April 2024 Bakersfield Road Meet

[Brandon]

I formalized the meet itinerary in the original post.  During the days leading up to the meet I will post Google Map links to aid with navigation during the tour. 

Out of curiosity, is there a place we will be stopping at for lunch along the way since we're meeting at 9 am?

[Max Rockatansky]

My thought is to just have a brief picnic/restroom break at Hart Park.  I'm not anticipating the meet going far enough into the afternoon that a full on sit down lunch would be necessary.  There is a couple fast food options in Lake Isabella we can stop at before heading south for the final two legs.  Right now things are pretty flexible given there won't be a large attendance number and we two months out.

[vdeane]

Location:  9 AM at the McDonald's off I-5 Exit 257

We've been joking for years of having a meet meal at a McDonald's, but I think you're the first to actually do it.  Well done.

[oscar]

Location:  9 AM at the McDonald's off I-5 Exit 257

We've been joking for years of having a meet meal at a McDonald's, but I think you're the first to actually do it.  Well done.

Is the meet plan to sit down and eat breakfast at the McD's, or rather grab breakfast there or somewhere else at that exit (like the Carl's Jr., which isn't anywhere near where I live) and eat on the run?

[cl94]

Location:  9 AM at the McDonald's off I-5 Exit 257

We've been joking for years of having a meet meal at a McDonald's, but I think you're the first to actually do it.  Well done.

And I don't mind it one bit. If there's enough time to socialize while eating or elsewhere on the tour, why have a big sit-down lunch? Reno will likely be counter serve (though not necessarily a chain) for exactly this reason.

Is the meet plan to sit down and eat breakfast at the McD's, or rather grab breakfast there or somewhere else at that exit (like the Carls' Jr., which isn't anywhere near where I live) and eat on the run?

Carl's has burgers for breakfast, which would make me happy.

[74/171FAN]

Location:  9 AM at the McDonald's off I-5 Exit 257

We've been joking for years of having a meet meal at a McDonald's, but I think you're the first to actually do it.  Well done.

Maybe if we do another Reading, PA, Meet, we can have a meal at the Bojangles on US 222 BUS.  I think Adam Prince is too sophisticated with restaurants to do one as part of a NC Meet.

[Max Rockatansky]

Really the McDonald's is just a place to gather and hang out as a group for a hour.  I'm probably inclined to grab something from Carl's Jr. myself. 

Speaking of lunch, if everyone wants that it looks like the best bet is the 178 Bar & Grill (even highway themed) at Lake Isabella.  They have decent reviews and I liked what I had the one time I ate there.  A good meal probably being placed right before Caliente-Bodfish Road probably would be ideal.

Location:  9 AM at the McDonald's off I-5 Exit 257

We've been joking for years of having a meet meal at a McDonald's, but I think you're the first to actually do it.  Well done.

[Max Rockatansky]

Put lunch at 178 Bar & Grill as tentative in the itinerary.  I'm game up a quick grab and go in the morning followed by a solid sit down lunch if everyone else is.

[cl94]

I have a hotel booked in Bakersfield, so I guess I'm officially "in". Looking forward to an excuse to see more of the southern Sierra and San Joaquin Valley.

[M3100]

I just saw this post after 'cahighwayguy' alerted me to this.  Looks interesting; I won't know until closer to April 13 whether I can join in.

[cahwyguy]

I just saw this post after 'cahighwayguy' alerted me to this.  Looks interesting; I won't know until closer to April 13 whether I can join in.

As I said when you came over to my office; if you want to drive out to Northridge, I'll be glad to give you a ride. You just have to endure me killing off a few podcasts along the way :-) Drop me an email at work or at home and we can coordinate.

[Techknow]

I think I finalized my plans to get to Bakersfield so I'll go ahead and RSVP!

My current plan is to leave the Bay Area the night before the road meet and book a hotel room in Hollister. I'll also drive the part of CA 156 I haven't been on and check out the new turbo roundabout at the CA 25 intersection. Then on the way to Bakersfield clinch CA 25 and take CA 198 to get to I-5.

[cl94]

Any rough estimates for how long this shindig will last? Just curious about how much time I should expect to have free in the PM (and if I should thus move my Saturday night hotel elsewhere).

[Max Rockatansky]

Probably 2:30-3:00PM factoring drive time and stopping to look at things.  Based off who I know for sure is going I don't foresee a need for a formal sit down meal at Lake Isabella which will keep the pace snappy.

I'll have Google Map links up probably a day or two before the meet.  That worked out really well last year and this time around is many of the same faces.

[cl94]

Probably 2:30-3:00PM factoring drive time and stopping to look at things.  Based off who I know for sure is going I don't foresee a need for a formal sit down meal at Lake Isabella which will keep the pace snappy.

I'll have Google Map links up probably a day or two before the meet.  That worked out really well last year and this time around is many of the same faces.

Perfect, sounds good. I'm in the "we don't need a formal lunch" camp, so I can't complain.

[Max Rockatansky]

Probably 2:30-3:00PM factoring drive time and stopping to look at things.  Based off who I know for sure is going I don't foresee a need for a formal sit down meal at Lake Isabella which will keep the pace snappy.

I'll have Google Map links up probably a day or two before the meet.  That worked out really well last year and this time around is many of the same faces.

Perfect, sounds good. I'm in the "we don't need a formal lunch" camp, so I can't complain.

There is plenty of options at Lake Isabella we can all grab as we regroup for the final legs of the meet.  I'm hoping to get Caliente Creek Road in myself after the meets at the Tehachapi Loop.

[oscar]

I like stopping at the 178 Bar and Grill in Lake Isabella before the final legs of the tour, though it sounds like I might be outvoted on that one.

I'm on my way, right now in SW Kansas, with a zigzagging itinerary arriving at my hotel room in Bakersfield (staying two nights) on Friday the 12th. Post-meet plans TBD.

On the Google Maps links, can they be included in a post here, or otherwise webposted? That's the best way for me to use a hotel printer to run off my own copy. I've had about zero luck plugging a thumb drive into a hotel printer, to move stuff from my laptop to the printer.

[Max Rockatansky]

I like stopping at the 178 Bar and Grill in Lake Isabella before the final legs of the tour, though it sounds like I might be outvoted on that one.

I'm on my way, right now in SW Kansas, with a zigzagging itinerary arriving at my hotel room in Bakersfield (staying two nights) on Friday the 12th. Post-meet plans TBD.

On the Google Maps links, can they be included in a post here, or otherwise webposted? That's the best way for me to use a hotel printer to run off my own copy. I've had about zero luck plugging a thumb drive into a hotel printer, to move stuff from my laptop to the printer.

I'll be posting them here but I can also email them to you.  I'll probably work on them tomorrow and test calculate run next Thursday or Friday night.

[Max Rockatansky]

Ah screw it, I have time tonight.  Below are the initial set of map links, I'll double check these before the meet.  If anyone needs me to email the links to them send me a message.


Meet Start in Buttonwillow

https://www.google.com/maps/place/20700+Tracy+Ave,+Buttonwillow,+CA+93206/@35.4031679,-119.4031388,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x80ea533b6263a771:0x94bb6a4bcfa6f5d4!8m2!3d35.4031679!4d-119.4005639!16s%2Fg%2F11bw3x2_3g?authuser=0&entry=ttu


Leg 1 - The new alignment of California State Route 58 along I-5, Stockdale Highway, West Side Parkway and the Centennial Corridor

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/20700+Tracy+Avenue,+Buttonwillow,+CA/Jack+in+the+Box,+10+Union+Ave,+Bakersfield,+CA+93307/@35.3966357,-119.3720008,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ea533b6263a771:0x94bb6a4bcfa6f5d4!2m2!1d-119.4005639!2d35.4031679!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ea6a4a6739eea3:0x5715289c1d153de5!2m2!1d-119.0023439!2d35.3546687!3e0?authuser=0&entry=ttu


Leg 2 and 3 - CA 204/former US Route 99 to the Bakersfield (pass by of Garces Circle)

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Jack+in+the+Box,+10+Union+Ave,+Bakersfield,+CA+93307/Garces+Memorial+Circle,+Bakersfield,+CA/Boot+Barn,+Buck+Owens+Boulevard,+Bakersfield,+CA/2620+Buck+Owens+Blvd,+Bakersfield,+CA+93308/@35.3788075,-119.0440513,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m26!4m25!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ea6a4a6739eea3:0x5715289c1d153de5!2m2!1d-119.0023439!2d35.3546687!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ea699389e1e4e7:0x3a9ae1d59c82a01b!2m2!1d-119.0188968!2d35.3869907!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ea69d785f43ead:0x1cde6f1da83a686a!2m2!1d-119.0440225!2d35.3956746!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ea69e093453d83:0xac1b05b1e22c32f7!2m2!1d-119.0424469!2d35.3846663!3e0?authuser=0&entry=ttu


Leg 4 - Downtown Bakersfield to Hart Park via Alfred Harrell Highway

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/2620+Buck+Owens+Blvd,+Bakersfield,+CA+93308/College+Park,+Mount+Vernon+Avenue,+Bakersfield,+CA/Hart+Park+Sharktooth+Mountain+Disc+Golf+Course,+Hart+Park,+Bakersfield,+CA/@35.4139828,-119.0152826,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m20!4m19!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ea69e093453d83:0xac1b05b1e22c32f7!2m2!1d-119.0424469!2d35.3846663!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ea693a109a679b:0xb281f2c0936496a6!2m2!1d-118.9670145!2d35.4109319!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ea6faa783493bf:0x88195da22051a81a!2m2!1d-118.9049754!2d35.4447746!3e0?authuser=0&entry=ttu


Leg 5 - Hart Park to Lake Isabella

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hart+Park+Sharktooth+Mountain+Disc+Golf+Course,+Hart+Park,+Bakersfield,+CA/178+Bar+%26+Grill,+Lake+Isabella+Boulevard,+Lake+Isabella,+CA/@35.5387913,-118.7871273,11z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ea6faa783493bf:0x88195da22051a81a!2m2!1d-118.9049754!2d35.4447746!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c1cf708ec7c5fd:0xf4e4ff8a66175956!2m2!1d-118.4751129!2d35.624857!3e0?authuser=0&entry=ttu


Leg 6 - Caliente-Bodfish Road

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/178+Bar+%26+Grill,+Lake+Isabella+Boulevard,+Lake+Isabella,+CA/United+States+Postal+Service,+Caliente+Bodfish+Road,+Caliente,+CA/@35.3332326,-118.6942046,11z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c1cf708ec7c5fd:0xf4e4ff8a66175956!2m2!1d-118.4751129!2d35.624857!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c1e24ada10f9dd:0x9d64dfb0a1d1377!2m2!1d-118.6272663!2d35.2900743!3e0?authuser=0&entry=ttu


Leg 7 - The Tehachapi Loop

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/United+States+Postal+Service,+Caliente+Bodfish+Road,+Caliente,+CA/Tehachapi+Loop+(1876),+Keene,+CA/@35.2451064,-118.6267255,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c1e24ada10f9dd:0x9d64dfb0a1d1377!2m2!1d-118.6272663!2d35.2900743!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c1fbf29a9c3ae5:0x98d0a1489206616e!2m2!1d-118.5378281!2d35.1998125!3e0?authuser=0&entry=ttu

[cl94]

Starting to get reliable forecasts for Saturday. Looking like a disturbance will come in Friday night, with meet day being around 70 and windy in the valley. Small chance of showers. Snow level should be well above the passes in the region, but keep that and the potential for high wind in mind if you're driving in from elsewhere (like I am).

Honestly, I'd take that over the mid-80s and sunny the valley will be seeing on Friday.

[cahwyguy]

Looking at the weather reports, we may be running into rain. Let's make sure all the stops will work OK in the rain.

Good thing I went to the RenFaire on Sunday :-)

[Max Rockatansky]

The preliminary forecast I'm seeing has .17 inches of rain starting possibly around 5-6 PM.  The weather should be warm enough that lower elevations won't get snow.  None of the meet route crosses 4,000 feet above sea level.  The highest point is somewhere near Havilah on Caliente-Bodfish Road. 

I'm keeping an eye on things regardless.  The later legs can be adjusted if needed.  We likely won't encounter anything of note in urban Bakersfield.

[cahwyguy]

The preliminary forecast I'm seeing has .17 inches of rain starting possibly around 5-6 PM.  The weather should be warm enough that lower elevations won't get snow.  None of the meet route crosses 4,000 feet above sea level.  The highest point is somewhere near Havilah on Caliente-Bodfish Road. 

I'm keeping an eye on things regardless.  The later legs can be adjusted if needed.  We likely won't encounter anything of note in urban Bakersfield.

Are we likely to run into snow in the I-5 pass -- I'm driving up in the morning from Northridge.

[Max Rockatansky]

The preliminary forecast I'm seeing has .17 inches of rain starting possibly around 5-6 PM.  The weather should be warm enough that lower elevations won't get snow.  None of the meet route crosses 4,000 feet above sea level.  The highest point is somewhere near Havilah on Caliente-Bodfish Road. 

I'm keeping an eye on things regardless.  The later legs can be adjusted if needed.  We likely won't encounter anything of note in urban Bakersfield.

Are we likely to run into snow in the I-5 pass -- I'm driving up in the morning from Northridge.

Tejon Pass shouldn't be anywhere nearly as cold as it would need to be for snow based off what I'm seeing

[cl94]

The preliminary forecast I'm seeing has .17 inches of rain starting possibly around 5-6 PM.  The weather should be warm enough that lower elevations won't get snow.  None of the meet route crosses 4,000 feet above sea level.  The highest point is somewhere near Havilah on Caliente-Bodfish Road. 

I'm keeping an eye on things regardless.  The later legs can be adjusted if needed.  We likely won't encounter anything of note in urban Bakersfield.

Are we likely to run into snow in the I-5 pass -- I'm driving up in the morning from Northridge.

Tejon Pass shouldn't be anywhere nearly as cold as it would need to be for snow based off what I'm seeing

Tejon should be fine. Snow levels in the Reno area will be around 5,000 feet that morning per the government agency intel I have access to and Tejon is expected to be warmer.