52519 Mon Dec 16 14:28:01 -0800 2002 14 2 Los Angeles Area 0 268234 I'll be driving from Los Angeles to San Francisco this Friday. I will be alone, but not lonely. Any good/interesting places to stop for lunch along the way? Please/Thank you. Mon Dec 16 14:28:01 -0800 2002 0 1913massacre 1 268236 You might want to look at the California board. There are similiar threads. Mon Dec 16 14:28:55 -0800 2002 268234 0 JudiAU 2 268239 How do I check the California boards for a specific inquiry (e.g. restaurants between LA & SF)? Mon Dec 16 14:45:07 -0800 2002 268236 0 1913massacre 3 268243 You post a message, scan the messages, use the search function off the main board, or use control-f or apple-f to find text. Mon Dec 16 14:49:30 -0800 2002 268239 0 JudiAU 4 268278 If you can get to Orcutt (Santa Maria area) on the way up or coming back, it is not to be missed. I found it on the California board & we stopped on our way back from Cambria. Wonderful. There are posts which call it arguably the best restaurant between LA & SF, & we can't wait for an opportunity to return. Do not be deterred by its mall location! Link: http://www.ChefRicks.com Mon Dec 16 23:52:11 -0800 2002 268243 0 Babette 1 268238 are you going up the 101 or the 5? food options are much better on the 101. others here are more expert than I, but if you go 101 think about La Super Rica in Santa Barbara for tacos, Hitching Post in Buellton for bbq Mon Dec 16 14:44:24 -0800 2002 268234 0 feedme 2 268241 I'm probably going to take the 5, but I don't mind going a little out of the way for an interesting place. Mon Dec 16 14:46:50 -0800 2002 268238 0 1913massacre 1 268245 The only really chowhoundish place on the 5 between LA and SF is Harris Ranch (aka Cowtown aka Cowshwitz). It is about exactly in the middle and worth it for one thing: beef. I stop there on my frequent travails between the two cities if only to stock up on fresh meat. Not much else on the menu is exceptional as it is a known tourist trap, but they've got good meat. Mon Dec 16 15:44:16 -0800 2002 268234 0 Eviter 2 268246 We always look forward to a stop at Harris Ranch and some red meat. They also have lots of their own fresh produce and I enjoy a baked sweet potato when they have them. Another stop on 5 is the Apricot Tree--vile beyond belief but they have a fantastic collection of vintage lunchboxes. Mon Dec 16 15:49:07 -0800 2002 268245 0 Slow Foodie 2 268247 Whenever I stop at Harris I have the veal sweetbreads - delicious! Mon Dec 16 17:06:16 -0800 2002 268245 0 TomSwift 2 268305 Harris Ranch is known for another feature, cleanest restrooms along I-5. Usually we just drive as quickly as possible between these two cities cause food at either LA or SF beats anything you can find on I-5 hands down, way down. Now on 101 there may be some options. Tue Dec 17 14:25:38 -0800 2002 268245 0 Peter 3 268314 Last time we drove to SF from LA, believe it or not, it took less than five hours (I wasn't driving) and we didn't need to stop anywhere. I agree that food in LA and SF beats anything in between along the 5. However, there are some restaurants in Valencia (you know, where Magic Mountain is?) that are very good. What’s that? about 2.5 hours north on the 5? Try the Salt Creek Grille. Salt Creek Grille 24415 Town Center Drive Valencia, California 661-222-9999 For more, see link at http://dinesite.com/city/state-CA/city-Valencia/?v=187 If you are in no hurry to get there, definitely drive the coast and Highway 101 through Santa Barbara, Solvang, and San Luis Obispo. There are many finds there, as well as touristy spots a person must see at least one time in their life, such as the Madonna Inn. Careful of the rain, though, especially around Malibu. Its totally awesome to watch the ocean and surf during a storm, but flooding is prevalent and often causes roadway shutdown. Anyway, have a nice trip. Link: http://dinesite.com/city/state-CA/city-Valencia/?v=187 Tue Dec 17 16:23:26 -0800 2002 268305 0 kc girl 4 268379 Wait a minute -- you drove SF to LA in 5 hours, and you think Valencia is 2.5 hours north of LA? The half-way point? It's more like the one-eleventh point. Tue Dec 17 23:16:15 -0800 2002 268314 0 huh? 1 268306 In Los Olivos area (near 101) there is an excellent place called Brothers at Mattei's Tavern. I've had the filet mignon in a port and stilton sauce with gratin potatoes that was outstanding. Link: http://events.calendarlive.com/top/1,1419,L-LATimes-Restaurants-X!PlaceDetail-38927,00.html Tue Dec 17 14:31:14 -0800 2002 268234 0 Ernie 1 268333 If you are taking the central route try Jockos in Nipomo. The steaks are outrageous. In Ventura try Just Barbeque on Johnson Drive. That will get you to SF jet propelled. Tue Dec 17 18:12:48 -0800 2002 268234 0 Chuck