Super Cruise Super Stops: EV road tripping from SF to Tahoe with GM and Yelp
2025-06-18
As summer travel plans take shape, many Americans are swapping runways for highways and rediscovering the charm of road trips - and many are doing it behind the wheel of electric vehicles. On the popular local business directory site Yelp, thousands of businesses now indicate EV charger availability. Searches for “EV charging near me” jumped 60% in Q1 2025 from a year earlier, according to Yelp's monthly Trend Tracker.
General Motors has teamed up with Yelp to create the ultimate EV summer road trip guide, packed with top-rated pit stops along routes where you can use Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free, eyes-on driving technology1, and you can find convenient chargers. Picture this: cruising scenic highways while taking your hands off the wheel, knowing the best stops ahead, from sushi tacos to artisanal banana toffee cookies, are all mapped out for you.
We’re kicking things off with a San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe getaway. Our curated itinerary combines popular Yelp destinations with Super Cruise-compatible routes and convenient charging access. Also be sure to check out our guide for the drive from New York City to the Hamptons.
Heading to South Lake Tahoe
Whether you’re lounging by the lake in the summer or hitting the slopes in winter, South Lake Tahoe is a go-to retreat for Northern Californians looking to escape San Francisco.
This 200-mile drive has it all – panoramic vistas, quirky pit stops and plenty of places to recharge you and your EV. According to Yelp data, this route is a popular one for EV travelers, as searches for EV charging stations in San Francisco climbed 8% in May 2025 from a year earlier.
Check out all the details for this trip on Yelp’s San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe Collection.
Day 1
Morning: Charge up in cookie heaven
Head east on Interstate 80 and activate Super Cruise for hands-free driving. Short on juice? Then kick things off with a charging stop at the GM Energy branded station in Pinole.
Caption: The Butter Pecan Bakeshop in Pinole, California
Butter Pecan Bakeshop
For some morning coffee and bites, head down the road to Butter Pecan Bakeshop, which bakes some of the most brag-worthy cookies in the region. Yelpers rave about their brown butter pecan, sea salt and walnut, and banana pudding options.
Pedrick Produce
At Pedrick Produce in Dixon, stock up on farm-fresh dried fruits, artisanal cheeses, and grab-and-go lunch picks, like their highly recommended tamales. This hearty lunch will come in handy heading into an active afternoon on the water. Once on the highway, engage Super Cruise while you and your crew enjoy your new road trip snacks.
Afternoon: Rafting and an Early Dinner
Raft California
Continue on I-80 East toward this adventure-packed stop with Super Cruise. Raft California offers scenic whitewater rafting experiences that are fun for first timers and seasoned paddlers alike. Yelpers note it’s “good for kids,” making it a great pick for families looking to add a little excitement to their road trip.
Franny’s Farm Table
After an exhilarating day of whitewater rafting, treat yourself to an early dinner at Franny's Farm Table in Placerville. This top-rated, women-owned gem is known for its home-style dishes, relaxed ambiance, and warm, family-friendly vibe, making it a great spot to refuel and swap stories from your river adventure.
Evening: Check-in and Wind Down
The Coachman Hotel
Recharge at the Coachman Hotel, a reimagined motor lodge combining nostalgic charm with modern amenities. The family-friendly property features a heated pool, communal fire pits with a s’mores hour for guests, and conveniently located EV charging stations. The Coachman’s central location makes it an ideal base for exploring South Lake Tahoe.
Day 2
Morning: breakfast bites before trails
Maggie’s
Start your day with breakfast at Maggie’s, an eco-friendly Tahoe hotspot. Standouts include their chicken fried pork belly and short rib beni. Yelpers note the ambiance reflects a rustic, “tree house” vibe, along with thoughtful service.
Echo Lake
The trails at Echo Lake offers manageable terrain for families with children of all ages. The shaded paths lead to spectacular lake views, and the cool alpine air provides a refreshing escape from summer sun. Keep your camera ready for wildlife sightings along the way.
Late Afternoon: adventure on two wheels
Tahoe Bike & Ski Company
Soak in the fresh mountain air with a scenic ride from Tahoe Bike & Ski Company, a family-friendly favorite in South Lake Tahoe. Known for its summer bike tours, this business offers a fun and active way to explore the area’s trails and lake views. Use Request a Quote on Yelp to connect with the business and confirm pricing and tour options tailored to your travel crew.
Evening
Base Camp Pizza
Recently named to Yelp’s Top 100 Family-Friendly Restaurants list, this lively pizzeria is known for its creative pies, local ingredients, and fun atmosphere. Enjoy live music and spacious outdoor seating that’s ideal for a warm summer Tahoe evening.
Day 3
Morning: Breakfast at a Tahoe staple
The Red Hut Cafe
Start your journey home with breakfast at this beloved Tahoe institution which opened in 1959. Red Hut's famous waffles and generous portions of classic American breakfast fare have made it a must-visit for generations of Lake Tahoe visitors.
Navigate back to U.S. 50 where you can engage Super Cruise to help take you on the journey to Sacramento.
Afternoon: Back to the Bay
California State Railroad Museum
Break up your return journey with a stop at this world-class museum in Old Sacramento. Kids will love exploring the restored vintage trains, weekly guided tours, and gift shop stocked with model trains and souvenirs.
Dutch Bros Coffee
If you passed on the Railroad Museum but need a caffeine fix or quick EV charge, top-rated Dutch Bros Coffee has you covered. With a convenient charging station on-site, you can ensure you and your car are topped off before heading home. Yelpers rave about their top notch service and lattes, which can help keep those Sunday scaries at bay a little longer.
How We Selected These Destinations
This curated list features top-rated businesses located within a short distance of charging stations and along Super Cruise-enabled routes for equipped GM vehicles. We analyzed Yelp reviews to identify establishments with exceptional ratings in food, activities, and family-friendly amenities, then ranked them based on their proximity to reliable charging infrastructure. We also identified trends within searches by measuring the frequency of the phrases mentioned per million searches on Yelp.
Have a favorite place you’d like to share? Tag @Yelp on Instagram and TikTok to share your top spots.
1Always pay attention while driving and when using Super Cruise. Do not use a hand-held device. Requires active Super Cruise plan or trial. Terms apply. Visit cadillacsupercruise.com, chevysupercruise.com, https://www.buick.com/explore/technology/super-cruise or gmc.com/connectivity-technology/super-cruise for compatible roads and full details.
As summer travel plans take shape, many Americans are swapping runways for highways and rediscovering the charm of road trips - and many are doing it behind the wheel of electric vehicles. On the popular local business directory site Yelp, thousands of businesses now indicate EV charger availability. Searches for “EV charging near me” jumped 60% in Q1 2025 from a year earlier, according to Yelp's monthly Trend Tracker.
General Motors has teamed up with Yelp to create the ultimate EV summer road trip guide, packed with top-rated pit stops along routes where you can use Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free, eyes-on driving technology1, and you can find convenient chargers. Picture this: cruising scenic highways while taking your hands off the wheel, knowing the best stops ahead, from sushi tacos to artisanal banana toffee cookies, are all mapped out for you.
We’re kicking things off with a San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe getaway. Our curated itinerary combines popular Yelp destinations with Super Cruise-compatible routes and convenient charging access. Also be sure to check out our guide for the drive from New York City to the Hamptons.
Heading to South Lake Tahoe
Whether you’re lounging by the lake in the summer or hitting the slopes in winter, South Lake Tahoe is a go-to retreat for Northern Californians looking to escape San Francisco.
This 200-mile drive has it all – panoramic vistas, quirky pit stops and plenty of places to recharge you and your EV. According to Yelp data, this route is a popular one for EV travelers, as searches for EV charging stations in San Francisco climbed 8% in May 2025 from a year earlier.
Check out all the details for this trip on Yelp’s San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe Collection.
Day 1
Morning: Charge up in cookie heaven
Head east on Interstate 80 and activate Super Cruise for hands-free driving. Short on juice? Then kick things off with a charging stop at the GM Energy branded station in Pinole.
The Butter Pecan Bakeshop in Pinole, California
Butter Pecan Bakeshop
For some morning coffee and bites, head down the road to Butter Pecan Bakeshop, which bakes some of the most brag-worthy cookies in the region. Yelpers rave about their brown butter pecan, sea salt and walnut, and banana pudding options.
Pedrick Produce
At Pedrick Produce in Dixon, stock up on farm-fresh dried fruits, artisanal cheeses, and grab-and-go lunch picks, like their highly recommended tamales. This hearty lunch will come in handy heading into an active afternoon on the water. Once on the highway, engage Super Cruise while you and your crew enjoy your new road trip snacks.
Afternoon: Rafting and an Early Dinner
Raft California
Continue on I-80 East toward this adventure-packed stop with Super Cruise. Raft California offers scenic whitewater rafting experiences that are fun for first timers and seasoned paddlers alike. Yelpers note it’s “good for kids,” making it a great pick for families looking to add a little excitement to their road trip.
Franny’s Farm Table
After an exhilarating day of whitewater rafting, treat yourself to an early dinner at Franny's Farm Table in Placerville. This top-rated, women-owned gem is known for its home-style dishes, relaxed ambiance, and warm, family-friendly vibe, making it a great spot to refuel and swap stories from your river adventure.
Evening: Check-in and Wind Down
The Coachman Hotel
Recharge at the Coachman Hotel, a reimagined motor lodge combining nostalgic charm with modern amenities. The family-friendly property features a heated pool, communal fire pits with a s’mores hour for guests, and conveniently located EV charging stations. The Coachman’s central location makes it an ideal base for exploring South Lake Tahoe.
Day 2
Morning: breakfast bites before trails
Maggie’s
Start your day with breakfast at Maggie’s, an eco-friendly Tahoe hotspot. Standouts include their chicken fried pork belly and short rib beni. Yelpers note the ambiance reflects a rustic, “tree house” vibe, along with thoughtful service.
Echo Lake
The trails at Echo Lake offers manageable terrain for families with children of all ages. The shaded paths lead to spectacular lake views, and the cool alpine air provides a refreshing escape from summer sun. Keep your camera ready for wildlife sightings along the way.
Late Afternoon: adventure on two wheels
Tahoe Bike & Ski Company
Soak in the fresh mountain air with a scenic ride from Tahoe Bike & Ski Company, a family-friendly favorite in South Lake Tahoe. Known for its summer bike tours, this business offers a fun and active way to explore the area’s trails and lake views. Use Request a Quote on Yelp to connect with the business and confirm pricing and tour options tailored to your travel crew.
Evening
Base Camp Pizza
Recently named to Yelp’s Top 100 Family-Friendly Restaurants list, this lively pizzeria is known for its creative pies, local ingredients, and fun atmosphere. Enjoy live music and spacious outdoor seating that’s ideal for a warm summer Tahoe evening.
Day 3
Morning: Breakfast at a Tahoe staple
The Red Hut Cafe
Start your journey home with breakfast at this beloved Tahoe institution which opened in 1959. Red Hut's famous waffles and generous portions of classic American breakfast fare have made it a must-visit for generations of Lake Tahoe visitors.
Navigate back to U.S. 50 where you can engage Super Cruise to help take you on the journey to Sacramento.
Afternoon: Back to the Bay
California State Railroad Museum
Break up your return journey with a stop at this world-class museum in Old Sacramento. Kids will love exploring the restored vintage trains, weekly guided tours, and gift shop stocked with model trains and souvenirs.
Dutch Bros Coffee
If you passed on the Railroad Museum but need a caffeine fix or quick EV charge, top-rated Dutch Bros Coffee has you covered. With a convenient charging station on-site, you can ensure you and your car are topped off before heading home. Yelpers rave about their top notch service and lattes, which can help keep those Sunday scaries at bay a little longer.
How We Selected These Destinations
This curated list features top-rated businesses located within a short distance of charging stations and along Super Cruise-enabled routes for equipped GM vehicles. We analyzed Yelp reviews to identify establishments with exceptional ratings in food, activities, and family-friendly amenities, then ranked them based on their proximity to reliable charging infrastructure. We also identified trends within searches by measuring the frequency of the phrases mentioned per million searches on Yelp.
Have a favorite place you’d like to share? Tag @Yelp on Instagram and TikTok to share your top spots.
1Always pay attention while driving and when using Super Cruise. Do not use a hand-held device. Requires active Super Cruise plan or trial. Terms apply. Visit cadillacsupercruise.com, chevysupercruise.com, https://www.buick.com/explore/technology/super-cruise or gmc.com/connectivity-technology/super-cruise for compatible roads and full details.
