<p>So for Christmas break, I’m driving (along with 3 of my new friends) from Rohnert Park to Long Beach. It’s roughly a 9-hour drive and not the most fun. We’ll probably be on the 5 freeway most of the way.</p>
<p>My parents (understandably) want me to stop and rest a few times (not overnight, just for a few minutes to stretch my legs), as I’ve never driven more than about 2 or 3 hours at a time.</p>
<p>Does anyone know of some good stops to make? I know about the place with all the food places just outside the Grapevine…any other suggestions?</p>
<p>Born and raised in “Middle of nowhere” California. There isn’t much of anything on the 5. You’ve got Pea Soup Anderson’s up in Santa Nella, then a bunch of cows, then Harris Ranch restaurant (where one can buy the best Tri-Tip ever).</p>
<p>It’s a bit more miles, but you could take the 99 which takes you through the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. You actually get to see civilization, Merced, Fresno, Kingsburg, Visalia, Tulare (where there are outlets).</p>
<p>Make sure that you have enough gas in your tank to make it to the next gas station, pay attention to the signs saying “no services for the next N miles”. Have a safe drive!</p>
<p>I’ve driven the 5 between San Jose to San Diego many times and beyond less frequently. There really aren’t a lot of interesting stops along 5 between SJC and LA. If you’re interested in history at all you might want to stop at Fort Tejon state historic park just past Grapevine heading southbound - up in the mountains.
[Fort</a> Tejon Historical Association](<a href=“Fort Tejon Historical Association”>http://www.forttejon.org/)</p>
<p>There are also several places along the way with some fast food places that I recommend stopping at once or twice since you’re not used to long distance driving. Even if you just get out (don’t go through the drive-thru) and get a shake or coffee it’s enough to get your blood flowing.</p>
<p>I’ve also driven 99 in that stretch and don’t recommend it. It’s usually much more crowded with vehicles and especially trucks and will be slower than 5. When you’re driving that far you’re better off shooting down 5. </p>
<p>If you really wanted a diversion you could also head down 101 past Gilroy to 25 towards Hollister then stop at the Pinnacles National Monument 30 miles or so past Hollister. It has some intersting geological formations and you could spend an hour or so hiking around. Afterwards, keep heading down 25 to 198 east to I-5 then on south to LA. It’s more scenic along this route but it’ll be slower than just taking 5.
[Pinnacles</a> National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)](<a href=“http://www.nps.gov/pinn/]Pinnacles”>http://www.nps.gov/pinn/)</p>
<p>Be careful driving, keep your eyes on the road, don’t worry about being in too much of a hurry, and do stop every few hours or so to stretch your legs (I have my dad hat on).</p>
<p>^I appreciate it (though my parents did already give me the same speech and probably will a few more times). </p>
<p>Thanks again for all the good tips, everyone! I think we’ve decided on the 5 if for no other reason than it’s less money to spend on gas. Plus there’s NEVER anyone on the 5 besides a few big rigs (which aren’t too hard to avoid, since they tend to stay in the right lane).</p>
<p>We’re not in a hurry…though we are planning on leaving pretty early in the morning (6ish or so). </p>
<p>The only part that worries me a bit is the grapevine and that slight downhill slant. Seems like it would be pretty easy to get going pretty fast. Hurrah for cruise control.</p>
<p>Watch your speed on highway 5. It is very easy to end up going much faster then you realize. Especially when traffic is rushing by you.
Definitely use the cruise control.
I don’t know if there is a known speed trip on 5, but if you decide one time to drive the 101 watch out around King City.</p>
<p>Yes, there is much more to see/do on 101, but it is much faster to take the 5. </p>
<p>Can’t think of anything to add, you already know the most important info. Gas and In and Out in Kettleman City. For that matter, I’d mark all the In and Out’s along the way, in case you get stuck in traffic in LA.</p>
<p>One more thing - timing. When having to travel through LA it’s best to time it so you’re not at the peak time if possible. You have the carpool lane you can use from just north of LAX all the way to LB but even that gets stopped up during the peak times. If you hit it at a peak time, you might want to pull over around UCLA and get something to eat in Westwood, like at BJ’s, and let the traffic die down a bit. If you do, don’t forget to go across the street to Diddy Reise if you like cookies.</p>
<p>Please people, what about the Buttonwillow racetrack! They don’t charge entrance fees on weekdays, and you can see some cool cars usually. It’s right off the 5 on the Lerdo exit.</p>
<p>Most definitely be careful on the downhill sections of the Vine. CHP love to stop people there. Remember, too that they are tracking speed from the air, so by the time you see them it’s probably too late.</p>
<p>^The nicest thing about my GPS is that it picks up speed limits for the area as well as maps, so it can tell you if you’re speeding. Love it. :)</p>
<p>Pay particular attention to weather forecasts in Dec for the S Calif region . Driving on the Grapevine can be VERY treacherous in cold, wet weather. It can get icy because of it’s elevation. Be VERY careful.</p>
The rest stops along 5 are pretty good. Suggest you pack some healthy snacks and drinks and stop at them to stretch your legs.
The stretch from the Harris ranch to the grapevine is long, straight, and boring. I always find this the hardest part to drive.
Checkout the weather conditions before you leave. The fog can be the most difficult part of this trip
Make your trip during the day (as you are already planning)
Take your car to the mechanic a week or two before to get the oil changed and general checkup
Share the driving with one of your new friends.
During the holiday season, you may find a decent amount of traffic on hiway 5.
Unlike some of the others who have posted, I like driving the grapevine. I second the warning about 101 and King City.</p>
<p>oh, and on the way back, be sure to be mindful of the 99 and 5 split. More than once, I’ve found myself heading to Bakersfield instead of the Bay Area</p>
<p>My least favorite part of the Grapevine is the steep descent into the San Joaquin Valley going north. The ascent is also my least favorite part going south.</p>
<p>“Plus there’s NEVER anyone on the 5 besides a few big rigs (which aren’t too hard to avoid, since they tend to stay in the right lane).”</p>
<p>Actually, the 5 is usually pretty crowded and those big rigs like to pass each other. It seems like a simple drive but it can get scary. Make sure to drive defensively.</p>
<p>One point I would like to add: do not stay in the left lane if you are not going at least as fast, or faster, than the rest of the traffic. You do not want to be tailgated by someone who is angry that you are in their way. Even if they are speeding, get out of their way.</p>
<p>A suggestion from someone whose car broke down going over the Grapevine last year - if you have AAA, you might want to upgrade to the premium membership. The regular membership only covers 8 miles of towing. (last year I’d just had my car serviced before driving my son from Northern California to Pasadena and our car broke down going over the Grapevine). There’s no limit on the distance towed for the premium membership.</p>
<p>For something a little different, food-wise, there’s Tita’s Pupuseria just off the Buttonwillow exit, just to the east of the 5. Google for info. Pupusas, if you’ve not had them, are basically filled tortillas. Take a big wad of masa, work it around a filling (cheese, beans, meat, or all three), flatten back out into a really thick disk, fry, serve with incredibly spicy slaw. Add an agua fresca (generally fresh fruit puree drinks, but there’s also horchata flavor, rice with cinnamon), and you’re set. That same exit off the 5 also has an Indian restaurant that is OK. You can also check the chow.com boards for other recommendations. </p>
<p>Oh, and when you’re passing Harris Ranch, ROLL UP YOUR WINDOWS and turn your air circulation to recirculate. Keep everything buttoned up until you pass the last of the giant feed lot on the east side of the freeway. This is easier to remember on the northbound leg since you see the Harris Ranch restaurant to tip you off; coming south, you’ll eventually learn the right moment.</p>
<p>We always stop at Del Taco in Santa Nella, that is the best middle of CA stop. I would also take the 5 not 99, 99 tends to add about 2 hours to a 500 miles to a 500 mile trip :(</p>
<p>Definitely plan around avoiding LA traffic, that just ads insult to injury on an all day trek</p>
(though my parents did already give me the same speech and probably will a few more times). </p>