View Full Version : Harris Ranch (CA Hwy 5) charge spot unveiling
(copy/paste of e-mail from Plug-In-America)
The Harris Ranch has recently installed a Tesla charge site off Highway 5, and will hold a grand opening on March 5th. This event is made possible by a generous Tesla charge station donation by long-time Plug In America supporter Earl Cox, who chose Harris Ranch as an ideal central point.
You're welcome to join us at the ribbon-cutting ceremony and mingle with other EV drivers. Here are more details:
Date: Friday, March 5
Time: 10am-11am simple ribbon cutting ceremony at the EV charge site with coffee and freshly baked pastries provided by Harris Ranch.
After: 11:00 Harris Ranch Inn Restaurants offer a discount on meals at their Restaurant so folks can informally gather after the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Sponsors: Harris Ranch, Plug In America, and Electric Automobile Association.
http://harrisranch.com/images/img_stay.jpg
Location:
Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant
24505 West Dorris Avenue
Coalinga, CA. 93210
1.800.942.2333
http://harrisranch.com/stay.php
It is recommended that those driving EVs plan to arrive by the evening of Thursday March 4 and stay overnight so they'll have a full charge to get back home. Please RSVP by contacting Earl Cox directly if you plan on driving an EV to the event. He can be reached by phone (818)281-9638 or email earlcox@ieee.com and will be coordinating all of the charging sites.
EV Charging:
There is only 1 Tesla HPC at the Ranch. This will be reserved on Friday to enable folks giving Roadster rides to dignitaries to get home. Please don't plan on being able to use it. Harris Ranch is going to try to set up some temporary power but, otherwise, we'll have to shuttle overnight guests to the Somerville/Almond Tree RV Park (below).
Lodging:
Harris Ranch Inn has developed (2) special Inn packages which will give the electric vehicle enthusiast a couple of value packed options to choose from. To make reservations you can either call 1-800-942-beef or book on-line at http://www.harrisranch.com, click on Harris Ranch Inn/Restaurant. These special Inn/Restaurant packages are named after Tesla and Plug-in America and are now available. We would suggest that anyone with Electric Auto Association, Plug In America or Tesla wishing to spend the night anytime, including the March 5 weekend, to take advantage of one of these packages.
Dining:
Harris Ranch is offering anyone attending the March 5 opening or coming out over the March 5 weekend a special 10% discount off of any meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) at the Harris Ranch Restaurant. They can get this discount by merely telling their server that they are associated with Tesla, Plug In America, or Electric Automobile Association. The Ranch is an omnivore's destination restaurant. Vegetarians can select between their (5) vegetarian entrée Salads such as the popular Waldorf Spinach Salad or their Portabella Flatbread Pizza or Portabella Burger.
Directions/Maps:
Harris Ranch Inn: I-5 and West Dorris Ave (CA 198) (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=harris+ranch,+coalinga,+ca&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=28.805654,54.755859&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Harris+Ranch+Airport,+Coalinga,+Fresno,+California+93210&ll=36.25604,-120.239353&spn=0.03163,0.077162&z=14&iwloc=A)
- From San Ramon Tesla Charger: 155 miles
- From Parson's Lot in Pasadena: 199 miles (Roadsters probably should drive about 55 mph or plan for intermediate charging)
- From 4th and G Plaza public parking garage Davis: 198 miles (Roadsters should probably should drive about 55 mph or plan for intermediate charging)
Intermediate Charging Opportunities South:
-Somerville Almond Tree RV Park- 41191 South Glen Avenue, Coalinga, CA (near Harris Ranch, this will be backup charging location for the event. Harris Ranch is offering a shuttle to the Inn if you stop here. $10 for full charge, talk to Manager - Smitty)
-Traveler's RV Park 33151 Cyrill Pl, Kettleman City, CA - (559) 386-0583 (a little rustic)
-Lost Hills RV Park, Lost Hills, CA - Lost Hills RV Park- 14831 Warren Street, Lost Hills, CA - (661) 797-2719
-Buena Vista Aquatic Area (BEST LOCATION), South Enos Lane, Bakersfield, CA 93301 (661) 763-1526 (County bureaucracy: hard to get short-term rate to top-off, may have to pay full RV rate) On March 5, Earl will try to work out a deal where he'll rent a site on the 5th at full $21 cost and folks can stop by "to visit Earl Cox"
See EV Charger News - Home (http://www.evchargernews.com) for more options.
johnr
02-22-2010, 05:13 PM
I just got that email as well, but you beat me to posting it :tongue:
This is very good news, as the new charger will prove to be very helpful to Tesla drivers traveling between San Francisco and LA, or exploring the central valley. It's the closest Tesla charger yet to my home near Visalia.
As I post, there's an advert in the sidebar for the Nissan Leaf ... maybe the Harris Ranch will also be one of the first locations in the central valley to have a universal EV charger. :smile:
Tesla driver helps Roadster fans with donated charge point between LA and SF — Autoblog Green (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/02/24/tesla-driver-helps-roadster-fans-with-donated-charge-point-betwe/)
To make the trip possible for Roadster owners, long-time Plug In America supporter Earl Cox has donated a $2,000 Tesla Home Charger that allows for four-hour recharges to Harris Ranch, a restaurant and inn located about half way between LA and San Francisco (or LA and Sacramento, if that's your destination). Conveniently, the Ranch is located just 100 yards off of Highway 5. A grand opening of the charge point will take place March 5th.
Earl at Rabo bank
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/santa-maria-tesla-charging-630pl.jpg
More from PIA email:
New Tesla Fast Charging Station Bridges North and South
Seven Tesla Roadster drivers converged on Central California earlier this month to celebrate the installation of a Tesla fast-charging station at the Harris Ranch Inn and restaurant in Coalinga. Plug In America supporter Earl Cox, owner of one of those Roadsters, generously donated the station to speed Tesla trips between Northern and Southern California.
http://action.pluginamerica.org/images/Three%20Red%20Teslas.jpg
The Coalinga Chamber of Commerce performed a ribbon-cutting to mark the auspicious occasion and Roadster rides were offered. Event attendees included Dave and Heather Raboy, who staged the 2004 Ford Ranger EV sit-in that launched DontCrush.com, Plug In America's predecessor; Dave Raboy's mother, Sheila, who came all the way from Utah; Don Cox, Earl's father and a Tesla owner; J.B. Straubel, Tesla's CTO; Khobi Brooklyn, a Tesla spokesperson; Plug In America board member Ron Freund; and Tom Dowling, the EAA's EV charging infrastructure manager.
Harris Ranch personnel on hand included owner John Harris, general manger Kirk Doyle, CFO William Bordeau and facility engineer Jack Brown.
Coalinga is a strategic location for a charging site because it sits about halfway between San Francisco and L.A. and the same distance between Sacramento and L.A. It is also reachable from any of those big cities on one charge of a Tesla Roadster. Use of the new charge station will be free providing users patronize the Harris Ranch Inn or restaurant.
"This was a historic occasion and special thanks go to Tom Dowling for helping Jack Brown install the charging station," says Earl Cox. "The next step will be to get other businesses located halfway between Coalinga and San Francisco, L.A., and Sacramento to host charging sites so that future EVs with less range will also be able to complete the journey."
ChargeIt!
03-12-2010, 12:00 PM
For the uninitiated :wink: not all Roadsters are Radiant Red.
Present also were one each Roadster in Arctic White, Twilight Blue and Thunder Gray.
bonnie1194
09-07-2011, 09:27 PM
2518
Harris Ranch is still a Tesla plug (yay). It's actually over at the Shell station. Unfortunately it has a big fat lock on it now, which wouldn't be a problem if people had the damn key. After approx 30 minutes of trying different keys, Security showed up and unlocked it.
Mood: Grumpy.
2518
Harris Ranch is still a Tesla plug (yay). It's actually over at the Shell station. Unfortunately it has a big fat lock on it now, which wouldn't be a problem if people had the damn key. After approx 30 minutes of trying different keys, Security showed up and unlocked it.
Mood: Grumpy.
I told you. You have to ask for the bathroom key! We went through 30 minutes for you.
You must have missed VFX's post...
By the way, it's locked. You have to ask for the bathroom key.
bonnie1194
09-07-2011, 09:43 PM
Totally missed that post. I suppose it's the men's bathroom key.
grumpier.
bonnie1194
09-07-2011, 09:48 PM
And I'm not really grumpy. I just was adding a little dramatic license. Overall this trip has been easy - by tomorrow I'll have put about 1200 miles on my car. Never once have I worried about getting to the next charger. I've met a lot of nice people on this trip, all curious about electric, expressing surprise that an electric car could be so far from home without issue.
Next trip, Seattle.
...I suppose it's the men's bathroom key. ...
What's that supposed to mean?
ChadS
09-07-2011, 10:02 PM
I've met a lot of nice people on this trip, all curious about electric, expressing surprise that an electric car could be so far from home without issue.
When I first got my car and was talking to somebody new about it, the conversation would usually go:
How far does it go on a charge?
245 miles.
How long does it take to charge it back up?
4 hours.
Too bad it doesn't work for long trips, then.
Um, well, there are some chargers, and more will be coming, and you can plan some things, and...
[I]I may look in to buying one when they make them with a 600-mile range.
But in April 2010 I drove Seattle->San Diego and back. Now I *love* getting to that part:
Too bad it doesn't work for long trips, then.
Well, I've taken it to San Diego and back. [pause to let that soak in]
[Hilarious shocked expression as their whole world-view implodes] Uh...wow, really! Where do you charge it?
You can tell that their interest level just went up about 3 notches. Seriously, their body language often changes suddenly--they uncross their arms, look straight at me, cock their heads, and wait silently for a reply. It's amazing how their attitudes change when they find out they've been wrong about something.
bonnie1194
09-07-2011, 10:07 PM
What's that supposed to mean?
It's supposed to mean that it's unlikely I'd ask for the RIGHT key.
:)
bonnie1194
09-07-2011, 10:19 PM
But in April 2010 I drove Seattle->San Diego and back. Now I *love* getting to that part:
Too bad it doesn't work for long trips, then.
Well, I've taken it to San Diego and back. [pause to let that soak in]
[Hilarious shocked expression as their whole world-view implodes] Uh...wow, really! Where do you charge it?
Taking this trip has also given ME more confidence.
augkuo
09-08-2011, 12:18 PM
Hi Bonnie -
How far south did you go and where else did you charge up besides Harris Ranch? I'm thinking of taking the Tesla down to Pasadena from the bay area -
Augie
bonnie1194
09-08-2011, 06:06 PM
Hi Bonnie -
How far south did you go and where else did you charge up besides Harris Ranch? I'm thinking of taking the Tesla down to Pasadena from the bay area -
Augie
I drove from Loomis to Newport Beach (with lots of side trips ... a couple of missions, Hearst castle, Santa Barbara), charging up in San Jose and then taking the 101. I used the Rabobank chargers along the way, using each opportunity to top off while getting a coffee/breakfast/lunch/whatever. I spent the night in Goleta, at the Travelodge next door to Rabobank. Two of the locations (Atascadero & Santa Maria) have movie theaters within a block, so if you time it right, you can charge while kicked back in a movie theater (I didn't).
I exited off the 101 on Kanaan, just for the fun of driving the canyons. I would have stopped in Malibu to drop off a couple of cats for a friend there & check out the chargers - but there was a Kiwanis chili cookoff/carnival going on and it was a zoo. So I took pch to Santa Monica, got on the 10, and then spent the night in Redondo (charged off my sister's 110, with about 40 miles of range added before leaving for Fountain Valley the next day).
I spent one evening giving every family member test drives (I grew up an only child, but found my birth family about 15 years ago and I have a LOT of brothers/sisters/in-laws/adult nieces & nephews). I had been trickling charge on on my dad's 110v, but decided to run down to Newport Beach to use Tesla's charger and top off. It was only 8 miles away. Plus that gave me the added benefit of breakfast with my dad over at the Balboa Bay club and looking at all those beautiful boats docked there.
I followed Jack Bowers advice for my drive home, taking the 405/5 - I left Los Angeles with a full charge (after wasting half the morning goofing off with friends in Santa Monica :)). I stopped at castaic RV Park ($10) to get enough charge to get to Harris Ranch where I spent the night. Note: If you go south on this route, you need to watch your miles because of the gain in elevation over the Grapevine. North is not a problem, lots of miles available because of all the downhill.
This morning I left Harris, stopped at French camp RV park near Manteca for about 90 minutes of charge - that gave me enough to get home.
I remember when Tesla first announced the Roadster, there were speculations "how will you get between SF & LA", and discussions of possible charge locations.
Now it is nice to see some years later, people doing this trip just for fun without it being some sort of press event to prove a point.
But I supposed it all pales compared to the work David and Kevin are doing on "UK charging network."
bonnie1194
09-08-2011, 06:38 PM
I remember when Tesla first announced the Roadster, there were speculations "how will you get between SF & LA", and discussions of possible charge locations.
Now it is nice to see some years later, people doing this trip just for fun without it being some sort of press event to prove a point.
But I supposed it all pales compared to the work David and Kevin are doing on "UK charging network."
I was thinking exactly that ... I was just proving to myself that I could go wherever I wanted. This wasn't a big event, this wasn't anything but heading south to go visit friends and family. I did meet lots of people while stopped charging and enjoyed talking about the benefits of electric (and was glad I had spare brochures in the trunk to hand out).
If it had been a big deal, I would have kept track of miles at each charging point, average speed, blah blah blah (apologies to all of you who I know want to know that). The point is, it was just a normal trip, so there was no need to keep a diary. Yes, I planned in advance where I was going to stop and charge. I always had a backup plan. The trip just wasn't noteworthy. And THAT is a big deal :).
...
I exited off the 101 on Kanaan, just for the fun of driving the canyons. ....
"Missed it by that much" Tesla's LA rally is right there where Kanan meets PCH at a Roadster owner's ranch. This Saturday. "Missed it by that much"
ChargeIt!
09-09-2011, 10:07 AM
This morning I left Harris, stopped at French camp RV park near Manteca for about 90 minutes of charge - that gave me enough to get home.How was it at French Camp RV ? $5 ? Have you used EVChargerMaps.com to leave comments ?
I would have kept track of miles at each charging point, average speed, blah blah blah (apologies to all of you who I know want to know that).
You could probably still pull the logs.
bonnie1194
09-09-2011, 10:41 AM
How was it at French Camp RV ? $5 ? Have you used EVChargerMaps.com to leave comments ?
(excuse all the lower case 'c's ... my keyboard is rebelling)
They charged me $15 [frown], but the charge was a steady 40amp (vs. castaic which seemed to fluctuate between 17 and 40 at will). I had a small chair (http://www.rei.com/product/792007/alite-monarch-butterfly-chair)that I keep in the trunk (smaller than a roll of paper towels), a small cooler with drinks/cheese/crackers/fruit, and a good book. And a shady spot under a tree. So no complaints. Still cheaper than a tank of gas.
The RVers at castaic were far more friendly than French camp - sad to say that at castaic, many had lost their homes in the housing freefall and were living there. They were curious about the car, came over to talk, etc. At French camp, it was decidedly more upscale RVs and they were very uninterested in the charging electric car. -shrug-
I meant to log on to leave comments, but got wrapped up in cleaning bugs off the front of the car ... but will. Thanks for the reminder.
bonnie1194
09-09-2011, 10:44 AM
You could probably still pull the logs.
but then you'd have evidence of my inability to always keep the car at 60 ... a LOT of evidence. :)
It was always a mental game of 'if you play now, you'll have to charge longer ... but I don't want to sit between these trucks ... if you accelerate for just a little while, it won't make a difference' ... and so on.
It was always a mental game of 'if you play now, you'll have to charge longer ... but I don't want to sit between these trucks ... if you accelerate for just a little while, it won't make a difference' ... and so on.
Wow, does this ever sound like any weight loss program..
bonnie1194
09-09-2011, 10:57 AM
Wow, does this ever sound like any weight loss program..
Business opportunity, considering all the EVs that will be on the road soon :). What should we call it?
rabar10
09-09-2011, 11:22 AM
What should we call it?
Watt Watchers, of course!
Nvbob
09-09-2011, 01:27 PM
Bonnie - What's this "paper towel" chair you have? Link?
What should we call it?
Electra-fast!
Business opportunity, ...
What are we selling?
bonnie1194
09-09-2011, 01:34 PM
Bonnie - What's this "paper towel" chair you have? Link?
I linked it in the message, but maybe it didn't post properly ... try this: Alite Monarch Butterfly Chair - Free Shipping at REI.com (http://www.rei.com/product/792007/alite-monarch-butterfly-chair) .
You literally balance on those two points, but with your feet on the ground, it's surprisingly stable and comfortable. (Stable enough that I've drifted off to sleep in it.) And it keeps you off the ground.
bonnie1194
09-09-2011, 01:35 PM
What are we selling?
Distance? changing behavior to stop those people (me) from leaving electron litter all over the roads? Or just guilt. :)
Probably won't be a big seller.
bonnie1194
09-09-2011, 01:36 PM
Electra-like!
A block of wood for under the pedal?
bonnie1194
09-09-2011, 01:38 PM
A block of wood for under the pedal?
Wouldn't that be awful?
Wouldn't that be awful?
As is giving up ice cream.
bonnie1194
09-09-2011, 01:41 PM
As is giving up ice cream. Adding to my shopping list. Thanks!
Nvbob
09-09-2011, 01:54 PM
Thanks Bonnie. I can see myself falling over in that.
Lloyd
09-09-2011, 03:13 PM
And I'm not really grumpy. I just was adding a little dramatic license. Overall this trip has been easy - by tomorrow I'll have put about 1200 miles on my car. Never once have I worried about getting to the next charger. I've met a lot of nice people on this trip, all curious about electric, expressing surprise that an electric car could be so far from home without issue.
Next trip, Seattle.
Sort of related article on Range Anxiety (http://venturebeat.com/2011/09/09/range-anxiety-drop-off/)
Tempus
09-09-2011, 04:36 PM
Thanks Bonnie. I can see myself falling over in that.
we can add "chair anxiety" to range anxiety.
DaveD
09-10-2011, 10:26 AM
we can add "chair anxiety" to range anxiety. I can confirm that; first time I tried it, I promptly fell over backwards! I got it figured out on the second try.Thanks for bringing this cool new addition to my Tesla trunk gear to my attention, Bonnie!
bonnie1194
09-10-2011, 11:06 AM
I can confirm that; first time I tried it, I promptly fell over backwards! I got it figured out on the second try.Thanks for bringing this cool new addition to my Tesla trunk gear to my attention, Bonnie!
My top rqmt for a chair to bring along was that it had to be comfortable. Learning how to sit in it only took one lesson (the same one you had).
For the rest of you with chair anxiety (good term, Tempus!), it's like learning to ride a bike. Once you get it, you wonder why you thought it was difficult or unstable. And it doesn't take up much room, in fact, it fits fine between the seats or tucked between a seat and the sidewall. (But that's where I keep my spare water bottles ... )
My top rqmt for a chair to bring along was that it had to be comfortable. Learning how to sit in it only took one lesson (the same one you had). ...
Next time I'm at REI I will try it.