Tips to Know Before Planning Your Trip to California
Heading to California? As someone who lived there for over a decade of my adult life and now constantly travels there, I have some tips to help you better prepare yourself for a trip to California.
California is an incredible state in which to travel, but there are some things you’ll want to be aware of before arriving. Here are the top nine things you should know about California before traveling there.
California is a Big State
California is the third largest state in the U.S. If you’re visiting Northern California, don’t assume it’s easy just to pop down to Disneyland or the beaches of Orange Country for a day or two just because they’re in the same state — that drive takes around eight hours!
Likewise, even if you’re visiting Disneyland for your vacation, doing other activities around Southern California may take up more time than you’d think due to the amount of traffic. When planning a trip to California, make sure you look up the distance between places and what traffic is often like before finalizing your itinerary.
It’s Not Always Sunny in SoCal
Southern California (particularly San Diego, but Orange County and Los Angeles, too) is known for having perfect weather that hovers in the mid-seventies and with a low percentage of yearly rainfall.
For many visitors, this may seem like you’re good to go anytime of the year you want to visit Southern California. However, if it’s sunshine you’re looking for, be aware of what locals like to call May Gray and June Gloom, two nicknames given for these late spring and early summer months due to the likelihood of gray skies.
Unlike a typical gray sky in other parts of the world, this “gloom” doesn’t signify an impending rainstorm. Instead, it’s usually caused by the marine layer that won’t lift during those months due to cooler ocean currents hitting warmer air. The good news is that you can usually head ten or so miles inland and find sunshine. The bad news is the gray skies may put a damper on your beach days in Southern California if visiting in May or June.
Californians Love Their Cars
The traffic in California’s big cities and their suburbs is no joke. Los Angeles is notorious for it taking an hour to drive five miles, and certain times of day in San Diego and San Francisco will also see you spending a lot of time in your car.
Because of this, Californians love their cars and spend a substantial amount of money on getting sports cars and car washes. If you love cool cars, this is the place to keep an eye out for them.
You’ll no doubt learn to love your car (if road tripping to California) or rental car while in California, too, since you’ll quickly find there’s not that much in terms of public transportation to conveniently get around the state. There are some local trains lines that can get you from Point A to Point B fairly effortlessly, like the MUNI in San Francisco or the Trolley in San Diego, but exactly where you can go is often limited in the sprawling metropolises of California, making a car convenient and often necessary.
Plan Ahead When Camping in California
Don’t expect that you can just show up at a campground and get a tent site when traveling through California. Campsites by the beach and in national and state parks are booked months ahead of time and often fill up long before your travel date arrives. It’s also illegal in California to sleep in your car so you’ll want to make sure you plan out where you’re staying and make a reservation if needed before embarking on your trip to California.
You Can Snow Ski and Go to the Beach in the Same Day
Yes, it’s possible to wake up and surf the waves and then drive up to one of California’s ski resorts for a day swishing down snow. The easiest place to do this is in Southern California, where you can head to one of the beaches of San Diego, Orange County, or LA, and then make your way to Big Bear Mountain, located less than 115 miles from the popular Santa Monica beach neighborhood of LA and about 145 miles from downtown San Diego.
If you’re not a surfer, you can also head to the mountain early for some skiing or snowboarding and then make it back to the sand in time for the sunset.
You Can’t Drink Alcohol on the Beach in California
If you’re used to Caribbean vacations that often include sipping fruity cocktails on the beach, be aware that it’s illegal to drink alcohol on the beach in California. If you choose to do so, be aware you may get a hefty fine.
The Terrain of California is Vastly Different
Depending which part of the state you’re in, you’ll be surrounded by wildly different landscapes. Southern California is home to small hills that build up into the Santa Ynez Mountains just north of LA.
The central part of the state is sprawling countryside dotted with farms and vineyards.
As you get to the northern part of California you’ll start to get into the evergreen portion of the state, where you’ll be surrounded by towering Redwoods and thick Sequoias, particularly if you drive through the national parks.
Water is Scarce
The worst part of California’s recent years-long drought seems to have passed, but concern is still prevalent all over the state. Be cognizant of your water use while in California and don’t leave the faucet running or take a long shower.
Places where freshwater is particularly scarce, like Catalina Island, may even charge for water when you’re dining and give you prepackaged bottled water instead to conserve the local water.
The Health Kick is Real
If your visions of California include fit, athletic people, you’re mostly correct. Lots of sunshine and mild weather means people are outdoors a lot, staying active.
In addition, health food is a big industry in California, and it will seem like there’s a yoga studio or smoothie cafe on every corner.
To try some of the most popular health crazes in California, get an Acai Bowl for breakfast. Acai bowls in California are some of the best you can find; this popular breakfast item (or lunch) includes a frozen acai base — a bit like a smoothie in consistency — topped with fresh fruit, granola, and honey.
Enjoy Your Trip to California!
One thing is constant in California — no matter where you plan to travel in California, you can be assured you’ll be privy to incredible scenery!