Hi,
I am looking for some logistics advice. We'll be driving to LA (from Northern California) on a Friday afternoon and need to be at a party by 11 am on a Saturday morning. With work schedules, it's the only window we can travel.

We're also travelling with a toddler, and with bedtimes and the early-ish Saturday party, driving all night isn't as easy as it once was. So we're thinking of possibly staying somewhere on I-5 near/before the grapevine just to get some shut eye and then doing the quick remainder of the drive into LA in time for the party. We already have accommodations in LA for Saturday night so that's not a concern.

Our thought is that doing the whole drive might be pushing it, and our arrival time would be so late (or rather so obscenely early in the morning) that the whole family would be fried. Cranky toddlers on vacation aren't fun.

Is there a good place to stay along I-5 for a night? I'm not looking for the Four Seasons, but something clean, safe, reputable.

Any help is much appreciated.

~kat

I wish I could remember where it is- perhaps you could look on a map or check with AAA as to the small town just before you start the climb. I'm certain there is some place. You could also drive down 99- lots of towns along there... Wish I could be more specific. Good luck!

Frazier Park/Lebec/Gorman which are right at the bottom of the Grapevine have a few decent places. (the reason I lump them together is because I Don't have a map in front of me - but these 3 are all one exit right after another before the climb)

There is an Ayres Country INN which is fine, and another one called (I think) Best Rest Inn.

Or you could stop in Bakersfield - all the usual suspects (chain hotels) are well represented there.

Using Priceline would be a good idea for this one-night stay. Go to www.biddingfortravel.com, scroll down to hotels, keep scrolling to California and open California Interior hotels. You can find a list of hotels in the Bakersfield (and other interior locations) that you'd be likely to get with a PL bid. Study the info at the site carefully to be sure you know exactly how to bid.

I'm not affiliated with PL or BFT in any way other than that of a satisfied customer.

That Ayres at the Grapevine exit should work well. If you have a bit more energy, there are a lot of choices near Magic Mountain (either the Magic Mountain or Lyons exits in Santa Clarita). Ranges from Super 8 to Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, even a Hyatt.