Next time you make that trip take 101 south and then 25 to Hollister and on south; 25 ends at 198, so go east to Coalinga, then south on 33 through the valley and up over 5000 foot Pine Mountain Pass in the Las Padres National Forest to Ventura. Watch 198 and 33 through the valley as the CHP runs beats on those roads, but 25 and 33 through the Forest are like having your own private race track.

Little traffic and getting around SUVs and big rigs on the two-lane is easier than getting by the strings of them on I-5.

The above drive is almost as good as spending a day hot lapping a race track! If you want to enjoy driving as is was 40 or 50 years ago, but in a modern car, the above route is the hot ticket.

Duke