TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC

Planning trip from Santa Rosa up Mendocino Coast. Any charging suggestions?

Discussion in 'Model S' started by CHG-ON, Dec 5, 2015.

  1. CHG-ON

    CHG-ON Still in love after all these miles

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2014
    Messages:
    3,060
    Location:
    Santa Cruz Mountains, USA
    #1 CHG-ON, Dec 5, 2015
    Hi All,

    I'm planning a holiday road trip from Santa Rosa up to Crescent City, via the Mendocino Coast. Charging options look very scarce. We were hoping to do either cheap B&Bs or AirBnB. There are options at some pretty nice looking hotels. But I really want to avoid the 200+ charge per night for the destination chargers plus room (you can see my priorities!). But I can only find a very few public charge points, like maybe 5. Has anybody done this? I would be very grateful for suggestions on locations, charger reliability and and any crowding issues.

    Many thanks!
     
  2. Merrill

    Merrill Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2013
    Messages:
    2,389
    Location:
    Sonoma, California
    #2 Merrill, Dec 6, 2015
    This is somewhat of a problem because there are not many places to plug in, of course some B&B's have level 2 chargers like the Stanford Inn in Mendo. I would also like to take a trip up that way but not much in the way of chargers happening.
     
  3. Zextraterrestrial

    Zextraterrestrial P1538

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2010
    Messages:
    3,727
    Location:
    Humboldt/Los Altos
    #3 Zextraterrestrial, Dec 6, 2015
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2015
    I stayed in Mendo to check out one of the B& B chargers. nice place but ~$200 with awesome breakfast & beautiful gardens! I think the north coast brewery has a 14-50. pretty sure Boonville - Anderson valley brewing has one too on hwy128
    Are you planning on staying in Mendocino/Fort Bragg for a night? I'd stop at Benbow and charge if you're not or even if you are and want to get to C.C.
    The charger in Eureka at Caltrans is only 30A, but free & Costco is really close( & the least crowded one in CA that I've been to)
    chargepoints around here are pretty reliable and probably less than 50% utilization.
    In Arcata there is a 14-50 where the chargepoint is (2345 is the lock code)
    I think there is a good 14-50 in Trinidad too.
     
  4. aesculus

    aesculus Still Trying to Figure this All Out

    Joined:
    May 31, 2015
    Messages:
    2,483
    Location:
    Northern California
    #4 aesculus, Dec 6, 2015
    I am curious how you discovered these charges.
     
  5. Zextraterrestrial

    Zextraterrestrial P1538

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2010
    Messages:
    3,727
    Location:
    Humboldt/Los Altos
    #5 Zextraterrestrial, Dec 6, 2015
    room rates...

    I wonder if the Mendo B&B's would let a non customer use the chargers? worth asking if they are available.
     
  6. Merrill

    Merrill Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2013
    Messages:
    2,389
    Location:
    Sonoma, California
    #6 Merrill, Dec 6, 2015
    The Benbow and Stanford chargers are free to guests.
     
  7. Zextraterrestrial

    Zextraterrestrial P1538

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2010
    Messages:
    3,727
    Location:
    Humboldt/Los Altos
    #7 Zextraterrestrial, Dec 6, 2015
    Benbow was free to anyone and I doubt they are changing that.
     
  8. Wshowell

    Wshowell Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2015
    Messages:
    344
    Location:
    Arroyo Grande Ca
    #8 Wshowell, Dec 6, 2015
    The Sea Ranch lodge has a few HPWC's just out in the open area of their parking lot. Maybe a stop for lunch and a hike will give you some flexibility. It's a spot that you can easily spend two hours at before getting back on the road.
     
  9. CHG-ON

    CHG-ON Still in love after all these miles

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2014
    Messages:
    3,060
    Location:
    Santa Cruz Mountains, USA
    #9 CHG-ON, Dec 6, 2015
    Thanks guys. That helps a lot. Especially the Sea Ranch charges. That might just do it.
     
  10. Khatsalano

    Khatsalano Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2015
    Messages:
    666
    Location:
    San Mateo, CA
    #10 Khatsalano, Dec 6, 2015
    I've done this route, but you're right, with no SC in Eureka, this gets a little difficult, especially on the coastal route. I hear you on the preference to stay in affordable places, but if you're willing to be spendy, I've stayed at both of these with HPWCs and it was an amazing experience.

    Sea Rock Inn, Mendocino - amazing views, great service, free breakfast. Rooms are super cute with fireplaces. $$$$
    Victorian Inn, Ferndale - cute town and hotel, like you've stepped back 100 years in time. Quite cheap.

    - K
     
  11. ecarfan

    ecarfan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2013
    Messages:
    12,776
    Location:
    San Mateo, CA
    #11 ecarfan, Dec 6, 2015
    The Coast Guard House in Point Arena has a J1772 L2 charger but you have to be a guest to use it.
     
  12. RandyS

    RandyS Fan of Elon

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2012
    Messages:
    401
    Location:
    San Diego
    #12 RandyS, Dec 6, 2015
    About a 300 mile trip, right? Charge full before leaving (that is 255 miles for me), find a place along the way to get about 60-80 miles of a makeup charge (maybe one of those 5 places you mentioned), arrive near empty, and then stay at a place that has charging facilities to get back to full again for the next day or when you leave...
     
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Share This Page

Toggle Width
Style
TMC 2016