Travel Guide to the Mojave Valley: Needles, California

Needles, near the California/Arizona border, is an oft-overlooked destination in the Mojave Valley. However, a lot of fun, good food, and relaxation can be had in one day in Needles, California. It is a wonderful addition to any road trip or a weekend destination just to get away from it all.

Best Western Colorado River Inn

2371 West Broadway

Needles, CA 92363

Phone: 760.326.4562

Web site: http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=05522

Located just off Interstate 40 and historic Route 66 in Needles, California is the pet-friendly Best Western Colorado River Inn. A recent stay there revealed this hidden Southern California gem. Not only does it serve a free full, hot breakfast at the adjacent Juicy's Famous River Café, but also spacious and rather impressive rooms for its stopover location in Southern California and fair prices. The breakfast choices include cold cereal, toast or biscuit with juice or coffee, or diced ham and scrambled eggs with toast or biscuit, hash browns, and coffee. Twenty percent off any Juicy's Famous River Café breakfast is also available in lieu of the free breakfast choices.

Best Western Colorado River Inn is about one block from the actual Colorado River. Each room has a microwave and refrigerator, and full bathroom with a large bathtub. So many hotels off major highways are shabby; Best Western Colorado River Inn is a refreshing exception with clean, well-cared for rooms and furnishings, and also a friendly staff.

Juicy's Famous River Café

2411 West Broadway, Needles, CA 92363

Phone: 760.326.2233

Named after a family dog who went missing during a trip to the Colorado River in the 1950s, Juicy's Famous River Café has locations in both Needles and Lake Havasu, Arizona. Two meals here on our recent trip to Needles were well-worth it and would've been worth even a short drive. Everything at Juicy's is made from scratch, which is rare in Southern California.

The fish and chips were light and moist without an over-abundance of grease, while the pastrami melt had the perfect combination of meat, mustard, cheese, and slowly melted into fresh rye bread. Breakfast the next morning, with a free price tag, was speedy and service remained friendly. The diced ham and egg scramble went well with light Tabasco jalapeno sauce, and the orange juice didn't taste like the generic canned offering at some restaurants. In addition, the hash browns were crispy on top and nice and soft on the bottom, and the biscuit was delightful.