any full service rest stops on California interstate highways? (Sacramento: credit card, casinos)

[kyle242]

I have traveled in many states, mainly midwestern such as Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan but also some in West too like Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California (where I live now) and one in South (Texas).

In North its very easy to find either service plazas or vendors lined up right by highway ramp exits next to gas stations with clear information signs before exit and on exit ramps. However this seems to me rare in California.

As I was driving from Lake Tahoe back to Bay Area through I-80, I did not notice any rest /service stops (except for 2 rest stops in SoCal when I traveled from LA to Las Vegas), except information signs for fast food, lodge, gas stations especially around Sacramento but once when I was getting off on exit to Davis, I got confused as to where to go due to no info signs there on exit ramp. And in Davis, I found really nothing but McDonalds, Taco Bell or Burger King.

When I stopped in rest areas in SoCal they were merely functional, with bathrooms filthy, water fountain under low pressure, old trashy vending machines with cages. I also did not see an inside area to sit down, just outside tables. If weather was bad, you'd have to go back to your car. In fact some rest stops were closed.

Not sure about Nevada, I don't think I saw rest stops but at least info signs were clear when passing through any town and services were easy to find close to exits.

In Illinois, you actually have full service plazas they call oasis built above interstate highways. They come with many food vendors including something different from McD's like Gyros, Panda Express, Sbarro, clean bathrooms, food court all inside warm building, massage chairs, travel service desks, free Wi-Fi.

Ohio, has some of the best service plazas right by interstates with clean restrooms and slightly better food vendors like Panera Bread. Iowa has limited service plazas but still with fully functional clean bathrooms, new vending machines that accept credit cards, Wi-Fi. Texas has often-side parkways parallel to major interstate highways aligned with many businesses I saw on my way from Dallas to Austin.

Try that in urban areas in California like Bay Area and more often you'll feel like driving through rural areas with nothing around than a major metro area despite CA having some of the biggest in the country.

[eccotecc]

Santa Nella on I5 comes to mind. It's approx. 100 miles south of Sacramento and 200 miles north of LA. Over the years it has grown from a small stop to a small community. It's right off the highway.

[Des-Lab]

I think what the OP is referring to are those East Coast Turnpike style rest stops that are usually located in the highway median. You exit to the LEFT to access them; but otherwise never 'really' leave the highway.

To answer THAT question, no. I'm not aware of any such configured rest stop anywhere in the State. But as the previous posted pointed out, there ARE many small places that function essentially the same way. Buttonwillow, Grapevine, and Kettleman City on I-5 are a few more. Highway 99 through the valley also has a number of places that are little more than an assortment of fast food and gas stations. And every town from Bakersfield and north does have at least one exit where all of those are clustered right off the freeway specifically to serve the 'just passing through' motorists. California Ave in Bakersfield is a perfect example.

And yes, there are plenty of actual rest stop only facilities. Most have vending machines but little else in the way of amenities.

[pch1013]

California has no long-distance toll roads, and hence no need for full-service "plazas" that can be accessed without leaving the freeway.

[Think4Yourself]

Statewide Rest Areas

That details every single rest stop in the state with various categories of what services it offers. The categories are, in yes or no format, restrooms, water, picnic tables, telephones, handicapped access, RV over night hookups, food vending, pet area, and cigarette smoking area.

[Fontucky]

FREEways

[Hawk J]

In Nevada, the rest stops are called Casinos......

[Dirtroadie]

Sounds like California has the same attitude about rest stops as Indiana. Here they are funded begrudgingly or not at all. You can argue about the need for them, but I like them as a public place to take a leak and maybe catch a 15 minute power nap if I'm feeling a little drowsy. That isn't as easy to do at a commercial truck stop or gas station.

[kyle242]

Originally Posted by Des-Lab

I think what the OP is referring to are those East Coast Turnpike style rest stops that are usually located in the highway median. You exit to the LEFT to access them; but otherwise never 'really' leave the highway.

To answer THAT question, no. I'm not aware of any such configured rest stop anywhere in the State. But as the previous posted pointed out, there ARE many small places that function essentially the same way. Buttonwillow, Grapevine, and Kettleman City on I-5 are a few more. Highway 99 through the valley also has a number of places that are little more than an assortment of fast food and gas stations. And every town from Bakersfield and north does have at least one exit where all of those are clustered right off the freeway specifically to serve the 'just passing through' motorists. California Ave in Bakersfield is a perfect example.

And yes, there are plenty of actual rest stop only facilities. Most have vending machines but little else in the way of amenities.

Hmm, interesting you exit to those there on the LEFT? I have been to Pennsylvania and New York State thruways but haven't seen that.

Anyway here are examples I am referring to:

Illinois Tollway Oasis
http://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw...b294hinoas.jpg

Ohio Turnpike Service Plaza
http://www.rlba.com/projects/transpo...OTCplaza01.jpg

All of these above or to the right and exit to them on the right.

But its good to know there are small places that function similarly, are you talking about cluster of gas stations restaurants along major streets from highway exits? Are these reachable in less than a quarter mile from highway exit?

[kyle242]

Originally Posted by Dirtroadie

Sounds like California has the same attitude about rest stops as Indiana. Here they are funded begrudgingly or not at all. You can argue about the need for them, but I like them as a public place to take a leak and maybe catch a 15 minute power nap if I'm feeling a little drowsy. That isn't as easy to do at a commercial truck stop or gas station.

Indiana, although neglected and kind of dirty, does have full service plazas with gas stations located right by highway I-90 with food service vendors.

When I stopped at a last rest stop on I-15 before entering Nevada, the rest stop only had kinda dirty restrooms, vending machines and picnic tables. Thats all.