Eating & Sleeping
Sacramento 1
4 Citizen Hotel Boutique Hotel $$
(%916-492-4460; 926 J St; r $159, ste from
$215; W) This ultrahip, recently remodeled
hotel is stylish, whimsically decorated and the
sleekest place to stay in Sacramento. They also
have bikes to borrow: perfect for cruising the
American River Trail.
4 Grange
Restaurant Modern American $$
(%916-492-4460; 926 J St; mains from $25;
h6:30am-10pm; W) On the first floor of the
Citizen Hotel, this upscale, locally sourced,
hyper-seasonal restaurant will introduce you to
the flavors of the Sacramento Valley.
Lodi 2
5 Crush Kitchen & Bar Italian $$
(www.crushkitchen.com; 115 S School St; mains
$17-25; h11:30am-9:30pm Sun, Mon, Thu, to
11:30pm Fri-Sat) Several levels of sophistication
above anything else in town, the simple, rustic
dishes – gnocchi with truffle oil, tomato salad,
duck confit – are perfectly paired with the
region’s bold zinfandel.
4 Wine & Roses B&B $$$
(%209-334-6988; http://www.winerose.com; 2505
W Turner Rd; r $169-269W) Surrounded by a
rose garden and deep green lawn, this luxurious
offering has tasteful, modern, romantic rooms
with slate baths and fine linens. The nicer rooms
come with private decks where you can soak
up the sun.
Kingsburg 6
5 Stockholm Bakery Bakery $
(%559-897-3377; http://www.stockholmbakery.com;
1448 Draper St; meals $5-9; h9am-6pm Mon-
Sat) You can butter up on all kinds of delectable
Swedish baked goods at this cute bakery. They
serve Swedish pancakes (in the morning) and
traditional Scandinavian sandwiches with
smoked salmon, cucumbers and dill.Tulare 7
5 Hazel’s Kitchen Sandwiches $
(www.thehazelskitchen.com; 237 N L Street;
meals $10; h9am-2pm Mon-Fri) This cute
cafe occupies an the first floor of an early
1900s farmhouse and delivers amazing
sandwiches. The teriyaki chicken comes on a
soft Portuguese roll and the hot pastrami is
pure perfection!Bakersfield 8
5 Dewar’s Candy Shop Ice Cream $
(%661-322-0933; 1120 Eye St; mains $3-10;
h11am-9pm Mon-Thu, to 10pm Fri & Sat; c)
A classic, pastel-painted soda fountain with
fresh-made ice cream and candies. Flavors,
which change seasonally, include lemon flake
and cotton candy and they’re all made from
ingredients from surrounding farms.5 Noriega Hotel Basque $$
(%661-322-8419; 525 Sumner St; lunch
$14, dinner $20; hTue-Sun) Surly Basque
gentlemen pat their ample stomachs over
communal bottles of wine at this family-style
institution, which recently won a James Beard
award (a big deal in the elite American culinary
world). Oxtail, pork chops and veal – it’s all
delicious. Dining hours are strict (breakfast is
from 7am to 9am, lunch is noon, dinner is 7pm).4 Padre Hotel Boutique Hotel $$
(%661-427-4900; http://www.thepadrehotel.com; 1702
8th St; r $89-199, ste from $500) This historic
tower came roaring back to life and is looking
sharp after a blindingly stylish retrofit. The
standard rooms have cool details, foam beds,
thick sheets and designer furniture. The suites
(like the ‘Oil Baron’) are whimsical, decadent
and out of this world.CENTRAL.CALIFORNIA..25
.HIGHWAY 99 THROUGH CENTRAL VALLEY