ROAD TRIP! Where to go in the West?
 

My brother and I are going on a road trip this weekend. Unfortunately, our plans to visit lots of cool stuff in the L.A. area, such as the Stripper Hall of Fame, have been forcibly sidelined due to heat and nagging.

Here's the question- What great stuff can we see that:
A. Is within three days round trip by car from Sacramento, CA.
B. Is not located in or directly next to a sweltering hot desert.

This includes everything you think is fun, from natural wonders to museums to giant fiberglass vegetables. If you're interested, I'll post some pictures and stuff after I get back. Take this opportunity to live vicariously through us: Help your fellow man raise hell.

i'd say make a run to the grand canyon and spend some quality time at lake mead as well... i'd suggest ventures deeper into arizona, but you don't want hot and we'e but nuthin but hot right now.

Zion National Park in southern Utah. Absofuckinglutely gorgeous.

You are in California. Some of the most beautiful terrain in the world is there. Try Yosemite NP, any of the mountain ranges... Hell, just pick a small, little known backroad highway (read: no interstates), and drive. I guarantee you'll like it.

Sounds like you want cool more than anything else, so I'd just motor south to the Bay Area, drive through SF and hook up with Highway 1 and take it down through Half Moon Bay all the way to Santa Cruz; on the way, turn off at Pescadero and eat at Duarte's road house. Stop at the many wild beaches between Pescadero and Santa Cruz -- not marked, but just look for the cars by the side of the road -- we're talking mile-long beaches with great cliffs, deserted except for a few surfers and the odd nude sunbather. End up in the Cruz, get a room, hit the Boardwalk, get drunk on Pacific Avenue or on the Esplanade in Capitola, hit the beach, chill out, and go home.

you're hailing from sacto? so am I! no wonder you want to get out of town, this place is boring!

I'm going to the Lava Beds near the Oregon Border in a week or two, but aside from spelunking and climbing a mountain of obsidian, there isn't much to do up there.

Grand Canyon. It's like sitting on heaven's doorstep

Carhenge.
Ok, maybe it's in a sweltering hot desert... but then, so is Vegas.

If you like books, a pilgrimmage to Powells City of Books in Portland Oregon may be in order.

Come to CO and see the rockies, red rocks ampitheatre, garden of the gods, estes park, drive up pikes peak et al

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE BABY!

San Diego is a great place to visit -- warm weather and plenty of cool things to do.

I have always wanted to go to the Redwood National Forest.

Don't forget Vegas. Always a good time.

As for California, San Diego is fun, but it's starting to be come San Diejuana IMO.

Big Sur . . . you can hit that and Monterey on a trip down the 1. The entire drive is incredible, but it can also be an incredible pain in the ass if you try to do it on a weekend. You can't beat the temps though. The coast is the only way to go in the CA summer.

i used to go near the youth hostel at Pigeon Point.. it's a lighthouse between Halfmoon Bay and Santa Cruz... beautiful to sit there at night with a fire on the beach... it's pretty secluded...

Muir woods just around the Sausalito area... then there is the Napa region...

OK man, youve got an almost local here: I live 20 min from sacto.
Lets see...
Definately pay a visit to the bay area, san francisco and berkeley especially. In berkeley make sure you visit telegraph avenue.
If you like cars, check out the Towe auto museum in sacto...its pretty sweet.
Definately explore the Sierras a bit, the Tahoe area is nice. If youre into hot springs, there are many in the Sierras, if you want i can get you more detailed info.
You might want to drive up the calif coast, some areas are pretty spectacular. Make sure you take Highway 1 if you go along the northern coast.
ok thats all i can think of now, if you want more ideas, just let me know!

Thanks for all the suggestions. My brother and I had a great time, despite getting in a car accident. We saw a great deal of things including the world's largest hairball, eight-legged calves, and other misc. coolness. I'll post some pictures later.

not only interested in pics but more info on stuff.. like the hairball... did a cat barf that up?

The coast north of SF. Very rugged and often overlooked.

All of the bay area suggestions above are good, when near half moon bay, go to a tiny town called Princeton and see Mavericks. It is some of the biggest waves in the world when the weather is right.... very cool !!!

also, dont forget Napa and Tahoe !!! both very close by...

Santa Barbara is also cool