And that you should, too!
5. Renting a car in California is absolutely worth it.
Look, California is a big state. In fact, it is the third-largest state in the United States by area. It is even said that “everything is better (and bigger) in California.” During your travels to California or “The Golden State”, you will certainly feel like a movie star while strolling the set of many famous American movies, basically wherever you step foot.
Everything is better in California
Beth Anderson
The landscapes in California take you from beach towns to forests with the tallest trees in the world. There are simply TOO many beautiful places to visit in California to not rent a car. Even if staying in L.A. or San Francisco with available public transportation options, the cities are so expansive that you will wish you had your own set of wheels to get around. Be prepared for city driving to be a little different though, if you have not experienced the crowded L.A. highways. You can even make your travels to California into an unforgettable road trip. In fact, Highway 1 along the coast of California is one of our picks for the ‘best road trips in 2021‘.
For your California road trip car rental, check out our partnership with Billiger-mietwagen.de, a market-leading portal for comparing rental car prices. You can be sure to find the right fit for your adventure!
4. Traveling to California comes with a price tag- especially on those avocado toasts.
Another thing I wish I would have know is that food can get expensive, especially in the cities. This being largely due to the fact that the state of California is home to some of the most expensive cities in the country including San Diego and Los Angeles. However, do take the time to experience Californian food culture, especially in the cities where restaurants are many and sure to cater to your tastes. Some foods to definitely give a try in California are:
- Cheeseburgers (a specialty here and something everyone loves!)
- Oysters (I mean, it is a coastal state after all)
- The California burrito (say no more)
- Acai bowls (and all the other healthy treats!)
If you end up spending a lot of money on food (oops), some ways in which you can cut other costs during your travels to California might be to:
- Visit during off-season (autumn time for the desert, March or November in northern California)
- Rent a campervan! (there is definitely no shortage of stunning camping locations- but remember to book in advance)
- Buy food and make your own meals (after you’ve treated yourself to some Californian specialties)
- Visit the National Parks (they’re mostly free, except for parking fees)
- Join a trip with like-minded travel mates to share your experience and trip costs!
3. Wear your sunscreen when traveling California!
Don’t forget that the city of Los Angeles like a large part of California is quite literally located in the desert. So, do not underestimate the power of some SPF. Remember that UVA rays can also penetrate glass, so wear your sunscreen while driving as well. And no, unfortunately winter time is not an exception to the sunscreen recommendation.
2. California is BIG – reserve some time for your visit!
Although you will probably not be able to visit the entire state in one trip, there are simply so many things to see. When planning your trip, reserve at least two weeks for visiting this beautiful state. Especially if you have a car to use for getting around, you might just be so inspired by the sights that you will want to stay for longer. There are so many things to see both in the renown cities as well as in the countless parks and nature reserves. Our recommendation is to pick one city to visit and explore, and spend the rest of the time traveling around California, experiencing all the other amazing things The Golden State has to offer!
Here are some locations you should pin on your California road trip map:
- Redwood State Park (the tallest living things on Planet Earth!)
- San Francisco (home to the great Golden Great Bridge)
- Yosemite National Park (an amazing UNESCO site)
- Death Valley (the largest National Park in the U.S.!)
- Big Sur (you’ll pass by here on your Highway 1 trip)
- And of course, L.A.
1. Don’t go hiking unprepared and comply with open fire policies in California
We’ve heard it enough in the past months: ‘stay safe‘! If you are planning to go on an outdoorsy adventure, we recommend you to keep safety in mind when traveling to California as well. The weather conditions are unpredictable, so stay up to date with local advisories and always make sure to bring enough water. In addition, you’re probably aware of wildfires in California. This is why it’s extremely important to comply with open fire restrictions (you’ll need a permit!). Please, do stay safe!
California is definitely a state with many wonders and an ideal destination for the city-hopper, party animal or outdoorsy wanderer. We hope these tips give you some base knowledge for planning your trip to California! Get started on planning a trip with some like-minded travel friends on JoinMyTrip, or perhaps you want to lead a trip like this yourself? Of course that works, too!