SFO to LAX road trip--guidance/suggestions?

Question

A co-worker and I will be driving from San Francicso to LA on Sat. 
 
Although we would prefer the coastal route, the fact that our spouses will be staying home will probably push us to the interstate.
 
Any suggestions on where to eat about midway?
 
Also, I would dearly love to see some of the fabled coastal scenery. Does it make sense in the context of a one day trip -- without chewing up too much time, to drive for a portion along the coast (and eat well), and go the rest of the way on interstate?
 
Any all eating/navigating guidance greatly appreciated!
 
Our LA destination is a hotel in Westwood. I shudder at all the bad meals I've had in LA (this will be my first trip there with possible Chowhound assistance, however), and I'm afraid with this toney location I'm in for more of the same. Any suggestions?

Answer

We made the drive last August from LA up to Monterey. Due to the mountain Looked like some good spots as you get closer to Big Sur...drive, twists and turns, it took us most of the day (8 hrs.) without stopping for meals. The valley drive is a straight shot, literally--4/12 hours without a turn or a curve. I was doing 96mph and getting passed; families members have made it from Redwood City to LA in 4 hrs--we weren't that brave. We we're able to see a spot where you could blast off the highway onto the coastal drive. You really need to choose one or the other. Didn't see a sign of a chowsite the whole way--big breakfastbefore or sandwiches brought I think are your best option for the Valley drive. Awesome open space --never have seen such huge fields of agricultural variety, now we know why it's called the country's "Salad Bowl."

Answer

The SFO-LA trip through the central valley takes half the time that the coastal route takes.
 
I like to stop at a roadside farmstand on the 152. Mine is on the right (no offramp, the highway is a normal road at this point), sort of in the neighborhood of the well-advertised Casa Fruitaria-or-something complex. I know that's vague directions--but how wrong can you go with a roadside farmstand? I get some good lettuce and some fruit to snack on. i spray my bottled water on it in the parking lot.
 
When we make an early start, we've stopped at the Harris Ranch in Coalinga for steak and eggs for breakfast. we're not big meat eaters, too often don't enjoy meat, but the steak and eggs was tasty and fun and different for us. The steak is from the ranch there, which is fun. Supposedly the ranch produces produce too, but you have to question your server to find out what might be from the ranch currently.
 
of course you could have lunch or dinner at harris ranch. i've never done it--no particular reason. You do need reservations for their restaurant which you can make over the internet. the restaurant closes at 10. Breakfast is served in a more informal eating area and my children are all under the age of seven.
 
Often i pack lunch, probably not sensible in your situation, in the company of someone who might find that quirky. Just in case, I'll warn you not to choose the Buttonwillow rest area for picnicking, there always seems to be a bad smell from the lavoratories or flies or some other such unpleasant problem.
 
For a classic packaged snacks from the gas station we would stop at either of the gas stations just before your ascend the Grapevine.
 
Have a pleasant safe trip
Johnna

Answer

There was just a thread UCLA/Westwood on the LA Board. I stand by my responses: Don Antonio's for cheap Italian, Delphi for solid Greek, Sheherezad (sp?) for great Persian.

Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/47437#235851

Answer

Dude
 
If you love to drive take the coast. Man created convertables because God created Highway 1. I will leave chow 411 to those who can offer more than I.
 
Chow!!!

Answer

Hwy 5: most boring food alley, unless you can tell me something I haven't discovered on my annual drive from SF to LA. We stop at Harris Ranch and hate ourselves for it; ethical consideration of seeing the abuse of the cattle in their muddy barren pens, cattle Auschwitz. The restaurants are very very expensive, food just OK, but it is pleasant to take a break in their building.

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SFO to LAX road trip--guidance/suggestions?

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