Monterey - West bound and down

[Uisce Beatha]

"A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us."

Alright, I find myself asking for help.  I'll be coming across I-80 and dropping down to Monterey on Sunday afternoon.  The online map services have me merging onto I-680 south toward Benicia/San Jose.  Stay on that for 70 miles and then take US-101 south toward LA.  After about 50 miles jump off at CA-156 west and work my way into town.

Is this the best route?  I don't care about views or anything.  I will have been driving since about 3:00 AM mountain and I just want to get there without getting lost or hitting traffic large.  I suppose Sunday helps in that regard. 

Dys, gleek, anyone?

Thanks,
J.

[gleek]

I-80 West to I-680 South to US-101 South is definitely the way to go.

[campy]

Since you are not worried about views and such, that route is as good as any. You should luck out and miss the traffic heading westbound around that time, so you got that going for you.  

Me personally, I would much rather stay on 80 to SF, then onto 101...680 to San Jose is boring as hell.

[gleek]

Since you are not worried about views and such, that route is as good as any. You should luck out and miss the traffic heading westbound around that time, so you got that going for you.  

Me personally, I would much rather stay on 80 to SF, then onto 101...680 to San Jose is boring as hell.

Crossing the Bay Bridge is teh sukk though.

[campy]

Since you are not worried about views and such, that route is as good as any. You should luck out and miss the traffic heading westbound around that time, so you got that going for you.  

Me personally, I would much rather stay on 80 to SF, then onto 101...680 to San Jose is boring as hell.

Crossing the Bay Bridge is teh sukk though.

I forgot all about the tanker explosion, I imagine it is a pain in the ass getting on the bridge now huh?

[Uisce Beatha]

Thanks gents.  Having just driven across Nevada I think San Jose will be plenty exciting.   

I remember hitting the Bay Bridge once.  In three days I think I hit all of the bridges in SF/Oakland.  None of them were much fun when you're working and in a hurry.

[gleek]

Since you are not worried about views and such, that route is as good as any. You should luck out and miss the traffic heading westbound around that time, so you got that going for you.  

Me personally, I would much rather stay on 80 to SF, then onto 101...680 to San Jose is boring as hell.

Crossing the Bay Bridge is teh sukk though.

I forgot all about the tanker explosion, I imagine it is a pain in the ass getting on the bridge now huh?

It's been fixed, but it just sukks in general. You just never know when it might get backed up. Plus, they're doing some major construction on the SF side right now. It's a total mess.

[dystopia]

Another vote for taking I-680 to 101 South.  You'll be able to skirt around the Bay Area and most of the potential traffic problems. (hmm, that could have been phrased better, but that's probably too much of a softball for this crowd.)

How long will you be in Monterey?  Any time for a beer?  I assume you'll be with the family most of the time, and I expect to be tinkering with an iPhone around the clock by then, but it would be cool to get together.  Hey, if you're around the following weekend, there's going to be an iPhone Hack-a-Thon that looks interesting for Apple aficionados, which I'll probably attend.

[Uisce Beatha]

How long will you be in Monterey?  Any time for a beer?  I assume you'll be with the family most of the time, and I expect to be tinkering with an iPhone around the clock by then, but it would be cool to get together.  Hey, if you're around the following weekend, there's going to be an iPhone Hack-a-Thon that looks interesting for Apple aficionados, which I'll probably attend.

We'll be there Sunday through Sunday.  I'm sure I can get away for a beer - especially if I bring at least one of the little ones along and maybe let my wife do something for herself.  That would suit perfectly and it'd be good to meet you.  I imagine any day will work although by early afternoon Tuesday I'll be over budget for the day by, oh, $450 or so.  Woot.   

Are you nearby?  I don't know the area at all.  I can PM you my cell # though.

I don't think the iPhone thing will be in the works though.  Something about that would scream "work" to my wife's mind.   

[spacey]

I just love "men meeting men on teh internets" action. Sort of shameful though that U.B. and I live maybe 15 minutes from each other and still haven't managed to mutually tip back a glass. Entirely mea culpa I'm sure. 

[Uisce Beatha]

I just love "men meeting men on teh internets" action. Sort of shameful though that U.B. and I live maybe 15 minutes from each other and still haven't managed to mutually tip back a glass. Entirely mea culpa I'm sure. 

LOL.  Not at all.  Mutual not getting with the program.

The main problem is that in my never ending quest for adult beverage consumption opportunities I somehow never have reason to stop in your little burgh.   

[dystopia]

How long will you be in Monterey?  Any time for a beer?  I assume you'll be with the family most of the time, and I expect to be tinkering with an iPhone around the clock by then, but it would be cool to get together.  Hey, if you're around the following weekend, there's going to be an iPhone Hack-a-Thon that looks interesting for Apple aficionados, which I'll probably attend.

We'll be there Sunday through Sunday.  I'm sure I can get away for a beer - especially if I bring at least one of the little ones along and maybe let my wife do something for herself.  That would suit perfectly and it'd be good to meet you.  I imagine any day will work although by early afternoon Tuesday I'll be over budget for the day by, oh, $450 or so.  Woot.   

Are you nearby?  I don't know the area at all.  I can PM you my cell # though.

I don't think the iPhone thing will be in the works though.  Something about that would scream "work" to my wife's mind.   

Monterey is about 1.5 hours from where I live.  Unfortunately, that's 1.5 hours in the wrong direction from where I work.

While you're in Monterey, are you planning on any day trips to the north?  (Santa Cruz boardwalk, or winetasting, etc.)

[dystopia]

Sort of shameful though that U.B. and I live maybe 15 minutes from each other and still haven't managed to mutually tip back a glass. Entirely mea culpa I'm sure. 

You guys have probably been on the same course and didn't even realize it.  At this point, it's almost amusing in a "Will they or won't they" way, kind of like Sam and Diane in Cheers or Maddy Hayes and David Addison in Moonlighting.

[spacey]

The main problem is that in my never ending quest for adult beverage consumption opportunities I somehow never have reason to stop in your little burgh.   

Hey, the Down Under (basement of Cafe Alicia) is a great bar! 

Okay, maybe not, but it's way better than The Fifth, and that's pretty much what there is around my place.  That's why if I'm drinking beer anywhere other than the golf course or my own couch, you'll typically find me at Red Rock or Desert Edge.

[Jules]

We want photos!!!!