I-5 recommended stops Norcal to Disneyland

[Pamela M]

Does anyone have any recommendations for places to stop at about the 1/2 way point between SF & Disneyland on I-5?

Especially places that have slightly cheaper gas prices/ clean bathrooms, etc..

I hate driving on I-5 but my niece will be driving part way so it won't be as bad.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

We often stop at the Loves travel stop in Lost Hills. The gas is usually cheaper. The restrooms are so-so. I have been there when they are really clean and also when they are really not. There's a big convenience store and an Arby's (yuck to me but DH and our boys sometimes want something there, smh). There are also other gas stations and fast food at the same stop.

 

[tlovesdis]

I second Loves at Lost Hills! That's where we usually stop. Then we usually stop at the base of the Grapevine for a Starbucks run!

 

[crystal1313]

We have found gas to usually be cheapest at Button Willow, and a bonus is there is a starbucks there too! We usually get gas at the Truck stop and use the bathroom at the starbucks right across the street.

Sometimes we also stop at Kettleman City (if our kids cannot make it to Button Willow), there is also a Starbucks there (we get gas at the station that shares the starbucks parking lot) and then grab a bite to eat at In N Out!

 

[Pamela M]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll check to see where they are on the map.

I also like the idea of stopping right before the grapevine mostly to use the restroom in case there is traffic once we hit the city.

Getting so excited for our trip at the end of the month September 29- 3rd. I did a 1 day quick trip last year but other than that I haven't been to Disneyland in 10 years!

 

[meggles]

Kettleman City has Bravo farms, right off the 5 next to in & out.

Always a good idea to stop right before the grapevine too!

 

[Metalliman98]

We tend to make three stops on the way down: Gustine (Andersen's Split Pea, various fast food), Kettleman City (various fast food), and Lebec (right before the Grapevine, fast food and gas).

On the way back we usually just stop at Kettleman, or Gustine if we feel like we can hold out that far.

 

[jammyjam25]

We usually stop right before heading into the San Fernando mountains/valley (is this the grapevine? I don't know the CA lingo ). There's an exit with an In-n-Out that we always eat lunch at and it's a good final stop, usually about an hour and a half or two hours before we make it to DL.

 

[Pamela M]

We usually stop right before heading into the San Fernando mountains/valley (is this the grapevine? I don't know the CA lingo ). There's an exit with an In-n-Out that we always eat lunch at and it's a good final stop, usually about an hour and a half or two hours before we make it to DL.

Yep that's the grapevine. Not sure how it got that name but that's what I've called it my whole life.

 

[rms123]

Kettleman city for In-n-out. Before Grapevine (Lebec?) for Chipotle. Nice and clean.

 

[94bruin]

Historically, DH & stopped at the Kettleman City In-n-Out. This was back in the 90s during our college years. He figured it was about half way from Westwood to San Jose. These days with family, we'll either stop in Kettleman City or at the base of the Grapevine. It's newly developed so the bathrooms are definitely clean. They've got Chipotle and Yogurtland there. On occasion, we've been able to go all the way to after we cross the Grapevine and stop in Valencia, right by Magic Mountain.

 

[94bruin]

Kettleman city for In-n-out. Before Grapevine (Lebec?) for Chipotle. Nice and clean.

Haha - looks like we posted at the same time and are on the same wavelength!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

We usually stop right before heading into the San Fernando mountains/valley (is this the grapevine? I don't know the CA lingo ). There's an exit with an In-n-Out that we always eat lunch at and it's a good final stop, usually about an hour and a half or two hours before we make it to DL.

The Grapevine properly refers to the 5 mile 6% grade between Grapevine and the fort Tejon historic marker on I-5.
People often refer to the entire stretch of road between Grapevine and Castaic, which would include the towns of Gormon and Lebec as the grapevine. The mountains mark the dividing line between the central valley and the Los Angeles area.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Kettleman City and Buttonwillow are decent stops...my go to has been Lebec (Gorman/Base of Grapevine). They have built up over the years and have a great selection of food with Starbucks, Chipotle, Yogurt Shop, In-N Out, and few other great stops as well as a few Travel Centers for gas and grab and go stuff.

 

[rowan1813]

The Grapevine properly refers to the 5 mile 6% grade between Grapevine and the fort Tejon historic marker on I-5.
People often refer to the entire stretch of road between Grapevine and Castaic, which would include the towns of Gormon and Lebec as the grapevine. The mountains mark the dividing line between the central valley and the Los Angeles area.

The Grapevine is called such because there are actual grape vines growing at the bottom of the hill on the north side. If you are driving southbound, they will be on your lefthand side (the east side) in the little notch of land between the 2 sides of the highway. This is the best way to see them (I don't believe you can see them as you are coming down off of the hill driving northbound)

The San Fernando mountains are a little different. They are the mountain range that people pass through south of Magic Mountain (where the 14 and the 5 converge). There are actually 2 In-n-Out stops along the 5. One at the bottom of the Grapevine before you go through (if you are traveling southbound) at the Laval Rd exit. And another one is just south of Magic Mountain off of Lyons Ave exit.

Can you tell that I have driven this stretch of the 5 before? This is what happens when you live in the Central Valley and went to school in San Diego and have a father who was a truck driver and drove to LA every day for 15 years.

 

[Nonsuch]

Kettleman City has Bravo farms, right off the 5 next to in & out.

Also our usual stop. Bravo Farms has clean bathrooms and a huge selection of snacks and drinks, or when we are hungry -- In and Out.

Harris Ranch is another good place to stop. A great table service restaurant, if you have the time.

 

[DizMe]

My first choice is to leave around 4 AM and drive through it all with no stops I usually need a pit stop but I'm in and out as quickly as possible.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

The In N Out at Kettleman City is great, but we find our

My first choice is to leave around 4 AM and drive through it all with no stops I usually need a pit stop but I'm in and out as quickly as possible.

We did the 4 AM thing last time and it was great!

 

[Pamela M]

My first choice is to leave around 4 AM and drive through it all with no stops I usually need a pit stop but I'm in and out as quickly as possible.

We are planning on 5am leave time meaning a 4:30 wake up. I can't imagine getting up earlier than that. Especially since once we get there we plan to go straight into the park!

 

[wowsmom]

Does anyone have any recommendations for places to stop at about the 1/2 way point between SF & Disneyland on I-5?

Especially places that have slightly cheaper gas prices/ clean bathrooms, etc..

I hate driving on I-5 but my niece will be driving part way so it won't be as bad.

We've found the gas is cheaper on the 99 than the 5, but that only works for us because we're usually going to/from Stockton (where our son's in college).

As far as good food - in Kettleman City, my sister really likes Bravo Farms and I really like Doc Burnsteins for ice cream.

We've stopped at Harris Ranch before and the food is good, but the smell in the air can be very overwhelming.