Albuquerque has pretty much every chain hotel or motel you could want. Prices have gone up a bit for the summer, but you shouldn't have trouble finding a place.

It's a *long* drive from Albuquerque to Bakersfield. You might want to stop in Barstow for the night instead. It's only a couple of hours from there to Bakersfield, and it will break up your trip better IMO. Bakersfield is only about two or three hours south of Fresno.

What kind of food do you like? Olympia Cafe, on Central across from UNM, is a great Greek diner with low prices and yummy food. The Frontier, a couple of blocks east, is an Albuquerque institution with great New Mexican food. We also like 66 Diner, also on Central west of the university.

Lee Ann

Thanks for the tips. I think you're probably right about going all the way to Bakersfield. In Albuquerque I was hoping to go to Blue Corn Cafe. We had it here in OKC for about 9 months and then it closed, but I love it. We may not be in in time to eat dinner, but do you know where it is from I-40?

jb,
From OKC to Fresburg???? Just who did your friend pizz off?

"Fresno: Bakersfield without the Glamor".

Like Basque? Wool Growers in B'field.
Lotta inexpensive places in B'field along Hiway 99/Rosedale Hwy (58) and Oak St.

It's just a summer job.

Our deepest sympathy. Try not to breathe in Fresno or Bakersfield. It could be very harmful to your health.

On the plus side, you are close to Yosemite. Spend as much time in that area as you can.

Curious

Hahahaha...summer in Fresno?
Was the 2nd prize TWO summers in Fresno?

Sorry...couldn't resist.

Wow such deep hatred for Fresno...

Any tips on the best way to see Yosemite with just half a day?

If I remember right, it took us about an hour and a half to get to Yosemite from Fresno. I think it would be a neat place to spend a summer because your friend could take trips to Yosemite and also Sequoia and Kings Canyon. We just drove through the city and we weren't impressed with it either, but the airport was small and easy to get around in. Fodor's has a best in one day itinerary for Yosemite
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=yosemite@214&cur_section=fea&feature=30002

Thanks for the link to the itinerary. That should help a lot if we are able to make it up there.

There is still a Blue Corn Cafe in Santa Fe, but the one in Albuquerque is now called Chama Brewery. I don't know if it's owned by the same people.

If you're looking for good New Mexican food, try Los Cuates or...oh, blast, my mind went blank. I'll come up with some more suggestions. Frontier has good, inexpensive New Mexican food with wonderful freshly made tortillas, and it's pretty easy to get to from I-40 or I-25.

Fresno's not that bad - I was born there and grew up in the Sierra foothills. It is hot in the summer, though.

To get to Yosemite from there, just head north on Hwy. 41.

I haven't been to Wool Growers in Bakersfield, but I remember a really good Basque place we used to go to in Fresno when I was a kid, down near the train station. I can't remember the name, though. My grandparents were Basque - both immigrated from Spain in the early 1900s - and I love Basque food.

Lee Ann

We made good time to Albuquerque yesterday. Now heading off to Bakersfield.

ElendilPickle,

It's obvious that you haven't been to Fresno for a while. I grew up near there. It is now a REAL armpit. The smog is second only to Los Angeles. If you were to revisit, I'm certain you wouldn't consider "Fresno's not that bad."

Curious

Wow...I live in Fresno and I love it! Yep, the air is a problem...I will admit that. Shopping is great, lots of music, art, and wonderful places within weekend trip distance! Could snow ski THIS WEEKEND in the morning and then waterski in the afternoon! Not many places you can do that! The hiking in the local mountains is awesome! The downtown is coming alive...slowly! There is always stuff to do! Yes, there are some trashy neighborhoods but I choose not to go to them. Also, I have traveled all over the USA (and lived in several states) and Europe...so I don't exactly have straw behind my ears.
Just had to give my take on things!

Hi Curious,

I was born in Fresno and grew up in the foothills about an hour northeast of there. I haven't lived in the area for almost 30 years, but I did just drive through a week or so ago on my way to visit my dad.

Fresno is like pretty much any other city, with its good and bad points. I wouldn't particularly want to live there, but if I had to, I'm sure I would adjust.

Lee Ann

Hey, gogoellen we did just that this weekend. Our family went snowboarding in the morning, then out to the lake in the afternoon to sun and kayak. This was the first Memorial DAy that Sierra Summit has been open. We all got free T-Shirts! Huntington Lake was beautiful and we really enjoyed being up at our condo again. Had a couple of great meals at the Lakeshore Resort with a couple of bottles of our wines from Paso and the Los Olivos area. **kim***