Thread: Cali Road Trip

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Hi all,
I am coming out to California at the end of next week for 2 weeks and have planned to visit a couple of places I've always wanted to see (Hot rod associated)

First stop after San Fran is Petaluma to visit sites from American Graffiti, followed by a couple of days in Calistoga to relax and visit sites from (Hot rod/ King of the road?).

I’ve been doing a bit of research but cant find a lot of info on Calistoga apart from Susie’s bar. I know the drag strip has long gone but if anyone knows where other bits were filmed I would be most grateful.

Also any tips on where else to visit, speed shops etc, we are heading south after Modesto so will be covering a bit of Cali. (particularly looking for a diner that still has roller skating waitresses)

Many thanks all
Paul

If you're going to be in So. Calif. you might want to visit the NHRA museum located on the LA county fairgrounds in Pomona. The drag strip is next door.
To my knowledge most everything else is gone.

CHR Member "stovens" lives & works in the Petaluma area and might be able to help with Calistoga places, so hopefully he'll see this and reply. If not PM him!!

Hi Ken thank you I am travelling almost right past that place so I'll drop in. Many thanks

Originally Posted by rspears

CHR Member "stovens" lives & works in the Petaluma area and might be able to help with Calistoga places, so hopefully he'll see this and reply. If not PM him!!

Thank you Roger I'll give him a day or 2 and then drop him a message!!

Cheers
Paul

Hey Paul got your private message. I typed out quite a long note but the private messaging is limited in words so I left my cell phone number for you to contact me. Most of the American Graffiti shots were of the old Victorian downtown on Petaluma Blvd. On that street From D street south to East Washington street north are the main areas of filming. Mel's Dinner was to the north next city up in Santa Rosa but has since been destroyed and moved to various locations in Santa Rosa area. Not sure where the current one is. Another movie of note on 4th and D streets intersection, was a movie called Hero's with Henry Winkler and Sally Field when he was very young, in the movie he has an orange early 70's either Camero with ace cards on front hood, both he and sally were pretty young in that film, definately worth a watch too. On Petaluma BLVD there is a movie theatre that girl scouts got George Lucus to pitch in and make, he was very generous, and the girls got Hollywood stars in their names on the side walk there. Surrounding areas include Point Reyes Sea Shore National Sea Shore, (free and open ) to everyone, That area can be reached by going west on D street, thru the old town of Point Reyes Station. . There are several places on the national sea shore, which is free to go too, There is Limatour Beach, nice walk to the ocean where seals and whales sometimes are seen, or there is the Point Reyes Light house up on a windy Bluff past some dairy farms that is a spectacular view.
Worth looking up the sea shore on Google to get and Idea if you want to head there. Also a favorite of mine, would be goine west one East Washington street(in changes its name to Bodega Ave as you head west. If you take a left off the road on tomales rd there is a very little town of Tomales.
If you'd rather the bodega road will take you thru valley ford up Hi-way 1, to two towns first called Bodega, where the church in the film Birds by Alford Hitchcock is on the main street where you would turn. This is kind of cool country old Church. Continuing on the highway 1 going north of bodega, is Bodega Bay. This is a note worthy town with great sea food for a meal, and has several wharfs along side the bay with fishing boats. If you love pretty country side drives along the ocean this road will continue for hour(hwy 1) offering spectacular ocean view along the way with many tiny towns, forests etc, also Fort Ross a very old I believe Russian fort that you can tour and a park there too. Hope this helps. I used to go about 1.5 hours north of Petaluma on hwy 1 to Gualala on my motorcycle for a nice scenic ocean ride. Any of the coastal areas can be cold and foggy or beautiful and sunny so bring jackets etc. because the coast can be warm, with blue skies, then in afternoon chilly and fog moving in. Well I hope that helps a bit. Depending on when you come thru I might be around, I'm a nurse so I work a scattered amount of days swing shift 2-11:30 pm. I work every other weekend too. Downtown Petaluma is famous for the restaurants which litteraly have everything from breweries and burgers, to asian, mexican, veit namese, french, pizza, sea food, italian... the list goes on, as well as a italian restaurant called Volpi's that is one of the remaining Speak Easy from the 1920's during prohibition. And if you like Lagunitas beer, they have their main brewery here. Hope you enjoy your stay. Steve.

Hi Steve thank you so much for the detailed reply its a great help as we havent been that far north in Cali yet. We are spending a couple of days in San Fran and were then due to spend only a day and night in Petaluma before moving on to Calistoga. Based on what there is to do I think we may extend the time in Petaluma as it looks lovely. Thanks for the heads up on the movie sites, I am keen to see as much as I can but my long suffering other half likes the look of the other places you have listed aswell. I'll send you a pm bit later this week and will try and work out a call, that is really kind of you thank you. Paul

Sounds good Paul.

So made it out here. Currently just arrived in Petaluma via Bodega bay and it's every bit as beautiful as Steve said it was. Did try to phone Steve but not sure phone's working ��

Sorry didn't get a ringing or message other than your email, and text, my cell phone may have blocked it feel free to text and I'll call back Sorry about that!. Glad you liked Bodega bay area, pretty drive!

Originally Posted by stovens

Sorry didn't get a ringing or message other than your email, my cell phone may have blocked it feel free to text and I'll call back Sorry about that!. Glad you liked Bodega bay area, pretty drive!

Hi Steve no problem think my uk mobile is struggling lol. Just sat in peets coffee it's so pretty here hate to leave later today but will be back for sure

Glad you enjoyed it, if your at petes your on the strip that American Graffiti was made!

So left Petaluma but got to say one of best places I've visited. People were so friendly and some really cool cars. Stopped at a small shop with some cool trucks. Got to say a massive thanks to Steve for his advice, I'll be back sgsin soon and beer you beer thank you.

Thanks Paul, sorry I didn't get a chance to meet up, but next time for sure! I'll buy the first round!