Things to plan along the I-10

[bakerudall]

nannyz's thread reminded me of a question I have been meaning to ask.

Where are your favorite places to stop (eating or breaks), or (when you are not in a hurry to get to DLR) sites to visit, along the stretch from Phoenix to LA? Palm Springs? Joshua Tree? Windmills? Those weird dinosaurs?

 

[Desert Dwellers]

We usually drive thru with an eye to get to CA quickly. On the way back, we like to stop at the Cabazon outlets.

The last three trips we've stopped at the Denny's in Bythe for breakfast. I'm so excited that I just found out Bythe has a new Starbucks. No more Denny's for us.

 

[JeffW08]

We usually stop either at the Truck stop that is just short of the state line or somewhere in Blythe for a first stop, then stop in Indio somewhere and then on to DL.

 

[Peri]

INdio for gas and carbazon area for food and that's it.

 

[mouseymommy]

When I was a kid we lived in CA and lots of our family lived in AZ. We went back and forth all the time. My Mom used to try and get my Dad to stop at the dinosaurs EVERY TIME! He always wanted to get where we were going as fast as possible. My Mom finally convinced him to stop when we were teenagers, and I believe it was about 1000 degrees! But to answer your question, I know there is a casino and some outlets. My DH takes after my Dad, and all we do is stop to use the restroom, so I haven't actually been to these places, but I see them as we zoom by.

 

[dana278]

Not on the 10, but if you are taking the 10 to the 60 to the 91 into town there's a huge Skechers warehouse with an outlet store attached in Moreno Valley (off of the 60, take the Theodore Street exit. Don't try to take Redlands, it won't get you there.). When we drove through the first time I did a double take because it just looks like someplace they ship orders from, I didn't see anything that even resembled a storefront. On the way back home we stopped in. (They were even open around 9am on a Sunday, which was kind of odd.) If you like Skechers it's worth checking out. Prices were cheaper than the stores, but they weren't amazing. BUT they had such a vast selection you are sure to find a shoe you've never seen before.

 

[dshimel]

Our stops are:
Quartzsite to get cheap(er) gas before entering the higher gas tax state of California.

Cheraco Summit: potty and a snack. We keep saying that one of these times we will do the Gen Patton Museum, but never do.


Really, not much else along the road. We did the dino thing once, lame.

Had friends that did the drive through Joshua Tree Park. Said it added several hours and they didn't really see anything more than you see from the I10.... desert, dirt, rock, cactus, shrub, scrub.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Can't think of any "favorites." As a PP stated, we just try to get the drive over and done with. And wish we'd flown.

 

[mmlover74]

We usually drive thru with an eye to get to CA quickly. On the way back, we like to stop at the Cabazon outlets.

The last three trips we've stopped at the Denny's in Bythe for breakfast. I'm so excited that I just found out Bythe has a new Starbucks. No more Denny's for us.

What part of the AZ desert do you live in?

 

[Desert Dwellers]

What part of the AZ desert do you live in?

Phoenix.

 

[bakerudall]

On the way back, we like to stop at the Cabazon outlets.

Just looked up those outlest. It sounds like this drive is the thing to do when you need shoes.

We usually stop either at the Truck stop that is just short of the state line or somewhere in Blythe for a first stop, then stop in Indio somewhere and then on to DL.

Hmmm...truck stops. I used to shuttle employees to and from a truck stop for a job during college. Always interesting--crazy people, police stand-offs--one co-workder even got arrested by the FBI for murder in the middle of his shift.

My DH takes after my Dad, and all we do is stop to use the restroom, so I haven't actually been to these places, but I see them as we zoom by.

I have traveled with people like this, and makes me a little stir crazy. I take after my dad, who was more of an explorer. He would read roadside monuments, stop for a new kind of pop or a snack from some roadside stand, or take a dirt road just to see where it went.

Not on the 10, but if you are taking the 10 to the 60 to the 91 into town there's a huge Skechers warehouse with an outlet store attached in Moreno Valley

Sounds great! I like the line of biz/casual looking shoes they came out with a while back. The are comfy like tennis shoes, and they are approved for the work dress code.

Our stops are:
Quartzsite to get cheap(er) gas before entering the higher gas tax state of California.

Cheraco Summit: potty and a snack. We keep saying that one of these times we will do the Gen Patton Museum, but never do.

Yes, gas in AZ--always! I've never heard of the Patton museum. I'll have to look into that.

we just try to get the drive over and done with. And wish we'd flown.

We might get some standby passes from a Southwest employee friend, but I really enjoy road trips, so either way I'm fine. I can definitely imagine a lot more things to do on the coast after flying than along the I-10, though!

 

[bumbershoot]

The dinosaurs are *sort of* worth a stop. Fun to play around and take pictures near.

Just so you know, the big brontosaurus is both a gift shop and a HUGE, major, anti-evolution, pro-creation place. Big posters, pamphlets, etc, proving the myth of evolution all over the place.

For an evolution person, it's not fun at all. For a creation person, I bet it's like a party. (well, a creation person who believes in dinosaurs that is...I've known a few people who don't believe that dinos were real...for them, it would be bad as well, though they probably wouldn't stop to begin with)

I was NEVER so glad that my dad's knees are horrible, because he couldn't get up the stairs to see all of that. We would never have gotten out of there, would probably still be there over a year later, as he talked the poor minimum wage cashier's ear off about how the info her bosses put up is wrong. (my dad's embarrassing in so many ways that I still can't deal with his rants, no matter if I agree with him or not, and I'm 42)


So know yourself, and if you don't want to deal with that, don't go into the brontosaurus!

The other area is a museum, it costs an admission fee, and I have no idea of their stance on things, because I didn't want to spend the money in there.



That stop does have a Burger King with a veggie burger on the menu, though, so that was nice.

 

[eduk8r26]

When I travel from SoCal to Phoenix, I always try to gas up just across the border where Wendy's is. Gas is usually the cheapest. If I can't make it that far (I'm coming from Ventura) I stop at the station that has Arby's past Indio. Gas is usually pretty cheap there.

 

[nannyz]

We always make sure the kids see the dinosaurs and the windmills (aka "bird killers") but we never stop. We stop for gas/bathroom/lunch in Blythe. There is a great little Mexican restaurant there.
We always drive over the river very slowly -- so pretty.

This year I will be trying to sleep after we get near LA; hoping that my large dose of Benedryl will do the trick; otherwise I will be physically ill with fear.

P.S. I am a creationist but find it humorous that anyone would deny that dinosaurs existed. I may have to stop and check out the dinos on one of our trips.

 

[azdisneylover]

Since we have kids, we usually stop and gas up, use the restrooms and grab some food at the Flying J right before the boarder. If it is too crowded, we will get back on the freeway and go to Blythe, gas up and get a bite to eat and stretch our legs, then back on the road. We are usually in a hurry to see family so we don't stop too many places.
We have stopped on the way home (to AZ) in Cabazon and seen the dinosaurs. I remember before Del Taco was here in AZ, dh and I would search out a Del Taco every time we went to CA.
I will say, the drive to and from CA is rather boring to me. Sahuaro, Sahuaro, Sahuaro....Joshua Tree Joshua Tree.
Has anyone else seen the pics of California Adventure and say, hey, looks like home with all those tile roofs and stucco?

 

[disneygirlinphoenix]

We actually love the drive,one, we know it isgetting us closer to DLR and the beach/ocean!!! WE ALWAYS stop at Ruby's diner,love the food, fun for the kids, it is right before the cabazon outlets and next to the indian casino/hotel. Time permitting we will walk around the outlets, a good break, before we got the coach outlet in Anthem,my hubby would always buy me a purse !!!

Have fun!

 

[bakerudall]

My comments in red:

I remember before Del Taco was here in AZ, dh and I would search out a Del Taco every time we went to CA.

Luv me some Del Taco! Glad to have one by my house, now.

Has anyone else seen the pics of California Adventure and say, hey, looks like home with all those tile roofs and stucco?

Let's just say I won't be spending a lot of time checking out the cactus gardens in Cars Land.

 

[Huff]

When I travel from SoCal to Phoenix, I always try to gas up just across the border where Wendy's is. Gas is usually the cheapest. If I can't make it that far (I'm coming from Ventura) I stop at the station that has Arby's past Indio. Gas is usually pretty cheap there.

I used to go to that truck stop in Ehrenburg just east of the border and get Wendy's while filling up. No longer go there. It almost always has VERY long lines at the pumps and has gotten expensive. I now stop either at Quartzites east exit where there are 3 stations nearby. They are lower priced and much less crowded than the west exits truck stops although there is a Mcdonalds on the west exit. Theres a Texaco just east of Ehrenburg thats a good place to stop as well.

I also stop in Indio off Dillion rd or in Palm Desert at Ramon rd.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Can't think of any "favorites." As a PP stated, we just try to get the drive over and done with. And wish we'd flown.

I'll be thinking these exact thoughts Saturday and Sunday!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Like everybody else, we have our destination in mind and don't stop other than to gas up and eat lunch. However, on the way back, if you have some time, check out the aerial tram in Palm Springs. It is gorgeous at the top.