The beautiful weather in California, the gorgeous scenery, and the sophisticated culture makes it a favorite destination for vacationers around the world. The list of beautiful attractions here is endless as some travelers spend about two weeks there and still have so many boxes on the things to see and do unchecked. Regardless of where you go to in California, although, planning pays. Some of our vacation tips can save you so much time, grief and money (if you follow them) before going to the Golden State.
Distance Is a Factor
California is a really big state—close to 800 miles from north to south, which makes it larger than some countries in Europe. Seeing everything in California requires so much travel time, which you have to consider if you intend to see the whole state. Traveling from Los Angeles down to San Francisco takes roughly 6 to 8 hours by car (certainly shorter by plane, although security delays and all sorts at the airport make it a wash most times). San Diego takes 2 hours from Los Angeles, and Yosemite National Park is about 3 to 4 hours away from San Francisco. If you have a list of what you want to see and/or do, factor in the distance between these locations and plan for some driving time as well.
Public Transportation Is Not a Good Option
As feasible as traveling by train in California is, and how effective and comprehensive the San Francisco Bay area is structured, California as a whole still doesn’t have the public transport structure to make traveling super-expedient. There are way too many vacation attractions which are too dispersed to depend on bus or train travel. If you’ll be arriving in California by any other means aside driving, you should rent a car when you arrive, this will save you so much stress and trouble.
Go During the Off-Season
One of the pros of vacationing in California is that the weather there is pleasant all year round. Which means you can visit your most-preferred destinations like Alcatraz or Disneyland during the spring or fall when the crowds are lighter, and you’ll still have a good time there. Make a research on destinations that are open during weekdays and see if you go on your vacation sometime other than the holidays.
Habla Espanol?
While California is an English-speaking state which means you’ll have no difficulty whatsoever if you only speak English. California also has a significant amount of Latino population, and Spanish remains an obvious part of its culture. It won’t hurt to learn some basic Spanish phrases.
Plan for Sun
You’ve probably heard people say “it never rains in sunny California”, well it’s true, and the gentle weather has its way of catching everyone by surprise. Don’t forget to take sunscreen with you everywhere you go, you should also bring a sunhat to keep the rays away from your face. Your skin will say a big thank you if you spend long periods of time outside.