Most people would like to eat well when they’re on the road, but how do you find restaurants when you’re traveling? It can be a tricky, hit-or-miss situation–especially on those long stretches of road on the drive between San Diego and Los Angeles, or between here and Palm Springs.
It’s a good thing there are a few strategies for doing this. Nothing is foolproof, but there are a few ways you can maximize your chances of eating great food while you’re traveling.
In-N-Out Burger
If there’s one thing you can count on, there’s probably an In-N-Out Burger where you’re headed in Southern California. The one on the road to Palm Springs is a popular stop for travelers headed to the desert area. A good traveler’s mantra is: Never fear–if you like burgers, fries, and milkshakes, you can probably satiate your hunger along the way with burgers Southern Californians have loved since 1948.
Before Heading Out
When it comes to eating well while you’re on the road, preparation can be critical. Search the area on Google maps for local restaurants or look for reviews on sites like TripAdvisor!
It doesn’t matter if you prefer to flip through an actual guidebook or read a few online blog posts, take a bit of time to research which restaurants serve cuisine you like. If you want a particular type of food–whether it’s a pastrami sandwich from a diner in Temecula or a bowl of Pho in San Diego–you’ll want to figure out which restaurant you’re going to in advance. This is also a good time to keep your eyes peeled for any local specialties so you can do an extra bit of searching for where to find the best of them. You may even want to plot a few restaurants on your map so that you’ll know what other activities and sites are close by.
Don’t Put Too Much Stock in Reviews
This may seem a bit basic, but not every review is created equal. Recently, Google reviews seem to be about the best, and quite a few locals tend to contribute, and they have the added advantage of automatically translating reviews in other languages into your language. Additionally, if you Google something like “best restaurants in Pasadena”, you can then apply filters to single out establishments with 4 or 5 stars.
You can do this for places that aren’t overly popular, and even local neighborhood restaurants. However, if where you’re heading is more of an off-the-beaten-path place, you might want to check out TripAdvisor. This site is especially good for destinations that aren’t necessarily tourist traps, and if that’s the case, it may just be your only option.
However, it’s best to take really positive reviews and really negative reviews with a grain of salt.
Targeted Searches
This might be one of the best ways to find fantastic restaurants to try out when you visit a new place. Instead of sticking to those lists that are full of blanket recommendations for eating places, look for specifics, such as best local dishes, best brunches, best coffee shops, and even specify the food you’d like to eat if you want. Another option is to look for restaurants along the 101 in a certain city, or restaurants with ocean views.
Ask at the Hotel
Finally, even if you don’t have any sort of connection to wherever you might be traveling, you might be surprised at how willing locals are to help you out. Check with the hotel staff if you’re staying in one. Ask your Uber driver. If you’re shopping, ask the retail clerk who is helping you out. You never know until you ask.
What to Do if Traffic Spoils Your Plans
There are a lot of things you can do actively, both during and before your trip, to steer yourself to delicious restaurants wherever you might be visiting. But no matter what, your plans might not work out. Traffic can be a primary culprit, so it’s good to have backup plans. If you’re driving long-distance, restaurants in casino resorts are sometimes located along the highway in SoCal; these can often have quite delicious food! Just try to remember that travel is an adventure, and have fun!
