Originally Posted By GalPalSal We're heading down to DLR from the Sac Area in 2 weeks, and planning to spend a half day at the LA Zoo before checking in at the BWPPI on Sunday afternoon. Does anyone have a recommendation for a reasonable motel/hotel between Bakersfield and LA?
Originally Posted By 4Disnee We always stop in Button Willow for breakfast and lunch and that is the Bakersfield exit. I have hear that is a nice place to stay over night but have never done it my self just some of my friends did.
Originally Posted By forcemejure The Hyatt in Valencia (a solid 3*) is usually found on Priceline for about $65/night. Its right next to Magic Mountain.
Originally Posted By pacomama When we leave from Sac in the afternoon, we usually spend the night in Buttonwillow which, as 4Disnee said, the Bakersfield exit. There is a place called Willow Inn that's ok. You get a free hot breakfast from the truck stop across the street. We've also stayed at the Motel6. There is also a Super8 there, but I've never tried it. All in all, the Willow is probably the nicest (which isn't saying that much), but it's also a little more expensive than the others.
Originally Posted By GalPalSal Thanks for the responses everyone! I researched Bakersfield and found the Garden Suites Inn. Looks good, $59 for a suite with breakfast. Does anyone know how far Bakersfield is from I-5? Don't want to go to far out of the way!
Originally Posted By velo gee, I think it's almost 1/2 hour off of I-5. You'd do better to get something in Buttonwillow. I also seem to remember a Radisson (?) near the bottom of the grapevine. It always looked like a good place to stop.
Originally Posted By tlovesdis If you are driving down the I-5, you don't want a hotel in Bakersfield! You would have to drive for quite a while to get to Bakersfield. It's off the 99. We stayed at the Super 8 at the Buttonwillow exit off of 5. It was decent and only like $60 a night.
Originally Posted By dlkozy I don't care for anything that is in Buttonwillow. We also come from the Sac area, and we have never had the need to stop at Buttonwillow except for a quick bite to eat. I would just drive down to Magic Mountain area if you have to stop before hitting the DL area. Then you are just about there.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Checking my notes: Buttonwillow Exit, there is the Willow Inn (as pacomama suggested) and it looks the best. I also noted a Holland Inn Stockdale Hwy Exit is a Best Western and a Americas Best Inn On Laval Road exit (where 5 and 99 meet) there is a Best Western "Liberty Inn". We stayed there last year, it's fairly new and the rooms are pretty basic but clean and great for a stop over. You get a free "breakfast" as in bagels, cereal, toast etc. If we stayed there again, I'd ask for an upper room as the lower rooms are next to the parking lot. 5 minutes further is the Ramada that Velo suggested. We may try that one in a couple of weeks depending on the weather over the grapevine. There is also a "Days Inn" in the same area, but I don't have any notes as to what it looks like. There are LOTS of hotels in Valencia, Santa Clarita, Burbank area. That would be over the grapevine and nearer the Zoo.
Originally Posted By GalPalSal I have a hotel route mapped out with coupons from roomsaver.com and we'll see how far we get (Kettleman City, Buttonwillow, Lebec) with me saying to the 2 and 4 year old "don't make me stop the car!" haha. Do you think we need to make reservations to hold the room or will there be rooms available on a Friday night? I guess it depends were the motel is.
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP For future reference, yes Bakersfield is in a good 30ish minutes from the 5, but when leaving the next morning you would take HWY 99 south, the only North/South freeway in Bakersfield, and rejoin the 5 in about 45 minutes of driving with no additional detour. (For you geometry whizes, think of doing the sides of a right triangle, while I-5 is the hypotenuse--not that I can spell that.)
Originally Posted By velo I would call from the road, GalPalSal - if it becomes "apparent" that the kids (and you, lol) need a break then you can call ahead and reserve a room if one is available.
Originally Posted By GalPalSal We're aiming to get as far as Lebec, and I made a reservation at the Best Rest Inn for $50. If we stop early I have the Best Western in Kettleman City ($85) or the Willow Inn & Suites in Buttonwillow ($47) staked out. Thanks for the advice!
