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Topic: California Highway 20 (Read 2 times) previous topic - next topic
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California Highway 20
Yahoo Message Number: 111650
Thanks everyone for all the great info on Nevada's Highway 50.  It was a great help.
I'm now routing through California via Route 101 to Route 20 at Redwood Valley across to I-80 to avoid Sacramento.  Has anyone traveled Highway 20 thru the Clear Lake  Area.  I have a copy of Mountain Directory which describes it as narrow, winding and steep. Is it as bad as it sounds?

Thanks for your help

Pam Wells

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Re: California Highway 20
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 111651
No it isn't.  I've driven it several times.  But, if I were you I'd go around the south side of the lake instead of the north side.  It's prettier and the road is much smoother.

David
Re: California Highway 20
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 111652
I do not think the area around Clear Lake is that bad.  The route will take you across the central valley and past several wildlife refuges which are on the Pacific Flyway and are worth a visit (Grey Lodge and Colusa and a few others).  Remember that if you stay on 20 past Grass Valley/Nevada City that you will be climbing up into the high Sierras and listen to weather reports for snow and ice.   Highway 20 is less traveled in the winter than Hiway 80 and has less facilities.     But georgeous.  Coming down into the valley from Clear Lake and looking across the valley to the Sierras is priceless.
 
Re: California Highway 20
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 111655
If you stay on Hwy 20 you will be okay, however some of the other roads which branch off at Clear Lake and the surrounding towns (29 to Calistoga is the most famous example) are best tackled in a sports car, not a motorhome.

Ken