Visiting the US? Here are must-try food stops for the ultimate California road trip

Every road trip is as exciting as it is jampacked with timebound itineraries planning exploring and much more all being tackled at once But do not get overwhelmed or lsquohangryrsquo rather make the most of your time on the road by turning it into a glorious drive filled with exciting food stops and culinary experiencesWhile you are in the USA the highways and roads among many other wonders of California welcome road trippers with countless roadside eateries that keep you satisfied and in high spirits for your scenic driveTaco everydayFish tacos may be the states signature dish but true taco fans cannot pass up an al pastor beef tongue or even a cauliflower version Regardless of the filling folded tortillas packed with deliciousness can be found in every Golden State city and farflung hamletIf you are cruising from Los Angeles to Palm Springs stop for nopales tacos smothered in cilantro at Rancho Cucamongas lsquoEl Tio Alexrsquo While beachhopping in Orange County pull over for blackened fish tacos served seaside at Laguna Beachs lsquoLost Pier Cafersquo After winetasting in Paso Robles swing by downtown for short rib and halibut tacos at lsquoFish Gauchorsquo as it has to be on your US food guide without a doubtDriving around Santa Barbara steer into lsquoEast Beach Tacosrsquo for ahi poke tacos with wasabi aioli or pop into lsquoCorizoacuten Cocinarsquo for octopus and shrimp tacos Meat lovers will prefer lsquoLillys Taqueriarsquo which cooks up authentic beef tongue and cheek tacosBurgers for the winBurgers are everyonersquos pickmeup food and California puts its own twist on the timeless burger and it is perfect to enjoy when you are visiting the USEvery Big Sur Road trip should include a stop at lsquoNepenthersquo for their signature serve the Famous Ambrosiaburger ground beef on a French roll slathered in a secret sauce best enjoyed at the restaurantrsquos lofty coastal perch In Napa Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area lsquoGotts Roadsidersquo reigns as burger royalty spiffing up the traditional pattyonbun with its California burger layered with fried egg bacon and arugulalsquoSqueeze Burgerrsquo in Stockton serves Instagramready burgers adorned with melted cheese skirts Bakersfield gets burgercreative at lsquoMoo Creameryrsquo where its PBampB features grassfed beef bacon jam peanut butter and crunchy potato chips Farther north in Dunsmuir lsquoYaks on the 5rsquo dares your taste buds with a jerky called Melt Your Tongue which is a crumbless road trip car snackMore savoury jerky await and it is one of the best ways to explore Lake Tahoe at lsquoTruckees Jerky Junctionrsquo housed in a red caboose for thick cowboystyle beef and Hawaiianstyle pork jerky For a Mojave Desert sojourn stock up at lsquoAlien Fresh Jerkyrsquo in Baker In addition to tasty dried meats the shop offers a huge array of bottled hot sauces and weirdly wonderful alien kitsch right next to the Worlds Tallest Thermometer a popular road trip stop in the areaTravellers exploring the eastern Sierra via US 395 hit up lsquoMahogany Smoked Meatsrsquo in Bishop which are jerky masters since 1922 Grab a quarterpound of peppered elk or teriyaki buffalo jerky and maybe throw in some spicy wild boar too You can pick up more supplies at lsquoGuss Fresh Jerkyrsquo 80 miles south in OlanchaSandwich sagaWhen cruising north on I5 stop for lunch at lsquoGranzellasrsquo in Williams or lsquoOlive Pitrsquo in Corning Less than 60 miles apart both longstanding institutions have conquered the olive muffuletta Stay to experience lsquoOlive Pitsrsquo olive tasting bar and lsquoGranzellasrsquo mounted polar bearsNorth of San Diego in Leucadia lsquoMoto Delirsquo knows its way around a Cubano banh mi or tuna salad sandwich A visit to Del Mar cries out for a superstuffed corned beef reuben at lsquoMiltonsrsquo Highway 1 drivers steering the winding twolane between San Simeon and Carmel should not bypass the lsquoRagged Point Innrsquo where the outdoor snack serves a tasty grilled cheese in the backdrop of dropdead Pacific viewsButtery fruit piesIf you are in California on holiday Californians are crazy about pie and rightfully so Peaches plums cherries nectarines and berries are some of the states most important agricultural products and they taste like heaven on a buttery crustPick up a strawberry rhubarb pie at lsquoThe Fruit Bowlrsquo in Stockton Try a slice of Fruit of the Forest a fivefruit mashup at lsquoCasa de Frutarsquo in Hollister Join the legion of roadtrippers who have scored a juicy peach pie at lsquoIkedasrsquo in Auburn conveniently located en route to Lake Tahoe Or head into the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Highway 108 through Sonora making a sidetrip to lsquoCovers Apple Ranchrsquo to sample milehigh apple pieFor a true California speciality taste an olallieberry pie made with a deep purple berry thats a cross between loganberry and youngberry On Highway 1 in the Central Coast find the coveted opie at lsquoLinns Restaurantrsquo in Cambria the historic lsquoDuartes Tavernrsquo in Pescadero and lsquoSwanton Berry Farmrsquo in DavenportBeing some of the most popular places to enjoy local food it is the perfect travellers guide in the US if you are visiting California