Cruising by those cattle near Coalinga on Interstate 5, you probably didn't even realize that California's famous In-N-Out burgers get their start right there in those feed lots.

That's because the famous California-based burger chain uses the high-quality beef produced by Harris Ranch, which is really much more than a feedlot. Drive on down the interstate a piece and you come to an island of hospitality that features a resort-style inn, four restaurants and various tourist services all operated by Harris Ranch.

Just about equidistant from Los Angeles and San Francisco — three hours each way — The word oasis is apt for Harris Ranch; as you're driving along the interstate it seems to come up out of nowhere. If you've drived north and south along Interstate 5, you know that there are hours of boredom driving through the San Joaquin Valley. A few service station-and-fastfood stops appear, but none like the one at Harris Ranch.

Drive into the parking lot at Harris Ranch and what you might have thought was just another freeway-side motel is actually a resort like you would find in Palm Springs or some other major tourist destination. The Spanish stucco buildings surround a dramatic Olympic-size swimming pool. Add some palm trees and resort-style landscaping and, voila, this becomes much more than an overnight rest on your way down the freeway.

We've gone past Harris Ranch many times, but our curiosity — and a need to break up the drive from Northern to Southern California — convinced us it was time to spend the night at the "ranch." It was a Sunday night and we found the inn filled to much less than capacity. Consequently, we were swimming in that huge pool all by ourselves with only one or two couples poolside at any given time.

Our over-sized room was on the third floor offering a view of the agricultural lands that seem to stretch forever in the San Joaquin Valley. The room was not a motel room — it was a resort-style room with many added amenities and, in fact, enough space to place two reclining chairs near the television. The beds were big, soft and comfy and yet another tell-tale sign was the fluffy resort-style bathrobes. This was proving to be much more than a stop-over; it was a destination all unto itself.

That's why many California families find Harris Ranch an ideal location to meet up with relatives from the far northern and southern parts of the state. It's a big state so, depending on where you and your relatives live, you can each eliminate hours of driving and pamper yourself while you visit with each other in a resort setting.

One big benefit of spending time at Harris Ranch is that you can settle in and enjoy one of the best beef dinners you'll ever experience -- with service to match. The Harris Ranch Steakhouse is a spot to rival even the most expensive steakhouses you see in the big cities. When the restaurant owner raises the cattle, the result is unbelievably tender beef cooked to perfection. Even if we don't have time to spend the night, we will make a point to return to the Steakhouse to sample more cuts of that tasty Harris Ranch beef.

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