Planned trips around California

[Timothy]

There are 70A J1772's (Tesla Roadster HPC's that have been converted) at Rabobanks all along 101 so no need for an SC.

Yes, but the 70A J1772's are often occupied by Volts etc and there is only one at each spot--Salinas, Atascadero, Santa Maria, and Santa Barbara at the Rabobanks (Rabobanks only only have chargers in those cities, not at other Rabobanks in other cities) and at the Marsh Garage in San Luis Obispo. Gilroy is 250 miles from Santa Barbara. And Santa Barbara is 100 miles to LA So you can't make it to LA down 101 from Gilroy without a charge. It is a MUCH nicer drive than going down I-5. The 70A as mentioned, are occasionally occupied, and will be more so as more EVs come on line in the future. And 70A chargers are MUCH slower than a Supercharger. And Superchargers won't be competing with Leafs and Volts--only Model S--not even Roadsters.) The bottom line--a Supercharger is needed between Gillroy and LA. San Luis Obispo is in the middle and is a really nice place to stop. I'd vote for a Supercharger there rather than in surrounding cities.

[vfx]

Yes, but the 70A J1772's are often occupied by Volts etc and there is only one at each spot--Salinas, Atascadero, Santa Maria, and Santa Barbara at the Rabobanks (Rabobanks only only have chargers in those cities, not at other Rabobanks in other cities) and at the Marsh Garage in San Luis Obispo. Gilroy is 250 miles from Santa Barbara. And Santa Barbara is 100 miles to LA So you can't make it to LA down 101 from Gilroy without a charge. It is a MUCH nicer drive than going down I-5. The 70A as mentioned, are occasionally occupied, and will be more so as more EVs come on line in the future. And 70A chargers are MUCH slower than a Supercharger. And Superchargers won't be competing with Leafs and Volts--only Model S--not even Roadsters.) The bottom line--a Supercharger is needed between Gillroy and LA. San Luis Obispo is in the middle and is a really nice place to stop. I'd vote for a Supercharger there rather than in surrounding cities.

Sniff! I remember not too long ago when Timothy was just a newbie asking where to plug his car in.

They grow up so fast!

[fengshui]

As a fellow Santa Barbarian, I would also strongly support a SC in San Luis. That said, they might also just drop one in King City, since people stop there for food all the time on the LA<->SF run via 101.

[mrbry]

Just got my Model S last Sunday, and planning on a weekend trip to Santa Barbara from LA next weekend. Notice a few folks here are in SB. Any tips on easy places to top off? I guess technically I can go no charge (it's about 200mi round trip), but I like having the freedom to drive spiritedly.

[Timothy]

Just got my Model S last Sunday, and planning on a weekend trip to Santa Barbara from LA next weekend. Notice a few folks here are in SB. Any tips on easy places to top off? I guess technically I can go no charge (it's about 200mi round trip), but I like having the freedom to drive spiritedly.

You shouldn't need any extra juice, but there are many chargers in SB. The fastest is at the Rabobank on Calle Real in Goleta off Fairview. 240v/70amps. Downtown is a 30 amp charger at the Granada Garage and another at the garage across from the court house. And another at the beach. Check out the recargo app for your cell phone. I'd recommend ordering a ChargePoint and a Blink card as well.

Enjoy Santa Barbara!

[mrbry]

You shouldn't need any extra juice, but there are many chargers in SB. The fastest is at the Rabobank on Calle Real in Goleta off Fairview. 240v/70amps. Downtown is a 30 amp charger at the Granada Garage and another at the garage across from the court house. And another at the beach. Check out the recargo app for your cell phone. I'd recommend ordering a ChargePoint and a Blink card as well.

Enjoy Santa Barbara!

Great thanks!

Yep, just got a Chargepoint card through work. Will need to pick up a Blink one. Just downloaded all 3 apps too! (Blink, Chargepoint, Recargo).

[Timothy]

Earlier this week I drove my son's Model S (SSL 261--3500 miles already in 2 months!) from Santa Barbara to Hillsborough. SB to Salinas is 220 miles. I arrived with 6 miles left on the clock. Yes, a little range anxiety, but I knew I'd make it. An hour charge for safety sake, and off to Gilroy. Wow, the SuperCharger was impressive! 1/2 hour charge and I got a gazillion miles!

A SuperCharger in San Luis Obispo would be perfect--eliminating that hour in Salinas and would make the stop in Gilroy unnecessary. SB to SLO is 110 miles. SLO to Hillsborough --200 miles. Easy one hop. Charge in SLO and have a bite, empty the tank (No, not the car!)

On the way home if you want to go to LA, another 100 miles beyond SB so a total of 210 from SLO to LA--one hop without even needing a charger in SB!

So a charger in SLO would alow a trip from LA to SLO--charge--then to Silion Valley with no further stops. If you need to go further, a stop in Gilroy would give you more juice.

I returned to Santa Barbara in my Roadster today--1 hour charge in Salinas, 2 hours in Atascadero. What a pain. The Model S is a much refined car compared to the Roadster. But--do I want to trade my Roadster for one? No way--I love that Roadster!!

[mrbry]

Timothy (or any other SB locals) - So I'll be staying at the Bacara this Sunday. Just called, seems they have valet and charge ports there! Quick question though, since I haven't valeted my Model S yet, has anyone had experiences doing that there?

[Timothy]

Timothy (or any other SB locals) - So I'll be staying at the Bacara this Sunday. Just called, seems they have valet and charge ports there! Quick question though, since I haven't valeted my Model S yet, has anyone had experiences doing that there?

You should have a nice time--the Bacara is very good.

I have driven my son's Model S--but don't own one and have never tried the valet mode on either the Model S or my Roadster. Personally, when I go to places with valet parking, I just tell them the car is special and I need to park it myself. I don't want some clown messing with my car!

[mrbry]

You should have a nice time--the Bacara is very good.

I have driven my son's Model S--but don't own one and have never tried the valet mode on either the Model S or my Roadster. Personally, when I go to places with valet parking, I just tell them the car is special and I need to park it myself. I don't want some clown messing with my car!

Thanks Timothy. Yeah, this is my first realllly nice car so I've never had the ability to say my car was special and go park it myself. I'll try that this weekend though (fingers crossed).