Morro Bay Route from Central or Northern California

Just wondering what route anyone from my part of the state (Fresno) will be taking to Morro Bay. If at all possible, I'd like to meet up with a few of you and caravan in like the southern California contingent will be doing. At the moment, I'm not planning to leave until early Saturday morning, but might be willing to leave on Friday if it would work out.
Troy

Troy,
I'm leaving Friday morning from Grass Valley.
My initial plan was to take Hwy 49 all the way so I could drive the Little Dragon, but that would add a few hours to the trip.
Most likely I will head down 5 to Pacheco Pass and shoot over to 101 via Hwy 25. Nice quiet route with lots of curves.
Planning on getting in mid afternoon to hook up with my buddy, Eddie.

Troy -

Here's my 2 cents (or Kroner as Hoss would say) for a route that would minimize your travel-time on the Interstate Hwys;

1. 99 Fwy south to Visalia and exit on Hwy 198.
2. West on Hwy 198 to I-5 junction (about 40 miles).
3. Continue west on Hwy 198 to Coalinga (10 miles). Possibly meet Terry in Coalinga (lunch?).
4. Continue west on Hwy 198 (also known as Warthan Canyon Rd at this point) to Hwy 101 junction (about 40 miles). This is a very cool 2-lane nicely paved road with twists & turns (to enjoy in your Speedy) that winds through hills and farmland/pastures as it descends to the coastline.
5. Hwy 198 ends at Hwy 101 at San Lucas.
6. Take 101 south to Paso Robles (about 40 miles).
7. South of Paso Robles exit on Hwy 46 (west).
8. Hwy 46 to Cambria (about 30 miles). Nice drive through wine country.
9. Turn left on Hwy 1 (south) to Morro Bay (about 18 miles).

This is a very cool drive that really won't alter your drive time but will be good for your soul!

Check it out!!

Thanks Jim. I'm looking at your route suggestion on the Yahoo hybrid map and it does look a little more interesting than the basically straight shot down 41 out of Fresno, but I think its considerably longer of a drive, at least it looks that way on the map. Have you driven this route before? The 41 route goes through Atascadero and straight in to Morro Bay and also includes a lot of twisties on the portion just before Atascadero and into Morro. If I do leave on Saturday morning, like I had planned, I'll probably need to get there as early as possible to enjoy all the activities. I may have to save your route for getting to the coast on my Highway 1 (top down all the way) trip up the coast later this summer.
Troy

Hi Terry.
What time do you think you would be getting into the Paso Robles and Atascadero area on Friday?
Troy

Hey Troy,
I'm figuring around 1-2:00 pm.

Hey Troy...
I'm near Elk Grove and planning on going down 99 on Friday. How's that "41" out of Fresno?
Thanks, Ernie

My two (uhh...ninety-nine) cents: I grew up in Coalinga and agree with Jim. The 198 from I-5 to 101 is awesome! From Fresno it is longer by about an hour, but so worth it. There are a few curves on the 41 before you get to Atrashcadero (oops, did I say aTRASHcadero?!) but the 198 has so many more! When I lived in Monterey and would go to Coalinga to visit family I could go via the 198 or the 152 (Pacheco Pass) in about the same amount of time, but I alway went the 198 because I felt like a nascar driver!

But if you want to down the straight boring 41, that's your choice. ;-)

Jen

Hi Ernie
I would suggest that you not drive the 99 down to the 41 and recommend that you cut over to the 5 and take a route similar to what Terry is doing. The 99 is an old ugly highway, its narrow in some places, its straight with lots of construction and BIG trucks to contend with. The 41 out of Fresno is also straight and boring, with lots of bugs due to all the agriculture. If you have the time. it sounds like a combination of Terry's and Jim's route would be the most scenic and twisties.
Troy

Did I mention that the route I'm taking is the same one that the 356 club takes to the North/South event the same weekend?

Just to clarify. I was talking about the 41 south bound. The 41 out of Fresno north bound to Yosemite is completely different and one of the most scenic drives you can make in California, especially once you get into Yosemite. If you have not been there, spring is one of the best times to go; all the waterfalls are raging and spectacular.
Troy