Recommendations for Places to Stop on 1-5?

[KBG]

Hi Everyone,

I’m new to the boards. We are visiting Disneyland from the East Bay Area (Northern California) in three weeks.

We can take 580E to I-5 to Anaheim, or 680S to I-5. We are heading out on a Sunday morning. We are driving straight through to Anaheim.

Can anyone give me any tips on great places to stop (eat, rest, play, a breather) along the way? We have a 3 year old and a 6 year old.

Thanks in advance!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I'm not exactly sure where along I-5 it is but Kettleman city would be a good choice. There are lots of places for eating and gas, like In and Out Burger

 

[fairycat]

At the begining of your trip there is very little so stop when you need to and don't try to wait for the next stop other wise you might be in trouble.

Buttonwillow off the five is about 4ish hours in, there is subway, starbucks and Am/PM there. I always stop on my way to Gilroy at this stop.

There is lots in the Valencia/Newhall area. You will also drive right by Magic Mountain, its cool to see all the big coasters.

There is a lot once you get back in the city areas, but I would only stop as needed because most of the stuff is not worth stopping for, especially with DL in your sight

 

[cccdisney]

We always stop in Laval (?) which is right before you go over the grapevine. They have a nice truck stop with a Wendys, McD's, Starbucks, Panda Express, In-n-Out and others. It is on the west side of Int 5.
That is our usual stop to switch drivers.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

We use to stop at the Button Willow exit, but the bathrooms at all of the restaurants are filthy! I mean, scary dirty.

Now we always stop at Pea Soup Andersons (who has much more than Pea Soup--they have breakfast, lunch and dinner)---they have the cleanest and nicest bathrooms along I-5. They also have better food than just fast food and it is sort of charming. Very easy on and off freeway, with lots of signs warning you it is coming.

We live in the Bay Area and drive to Los Angeles a few times a year (my in laws live there) so we have done the drive many, many times.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Oh, the Pea Soup Anderson is in Santa Nella.

 

[EmEyeSeeKayEeWhy]

Hi Everyone,

I’m new to the boards. We are visiting Disneyland from the East Bay Area (Northern California) in three weeks.

We can take 580E to I-5 to Anaheim, or 680S to I-5. We are heading out on a Sunday morning. We are driving straight through to Anaheim.

Can anyone give me any tips on great places to stop (eat, rest, play, a breather) along the way? We have a 3 year old and a 6 year old.

Thanks in advance!

Hey KBG...we're from East Bay too. We usually head out of Brentwood and hit 580 just past the Altamont. There's plenty of places to stop and catch a breather along I5 (we've learned that with 3 kids ) But once we hit the Grapevine, we typically make that our 'no stop til Disneyland' point. It's just very busy usually with traffic, so any point before the Grapevine for potty breaks, food, etc is probably best

 

[fairycat]

We use to stop at the Button Willow exit, but the bathrooms at all of the restaurants are filthy! I mean, scary dirty.

Actually the ones at the Starbucks are actually clean and well kept. I make the drive to Gilroy or Alameda at least twice a year and have always had good luck with that one. Even if you don't drink coffee with the Subway next door its still easy to get into.

Stop for the coffee stay for the potty haha!

 

[amyamya]

We always stop at Harris Ranch, whether to eat or just to use the facilities. The food is great and of course, it is clean as a whistle. The kids love to browse in the gift shop and there is plenty of room to stretch the legs.

 

[wowsmom]

We always stop at Harris Ranch, whether to eat or just to use the facilities. The food is great and of course, it is clean as a whistle. The kids love to browse in the gift shop and there is plenty of room to stretch the legs.

Just be sure to bring your nose plugs if you stop at Harris Ranch.

We stayed at the hotel there last summer...the food in the restaurant was delicious, but our breakfast took forever, so don't stop there if you are in a hurry.

 

[amyamya]

Just be sure to bring your nose plugs if you stop at Harris Ranch.

We stayed at the hotel there last summer...the food in the restaurant was delicious, but our breakfast took forever, so don't stop there if you are in a hurry.

I was going to mention the smell...and that the food does take a long time. My Dad always said, "smells like money" when we would drive into smelling distance of HR!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Ack, I can't remember the name. There is a restuarant there with the name of a fruit. Peach tree? Maybe someone can help me out. LOL But they have a lot of fast food places, gas stations, and of course that restuarant. We always stop there on the way there and back!

 

[Tink208]

The Apricot Tree, I think. We stopped there last November and weren't very impressed. But it was reasonably priced and edible, and the bathrooms were clean. I can't remember the exit, though.

We come from the Bay Area as well, and we tend to drive at night which means less need for stops since the kids are usually sleeping at some point. I do like the last place before the Grapevine. The Starbucks has a drive-through window so I hardly had to stop moving to get my caffeine fix.

 

[tink2dw]

The Jelly Belly Factory.

 

[cccdisney]

Hey KBG...we're from East Bay too. We usually head out of Brentwood and hit 580 just past the Altamont. There's plenty of places to stop and catch a breather along I5 (we've learned that with 3 kids ) But once we hit the Grapevine, we typically make that our 'no stop til Disneyland' point. It's just very busy usually with traffic, so any point before the Grapevine for potty breaks, food, etc is probably best

Hey! We are in Brentwood also! Love it here!

I don't like to stop after going over the Grapevine either. Unless my bladder is demanding that I do!
I always try to use a Starbuck's restroom since they tend to me cleaner than most fast food or gas stations would be. I love their iced teas so I will buy one most the time anyway!

 

[AmericanItGirl]

I'm surprised that no one's mentioned the Superior Dairy in Hanford. It's a bit of a detour (so only if you have a few or more hours to kill), but if you've been to Fenton's in Oakland and like that, then you'll like Superior Dairy (HUGE portions). It's also right across the street from a park (no play structures, but it does have a carousel) with lots of shade (a good place to get out and stretch your legs that's not a rest stop). While out that way, I also recommend a visit to Allensworth, now something of a ghost town/museum, but originally an all African-American turn-of-the-century town.

Here's a map showing both Hanford and Allensworth:

 

[Jenn1116]

Jelly Belly!
I live in the same town. It's a fabulous place for stopping and doing the free 1 hr tour (so it's a nice chance to stretch the legs). However I don't think it is exactly en-route unless you're from the area or just north and you're already on hwy 80 or hwy 12.

Last trip we made it all the way to DL with just one stop for breakfast near Bakersfield, and a stop for gas just before the grapevine. I couldn't tell you the exact locations. Sorry!

 

[tinkryansmom]

We always stop at Harris Ranch, whether to eat or just to use the facilities. The food is great and of course, it is clean as a whistle. The kids love to browse in the gift shop and there is plenty of room to stretch the legs.

I have to agree! We live in Tracy and Harris Ranch is a little more than 2 hours away. It's in Coalinga and it's not a fast stop but with little ones its perfect. They can get out wander around and toss pennies into the fountains. The bathrooms are clean and the food is great. The coffee shop is relatively quick.

Kettleman City is a place where the highways cross and has every imaginable fast food place.

Just be sure to bring your nose plugs if you stop at Harris Ranch.

And yes, there is the smell. But the feedlots (Harris Ranch processes their own meats) are north of the restaurant/hotel by several miles and while it does announce that you are getting close, you do not get to enjoy the smell while you dine.

That being said Buttonwillow is becoming a wider spot in the road. The Willow Ranch BBQ restaurant on the north side of town is decent. Denny's is Denny's but there is a Starbucks here also if you need more caffiene. But again not too much for the little ones.

Santa Nella does boast "everything for the traveler" which IMHO is just a lot of gasoline and more fast food with the exception of Split Pea Andersons. We do stop to use the facilities there if needed but would rather eat at Harris Ranch. And it is only about 45 minutes south of Tracy so that is not far enought out to warrant a stop unless the little ones are REALLY restless.

 

[Master Mason]

First off, you can't get from 680 to I-5 they don't connect. You would have to come down 680 to 101 then accross at 152 from Gilroy. If your at or north of 580 you should go that way, if your south then concider the 152 route.

Now for places to stop. If your taking the 580 route, then Andersons is good, you'll miss it if your going the 152 route.

Harris ranch is good, but as stated, there can be a smell problem with the stock yard near by.

The rest of the places are pretty much just gas stations, fast food places and motels along the way.

Avanal
Kettleman City
The place between KC and Button willow (this is my personal place we usually stop to walk the dog use the bathroom etc)
Buttonwillow
Grapevine

After that your into the grapevine, and when you come out of it, your in the LA area with city all around you.

 

[EmEyeSeeKayEeWhy]

Hey! We are in Brentwood also! Love it here!

I don't like to stop after going over the Grapevine either. Unless my bladder is demanding that I do!
I always try to use a Starbuck's restroom since they tend to me cleaner than most fast food or gas stations would be. I love their iced teas so I will buy one most the time anyway!

Too funny! I guess I know what the 'ccc' stands for in your name But OP I want to agree with Harris Ranch. It's the typical 'dinner stop' on the way home for us...we can sit and have a nice meal and talk about the wonderful trip we just took.