Coalinga Avenal Roadside Safety Rest Area

I was really impressed with the Butts Only Box. However, the bathrooms are clean, and that’s what I really appreciate.

I almost want to give this place 5 stars; it’s just that good.
If you’re traveling the 5 and consuming copious amounts of Americano’s and Diet Coke’s you’ll undoubtedly require a stop. There’s not a tremendous amount options on this lonely stretch of highway, so Rest-​stops will become your BFF.
Lucky for us caffeine crazed consumers, there’s newly renovated rest-​stops like Coalinga-​Avenal. With easy on and off access, these places are a real relief for weary travelers and truck drivers.
There’s plenty of light to feel safe, and loads of families milling around. So you’ll never feel uncomfortable (although it never hurts to keep your wits about you). With vending machines and puppy potty areas, in addition to restrooms, this rest-​stop is truly a life saver.
The entire surrounding area was nicely landscaped and very clean. You can tell the workers really take care of the area. Garbage wasn’t over flowing, and the bathrooms were nicely maintained. Of course, in a mere moment a disgusting human being can totally change this. But for the two stops made in one day, this place was definitely one of the more cleaner rest-​stops and one I wouldn’t hesitate to use in the future.

Got trash to toss? Swing by here to toss your car’s garbage in the trashcan! Good rest stop along the 5 fwy when driving from NorCal to SoCal!

I’ve been doing the LA/​Bay Area drive for many years now because I moved around a lot in California. It wasn’t until yesterday that I discovered this awesome rest area!
Ample parking with lots of grassy area for dogs to explore. The restroom stalls were spacious, plentiful, and more importantly, clean! Perhaps this stop was remodeled? Auto flush included!
Summer time can get extremely hot in this area, but there are plenty of shaded areas and benches for your resting needs. Vending machines are also available.

I liked this stop, I was on my way road tripping to a deftones concert an the sun was beaming in my eyes an I needed a nice nap after my long drive.
People walking there dogs, others resting in cars peacefully, and the restroom stalls were alot more inviting then others I’ve seen and I’ve lived at a rest stop for a yr as a kid.
I would suggest this stop, it was soo nice and comfortable I even got naked in a sleeping bag an dozed off.
Usually I’d keep clothes on but hell it was soo comfortable I went with it.

Are you really telling me you can Unilocal about a Rest Area? HAHA Man, count me in!
My first road trip from the Bay Area to San Diego and my first time knowing what a «Rest area» was! I know. I know… Where have I been right? Well, like I said my first road trip happened and I’m just learning lol!
Needed to make a stop since that 7 1\2 hour ride is NO joke! I was half way home and needed to potty and get some water.
I don’t have any other rest areas to compare this one to but I have to say this location is very spacious and huge. There is the big rig trucks on one side and the cars on the other side.
~Nice grassy area in case you have children and/​or pets that need to get out and run around.
~Bathrooms-​Nice and tons of stalls. The only thing I didn’t like where the damn flies that were all over the place. I didn’t have to worry about a danger smell (that’s a good thing) I really got a sense that these bathrooms are maintained daily! BIG A+
~Vending Machines-​Many different varieties of food and drinks! Accepts change and dollars (also gives you your money back if you seem to change your mind at the last minute.
~Picnic Tables-​Nice to sit down on and eat your good!
Overall, I am very pleased with how well kept this rest area is!
I’m happy to say I have a rest area that I know I can count on to be clean and available to help my hunger needs!

Nice and clean rest area. This place was our first stop coming from LA to San Francisco. The restrooms were pretty clean. they had several vending machines which was pretty nice.

Not much to say. As far as rest stops go this one is pretty nice.
Plenty of parking. Lots of grass and shade trees, covered benches for shade and vending machines. Mack sure you bring change if you plan to partake.
It’s a rather large open area with cars on one side and 18 wheelers on the other. Lots of people stopping to walk dogs or take naps… my husband falls into the later category.
There are lots of bugs (as you would expect of an outdoors rest stop. Ijs it was annoying to me the amount of shooing away I was doing. Bring bug spray…
One other thing no wifi here. Not that it’s really expected, so make sure your phone has a hotspot so you can pull out your laptop while you wait.

Large, clean, up to date facilities.
Lots of stalls and four hand sinks in both Mens’ and Womens’ restrooms
Bench seating in covered corridor between gendered facilities.
Canned pop machines.
Private, sheltered picnic tables.
Decent, lengthy Pet Area, along the rear fence with some grassy sections.

Having been on road trips all over the country, I have to admit, this rest area isn’t bad. I’m not saying that all travelers should make it a point to stop here, but if you must, it’s a nice stop on a boring freeway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
A little bit of everything that you might be looking for when you’re on the road, except of course, full meals (food); vending machines only.
Almost took a pic of the pay phones because I wonder if kids in the current generation even know what those are anymore.

A wonderful rest stop with plenty of restrooms, water fountains, trash receptacles, vending machines, space to walk around and stretch before you get back on the road. :)

Like any long road trip, there has to be potty breaks. Especially after a venti coffee and waters.
Lots of parking, shade trees, green grass and benches. They have a few vending machines so you can refuel and hydrate so you can stop at the next rest area too!
Bathe rooms were very clean and high! Enough stalls for a church bus full of full bladders to not have to wait so long they’re forced to do «the dance» while waiting to use the next available potty.
I wouldn’t say I highly recommend this place only because its a potty stop and that’s just weird. But then again if you’re doing the dance in the car and need to «go», this is a good place to stop!

I had this one bookmarked, thinking I’d get another FTR, but someone else beat me to it. When you snooze, you loose… as they say. Oh well.
Moving on…
I’ve been here a couple times, but this time is on the final leg of our journey back home. The pupster was getting a bit figity so I stopped to let him sniff around and water a few trees.
This is a «newer» facility, meaning not 40 years old. It has most everything you’d need… restrooms, phone, vending machines, water, local info, etc The open design building looks like a large barn.
Lots of parking for all size of vehicle, grassy areas, picnic tables, younger (smaller) trees and of course a pet area so fifi or fido can do their thing.
Nice place for a quick stop or a longer rest if you need it.

Everything you need in a rest area. Bathrooms, a drinking fountain, a few vending machines, a map, pay phones, picnic tables (some that are covered and some not), and a place to walk your dog. Park cars on one side and big rigs on the other.