405?

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

I'll get back to you on the rest, but I think the quickest way from Monterey to LAX would be 156 to 152 east to Santa Nella and then the 5 south to the 405.

152 is kinda scenic. The 5 is ... well, the 5. ;)

Have been on all three of the e-w routes you mention, although not that recently. None of them are really anything special IMO. Fastest way is probably to stay on I-5 as long as possible. Snow or ice is not a problem on any of these roads.

Although it is one of my "local" highways, I cannot in good conscience recommend taking SR 198 from Coalinga over to SR101. It is narrow, winding and all-in-all a pretty boring stretch of highway. Either the 58 or the 46 route would be better. I-5 to SR 152 would likely be fastest but REALLY boring.

Of the three you listed, I would recommend 46. 101 north of Paso Robles is fairly straight with relatively little traffic until you get near Salinas. Speed limit is 70 from PR to King City.

While 152 is relatively fast, it is north of your destination and takes you quite a few miles out of the way.

I pinged a friend of mine who is a long-haul bus driver in California; he also recommends 46 to Paso Robles. 198 and 58 are both slow and windy.

I did the 5 to 152 all the way into Watsonville once and the stretch through the Hecker Pass outside of Gilroy was pretty twisty as well.

I've driven all of these routes over the years...

They all are narrow and winding over the coastal ranges between I-5 and US-101.

I'd offer another vote for SR 46, largely because spending time on 101 is slightly less desolate & dreadful than doing so on 5.

Although I suppose I *could* be tempted to take US-99 to SR 198 to US-101... Just so I could stop in Hanford at Superior Dairy (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32471-d514613-Reviews-Superior_Dairy-Hanford_California.html) for their amazing ice cream (...if it's ice cream weather...)

... Although I suppose I *could* be tempted to take US-99 to SR 198 to US-101... Just so I could stop in Hanford at Superior Dairy (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32471-d514613-Reviews-Superior_Dairy-Hanford_California.html) for their amazing ice cream (...if it's ice cream weather...)
Gosh! You actually know one of my favorite spots in my little hometown? It is quite nice at dawn - but - they aren't open yet so no ice cream for breakfast. :-)

http://jfrader.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Hanford-California-Civic/IMGP3186A/1067054853_PumBc-M.jpg (http://jfrader.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Hanford-California-Civic/14396304_y66CF#1067054853_PumBc-A-LB)

Gosh! You actually know one of my favorite spots in my little hometown?

:cool: :D :p

Discovered it about 25 years ago... And while the ice cream and fountain drinks are still amazing, on my last pass through this summer on my way to Sacramento, I must confess I was disappointed that the sandwiches and burgers have gone downhill...and the service as well. I remember Rubens and Patty Melts to die for....and now they aren't even on the menu.

I pinged a friend of mine who is a long-haul bus driver in California; he also recommends 46 to Paso Robles. 198 and 58 are both slow and windy.

I did the 5 to 152 all the way into Watsonville once and the stretch through the Hecker Pass outside of Gilroy was pretty twisty as well.

If you do take 152 to Monterey, it is much better to turn left onto 156 and follow 156 through Castroville and connect to Highway 1 just south of Castroville rather than going over Hecker Pass.

Or if you are going to Watsonville or Santa Cruz, take 152 to 156 and follow 156 until you reach 101. Then take 101 north about 2 miles to 129 and take 129 to Watsonville. Again, much better than 152 over Hecker Pass.

Not trying to be picky, but if you use Google Maps, Mapquest, etc., the town is spelled Mojave, not Mohave.

If you're a meat-eater, the Harris Ranch Inn, along I-5 north of Kettleman City, is well-known for good steaks, etc. Nice decor. Also has a nice-looking hotel, but for some would be a bit too close to the huge stockyards you pass to the north.

If you want to get in a bit of scenery, you could take a side trip north from Mojave through Red Rock Canyon State Park (you can see a lot from Hwy. 14), and possibly even over to the old mining towns of Johannesburg and Randsburg (site of the White House Saloon). To get to the San Joaquin Valley, you could take the Walker Pass road, past Kernville and Lake Isabella, which is a bit more scenic than the standard route, over Hwy. 58 (Tehachapi Pass). If you do take 58, stop to see where the train (freight only) trakcs wind overthemselves to get up the mountain.

For Monterey to LAX, Google Maps estaimtes 5 hrs. 48 mins. for a combination of Hwy. 101 and I-5 (cutting over to I-5 at Paso Robles), 5 hrs. 55 mins. for Hwy. 156 and I-5, and 6 hrs. 0 mins. for Hwy. 101. Remember you may be hitting rush hour traffic in L.A. Not sure if the big contruction project over the Sepulveda Pass (I-405) is impacting traffic in the afternoon or just late at night. You could stay on Hwy. 1 south of Ventura, through Malibu, and gain some coastal scenery, but also use a bit more time.

....If you're a meat-eater, the Harris Ranch Inn, along I-5 north of Kettleman City, is well-known for good steaks, etc. Nice decor....

Not by anyone who's ever eaten there once -- of course, opinions can differ.

Not by anyone who's ever eaten there once -- of course, opinions can differ.

We had a very good meal there, but it has been a few years.

Not by anyone who's ever eaten there once -- of course, opinions can differ.
Like mine. Many meals there have not disappointed. Of course, I stick with what they do best, beef. Either barbeque or prime rib.