California is said to be one of the best places to road trip because of its coastline, beaches, valleys, cities, mountains and vineyards. The endless sunshine and incredible natural treasures are part of the iconic features of why California is a great destination.
Before getting on the road, you should make sure to give a look at the California DMV Handbook to get an idea of the restrictions and rules that apply here. The laws of driving, sometimes change from state to state, which is why reading through them before your road trip could save you some trouble. The DMV handbook states how one’s safety is the most important thing and people shouldn’t take it for granted. Driving is also a great responsibility, and the California Driver Handbook is useful for the people living inside the state, and also for the outsiders wanting to come here, too.
After taking a look at the DMV Handbook you’ll just about be ready to hit the road. Take these next tips into consideration before parting.
- Plan ahead.
You should map your journey ahead of time so that you can go through the places you want to pass by, and pull over to see views and cities with time.
- Make a budget before setting out on the road.
You should base it on the types of places you want to stay in, and the places you would like to eat in. Along the way you can find affordable hostels or campgrounds, or even stop at luxury resorts if you want to. Make your budget according to the time you want to spend traveling California.
- Springtime is one of California’s most beautiful times of the year.
This is typically March through early May, and its not during the high season which is June through August. The temperatures at this time are comfortable and fresh, and the heat is not too overpowering. During these months, you can encounter better deals, and shorter lines in attraction spots, since its not high season.
- Figure out how long you have to travel.
This way you can make a plan of where do you want to go, and how long do you want to spend in each place, calculating the driving time as well.
- Popular destinations:
San Diego, Los Angeles, Cambria, San Francisco, the Pacific Coast Highway, Yosemite National Park, Big Sur, and Las Vegas.
- North to south.
A lot of people who have traveled this route have recommended starting north and heading south. Although there is nothing wrong with going the other way, some people say that the view from going north to south puts your car on the ocean side of the road without being obstructed by cars.
- Highway 1 vs. U.S. 101?
Highway 1 is the most recommended route for tourists. Traveling this route is all about the scenery. If you are on a tight schedule, the U.S. 101 is usually a faster way to drive through California. You can also alternate between the two routes depending on your pace and your interests.
- Rush hour traffic.
If you don’t want to spend time stuck in traffic it would be beneficial to know the rush hours to avoid it. Both San Francisco and Los Angeles suffer from traffic congestion. The weekdays are especially busy so a helpful thing would be to avoid the hours from 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm. Also, special events create even a higher amount of traffic, so wherever you are be sure to learn about local events happening nearby in order to travel efficiently.