California Road Trips - 50 Life-Changing Adventures - 46

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP

Central Valley
Foodie Road Trip
From the Basque restaurants of Bakersfield to the surprisingly
refined dining scene in Galt, this drive travels California's
heartland in search of upscale eats and classic comfort foods

Agri-Center, a complex that hosts major farm-related events, looms
just off 99, before you'll take a short side-trip to Visalia's historic
downtown and The Vintage Press. A local favorite for more than 50
years, it's an elegant spot for dinner and a sure lunch bet, thanks to a
delicious Armenian lamb shish kebab sandwich.
Northbound 99 runs through orchards and grapevines (the town
of Selma bills itself as the "Raisin Capital of the World"), and if it's
Wednesday afternoon or Saturday morning, swing into Fresno to
sample the local bounty at the Vineyard Farmers Market, held beneath
a giant leafy trellis.
Of course, man does not live on produce alone. After traveling
across the patchwork of farms north of Fresno, detour into the past
for a double French burger (made with four patties!) and a root beer
float (delivered by a carhop, no less) at Merced's H & W Family DriveIn. Now that you've completely blown your diet, how about some
cheese? About 26 miles from Merced, guided or self-guided tours
explore the operations at the Hilmar Cheese Company, which has a
café serving-what else?-eight kinds of grilled-cheese sandwiches.
Back on 99, drive 20 minutes north to Modesto, the town that inspired the film classic American Graffiti. (Visit during the month of June
for street fairs and classic car parades celebrating the movie.) Cruise
over to Mr. T's Delicate Donut Shop, which officially made the A Team
after earning honors as one of America's top 15 donut destinations.
There are more old-fashioned delights farther up the road in

TH E V I N TAG E P R E SS

Stockton, where the Genova Bakery, an Italian deli that has been
filling the air with the aroma of fresh-baked breads for a century,
FA M E D A S O N E O F T H E WO R L D ' S M O ST productive

draws long lunch lines to its landmark yellow wood-framed building

agricultural regions, the Central Valley is also filled with all sorts of

with red awnings. If you're looking for wine to pair with items you

delicious discoveries for foodies. This journey follows Highway 99, the

picked up at Genova, the thriving Lodi wine country is only about

thread that connects the valley's main cities, as it cruises past miles

20 miles up Highway 99. Get the lay of the land at the Lodi Wine

and miles of the farmland that feeds the world.

& Visitor Center, then stop at Michael David Winery for some of

time to discover the city's Basque culinary tradition, which dates

the region's best Zinfandels.
If people are often surprised by Lodi's wines, they may be even

to the mid-1800s. Along the Basque Block of the Old Town Kern

more amazed to pull into Galt's historic downtown and discover a

neighborhood, you can savor such classics as roasted leg of lamb and

restaurant scene with diverse cuisines for your drive-ending dinner.

oxtail stew at Noriega's, a restaurant that opened in 1893 and was

In a beautifully restored 19th-century building, Brewster's Bar & Grill

honored with a prestigious James Beard Award in 2011.

cooks up contemporary comfort foods. Over at Pastosa by Lucia, such

You'll share the road with trucks laden with produce as they rumble

favorites as the house-made gnocchi have brought authentic Italian

up the highway through farm towns with names that belong to

flavors to town. And the eclectic street foods at StreetZlan range from

another era: Pixley, Earlimart, and Tipton. In Tulare, the International

plates of chicken and waffles to 12-hour smoked brisket tacos.

2-3
days

S TA R T Bakersfield
F I N I S H Galt

M O S T AC C L A I M E D R E S TAU R A N T Noriega's, Bakersfield

46
VISITCALIFORNIA.COM

292
miles

I N S I D E T I P The drive
is at its best in spring and
summer when produce is most
abundant. Bring an appetite
and a cooler to keep your
bounty fresh.

PHOTOGRAPH: CAVALE CREATIVE/FORREST CAVALE

Before heading north on Highway 99 from Bakersfield, take some

http://www.VISITCALIFORNIA.COM

California Road Trips - 50 Life-Changing Adventures

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of California Road Trips - 50 Life-Changing Adventures