The Best Rest Stops in California

Rest stops have been placed at strategic locations along American highways due to motorists often needing somewhere to stop and take a break from driving, especially long distance truck drivers. More importantly, rest stops can offer truck drivers a place of leisure versus a quick nap on the side of the highway or an exit ramp. Rest stops offer a range of amenities from food and gas to restrooms and historical exhibits. Being the third largest state in the U.S., California maintains a total of 88 rest stops for its drivers, making travel between cities a little more convenient. This guide highlights some of the best California rest stops.

Tejon Pass

The Tejon Pass rest area is located 3.5 miles north of Gorman. This is a great rest stop to keep in mind if you are planning a southbound route into Los Angeles, because it is the only rest area you will find during the stretch past the Grapevine. It has all the amenities you might need at a rest area including restrooms, a picnic area, a public phone, and vending machines. There is even an area designated for pets to run around and stretch their legs. The Tejon Pass is also very friendly to those who need access to handicap facilities.

Boron

The Boron rest stop is well known for its cleanliness. As a matter of fact, many drivers have left reviews of this rest area that emphasize the cleanliness. It is located about four miles west of Boron and is another great place to stop in the area surrounding Los Angeles. It offers pretty scenery landscaped with Joshua trees. This rest stop has wheelchair accessible restrooms, picnic tables, vending machines and even 18 semi-truck parking spaces.

Aliso Creek

The Aliso Creek rest stop is located on the Camp Pendleton Marine Base about six miles north of Oceanside. Aliso Creek is also praised for its well-maintained facilities. Additionally, Aliso Creek is known for being very pet friendly and has a pet area where you can take your dog for a walk. You can also find informational signs on El Camino Real and Aliso Creek at this stop, notably displaying one of the El Camino Real Bells. So, if you like history, this rest stop is worth considering.

O'Brien

The O’Brien rest area is located five miles north of Redding. What makes this rest stop stand out is its clear, scenic view of Lake Shasta. Drivers will be blown away by the beauty of it. Aside from the sights, O’Brien is a pretty standard rest stop. It has wheelchair and family accessible restrooms, picnic tables, and vending machines. As far as parking for sleeper cabins is concerned, there are seven semi-truck parking spaces accessible.

Crestview

Interestingly enough, the Crestview rest stop was actually featured in Ryann Ford’s photobook The Last Stop. Crestview was one of the only two California rest stops included in this publication. Crestview is located about six miles north of Junction 203. This rest stop caters to travelers who enjoy nature, as it is located in the forest. This rest area features a fun historical marker, too. It talks of the Lost Cement Mine, a legendary gold vein that had many eager pioneers searching for it. Aside from the scenery and historical context, Crestview offers similar amenities to the rest stops previously mentioned. It has restrooms, picnic tables, and a pet area. It even has eight spaces for semi-trucks. The only downsides are its lack of food vending and RV sanitation.

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