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A couple of Texans headed your way... - spcarp08 - 08-22-2012

So a buddy and I are going on a road trip and will be in the San Francisco area the weekend of the 8th.  We are leaving Texas, going through the god awful desert of New Mexico and souther Arizona, up to the Grand Canyon, Vegas, LA, San Fran, up the coast into Oregon, Seattle, Vancouver, then back down through Denver and FINALLY back home.  He is 25 and graduated from Ole Miss and I am 26 graduated from Texas Tech, and are just a couple college football fanatics that happened to buy tickets to your game against Duke. 

I was wondering what we should see/do on game day, where to go, what to eat...you know the usual game day cant miss items.  Neither of us have ever been to California, we will be buying and sporting Stanford gear and are more than willing to pitch in on food and beer if anyone has room for two more at a tailgate.  Anyway, I'll be checking the board over the next couple of weeks and literally cannot wait to experience game day as a Cardinal fan!

Thanks in advance...

Re: A couple of Texans headed your way... - dabigv13 - 08-22-2012

That sounds like a great trip, you're gonna have an awesome time and I hope you really enjoy your time at Stanford.

Unfortunately the campus won't be in full swing because classes won't have started by the time of the Duke game, but I'd still get to the campus nice and early just to walk around and see it- it's truly one of the most beautiful college campuses in the world. The best way to arrive is by driving down Palm Drive. Walk around the quad, and go up to the top of Hoover Tower to get a view of the surrounding area. It's also worth driving around the Campus Drive loop to get a sense for the campus (it is very big!). Everybody has their favorite little campus spots, I personally think the walk around Lake Lagunitas is pretty neat, as is the Roble sculpture garden.

Since it'll be your first time in California, I highly recommend taking the coastal highway 1 up from LA, for one of the most beautiful stretches of roads around. It takes twice as long as the 5, but it's worth it. Lot of nice driving around Stanford's campus as well, if that's your thing; Skyline Blvd and assorted roads off it are a pretty drive.

Re: A couple of Texans headed your way... - spcarp08 - 08-22-2012

Appreciate it dabigv...thats a part of the country that I've always wanted to see and am lucky enough to have the time to do it now.  We absolutely are going to spend a large amount of time on highway 1, even up into the Redwoods.  The best part about is, for about 3 weeks literally everything I see will be for the first time ever, and we didn't want to miss the opportunity to add some college football to the itinerary. 

Re: A couple of Texans headed your way... - washingtonismoney - 08-22-2012

If you're looking for a sports bar to while away a few hours watching games before the main event, I recommend Old Pro, right off of University Ave.

Re: A couple of Texans headed your way... - ebarws6 - 08-22-2012

(08-22-2012, 09:27 PM)washingtonismoney link Wrote:If you're looking for a sports bar to while away a few hours watching games before the main event, I recommend Old Pro, right off of University Ave.

Definitely this, I went there last week after the open house/scrimmage and saw some former players hanging out in there (Owusu, Michael Thomas, Alex Loukas, Andrew Phillips).

Re: A couple of Texans headed your way... - CowboyIndian - 08-22-2012

If you get homesick you should stop in Bakersfield at Buck Owens' Crystal Palace: http://www.buckowens.com/index2.html

[Image: buck-owens-bakersfield.jpg]

Re: A couple of Texans headed your way... - fullmetal - 08-22-2012

See if you can get in on the "Toby the Van" game day tailgate...try searching for it on Facebook.  Those guys throw a good tailgate (they've driven to and hosted tailgates at both BCS bowls in the last two years), and I think they're popular enough this year (or maybe just organized enough rather) to require RSVPs over Facebook.  I don't think there's an RSVP limit, and I think you just chip in what you can for some pretty good burgers.  I don't know if they do guided campus tours during the weekdays in the summer, but that might be something to research beforehand.  Right next to the aforementioned Rodin sculpture garden is the Cantor Art Museum as well.  (Anyone know if The Thinker is back in front of Meyer Library?)

There's a lot to do in SF too--famous restaurants, Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman's Wharf, a Giants game, a Niners game, or nightlife are all things to consider as well if a pastoral college campus is too quickly toured :)  Check out Zagat's or Lonely Planet for SF recommendations.  Be prepared for expensive gas and paid parking in CA...

Also, I'm rather jealous that I can't make this trip with y'all (I'm in Austin)...sounds like an epic road trip in the making!  Throw a frisbee around on the Oval for me.

Re: A couple of Texans headed your way... - stan01 - 08-23-2012

That sounds like an awesome trip! 

There are quite a few Texans on the Stanford team, including two of the three team captains (superstar RB Stepfan Taylor and  starting C Sam Schwartzstein), our best wide receiver Ty Montgomery, starting RT Cameron Flemming, ILB Jarek Lancaster, corner Barry Browning, and kicker Jordan Williamson.  We really miss our favorite Texan, who just graduated. 

Re: A couple of Texans headed your way... - ChicagoCard - 08-23-2012

Hey, if you drive up the coastal highway (highway 1) you really should take a half day or less than a half day to visit the Hearst Mansion http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearst_Castle just above the town of San Simeon. They give several different tours.

p.s. You chose a great time of year on the west coast for weather... in some places you'll visit mid-September is more like summer than mid-July. That'll be SF and along the coast so just means you won't get caught being too cold, maybe.

Re: A couple of Texans headed your way... - oman - 08-23-2012

(08-22-2012, 09:23 PM)spcarp08 link Wrote:We absolutely are going to spend a large amount of time on highway 1, even up into the Redwoods.

Ha!

(I just felt kind of car sick reading that.)

Re: A couple of Texans headed your way... - Spiny_Norman - 08-23-2012

Terry has written a short but useful guide for visiting the Stanford campus and adding to your gameday experience.  I see that he posted it recently on the other board - http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=18&f=1712&t=9185085&stm=124206186

I'll add one suggestion.  Before the game, spend a few minutes walking through the Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame - http://www.gostanford.com/halloffame/hof-visitor.html 

It's only a few steps from the main tailgating area.  Even if you have no ties to Stanford, I think all college sports fans will find something to enjoy.  You will certainly recognize some of the inductees - John Elway, John McEnroe, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods, Mike Mussina, Kerri Walsh, et. al.

Re: A couple of Texans headed your way... - yvonne - 08-23-2012

When you come from LA to the Bay Area, there are three basic routes. The fastest by far is through the Central Valley on I5. It is also the most boring. By far. If you have the time, try to take 101 through Santa Barbara and then also drop over to Monterey. Google Maps says it's 7 hours and 25 minutes, but that's not stopping for sightseeing, food and restaurant breaks. The I5 route is listed as at 6:04, and that's pretty accurate, since you'll probably be stopping for quick food and restroom breaks. The most scenic route, up the coast via California Highway 1 and then over to 101 is listed at 7:59, but I'd venture it actually takes longer than that. People used to say to allocate 12 hours for that route.

Re: A couple of Texans headed your way... - CowboyIndian - 08-23-2012

(08-23-2012, 11:38 AM)garvin link Wrote:You could also try to fulfill my other touristic dream, to pee off the Golden Gate Bridge, but I have to confess I haven't managed it myself yet.

Try the downwind (east) side next time. Other than that, I applaud your suggestions.

Re: A couple of Texans headed your way... - pefloresjr - 08-23-2012

(08-23-2012, 12:14 PM)CowboyIndian link Wrote:[quote author=garvin link=topic=6247.msg46234#msg46234 date=1345747094]
You could also try to fulfill my other touristic dream, to pee off the Golden Gate Bridge, but I have to confess I haven't managed it myself yet.

Try the downwind (east) side next time. Other than that, I applaud your suggestions.
[/quote]

You also need to time it to the passing of one of those blue and gold fleet tour boats.  That would certainly steady your nerves and sharpen your aim. 

Cheers,
Pete F.

Re: A couple of Texans headed your way... - Griffins78 - 08-23-2012

(08-23-2012, 10:29 AM)Yvonne link Wrote:If you have the time, try to take 101 through Santa Barbara and then also drop over to Monterey.
Make the time. I grew up in Santa Barbara (SB) and you should definitely go through there:

1. Exit Hwy 101 at East Cabrillo Blvd/Hot Springs Road and turn LEFT and drive along the palm tree lined Cabrillo Blvd along the beach, checking out the Beach Volleyball, Stearns Wharf, the Harbor and the SB City College football stadium along the way. Then up Shoreline Drive and the hill to Shoreline Park, park and look back onto the Harbor and SB.
2. Then head back to The Brewhouse mini-brewery, dive, great restaurant (http://www.brewhousesb.com/) and order the filet mignon enchilada!
3. Start at lower State Street near Stearns Wharf and the ocean and make your way up State St. stopping at bars, restaurants (The Palace Grill, Bucatini's, Joe's, Pascucci's, etc.), and clubs along the way.
4. Lots of other sights and things to do - pick up the SB Indepedent Newspaper to check them out - but you've got a lot of territory to cover.

If you need a break along the way - San Luis Obispo downtown is a great place. College town. Check out Madonna's Inn for some crazy rooms. This is where you would head towards San Simeon, Hearst Castle and the Hwy 1 route through Big Sur towards Monterey, Carmel OR you can continue up Hwy 101 to Monterey. (I would recommend that since you've got a lot of beautiful coast line to see between L.A. and Vancouver).

btw - you may be coming up the coast on Hwy 1 from Santa Monica (a must see while in L.A.) which will take you through Malibu and some of the most filmed roadway and beaches along the way to Santa Barbara.

Re: A couple of Texans headed your way... - spcarp08 - 08-23-2012

(08-23-2012, 07:57 AM)oman link Wrote:[quote author=spcarp08 link=topic=6247.msg46203#msg46203 date=1345695784]
We absolutely are going to spend a large amount of time on highway 1, even up into the Redwoods.

Ha!

(I just felt kind of car sick reading that.)
[/quote]

Bad idea?

Re: A couple of Texans headed your way... - spcarp08 - 08-23-2012

Appreciate the suggestions y'all, now what's the tailgate scene like?

Re: A couple of Texans headed your way... - oman - 08-24-2012

(08-24-2012, 06:59 AM)garvin link Wrote:U.S. 1 is gorgeous, but by the end of a day -- and certainly by the end of a second day -- you'll be exhausted from the endless series of hairpin curves. (In my experience, at least, the part north of San Francisco is more tiring, but opinions may differ.) I'm not saying don't do it, just that when you reach whatever point at which you've decided to head east, you are not likely to shout, "Hey, let's turn around right here and drive back the exact same way!"

Yep.

Just make sure you have a sense of your alternate east bound routes back to the straight roads.Â