best places to stop

[mickey+minnie91]

Where are the best places to stop between Sacramento and Anaheim. We will be taking 99 down until it merges with I5 and continuing down to Anaheim. Anything really good to try?

 

[StageTek]

Are you looking for recreation? Attractions? Hiking? Food?

 

[mickey+minnie91]

I should have been more clear! Sorry, stopping for food

 

[dotfurio]

If you’ll have kids with you Bravo Farms in Traver,CA is a fun stop. There’s food, ice cream, and a huge tree house to climb around in.
https://www.bravofarms.com/project/seven-story-tree-house/

If you want to stop in Bakersfield there’s a good Basque restaurant that’s fairly close to the 99
https://www.benjisbasque.com/

and also Buck Owens Crystal Palace is right off the 99. The last couple times I went though the food wasn’t as great as it has been, but the ambiance is fun if you like country music.
https://www.buckowens.com/

 

[ParkHopper1]

My favorite pitstop is Lebec right at the base of the Grapevine just after you merge onto I-5 from 99. Lots of great food options.

 

[bcla]

I'd recommend I-5. I took 99 once and came across heavy traffic in the bigger towns. The condition of the roads was pretty poor, although it may have been resurfaced since.

On I-5 the big names are Pea Soup Andersen's near Gustine, and Harris Ranch Inn and Restaurant near Coalinga.

https://www.peasoupandersens.net/homeSantaNella.html
https://www.harrisranch.com/home/

But on 99 it's all the major towns like Modesto, Merced, Fresno, and Bakersfield. You can look up whatever kind of food you want whether it's fast food or sit down restaurants.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

We always stop for Me-n-Ed's pizza.

 

[sasywtch]

I'm with BCLA. I never go down 99. It's congested and slow. There also seems to be more accidents on 99. Truthfully, there isn't much to see and do on 99 or 5. Most people I know stop at Anderson's Pea Soup.

 

[loloandstitch]

I'd recommend I-5. I took 99 once and came across heavy traffic in the bigger towns. The condition of the roads was pretty poor, although it may have been resurfaced since.

On I-5 the big names are Pea Soup Andersen's near Gustine, and Harris Ranch Inn and Restaurant near Coalinga.

https://www.peasoupandersens.net/homeSantaNella.html
https://www.harrisranch.com/home/

But on 99 it's all the major towns like Modesto, Merced, Fresno, and Bakersfield. You can look up whatever kind of food you want whether it's fast food or sit down restaurants.

Another vote for I-5 and Harris Ranch! It’s been a couple years for me, but their table service restaurant is great, and they also have to-go menu options available. I might be wrong but I also believe they have pre-packed foods in another area. It’s definitely a nice area.

There is also an outlet mall at Wheeler Ridge, right after the 99 merges with the 5. Lots of various food options and some typical outlet stores to shop at.

 

[bcla]

Another vote for I-5 and Harris Ranch! It’s been a couple years for me, but their table service restaurant is great, and they also have to-go menu options available. I might be wrong but I also believe they have pre-packed foods in another area. It’s definitely a nice area.

There is also an outlet mall at Wheeler Ridge, right after the 99 merges with the 5. Lots of various food options and some typical outlet stores to shop at.

I had a look a few days ago, and their prices seemed to have jumped up a bunch. I remember back in 2004 I went there and I could get a 9 oz sirloin with a wedge salad (called "The Wedgie") for $12. And a few years back (maybe 2013) it was a sirloin with a chile rellenno for $18, but now it's $28.

But now they seem to have an express service outside where they're cooking meat in a smoker. Not sure what happens if the weather doesn't cooperate.