Best road-trip restaurants in California

$ · Lassen Volcanic National Park

Burger-and-shake stand serving the Almanor Basin since 1952 — a genuine old-highway frosty with the best shakes in this corner of the Sierra-Cascade country. Post-Lassen soft serve is the ritual.

$$ · Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway

A Dunsmuir burger stop with enough cult-road-trip energy to anchor the Mount Shasta leg of the Volcanic Legacy Byway.

$$ · Joshua Tree National Park

Rowdy 1980s-vintage saloon with solid burgers, a full bar, and live music — the town's default post-hike gathering spot. Open late by desert standards.

$ · Tioga Road

A seasonal Lee Vining burger-and-soft-serve stop that fits the Tioga Pass gateway when the Yosemite crossing needs quick fuel.

$ · Super Bowl LXI

One of LA's oldest spots, famous for burgers and pie. (West LA)

$ · U.S. Open Golf 2027

Casual downtown burger spot from the Sur Restaurant team.

$ · Napa & Sonoma wine country

Napa Valley roadside institution slinging Angus cheeseburgers, ahi burgers, shakes, and fries at picnic tables since the Taylor's days.

$$ · I-10 corridor

Palm Springs institution serving simple classic burgers on fresh organic buns since 1996, a downtown lunch-counter favorite.

$$ · Sequoia National Park

Family-owned bar and grill on the bank of the Kaweah with a huge riverfront patio, local beer on tap, and live bands on summer Sundays. The unwind spot after the park drive.