Shandon Rest Area

The Shandon Rest Area is a bit more than half way from the I-​5 (roughly 35 miles) to Paso Robles (another 19 miles).
Plenty of parking for families, big rigs, RVs, trailers, etc.
Other than one of the stalls in the women’s restroom, the entire place was clean and not trashed out like other rest stops I’ve seen…
If you’re traveling with dogs, this is a great place to let them stretch out for a bit, but beware of rattlers and other critters.
Several picnic tables are available. Some information boards to glance at… Vending machines are also available. I’m still so intrigued by the ice cream vending machine. Perfect for hot days like when we were there (9÷21÷15).
Review #420
Unilocal challenge 101

I’ve stopped at a lot of rest stops in my life. This one was not the 7^th circle of hell I was expecting.
It’s clean. The bathrooms are clean. There is soap. There is shade. There is not dog poop everywhere. You actually feel better after you stop, and don’t crave a cleansing shower.
Be sure to visit the ice cream vending machine. It is the most fascinatingly strange vending machine I have ever seen. It sort of looks like The Claw. And you need a little ice cream and happy entertainment after visiting the nearby James Dean memorial, right?

Well this rest stop was rebuilt in the last few years and the rebuild is great. It is clean, spacious, easy parking and well stocked. It is the last stop for a long ways when headed east, and only about 10 miles from town when going west. Stop and use this one because it is the last one for a long time! oh yes and 4g with LOTS of bars!

The Shandon Rest Area is a great little stop on the 46 between Paso Robles and Lost Hills; I’ve been stopping here for years when I head West from Bakersfield to the coast. The restrooms are usually clean and well stocked with toilet paper and soap. The ladies room boasts two hand dryers and good water pressure in sink.
Just outside the restrooms there are two payphones (who even knew they existed anymore) and vending machines well stocked with soda, candy, and chips.
Venturing farther afoot, there are several benches, three picnic tables, one large shady tree, and plenty of room to stretch your legs.
For those of our friends with either more than 2 legs or less than 2 legs, there is a designated pet exercise area. For those puzzled as to why I included our friends with less than 2 legs check out the picture of the signpost I included which has two signs, one designating it a pet exercise area and the other warning of the possible presence of rattlesnakes (who I assume are somebody’s exotic pets?)
Bonus — there is a geocache hidden somewhere on the property. We found it one night on a late night run back from SLO. If you know what that means, try your hand at it next time you’re passing through!

On our way to Monterey, we stopped here for a rest. This location had plenty of bathrooms for men, women, and unisex ones for those who require assistance.
They also had vending machines with soft drinks of almost every kind, in bottles and cans, bottled waters (starting at only $ 1), coffee, coffee beverages, snacks and even ice cream. Sure, its not cheap to get snacks, but its here for convenience. Some of the machines even take Visa./ MC!
While using the women’s room, I noticed the stalls were out of toilet paper. I spotted 2 workers in yellow vests, and they were maintenance people for that location. I told them about the TP issue, and they fixed it.
Very clean, they even have a dog area, and ample parking for the big vehicles too.

Great half way point between Paso Robles and the San Joaquin valley for travelers. We travel with a 5^th wheel and it has nice big area for trailers so we were happy campers, no pun intended.
When we stopped at noon on a Sunday the restrooms were clean. Actually it is a nice clean rest area I’ve seen a lot worse.
It’s a rest area there’s really not much more to say.

I love this rest area. The water fountains have treated water and is cold and refreshing. Try it. The wastewater information kioske displays understandable information on thisnew uinnovative green design. I an sure that the rest area restroom are clean and maintained. It may be that person went there when clean crew was off and have buses stopping. People please keeo this restroom clean and throw trash in trash bin. This was built for you with your tax dollars

Had high hopes because outside looks so nice but woman’s restroom really needed a good scrub down. Yikes! Giving two stars because the outside looks nice, hoping it was just a off day for the cleaning crew. :(

Clean & Very New.