How to plan a road trip from SLC to Southern Calif.

How to plan a road trip from SLC to Southern Calif.

(Robynn Garfield)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Thousands of Utahns drive to southern California every year. Some go to visit family. Some head south for a glimpse at the beach and a chance to feel warm sand between their toes. A lucky few drive towards Disneyland, singing and smiling the whole way down (I can only assume).

For those driving long hours with small children, the trip can be anything but merry. Even with the marvels of modern technology like portable DVD players and tablets, kids can get restless and noisy. For most adults, stopping on a road trip feels like time lost, and what may be billed as a two minute bathroom break can turn into a half hour of wrangling small children at dirty gas stations.

While not every stop can be planned (small bladders are unpredictable) it helps to have an idea of where to grab lunch, where to stop to use the bathroom, and where to pull over to let the kids run around for a few minutes. From Salt Lake City to Orange County, there are a some great options for families with small children when it comes to road stops for food, gas and the stretching of legs.

Stop one: Beaver, Utah

Beaver is about 200 miles south of Salt Lake City. While some drivers might shoot for St. George, others play it safe and stop sooner for gas in Beaver. For a quick in and out, stop at the Chevron off the second Beaver exit, fill up and let the kids out to climb on the giant rocking chair. Grab a few snacks and head on to Vegas for lunch.

For a longer stay over, try El Bambi Cafe (935 N. Main Street) for lunch. While the atmosphere may not meet the standards of the Four Seasons, locals say the homemade rolls are the best in the world. Take a walk down Beaver Main street and visit Surewood Forest Candles (31 N Main Street), an emporium gift shop where daring customers can have their hands dipped in hot wax to make a candle mold.

And of course, it goes without saying, but no longer-than-5-minute stop in Beaver would be complete without a visit to the Cache Valley Cheese Factory (330 W. 300 South). Fresh cheese curds and amazing ice cream are just a few of the dairy treats awaiting visitors at the factory. Grab a few snacks to go and take a little bit of heaven with you down the road.

Stop two: Las Vegas

Vegas sits 226 miles south of Beaver, making for about a three-hour stretch of road. For those looking for a quick lunch, many locals rave about burrito chain Qdoba. Check the restaurant's website for locations, as a few lie in and around the vegas area.

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For a longer pit stop, take a drive down the famous Vegas Strip and stop at the Bellagio to watch the water fountain show. Parking at the hotel is free, and the show runs every half hour. While many things in Vegas aren’t particularly kid-friendly, the walk from the parking lot to the fountains is bereft of anything overtly offensive and children will love a trip through the Bellagio lobby.

Stop three: Victorville

Victorville is only 183 miles down the road from Vegas and a mere hour and a half from Anaheim. Many locals and travelers alike enjoy a stop at Liberty Park (13016 Amethyst Rd), just a few minutes off Interstate 15. For a dinnertime stop, grab fast food off the freeway and stop at the park for some leg stretching.

Victorville marks the entrance to California produce country. Depending on what is in season, fruit stands are usually overflowing with fresh oranges, pomegranates, lemons, avocados and other Golden State offerings. A stop at a stand to fill up on good local produce is a must for those who enjoy the tastiest fruits and veggies in the country.

Driving long distance with kids is never a picnic. Movies and electronics can help, but sometimes small bodies need to get out and run around. Stopping occasionally can save everyone’s sanity.

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Robynn Garfield

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