If you love long road trips, this one is for you! Our goal: drive from Los Angeles to Lassen National Park then continue to Mt Shasta, a trip that would take 8 1/2 hours if you went non-stop. But that would be crazy! I get antsy sitting in traffic for an hour. So we broke it up into several days.
While much of this trip will take you through the heart of California’s agricultural belt, there is no shortage of fun stops along the way. Yes, even in Bakersfield! I’m not kidding!
Day 1 will take you from Los Angeles to Lodi — California’s lesser known wine region just South of Sacramento. It’s still a long drive at 5+ hours non-stop. So start your day early to hit up all these recommendations in between.
Road trip, day 1: Stops along the way from LA to Lodi wine country, outside of Sacramento
Stop 1: Lunch in Bakersfield
As we arrived in Bakersfield, I decided to Google some stats. It was just 10 AM, yet already 90+ degrees outside. The streets were empty, which is why I was surprised by what I read on the State Department’s website: Bakersfield’s population is on the rise, and it’s currently one of the biggest cities in California! The data showed Bakersfield as the state’s 9th largest city and grew 1.2% compared to last year. The top 3 largest cities are Los Angeles, (1. 4,030,904) San Diego (2. 1,391,676) and San Jose (3. 1,042,094). Bakersfield came in ninth, with a population of 379,110. What’s bringing everyone here? The city is a major hub for the oil and gas industry. The historic Padre Hotel, which we stayed at on another trip, is right in the heart of downtown. While most tourist cities have the highest prices on the weekend, in Bakersfield, the room rates drop Friday-Sunday since most of the traffic is business travel from energy execs passing through town. Fascinating, right?
The historic Padre Hotel is worth a stop inside to see its updated lobby
Woolworth Diner in Bakersfield
Kevin is easy to please, just give him a milkshake, burger and fries!
Stop 2: Roadside Attraction, Bravo Farms
Bravo Farms Vintage Cheese Factory, located in Traver — about 1 hour North of Bakersfield — is the quintessential roadside stop. We expected to just stop in for 10 minutes. Yet, somehow we were there for well over an hour. Okay, I’m a sucker for these kind of places — it has a gift shop full of useless gadgets and home goods, cheese samples, and gifts.
Bravo Farms, a stop we thought would take only 10 minutes and we ended up here for over an hour
California or bust – or in our case, Lassen National Park or bust!
There is also a petting zoo out back, a rickety treehouse that is totally meant for kids (though, Kevin and I climbed all the way to the top and pretty much nearly killed ourselves!) and a carny-like shoot out game. We weren’t hungry, but there is a BBQ restaurant on site that looked delicious. Kevin was tempted but held strong after having all those fries back in Bakersfield.
These goats were hungry – and nearly ate my shorts
Kevin got sucked into the shooting range on site
Stop 3: Sun-Maid Raisin Factory
Just 10 minutes North on Route 99, you can stop in at the Sun-Maid Raisin Farm. I confessed to Kevin, that I really don’t like raisins. In fact, I think one of the worst things is getting a cookie and thinking it’s chocolate chip only to discover it’s raisins. I mean, the worst, right? Anyway, with all this out in the open, we still stopped here because my love for factory visits outweighed my dislike of raisins.
World’s biggest raisin box: how was this not on my life bucket list?
There is a tiny shop inside and the workers were all very happy to see us — partly I think because I expect this place isn’t high on most tourist itineraries. Though there were at least 2 other people in the shop with us. I considered buying a workout T-shirt that was just $5. Though Kevin (wisely) advised me that it was pretty ugly even at $5. Sigh…
There was a wall that had old photos of the history of California’s raisin industry and a video you could watch. Kevin was oddly drawn in by it all.
Kevin is in his own world as he reads, what can only be the most interesting rundown of the history of raisins in California
While he read every exhibit, I somehow ended up buying several bags of raisins. I clearly have no control.
Yes, raisins! …That I will probably never eat!
Stop 4: Fresno Chaffee Zoo
By far, the best stop on this trip. The Fresno Chaffee Zoo blew us away. Admission is just $10 per adult. We’ve been to the zoos in LA and San Francisco and this one is hands down so much better. We were one of the only people inside (a little weird at first, but no issues with battling the crowds and screaming kids).
Fresno Chaffee Zoo, our favorite stop on the road trip
Kevin was fascinated by the history of this place, which goes back to 1929. And this is no tiny, second-tier zoo here. According to their website, the zoo covers 39 acres with over 190 species of animals. Must-see spots include the elephants, the stingray bay (with a touch pool), sea lion cave and the newest section that houses the African animals.
Kevin is brave and pets the stingrays
Kevin thinks I have the long arms of a Gorilla – looks like he’s right!
Stop 5: Last Place for Today, Lodi, California Wine Country (overnight)
We made it to Lodi! It will likely be getting dark for you at this point (it was for us). We checked into the Wine & Roses Hotel and headed to the hotel lounge with a fireplace, good drinks and snacks. The truffle fries are a must! Seriously, I don’t know if I was really hungry or what. But the best thing we ordered (among the 4-5 appetizers). Lodi has a compact downtown and like much of California’s wine country, offers a wide range of accommodations. Wine & Roses is considered a top resort with rooms about $300 a night — and caters largely to the wedding party crowds. Something to keep in mind if you stay here.
The room at Wine & Roses – our advice: ask for a top-floor room to avoid overhead noise
We got a deal on Groupon (for just under $200 a night). So we can’t complain on the price, but the noise is what would hold us back from recommending it. If you do stay here, request a top-floor room. Think of the last wedding you went to — and all the excitement. Well, that’s what you’ll find here on the weekends. The party above us continued until about 3 AM (when I’m guessing they eventually passed out!). Though, these were hardcore partiers, and were back at it around 7 AM. Am I getting old or what?
Pet parrots lounging at the Wine & Roses Hotel
The hotel was at full capacity so they couldn’t move us. But they were apologetic and offered to do something for our next stay. Maybe I can update the review if we take them up on it? I don’t know — 4 hours of sleep didn’t cut it for us.
The lounge is worth the stop and open late. So that’s at least worth a visit.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
- Start the trip early – to get the most out of your day. And to beat the LA traffic out
- Most of these stops are pretty cheap or free! The Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s stingray petting is typically an extra $2, but at the end of the day, it’s free!
- Check out Groupon deals for Lodi. There are a lot of hotels and inns here. So you’ll be bound to find a deal!
- Pack plenty of water – it is hot in this area most of the year and very dry. It sneaks up on you!
That is a big box of raisins. I’m traveling from Germany and want to visit this.