Sounds like fun. Based on going back and forth from Sacramento to there and back, over and over, - about 47,000 miles last year!!! --- I can tell you this:

Either I-5 or highway 99 will work, as they both come together at the Grapevine.

However, the 18 wheelers are everywhere, and things get messed up every time one of them with a top speed of 71 mph decides to pass one that is going 70 mph.



Fill up with diesel BEFORE you leave, as the prices along I 5 and 99 are insane, but once in LA, they are really cheap.


If you take I 5, there is only ONE place to stop to eat. The Harris Ranch, at the Coalinga 198 exit.


More choices abound on Highway 99 with all those little towns. I especially enjoy Little Sweeden, the town of Kingsburg. The Dala House restaurant on the main street, downtown and the ice cream store across the street are wonderful, and the place at the back of the mini mall down the main street downtown is authentic and great too, all of it is real cheap but good!!

Sometimes I stop and meet Justin on the way if he is in school at the Dennys near the freeway in Stockton.

There are CHP cops all over the place so don't speed, they like to hide under flyovers and on the median, wherever/whenever they can, and they are merciless because they are trying to get money for the budget shortfall in California. Over the grapevine they are around a lot, hiding, and especially near the 138 exit to Lancaster....

Take a GPS to help get from here to there, it is tough without one.

The LA drivers use to be good, but NOW assume *every* other driver is yakking on the cell phone down there, or texting, as they drive, I even saw cement truck drivers doing it.

The percentage of females 18-25 that do it, is about 99%. If they are looking down, going abnormally slow in the lane, or drifting in their lane or over it, that is a 100% tip off they (or anyone) are doing it.


Canter's in DTLA, or Jerry's in Woodland Hills or Studio City, are FABULOUS bets for reasonably priced Jewish deli lunches, and POQUITO MAS is the best prced and most delicious Mex food you can get, they are in Studio City (where I saw the entire PD and FD in full dress blues come in there) - these are all tips from mercedes benz driving locals, on these fora, that I used.

Hope that helps you, Nik.

If you have ANY extra time, check the showroom of Beverly Hills Mercedes on Beverly Drive, right off Santa Monica Blvd in BH. It's awesome.

It sounds like a turnaround trip, but if you have the time, (call first to be sure they are open) visit the Mercedes Benz Classic Center at 9 Watney, Irvine. Totally worth it. Down in the OC though, maybe an hour and fifteen minutes from DTLA, take the 405 then the 5.


Don't overdo it though. If you are tired and going back on 5 or 99, grab a hotel off the freeway. Watch the signs: you can get a room, nothing fancy, for $33 on up per night, places like the EZ8, Motel 6, and so forth, in some place like Kettleman City, Escalon, and on 99, the Sleep Inn off the freeway at Olive Drive, in Bakersfield is absolutely first class for about $55.

Enjoy it, I love LA, you will too. I am going back again in early May - can't wait!!

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1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

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