Q: My family is taking a road trip to Lake Tahoe this weekend, but we wanted to stop and stretch our legs along the way. Where is a good place to stop?
A: The same place my family has been stopping since I was a kid: Ikeda’s California Country Market in Auburn (13500 Lincoln Way; 530/885-4243), about half way between North Lake Tahoe and San Francisco off of Interstate 80.
It’s sort a cross between a pie shop, Trader Joes, and In-n-Out Burger. They sell great burgers, sandwiches, shakes, and fries, and after your meal you can browse their mini-Farmer’s Market and buy a couple of freshly made pies for the road.
If you’re headed to South Lake Tahoe, you’ll want to take a break at Poor Red’s Bar-B-Q in El Dorado, about half way between South Lake Tahoe and San Francisco off of Interstate 5 (6221 Pleasant Valley Rd; 530/622-2901). I call it the “Cheers of the Gold Country,” a funky and friendly local diner serving hefty portions of barbecued chicken, ribs, steaks, and such. Believe it or not, this is where the Golden Cadillac cocktail was created, and they got so famous for it they became largest user of Galliano liquor in North America
WHERE TO GO
DEALS
often underestimated, but the last 30km (a 17% grade) will get the most advanced rider praying for respite. The reward is one of the most amazing views Northern California has to offer, and believe us, you are gonna work for it.
