When the temperatures in San Jose exceed 92F degrees, the weather is too uncomfortable to do much of anything. This is also the time that many (many) folks head to Santa Cruz, choking its streets and parking, not to mention the highways leading there. So, to escape the heat, I looked for a spot away from the crowds that would be easy to get to and well within the range of the BMW i3 (round-trip). Seaside was just about at the limit of my round-trip range and I’d have to drive over a 1000’ peak along the way, so I preferred someplace a little closer to ensure plenty of range for the round-trip. I settled on Moss Landing, which was only 53 miles away.
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| My drive to Moss Landing |
Moss Landing turned out to be a great spot to visit. It attracted many fewer people than the beach towns (in part because there is very little business there). So, parking and beach access are both fairly easy. The weather was delightfully cool (around 71F degrees). It felt refreshing to escape both the heat and the crowds and take in the beautiful coastal scenery.
As for the car, I learned a few things about EV efficiency. If you drive in warm weather, the batteries are more energy efficient. If you drive at lower speeds along the backroads, the motor is more efficient. And while the drive up to the peak used more power than flat lands, the car was still doing pretty well during the climb. Plus, pulling away from the turns is a kick in an EV with ample torque. I forgot that on the trip down the mountain, not only would I not be using much electricity, but I’d be generating electricity too. By the time I returned home, the entire round trip used only about 2/3 of the battery’s capacity, including some use of the A/C. (On one trip in particular, the range remaining plus the distance traveled added to more than 170 miles.) I’m planning on returning there soon.
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