Pseudo-random Collage

This had been one of the things on my to-do list for a very long time — finally got round to doing it this summer. The objective was simple – get from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Conditions: No flying. No Amtrak. No Greyhound. No private inter-city buses.

Planning was fairly thorough. I’ll include the itinerary and route in this post. This was drawn up before I made the trip, and I’m lazy to make too many changes.

If you’re reading this post for some reason, I’d strongly recommend that you try this. It is a lot of fun!

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Itinerary

Friday July 25, 2008

1. Metrolink to Lancaster at 6.35 am Union Station, 6.45 am Glendale
Fare: $11.25 Union Station, $11.00 Glendale
Arrive Lancaster 8.30 am

2. Breakfast at Lancaster.
Kern Regional Transit (KRT) 1-800-560-1733
East Kern Express to Mojave. Leaves Lancaster Metrolink 10.28 am.
Arrive Mojave Carl’s Jr. 11.15 am
Fare: $2.00

3. Transfer to KRT Mojave-Ridgecrest Bus at Mojave Carl’s Jr. at 11.25 am
Arrive Ridgecrest City Hall 12.55 pm
Fare: $4.00

4. Lunch somewhere
Inyo Mono Transit is now Eastern Sierra Transit 1-800-922-1930
Transfer to Inyo Mono Transit CREST South Express (reserved by email!) at 1.30 pm
Arrive Mammoth Lakes 4.50 pm
Fare: $26.50

Spend two nights at Davison St. Guest House
19 Davidson, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Manager: 1-760-924-2188

^^^ If you are looking for an affordable place to spend the nights in Mammoth Lakes, this is THE place! Mammoth Lakes is an expensive place. Of course there will be no frills. Check out their website.

Saturday July 26, 2008

Hike around Mammoth Lakes. Agnew Meadows to Rainbow Falls if shuttle works out,
Mammoth Lakes Basin otherwise.

Shuttle information:
Mammoth Mountain Bike Shuttle to Mammoth Mountain – every 30 min 9 am to 5.30 pm
Reds Meadow shuttle from there: every 20 to 30 min 7.15 am to 7 pm $7.00
Might have to hike down to the village from Mammoth mountain ~ 4 miles

Sunday July 27, 2008

1. Mammoth to Yosemite YARTS Rte 120.
Depart Mammoth Lakes 7.00 am
Arrive Yosemite 10.55 am
Fare $15.00, includes Yosemite entrance price

Hike the Mist trail as far as legs and time will allow.

2. Yosemite to Merced YARTS Rte 140
Depart Yosemite Lodge 5.45 pm, 6.45 pm, 8.20 pm.
Arrive Merced AMTRAK 8.09 pm, 9.09 pm, 10.44 pm
Fare $13.00

Night with Harish.

Monday July 28, 2008

1. Merced to Turlock on Merced Bus Rte 7
Depart Merced Transpo 10.50 am
Arrive Fulkerth and Countryside 12.25 pm
Fare: $6.00. Just buy the $5.00 day pass instead!

2. Stanislaus Regional Transit (SRT) Rte 10 Express Turlock to Modesto
Depart Fulkerth WalMart 12.29 pm, 2.00 pm
Arrive Modesto Transit Center 1.04 pm, 2.36 pm
Fare: $1.00

Get lunch

3. Modesto Area Express (MAX) BART Express to Dublin/Pleasanton BART
Depart Modesto Downtown Transportation Center 3.45 pm
Arrive BART 5.15 pm
Fare: $14.00
Advance 2 hour reservation necessary. Call 1-209-521-1274 from Merced!

4. BART to Oakland
Use directions from Transit.511.org
BART to San Leandro to 12th St Oakland
Transfer to AC Transit 51
Fare $5.25

Ice cream at Fenton’s Creamery <— Thanks to Justine. This is absolutely worth it!

Dinner Somewhere

5. Get to Jack London Square by 10.00 pm

6. Oakland to Los Angeles by Amtrak Bus / Train (transfer at Santa Barbara)
Depart 10.00 pm
Arrive 9.25 am
Fare: $44.20 (student)