The Grapevine

The Grapevine is a corridor along Interstate 5 in Kern County in California that descends from the Tehachapi Mountains through Grapevine Canyon. Traditionally the Grapevine has included the route from the town of Lebec down to the town of Grapevine, although for organizational purposes this article also includes the nearby towns of Gorman, Frazier Park, Fort Tejon and Wheeler Ridge.

The Grapevine is a route that leads through Grapevine Canyon, descending at a six percent grade from the summit of Tejon Pass to the valley below. It has been a strategic travel corridor since the days of wagon roads, necessitating the construction of Fort Tejon to guard it. The original steep and winding route was famous for its accidents until it was widened and straightened during 1933-34.

Travelers on I-5 arrive from Los Angeles in the south or Buttonwillow to the north. Highway 99 branches off of the interstate heading north towards Bakersfield. During the winter the top of the route is frequently closed by snow, creating long delays (the main alternative routes are Highway 101 to the west and Highway 58 to the east).

• 🌍 Fort Tejon, 4201 Fort Tejon Rd, Lebec, CA 93243 (Exit 210 off I-5), ☏ +1-661-248-6692. Daily, 9 AM to 4 PM. Historic fort first constructed in the 1850s. Barracks and officer quarters have been restored.  

• 🌍 Outlets at Tejon, 5701 Outlets at Tejon Pkwy (Wheeler Ridge), ☏ +1 661 858-2155. 10AM-8PM daily. Outlet mall with more than 70 stores. (updated May 2015)

• 🌍 Mauricio's Grill and Cantina, 5701 Dennis McCarthy Dr (Wheeler Ridge), ☏ +1 661 858-2040. Mexican. (updated May 2015)
• Petro Travel Plaza (Wheeler Ridge). 
• Travel Centers (Wheeler Ridge). 

• 🌍 Best Western Liberty Inn, 5521 Dennis McCarthy Dr (Wheeler Ridge), ☏ +1 661 858-7777, fax: +1 661 858-2407. (updated May 2015)
• 🌍 Holiday Inn Express, 612 Wainwright Ct (Lebec), ☏ +1 661 248-1600, toll-free: +1-888-465-4329, fax: +1 661 248-1601. Quiet Lebec hotel near I-5 with suites. Indoor pool, heated whirlpool, fitness center, free breakfast, free wireless internet. Pets allowed. $100. (updated Dec 2015)
• 🌍 Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, 5620 Del Sol Dr (Wheeler Ridge), ☏ +1 661 241-6666, fax: +1 661 241-6725. (updated May 2015)
• 🌍 Motel 6, 51541 Ralphs Ranch Road Rd (Lebec), ☏ +1 661 248-6625. Free wireless internet, pets allowed. $60+. (updated Dec 2015)

• Maricopa - Located west of The Grapevine on Highway 166, this oil & agriculture town was the site of one of the largest oil spills in history when the Lakeview Gusher unleashed nine million barrels of oil onto the surrounding countryside.
• Bakersfield - Nicknamed "the country music capital of the West Coast", Bakersfield is the largest city in the southern San Joaquin Valley and is thus the best option for those seeking lodging, transportation, or other services.

Sacramento ← Buttonwillow ←	N  S	→ Castaic → Los Angeles
Fresno ← Bakersfield ←	N  S	→ END
Santa Maria ← Maricopa ←	W  E	→ END