April 21, 2011 Update

I thought it was about time to let everybody that the trip is still on for June 7th and 8th.

At this time we have thirteen cars and 24 people so we have a nice size group. We will leave Orchard at 8:30am and have our first break at Discovery Bay where there is a MacDonalds and a Starbucks nearby.

We were having some problems working out the details on the restaurants, which we have finally resolved. We were looking at several nice places in downtown Los Gatos but there was virtually no parking so we had to find a place that did. The Steinbeck house is run by volunteers, not business people, so it took a while to convince them to do what we wanted.

We will arrive at the hotel between three and four PM. This will give you a little time to rest up or look around the area. We will host a wine snack party around 5 to 6 and then we will drive over to the Shadow Brook in Capitola for dinner.

On June 8th we will leave the hotel about 9:15 for our short drive to Salinas where the Steinbeck Museum opens at 10:00am. The admission of $8.95 can be paid by credit card. There is metered parking at the museum. We will try to park on the street which is free.

After an hour or so at the museum we will walk about three blocks to the restaurant. We will walk because we have been told that the parking is difficult there due to a county building across the street. Again we will play it by ear.

After lunch we will stop at Casa de Fruita for a break. It is only about a 50 minute drive to Casa de Fruta but it is a fun place to stop. After that we will take a break as needed.

We will pass out the map and driving instructions in the parking lot on the 7th. Bring your walkie talkies. I will bring the club's for those who don't have one. While I don't expect anybody to get lost, if you get separated from the group turn on your cell phone as we can't reach you with the walkie talkie if you get more than a quarter of a mile away. Either John or I will have our phone on while we are traveling.

The weather should be great and the days long so we will have a great time. I will send another note out the week before the trip with any updates. If you have any questions let me know. I will send the roster in a separate e mail.

The following is the original message and is here for your general information. In case of any conflicting information, the information above the bars governs.

Our trip to Aptos will be a combination of highways and byways. We will take Hwy, 99 to Stockton and then out through the Delta where we will stop at Discovery Bay for a break. Back on the road we will drive through Byron and take Vasco Rd. to Livermore. Then we will drive through Pleasanton and take Foothill Rd. to Sunol where we will get on I 680 to I 880 to Hwy. 17, to Los Gatos where we will have lunch.

After lunch we will drive over the Santa Cruz Mountains to Santa Cruz and take the exit for the yacht harbor where we will stop for a few minutes before going to Capitola for a drive through. The BW Seacliff Inn is a short ride  away. The rate is $129.00 plus tax. Their number for making a reservation is (800) 367-2003. Mention the group's name. You have a choice of two queens or a king and there is a 24 hour cancellation policy.  John and I will have a social hour between 5 and 6pm at the hotel before going to dinner at the Shadowbrook Restaurant.

In the morning we will leave the hotel about 9am for a drive down Hwy. 1 through Watsonville and Castroville on our way to Salinas and the Steinbeck Museum. There are displays from each of his books depicting scenes from the story and from the movies. There is lots of history of the Salinas Valley in the early 20th century. We will have a docent led tour. I think you really enjoy the museum. After,  we will walk over to the Steinbeck House where we will have an early lunch. A docent will give us information on his home. Depending on your selection lunch will be $22.00 or $25.00 including tax and tip which we will ask for some time prior to the trip.

Leaving the restaurant about 1pm, we will take the San Juan Grade over the hills to San Juan Bautista and past Hollister to our rest stop at Casa de Fruita, which has something for everyone. We take the Pacheco Pass over to I 5 where you will have a choice. For those in a hurry they can take I 5 home from Santa Nella back to Sacramento.  I will be taking the group on Hwy 33 up the valley and connecting with I 5 just south of Tracy and take it to Sacramento. We should arrive home about 5:pm.

Let John or I know as soon as possible if you are interested in going. As usual make your own hotel reservation and let us know when you have done so. While it shouldn't be a problem we will have to limit the trip to about 12 cars due to the limited number of seats available to us at some of the restaurants. You can contact me at (See LHSCG Roster for contact information).