Thank you all for helping me out for my October trip from SF to LA so far. Here are my hotel bookings, going North to South, with restaurant selections that I have gleaned from posting that fellow Hounds have recommended:

1 night in Berkeley: Bette's Ocean View Diner
2 nights in Monterey
3 nights in San Luis Obispo
1 night in Santa Barbara: Loquita, Sama Sama, The Lark, Barbareño, Los Agaves, Brophy Bros, Cold Spring Tavern
1 night in the Ramada Wiltshire, LA

So, all the hotel bookings are set, but definitely need restaurant recommendations. I also plan to drive up to the blockage(s) on US 1 from both sides, doubling back so that we will miss as little of the sights as possible. I love to drive and have rented a Mustang Convertible for the trip. Really looking forward to it. Thank you again!

Crab Leg buffets are seldom good. In order to make money on a potentially bottomess pit of Crab Leg consumption, most restaurants offer only the frozen variety, which is really not worth eating. Still, if that's what you want, try the Ark Restaurant & Catering (6255 Stirling Road, Davie, FL 954-584-3075). They have many other things besides Crab Claws, which I never eat. Instead, I go for their Roast Prime Rib au Jus.

When it does come to Stone Crab Claws, I prefer to buy from the seafood stores, ask that the claws be cracked (at no extra charge), buy a container of their special Mustard Sauce, and take them home to enjoy. Here are two establishments that sell fresh, fresh, fresh Stone Crab Claws in season, which is from October 15th to May 15th each year:

The Fish Peddler, 7794 NW 44th Street, Sunrise, FL 33351 Tel: 954-741-1933
Captain Jim Hanson's, 12950 West Dixie Highway, North Miami, FL 33161 Tel: 305-892-2812

Once you have tasted FRESH Stone Crab Claws, you will never touch a frozen one again...

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Ark Restaurant & Catering
6255 Stirling Rd, Davie, FL 33314

Have you gone on your trip yet? If not, don't miss Au Pied de Cochon in Montreal. The food is fresh and delicious. They offer almost everything that has to do with a pig, including Roasted Pig's Head for 2. Their Duck in a Can is a classic, and they serve up many, many variations of foie gras. Stay away from the pricy ingredients and you can have a delicious meal at a reasonable price. Ah, but you are in Montreal, live a little...

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Au Pied de Cochon
536 Avenue Duluth Est, Montreal, QC H2L 1A9, CA

Deep Down South has moved. They are now on 31st Ave, that's the street off of the Exxon station, about 200 yds down from W Sunrise Blvd. Address is:

1231 NW 31st Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311-5027
Phone: 954-687-7417

Was there about a week ago, had their Ribs, Fried Shrimp, and Conch Fritters to go (There is just the trailer which you cannot get into, and a parking lot. No seating except in your car). All were very good.

Also tried Bar-B-Q Jack's in Oakland Park, had their Ribs Dinner with sides of Mac n' Cheese and Collard Greens, and a Sweet Tea. Excellent meal.

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Deep Down South Barbecue
3101 W Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL

OK! Domenic's on Main Street in Waltham. Yes, they are an institution, and I like their Caprese Panini a lot. Sometimes I even find Pasta Frittata there! Definitely will have to go there again soon.

Now, about this overlook on Prospect Hill, that's the one where you go up next to the one-time ski slope on Totten Pond Road, right? It used to be a Nike site and the views up there of Waltham are quite remarkable. I haven't gone there in like 20 years, but I think if the road is still there, the views will remain just as spectacular as I have remembered it. This brings back memories...

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Main Street Cafe
182 Main St, Marlborough, MA 01752

Paninis
561 Shirley St, Winthrop, MA 02152

Did go to Dairy Joy for lunch today in a '69 MGB Roadster. It was a near perfect day for eating out, as out in the fresh air, and the MG just added to the trip that much more. My friend is looking to buy an MGB and I just wanted to give him a taste of what it is like driving on those twisty 2-lane blacktops on a sunny Spring day.

We both had the Small Fried Clams at Dairy Joy which is pretty much the consensus here on the Greater Boston Board that that is what they do best. I am happy to report that the clams did not disappoint, and were indeed fresh and sweet, and not greasy when eaten right there on the benches in Weston. They can give the best of the North Shore a run for their money as far as Fried Clams are concerned.

The benchmark for Fried Clams is IMHO the Clam Box in Ipswich. When you are lucky enough to catch them just finishing a fresh batch and that's what they use to fill your order, those are the best Fried Clams in the world. Several times though, I think my order was filled with lukewarm clams that had been done a little while ago, and those were greasy and the crust is no longer crispy. Those had been disappointments. So, even traveling all that way to Ipswich does not guarantee a perfect Fried Clam experience. It pays to be lucky...

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Clam Box
789 Quincy Shore Dr, Quincy, MA 02170

Dairy Joy
331 North Ave, Weston, MA 02493