CA Highway 1 through Big Sur in 135is convertible

[Kouper]

Originally Posted by Overpar56

An alternate is from Santa Barbara to Los Olivos is highway 154 over San Marcos Pass. Nice twisties and really scenic. You can take 101 up to SLO and pick up 1 from there. Bypasses a lot of farming areas.

Best way to go on PCH is south from Carmel. Better views and you don't have to cross over the highway for the turnouts.

Agree on both counts. And I took 154 San Marcos Pass on this trip also. I almost always take 154 unless I'm going in direction of commuters at commute hour (morning commute is crowded on 154 South, as most of commuters come from Santa Maria and outlying areas into SB for work; evening commute is obviously then crowded on 154 North as everyone is trying to get out of SB and get home).

[bp-plickner]

Kouper
Great pics from what had to be a great ride. Good to see the sun shining on the Pacific.
Must be nice!
Motor On!

[Kouper]

UPDATE 9/17/2015:

Just drove this awesome route again last weekend, with the top down - naturally. The only drawback: It was a Friday in September. Even though school is back in, there are still many terrible driving tourists on this route in September. I have never seen so many Mustang and Camaro convertibles on this road, coming, going, and many that I passed. Nothing screams "California Tourist" more than a mid-equipped Mustang or Camaro convertible! Avoid this route on Fridays and weekends if you can.

With the heavy traffic turning in and out of view spots, and the weather not cooperating entirely for good photos, I decided to just drive straight through from Carmel to San Simeon. The traffic required that I take full advantage of all short passing windows -- and boy was that Perfomance Exhaust screaming behind me. Music to my ears (though I know I shocked a few Mustang and Camaro drivers with their tops down).

A couple of phone pictures from when I arrived in San Simeon (cloudy and humid), including the obligatory car shot:






And two shots from Santa Barbara:






I hope to take the trip again later this Fall, mid-week, when there is little traffic. Without traffic, it is 100 miles of fun. Until next time.....

[135TX]

Tots jelly

[gregthegr8]

Love the stubby antenna!

Next time you gotta go NORTH and take that drive again up PCH, to the avenue of the giants, then turn around and do it all again. Perhaps I'll have to come up and caravan it.

[Kouper]

UPDATE: 11/18/2015

Wow, finally...today was THE perfect day on this route. Mid-week, light traffic; there was rarely ever a car in front of me (or if there was, it wasn't there for long ). It was clear out and the ocean views were fantastic. I can't think of a more scenic 90 mile stretch of straights and twisties (when traffic cooperates). What a great drive. There were some excellent photos to be had; however, I decided I was enjoying the open road in front of me far too much to risk stopping and then having to get by slow cars again. So you'll have to trust me on this. Sorry there aren't many photos to share this time.

Leaving Carmel early this morning at the start of the 90 mile section along the coast and through Big Sur:




Arriving at San Simeon State Beach, at end of 90 mile stretch:

[tock172]

Nice pictures. I must say I'm a big fan of driving this route myself. I haven't done it in a few years, but I'm dying to give it a go in my 135i. I went to school in the Bay Area for a short time, and I would always plan to take the extra time taking the 1 up the coast in my 330i. I definitely miss those drives. Need to do it again soon.

[champignon]

Such a girly car

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by champignon

Such a girly car

You and delta.

[Kouper]

Originally Posted by champignon

Such a girly car

Yeah, especially if you get one with a red interior.

[motley2012]

Originally Posted by litebulb

From one cabrio owner to another you should definitely pick up the wind deflector. Unless it's raining I mostly drive with the top down. The deflector really helps with keeping the cabin temp manageable. Cheers!

As said^ with the wind blocker in place you get next to no buffeting, in fact far better than a car with the sun/moon roof open.

[Kouper]

Originally Posted by motley2012

As said^ with the wind blocker in place you get next to no buffeting, in fact far better than a car with the sun/moon roof open.

Funny thing is, I actually own the OEM wind blocker and carry it around in my trunk (sitting in its case). I usually decide to put the top up and down on a whim, and I don't mind the fresh air blowing me around, especially on a trip like this one, so I have rarely used the wind blocker. But I agree -- I DO need to use it more and try it sometime on a longer freeway trip just to see the difference.

[AGAV13]

Damn, every time I see your car I wish I ordered a vert. Even if I could only use it half of the year.