If you want to plan a trip to California, you should know that there are a few things to keep in mind before you get there. Sure, the state is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country.
People visit California every year for its signature palm trees and pristine beaches. But, if it’s your first time visiting the state, you should consider a few factors before you make the trip.
Let’s talk about everything you need to know before your first visit to the golden state!
It’s About a Lot More Than Just Beaches
It’s a misconception that the only attractions in California are its sunny beaches. Sure, the beaches have clear waters and interesting landscapes. But that’s not all that the state has to offer visitors.
California offers various fun activities for those planning all kinds of vacations. So, it doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a relaxed or action-packed trip. California has a little something to offer everyone.
With its rich museums and parades, California can give you great cultural experiences. The cities of Pasadena and Oxnard offer many opportunities for you to soak in the local culture. The same goes for the eclectic local cuisines.
Beautiful beaches with miles of golden dune around is your ideal vacation, more details are available on the Visit Oxnard website. It has architecture from the Victorian era which makes it a busy tourist attraction. You’ll even find interesting experiences in the city for those interested in sports.
The Dallas Cowboys training camp in the city is open to fans who wish to see the team practicing. Visiting the training camp will let you see the team prepare for the upcoming NFL season. This activity is perfect for families visiting the state.
There are also several museums to visit in Oxnard if you’re up for an educational experience. The same goes for Pasadena with its many museums and libraries. Pasadena even boasts Descanso Gardens which are famous for their plush landscapes.
Pasadena is also an ideal spot for those wanting to buy local antiques and visit the theater. Together, Pasadena and Oxnard have a wide array of fun activities for visitors.
Pasadena is closer to Los Angeles but doesn’t have any beaches. So, if that’s what you want on your Californian vacation, Oxnard may be the better option.
Public Transportation Isn’t Great
How to get to California is one thing, how to get around California is another. California is a large state and traveling can be a real hassle if you don’t plan everything well in advance.
First things first, map out an itinerary for your trip beforehand. There are many tourist attractions scattered across the state.
So, it’ll take time and money for you to get from one tourist attraction to another. Relying on public transportation in such a scenario may not be the best idea. Public transport in Los Angeles is especially bad so it’s better to avoid this travel option.
After all, if you’re planning a trip to California that’s more than a few days, you may have luggage. It’s not easy to carry your bags on public transport considering how large the state is. Also, remember that public transport gets crowded during the tourist season.
So, it would be best to rent a car to take you around the state. A car can help you visit Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other Californian cities. If you don’t want to rent a car, you could consider getting an Uber or Lyft instead.
But, cab services are sometimes costlier than renting a vehicle. Also, with cabs, availability is often an issue. So, it may be wiser to rent a car as you prepare for your visit to California.
The State Has Different Climates
If you’re packing for your trip to California, remember to pack both winter and summer clothing. It may seem confusing, but the state is so large that it has all kinds of weather at the same time in different cities.
If you want to visit different areas of the state during your next visit, packing light may not be an option. Packing light will be possible if you include areas in California that have the same climate. Visiting areas with different climates will call for different clothing and other supplies.
For instance, if you want to visit Los Angeles and Yosemite in the same month, this can be a challenge. Summer in Los Angeles is warm, but it can be cold in Yosemite at the same time. So, it would be wise to carry the right clothing according to the different areas you’ll visit.
Sometimes, you’ll find weather changes even in the same city. The climate in San Francisco changes often so you’ll need to prepare for all kinds of weather on your next trip. Cities like Oxnard have pleasant weather throughout the year though.
Pasadena gets a good amount of rainfall thanks to the San Gabriel Mountains nearby. Consider these factors when you’re deciding the best time to visit California.
You’ll Have to Plan Day Trips
California covers over 400,000 square kilometers which makes it the third largest state in the US. So, it comes as no surprise that it’ll take you time to get from one place to another. There’s no point in planning to visit several areas if you can’t cover them in one day or less.
Think about it, how much time on your vacation do you want to spend traveling? Sure, traveling across the state can be fun with its scenic landscapes. But, if you want to visit tourist attractions, travel can eat up large chunks of your time.
Also, if you’re staying in Los Angeles, you’ll need to deal with a large amount of traffic. It can take you much longer to get to your destination if you’re leaving from Los Angeles. So, plan to visit places nearby if you don’t want to spend too much time traveling.
The same goes for San Francisco, especially if you’re traveling during rush hour. Cities and towns around Los Angeles are better to live in during your vacation for this reason. It cuts down on your driving time and lets you enjoy your visit to the state.
Remember to plan day trips across California if you want to see as much of the state as you can on your trip. Don’t pack too many places to visit in your schedule as you plan out each day. After all, you should give yourself enough time to enjoy all that the state has to offer.
In Conclusion
Your first visit to California will be memorable if you iron out the details of your trip. Consider everything from the weather you’ll be facing to the money you’ll be spending on travel. After you get these details out of the way, you can enjoy your vacation.
There are plenty of travel agencies online willing to make your trip smoother. But, if you’d rather do it yourself, consider the factors we listed above. After all, good planning will make your trip hassle-free and enjoyable.
