Susan

Suzie, we've run over a truck tire on I-5 before, in the middle of the night, two sleeping babies in the car, 35 miles from the nearest services, pre-cell phone days. Luckily our car was fine but the guy who hit the tire after us needed a tow. You are right, there's a lot to look out for. Three lanes would be nice, and a high speed train from Sacramento to San Diego would be even nicer! Maybe when my grandkids are driving?

Driver

I will look for speed traps, I may get a heavy foot while I am listening to KJUG (I usually take the 99). Where is the Harris Ranch, maybe I will stop there for chicken. Thanks all of you, I will drive carefully, too.

Suzie

Driver, There is no way to miss Harris Ranch, First it's the smell, then it's the only place for miles around. It's north of Buttonwillow.

I have really fond memories of Buttonwillow. Does anyone remember when I 5 first opened and there was no gas stations along it and every one was running out of gas? (I was a child but I remember) They threw up a bunch of skeleton service stations in Buttonwillow and the place was jammed all the time. Rows of porta potties. Now there are enough places to stop I can just skip that place.

Dick

Suzie,

The Harris Ranch is in Coalinga, not Buttonwillow.

You are correct, however, regarding the right hand lane of I-5 being very rough. If you drive in the "fast"lane, keep your eye on the rearview mirror and MOVE OVER when someone comes up behind you (just like you are supposed to do).

Set your cruise control at 75 and you will be o.k. ticket-wise.

Don't kid yourselves, I-5 can be very, very foggy--I mean the ground level tulley fog. Your best bet on driving in fog is to get behind an 18 wheeler and follow. Whatever you do, don't pull off the road---someone will plow into the back of you.

Any way you cut it, I-5 is a ugly, boring freeway. Drive accordingly.

Dick

grasshopper

You'll know when you get close to Harris Ranch. You'll smell it!

Suzie

Yes Dick, just as Coalinga is North of Buttonwillow so is Harris Ranch. Please see my post. I much prefer to drive 99 if I'm not going to or coming from the Bay Area. I find it is not only more pleasant but it is a tad faster. The jag out to the coast range that I 5 makes is enough to tack on extra driving time for those driving up the central valley to Sacto and beyond.

There is no question that for Bay area travellers this is the way to go for a quick trip. Travel after dark for the best view! hee hee.

Dick

Suzie,

Using Buttonwillow as a reference point means that appoximately 60% of California is north of Buttonwillow.

I'm a native Californian, grew up in Coalinga, and had to look on a California map to find Buttonwillow. I thought Buttonwillow was north of the Harris Ranch! Ahhhhh---the smell of cows feeding to fatten for market.....

Dick

Suzie

Dick Sorry I didn't use Coalinga as the reference point. If you're driving from So CA you'll come to (or pass it up-your choice) Buttonwillow first. That will give you some hope of something to look forward to. College roommate grew up in Huron spent some time in both Huron and Coalinga so I don't think of Coalinga as being right on I 5 the way Buttonwillow is.

Driver

:^) Suzy where should I cut over to the 99 from the 5 to get to Chico? After Sacramento when the 99 goes north? So in this smelly ranch there is a good restaurant? MMM.

Suzie

99 and I5 merge in Sacto until north of town where an off ramp to Marysville/Yuba City indicates 99/70. From that point on it's pretty well marked but you do move from 99 to 70 to 149 to 99 to 32. I'd get exact directions from a map or mapquest.

The Harris Ranch serves beef. Lots of beef. You can view menus and accomodations at harrisranch.com. Happy driving.

Driver

I printed the Harris menu, pretty extensive really. Looks like a good place to stop, I will try not to inhale.
Thanks everyone, I am leaving Fri. AM, any last minute suggestions? I am thinking of staying overnight in Yuba City if I can't make it to Chico.

xxx

I'd try and push for Chico. It's a nice college town and has some decent choices for lodging and restaurants.

Tony

I must have been really flying along the 5 on a recent drive down from Sacramento. I have no recollection of seeing Harris Ranch. I guess I must have been too into listening to my radio.

Driver

The web site for Harris is really interesting. I had no idea all of that existed on 1-5.

kam

Barstow is definitely on I 15 on the way to Las Vegas and CHP frequently patrols there. I've never seen anyone pulled over under 90mph on the 5 through the Central Valley. Another bigtime speed trap is the 101 just south of 156 through Salinas Valley. Last time I drove it I saw 7 CHPs before we got to Santa Maria. The worst thing about the 5 is being so bored. Take CDs and a thermos of coffee. Harris Ranch (as others have said) is in Coalinga and there's also a Motel 6 there if you want to stay the night. Good luck.

janis

Driver. If you have made it all the way to Chico you might as well press on to Redding. Chico is a nice small colege town - but getting there in the late afternoon or early evening won't leave you with time to see anything. It doesn't take long from Chico thru Red Bluff to Redding.

You mentioned Mt Shasta - that is another hour north of Redding and not on the way to Weaverville or Eureka. If you plan on visiting Dunsmuir/Mt Shasta why don't you just keep going and spend the night there. Then back track to Redding and head west from there.

Driver

We are meeting up with family in Cottonwood and they now want to skip Shasta and head for the coast through the 399. Thanks everyone for the tips, if anything worthy happens I will post it when I return, Happy Thanksgiving.

Driver

Wow, there must be an easier way to find my thread and thank people. The search didn't work. But anyway, we are back and wanted to post a little info on the trip. Ater a late start:
We drove up I-5 to Harris Ranch for lunch. What a great place, we had chicken sandwiches which were large and very tasty. Nice decorations and very clean, interesting gift shop, will def. stop there again.
On to Yuba City for the night, stayed at Bonanza Motel, which was very nice for the money (about $60.). The best part was the windows open to the inside courtyard with the pool, so not open to public access and street noise. Also a nice touch, the room had a door on the pool side too, which would be nice in warmer months. Ate up the road a bit at Pasquini's. Very good Italian food.
Drove through Chico, a nice town, to Red Bluff, where we stopped at the Ide Adobe. It is on the 'red bluff' overlooking the Sacramento River. Nice picnic area and old adobe homestead. On to Cottonwood and a Christmas Festival with inexpensive, cleaver, homemade crafts, chili cook out and hay truck rides. Poked into the antique stores on Main Street and bought a beautiful sterling brooch. Also bought beautiful hand croched throw rugs for $10 each.
On to Weaverville, where we stayed at the 49er Motel. Nice place and walking distance to town. Large room and very clean. Small continental breakfast in office. The Grange is still the best place to eat in town, elegant with very tasty food and a nice atmosphere and a genteel bar area. One night there were strolling musicians from Romania.
Over to Eureka, where we stayed at the Carter Hotel. I have always wanted to stay here, and it is really lovely. Outstanding service and delicious restaurant, also breakfast and afternoon wine and snacks included. First class. We stayed in main hotel.
In Mendocino, stayed at Joshua Grindel B&B. Another first class place. $130 for two with two beds and far view of the sea from the bedroom. Outstanding breakfast and staff too. Had a great dinner at McCullum House. Then in Carmel had wonderful dinners at the Ranch and at Porto Bello.
Thank you to everyone who posted advice.

Susan

Driver, thanks for the trip report!

kam

DRiver, Thanks so much for the feedback! I also love Harris Ranch and don't really understand the complaints about the smell. It's just the smell of animals and warm weather.Nothing unhealthy.
The right lane of I5 is a disgrace though. The only worse interstate highway I've experienced is I 80 through Nevada. It's right lane is actually sinking into the desert!

Glad to hear that you enjoyed Portabella in Carmel. It's one of our favorites. We take our dogs with us and they serve them water in the wine coolers. Of course, we have to eat outside with them. Have met the owner on several occasions--a very nice man. Plan to do that on New Years. But, the inside of the restaurant is lovely during the winter when they light the fireplaces. Almost too cozy!! Joshua Grindel is perfect too!

If you do this trip again, and if you go through Bakersfield, there is a Basque restaurant there called the "Wool Gatherers" which we used to go to as a daytrip when we lived in LA.

Thanks for the report and I'm glad you had a good trip.