Finding a working charging station, a nightmare!

On the topic of Lucid Air finally getting SC access, I thought this charging cheat sheet might be helpful.
I look forward to seeing you all out there on the highways at holiday time, but I'm not going to wait in line behind you for one of those coveted stalls at a 6-stall EA location. I'll settle for 50 kw and a leisurely lunch.
Charging Cheat Sheet - CA I-5 Central Valley corridor
Here's a list of SC locations with lots of stalls along with an EA alternative if there is one. Ordered from north to south on I5 from Tracy to the Grapevine (244 miles).

  • Tracy, Lost Hills and Lebec, in bold below, have the 325 kw stalls that you can pull into normally, without double parking.
Tracy, North Tracy Blvd. at La Plaza Market
  • 20 stalls / 325 kw
  • There are some ChargePoint stations not far from there.
Hotel Mission de Oro, Santa Nella
  • 48 stalls / 250 kw and a nice, clean bathroom. McDonalds and Starbucks within walking distance.
  • Also has Rivian Adventure Network, 6 stalls.
Firebaugh Chaney Ranch
  • 56 stalls / 250 kw but you'll be dependent on McDonalds or Taco Bell for a bathroom.
  • The one Tesla provides is woefully inadequate and often has at least one bathroom stall out of order.
  • EA alternative: at the Shell across the road there are 6 charging stalls.
Coalinga aka Harris Ranch
  • 80 stalls / 250 kw with a nice bathroom inside the restaurant by the gift shop or over by the to-go BBQ stand.
  • Also has EA station with 6 stalls right in front of the main restaurant entrance.
Kettleman City Bernard Dr (east side)
  • 55 stalls / 250 kw and you have to go to InNOut or McDonalds or another restaurant to find a bathroom.
  • There are 10 EA stalls next to Chalios Mexican restaurant on the other side of the highway. Their bathroom is right inside the door, but I would grab a torta cubana while you're in there. Yummy!
Lost Hills 22422 Highway 46
  • 84 stalls / 325 kw
  • Planned to grow to 168 stalls, but I don't know when.
  • EA station at the Raju Countryside Market, 4 stalls.
Wheeler Ridge
  • 76 stalls / 250 kw and nice bathrooms inside the outlet mall.
  • No good EA alternatives nearby.
Lebec 51526 Ralphs Ranch Rd
  • 38 stalls at 325 kw
  • No good EA alternatives nearby that I can see.
Once in LA / Orange County you're on your own!
Here's a bonus.
Tustin, Franklin Ave is a best kept secret.

  • 38 stalls / 250 kw but no facilities except inside the Indian or Korean restaurants, or at the café in the office building during office hours.
  • Not far from there is an EVgo station at the Fairfield Inn and Suites Tustin that I would go to first.
Let me know if I've missed some good stops and EA or other brand of station.

Lost Hills location
lost_hills_sc.webp
 
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