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Trip Planning from Calgary to California

TroyBranch

TroyBranch

Well Known Member
Friend
We are planning to take the Ten down to California in March or April to get an earlier taste of warmer weather. The game plan is to Clear customs in Greatfalls and then fly direct to Salt Lake. We are keeping the legs around 2 hours for the sake of the kids. After that would be Vegas and then onto California. We may detour over to Phoenix as well for a look see on the way back. What I am looking for is the best airport choices for food, car rental and lodging in the above areas. I am sure there is preffered routing to take in the best sites as well.

We want to see the best of California but have no clue as to where to go. We would have to stop for a day at Disney land of course, so there must be an airport of choice for that area. This trip is going to be about pleasing the wife and kids, seeing them have fun while touring in the ten is enough to make me smile. Coastline airports and airports close to the red Cedars for hiking would be of interest. There is one place I would like to go to though is Torrey pines as I am an EX paraglider guy and would like to see the site.

Any input to make the planning easier and the trip better would be greatly appreciated.
 
TroyBranch said:
We want to see the best of California but have no clue as to where to go.
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Troy, here are some recommendations for California airports.

For Disneyland, KFUL, Fullerton airport is your best bet. It's pretty close to Disneyland and very GA friendly.
http://www.airnav.com/airport/KFUL

Beach Cities - KSMO, Santa Monica. I'm biased because this is my homebase. American Flyers can help you with a rental car and have reasonalbe rates for overnight tie downs and fuel. Avoid Atlantic unless you're flying in a GIV. Santa Monica is a good base for checking out the beach, Malibu and Los Angeles/Hollywood.
http://www.airnav.com/airport/KSMO

San Diego - KMYF, Montgomery Field. You're best bet their is Gibbs Flying Service, great FBO. They'll get you a rental care and have very reasonable over night and fuel rates. Montgomery is close to downtown so it's an easy drive to San Diego's beaches and Sea World.
http://www.airnav.com/airport/KMYF

Oceano - L52. You can WALK to the beach (from Rosie)

Shelter Cove (NorCal) - 0Q5. The entire northern California coastline is beautiful! (from Rosie)

For hiking it depends on where you want to go and what you want to see. If you want to go to Yosemite try either KMCE, Merced or KMPI, Mariposa Yosemite. The services are going to be better at Merced, but Mariposa is a bit closer.
http://www.airnav.com/airport/KMCE
http://www.airnav.com/airport/KMPI

For the Eastern Sierra 026, Lone Pine is a good bet but services such as a rental car are just about non existant there.
http://www.airnav.com/airport/O26

L35, Big Bear Lake and KAVX, Catalina should both be on your list of stops while you're here as well.
http://www.airnav.com/airport/L35
http://www.airnav.com/airport/KAVX

I can't help you with personal experiences north of that, but if you want more info on San Diego or LA just send me a PM, I'd be more than happy to help.
 
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You MUST see Yosemite, so plan on that per above instructions. A walk across the Golden Gate bridge and the San Fran skyline is pretty awesome as well. Monterey Bay area south of there is very nice, with a visit to the aquarium there sure to please the kids. Returning along the east side of the Sierra with maybe a stop in Death Valley would make for some very nice scenery both ways.

erich
 
Don't Forget N. CA!

All that hustle and bustle of SoCal is great, but don't miss seeing the north part of the state. For starters I would recommend stopping in Monterey to see Cannery Row and the aquarium. The aquarium is second to none in the world!
Perhaps someone more familiar with the area can post up, but I would avoid KMRY as I have heard that thanks to our friends at the TSA, the security causes many hassles for G/A types to come and go. I would recommend flying into Marina Airport http://www.airnav.com/airport/KOAR as it is only about 7 mi north of Monterey and an easy drive. You can plan to spend an entire day there seeing the sights and the flying on the coast is awesome.
 
jetjok said:
You can plan to spend an entire day there seeing the sights and the flying on the coast is awesome.
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I can't believe I forgot Monterey! I can second that a flight up the coast is not to be missed. From Morro Bay to Monterey the sights are incredible.
 
If you are going to Las Vegas you are very close to the Grand Canyon. Either fly over it or land at the airport there to stop and look over the edge.

There is a special map for Grand Canyon overflights with corridors. I suggest getting it.

Death Valley is good too
 
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Monterey Area

For the Monterey area I would recommend Salinas (SNS), very laid back for a towered airport. Rental cars available at the airport and it is short drive to the Bay. Watsonville would be my second choice (WVI). I was in Marina (OAR) last year and I do not recall any transportation available but it is an interesting place.
 
Lots of good recommendations already. I'd particularly second the suggestions to plan landings at Big Bear and Catalina Avalon, if only for lunch... really special airports in beautiful settings.

I'm based at Montgomery Field, if you want more info for your San Diego trip, email or PM me. March and April are prime cliff-lift months at Torrey Pines, it should be a good time to catch that action.

Adding: Speaking of March/April, that is also prime time to see the SoCal deserts. It's hard to predict for sure, but this is looking like a wet winter after some dry ones, and the wildflower bloom in Death Valley or the Anza Borrego can be really something to see in a good year. Death Valley has already been mentioned; for the latter, Borrego Springs L08 would be in the thick of it. Or Ocotillo Wells L90, if you are up for the adventure of landing your -10 on a dry lake bed!

--Paul
 
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cross border ops

...can anyone throw in some tips on Eapis, clearing customs, ( do's and don'ts) and avoiding the heavy traffic and MOA's in SoCal?
I'd love to go, but am scared spitless !
..plus, how would I understand them on the radio?;)

From Rosie: Here's a link on eAPIS :D
 
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Wow....

this is great information. I don't know how we are going to wait that long to go.;)

In the Vegas area, what airport do we use that is closest to Hoover and what do we use in Vegas. I understand there is only one best suited for GA?
I just thought our only option was to drive from Vegas to the dam, but flying is much better if we can get from the airport to the dam. From Rosie: Boulder City (BVU) is closest to the dam but you must arrange car rental (delivery) with Enterprise. Henderson Executive is maybe 15-20 minutes farther by car but they have Hertz on field (Avis and Enterprise will deliver).

What is spring weather like in the SW corner of the country? I know our biggest challenge will be to Salt Lake and just after I bet. We just plan to pick our day with the best weather to leave and return though the worst weather areas on the best day. With a little luck we may have to stay longer.:D

I am going to get some maps bought and start getting this all put together.

There will be lots of questions as more people respond I am sure.
 
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If you are looking to go to Yosemite, which is amazing, your best to land and stay in Fresno. It is an hour drive to the entrance, plenty of Hotels and car rental companies.

Right now over at Chandler (KFCH) there is an RV-10 with the motorcycle pod attached to its belly.

I would also really reccomend Oceano (KL52). You literally have to watch out for kids flying kites on the beach you are so close to the water.
 
BFE is a great FBO at Boulder City. They have rental cars that can be delivered (I think Enterprise). Call Sandy there (702-228-0455 ) and get the specifics. It's a great airport, and other than a wave of helicopters now and then coming from the Canyon, it's a great GA airport. I've been hangared there for a year and a half. There are several RVs there.
You can get parking in one of BFE's big hangars at BVU, which comes in handy if the winds pick up.
Henderson is another fine option. It's more geared to business jets and towered, but they treat everyone very well. It's 15 min to the strip vs 30 min from Boulder City.

Send me a PM if you would like some info on flying around the local airspace...


Seb Trost
RV-7A
Boulder City, NV (KBVU)
 
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In Las Vegas, I have been to Henderson. There was a free shuttle van to the strip.

I like Bellagio for the fountains at night and across from New York New York is M&M World. Look for the multi-colored (30+ colors) M&Ms.

A little east of Page Arizona (KPGA) is Monument Valley. John Wayne movie country

http://www.airnav.com/airport/UT25

gouldings.com
 
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If you are flying to Northern California you may consider going to Napa (KAPC) and driving through the wine country. Of course if the pilot is doing any sampling (tasting) you will have to spend the night.
 
WX planning

For weather planning I would make the trip flexable after your stop in Salt Lake- If the coastal WX looks good for a few days then I would grab the coastal flt first: Napa- Monterey-Big SUR- LA basin(what a view!) - Point being is the coastal WX is more iffy than than Vegas/Grand Canyon area.

If you have to sit the OVC out a day or two then land a little inland like Napa or Fresno. Santa Paula is a great little stop over inland near Ventura- SZR

If you study up with the charts then LA is not that bad. There are many N-S special VFR corridors to get you to San Diego from north.
I also second the FUL stop for Disneyland.

Also Sedona AZ is a great airport for lunch. If the over flight of Grand Canyon, might as well see Lake Powell (PGA) and the Monument Valley if you have time.
 
If you want a central location to do day trips from, Tehachapi is a good bet. By RV-10 we're well within an hour of Oceano, Fresno, Death Valley, and the LA basin. Fuel is some of the least expensive around, and I could probably be talked into trading a bed and a bean for a good close look at a -10.;)
 
Well...

mannanj said:
I hope that you've scheduled at least 3 months away from home to do this trip.;)
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with all this great information I may have to stay there until it warms up in Calgary.

I have been looking at google maps to get a better feel where all the airports are related to what we want to see. With all this help I sure am getting to know the area alot better. All the responses make so much sense. All I need now is to decide on how long to go for.

I am thinking that all these great options will gives us reasons to just keep going back. Hey San Diego is about seven hours in the RV10 from here, that is nothing in the 10. It might even be 40degrees warmer. Sure glad I have airflow control through the oil cooler.:)
 
Three months? Not even close.

Go review how Chevy Chase visited the Grand Canyon in that National Lampoon movie (Vacation?)
 
Vegas stay

If you are looking for a hastle free stop without visiting the strip, Jean airport OL7 is located 20 miles south on I15. The Gold Strike casino, within walking distance, has cheap rooms and food. Self serve fuel available. There are glider rides and parachute jumping available on the airport. Hoover Dam is a short flight east.
 
Troy,

If you end up in the Reno area, let me know. It could easily be enroute to the coast or Vegas from where you are depending on weather and your travel plans. Tahoe is just up the road as well as lots of desert stuff east of town. I have an extra car you can use and sporadically have hangar space available.

I'll probably lean on you for info about Calgary as we're planning an 80th B-day celebration for my mother in early July (including a day at Stampede).

Cheers,
greg
 
Another great route is to leave CYYC direct CYYJ. Stay over night then head down the coast and do what all the others have said in reverse order. The coast is an awesome trip as is across the rocks on a clear day.
 
In case you are not aware, there are beaucoup restricted areas in the west. This is not an area to go flying without proper info on said restricted areas.
 
Norman CYYJ said:
Another great route is to leave CYYC direct CYYJ.
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If you do that, you might consider coming back east a bit to cross the border and clear customs at Bellingham KBLI. At least last fall (Sept 2009) I had all manner of unpleasantness trying to arrange to clear at Friday Harbor or Port Townsend crossing back from CYCD. On paper it looks like either of those would be ideal, and I know folks have done it, but I found out that in practice they can be overworked servicing large volumes of boat traffic and may not want to deal with an airplane. Bellingham airport customs is, if not warm and friendly, at least well staffed and professional.

--Paul
 
East side of the Sierras: Watch out for west winds.

If you go up the coast on your way to Monterey, check http://www.spacearchive.info/vafbsked.htm before you go. You just might get a chance to see a missile launch from Vandenberg AFB, 55 miles north of Santa Barbara. You can overnight at Lompoc, KLPC, if it is a convenient stop. Santa Maria is less likely to have fog.

Red cedars? I think you meant redwoods. There are 2 kinds, one an inland species which you would see at Yosemite, and which are big and fat and the other on the coast north of San Francisco (well there are some a little south of SF, too), which are big and tall, tallest in the world. For the coastal redwoods, you can land at Arcata and reportedly rent a car from Enterprise. Be aware, however, that coastal airports have a lot of fog and the Arcata airport was used to test fog dispersal systems. From the airport, it is a very short drive north to the redwoods, but a great place to see them and see elk up close is at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, about 50 miles north.

And of course, from Arcata, it is only a couple hours north to Van's.
 
Greg, thanks for the offers. I may just end up that way. Weather is going to determine which way we go. As far as coming to Calgary for the stampede, just let me know. I can get you in my hanger and help you out with whatever questions you might have.

Norman, the problem with going west first in weather that time of the year. It seams that we can go a month and not be able to get through VFR. The Marginal days can be quite rough with the wind howling. The nice days are great when you just point and go. Maybe that will happen. I have made the trip west to the Island many times and was always very picky as to the days I went. Even at that some trips were challenging.

Ron, I am aware that there is plenty of restricted airspace in that part of the country. I plan to study the chart lots before we go and hope the flight following can help as needed. I usually do not travel without flight following. It is a concern but I hope I can plan well enough to keep the stress of it down.

I have been down to Vans and as far south as Eugene so I hope to make a diifferent route this time and have better weather than having to fly through the George Tunnel.

I have never had any trouble crossing the border at any of the locations I have gone. Every guard has been friendly and easy to get along with. I prefer it over driving. I guess sometimes there can be hassles but I have not experienced that yet. Knock on wood:rolleyes:
 
RScott said:
East side of the Sierras: Watch out for west winds. ed cedars? I think you meant redwoods.
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We will be watching the strong westerlies. We have the same issue here living so close to the rocks. The wave lift can be very smooth and strong, the rotors and associated turbulance is something that I try to stay clear of. In strong winds I seldom get below 12,500.

Do you guys have a max wind speed at a certain altitude that you make a cut off to stay clear of the lee of the Sierras? I would think that the range is a bit more aggressive as it comes up the coastal side right before it spills over the back. Unlike here where it just spills over the back.

Yes I meant Red woods. It seems that landing in Fresno and driving to Yosemite seems like a good choice.
 
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In Colorado, I use 25 knots at 12,000' as my limit. This is not based upon actual experience rather a more conservative value than I was taught in my mountain flying course. Of course I am not tree top flying when I go over passes so that helps with downdrafts...it is more a severe turbulence concern.
 
California Ideas

Once you leave the San Diego and Los Angeles areas (LA have so many special places to visit that you could spend all of your time there) I would fly up over Santa Barbara and land at San Louis Obispo (SLO). They have instrument approaches, good FBO, restaurant, and the full range of rental cars. There are a lot of places to visit in the area like Solvang and a lot of wineries if you like that sort of thing. Once finished with that I would drive up California highway 1 all the way to Monterey (it is a special drive) with a day stop at Hearst Castle for at least a couple of tours. In Monterey there are a lot of restaurants etc. and there is something about the place that causes me to like to go there. If you are a reader of John Steinbeck's books you must visit Cannery Row - you'll know why. After taking in everything there I would drive back to get my plane and go to San Francisco flying up the coast line that you drove up before seeing the road (highway 1), Hearst Castle in the distance, etc.

NEXT!

Bob Axsom
 
So far you have about 2 years worth of sight seeing or more. How much time are you planning for this trip? I have done it about a dozen times and haven't even scratched the surface yet.
 
Better to have too many options than realize once you get home that you were 30-45 minutes away from some place you really wanted to visit.
 
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