With time being of the essence, we are taking the 9-hour LV > Barstow > Bakersfield > SJ route. I've heard that it isn't the most scenic of drives so would welcome any tips or advice that might help us make the best of it- such as any interesting things to watch for, any good restaurants, etc. (We would be leaving just after lunchtime.)

Thanks in advance,
Boots

Is this what Americans are like these days?

Huh?

I can't think of one lousy thing to tell you to stop and see. Hopefully someone can because there has to be something worthy of seeing on that route.

Chris is right. My advice is just drive fast.

The most interesting thing I've seen between Mojave and Tehachapi is the thousands of wind turbines. Most of them are not spinning because they were owned by Enron. They are now owned by General Electric. GE manufactured them long ago and can't operate them profitably.
Cross over to US 101 on Route 46 through Paso Robles.
There is also a solar "farm" just NW of Kramer Junction which is the intersection of 58 and US 395

Are you driving your own car or a rental?? If it is your own car, you are stuck and as sf7307 suggests -- drive FAST to get it over with.

If it is a rental - - don't drive. Fly!

The best I can suggest is a stop in Bakersfield either for Basque food-but that will take too much time I think. But maybe the soda fountain he mentions for a pit stop treat:

http://www.laweekly.com/2011-02-17/e...n-bakersfield/

Here's an excerpt:

"Dewar's, across the street from Bakersfield High School, is still the best old soda fountain in the state, and even if it didn't make the world's best nut chews — little Tootsie Rolls of taffy stuffed with crunchy, salty almonds — I would still go there for the thrill of seeing the counterwomen tamping the ice cream into sundae goblets in a way that makes the marshmallow crème spurt out the sides."

http://www.dewarscandy.com/index.cfm...TOKEN=39833733