We will be driving from Yosemite to Newport Coast and wanted to stay somewhere approx. 1/2 way to break up the drive and enjoy the sights. Where would you recommend?

I am assuming you mean Newport Beach south of Los Angeles.
I would not consider anything south of Visalia. Don't even think of Bakersfield. If you have the time, consider going from Visalia into Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP.

Yeah Tom is right. the I-5 stretch is awful and unfortunately the 99 stretch is not much better with the exception of the Visalia/Sequoia area that he mentioned. Otherwise cut over to the coast somewhere and stop in Morro Bay or Santa Barbara. The area where the film Sideways was shot is kind of nice-Solvang. Cute little touristy nordic town, but good steak places and great Pinot Noir

I agree with the others. I actually grew up in Visalia. It's "okay", but not what I would call a tourist sight. I would think going to the Sequoias would take too long. It's not really on the way. If you DO decide to go, there is a cute little town called Three Rivers on the way up to the Sequoias that is just before you go into the park. It would be cheaper to stay there and just get a day pass for the park.

If you go the coastal route, I would definitely stay in Solvang. Really cute and depending when you go, they have theatre in an outdoor ampitheatre (summer only). Also, the town just north of there called Santa Maria has a theatre school that puts on the shows in Santa Maria in the summer. See if anything is playing!

Don't even think of Bakersfield.

I was thinking that when we go to Sequoia and Kings Canyon it would
be fun to spend a night in Bakersfield so we could go to Buck Owen's
Crystal Palace for music and dinner. Am I wrong?

HTTY

Going to Sequoia would not help you at all. It is a GREAT place to visit -- but would add a full day to your plan. (listen to the locals) If you just want a stop over between YNP and Orange County (and want something scenic) head across to the coast and stay in San Luis Obispo or Pismo Beach (Solvang would be OK too but is a bit farther) and the next day down 101 to the LA area and then down to Newport Beach.

If 'scenic' isn't important, you could head down I-5 beyond Bakersfield and stay in Castaic. It wouldn't be my choice but would not be a terrible drive/stopover.

htty: "Am I wrong?"

If Buck Owens floats your boat, OK. But I would arrive in B'field just before going to the Crystal Palace, look, eat, back to the hotel and get back on the road first thing in the morning.

HTTY, I think if you want to see the show then it's a good plan. I think folks were saying it wasn't much of a destination in and of itself.

I'm not that big of a fan of Solvang and I'm not sure if it's because it reminds me too much of the faux "Bavarian" village in the N GA mtns or if I just got an overload of the Danish stuff by the person I was traveling with (a local). It seemed a bit too gimmicky to me. But different strokes for different folks. If I headed back I'd spend some time at the wineries and would probably like it more

I'm not that big of a fan of Solvang.

Me either. If you're going to drive out of your way, Paso Robles would be a good option. It is a pleasing place to spend a night.

HTTY

Well, if you are going to head to Paso Robles you could head on over to Cambria and stay on the ocean. We enjoyed our stay on Moonstone Beach. We loved the wineries around Paso Robles, especially http://www.peachycanyon.com/

Thanks for the suggestions. I think we would like to take our time and drive down the coast. Any other ideas as to where we should stay overnight along the coast (our final destination is Orange County)?

We like to stay in Pismo Beach in an ocean front room and to have dinner at Ventana Grill.

HTTY

Santa Barbara has lots to see and great places to eat. Also, for the folks interested in food in Bakersfield, our local LA Weekly food critic has an interesting article about the Basque restaurants in Bakersfield and one of his favorite soda fountains in the country, Dewars, up there that make these little nut chews. Great article-almost makes me want to make the day trip from LA

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