Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit the US state of California! It’s the third-largest state in the country by size and largest overall for population, and there are so many cool places and cities to visit in California. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your California vacation.
Hate #1: California Traffic
Traffic in California is legendary! If your California vacation has you visiting any major cities, like Los Angeles, San Diego or San Francisco, expect to spend some time sitting in traffic. The best thing you can do is to avoid driving during rush hour in California. You can save a couple of hours per day by avoiding rush hour, leaving you with more time to explore the best places in California. California drivers are also something to look out for. You have a range of drivers from crazy speeders to super slow grannies, so just be prepared to have some patience and extra time while driving.
Love #1: Iconic California
Chances are, you’ve admired California from afar before coming to visit. Whether it’s the Hollywood sign, the Pacific beaches, San Francisco cable cars, or hundreds of movie locations, seeing California in real life is such a treat! It’s not just the scenery, but the people of California also live up to their reputation. From valley girls to surfer dudes, Californian stereotypes are alive and well to this day. Visiting these iconic California attractions can sometimes be surreal because you will feel like you’ve been there before.
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Hate #2: Lack of Public Transportation
You may think you can avoid traffic by taking public transportation, but it’s not that great in California. The reason traffic is so bad in California is partly due to the car culture where everyone likes to have their own car. San Francisco has BART, which is probably the best public transportation in California. Every other city, though, does not have a convenient transit system for tourists.
Love #2: Variety & Diversity of California
California is like three states all rolled into one. Whether you want mountains, beaches, deserts or rainforest, California has it all. Northern California and Southern California could not be more different. Northern California has redwood forests and the cool city of San Francisco, while Southern California has Los Angeles, San Diego, and Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Parks. California has nature, culture, education, and entertainment.
Hate #3: Size of California
Foreign visitors to the US may not realize just how big California is. You might think you can cover the entire state in a weeks’ vacation like you can with other states, but there are just too many places to go in California. It’s probably not possible to see the beaches of Orange County and the Redwood forests plus Yosemite all in the same trip. Unless you have more than two weeks, your California vacation should focus on one region of California: Southern, Central or Northern. If you were to take I-5 all the way through California, it’s 800 miles or 12 hours. That’s not accounting for traffic or stops at the many California attractions along the way.
Love #3: California Cuisine
In addition to the diversity of landscapes and attractions in California, there are a ton of diverse cuisines to explore as well. Everyone talks about In N Out Burger when they talk about California food, but there’s a lot more to love beyond the fast food. California has great Mexican food with a unique spin (carne asada fries in San Diego are a must), plus tons of fresh seafood along the coast, and if you like to eat healthily, California is the best place to do it! There are tons of local, mom-and-pop places to eat in California, giving the cuisine a real artisan feel. When you visit California, skip the chains and hit the local spots.
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Hate #4: Prices in California
California is a pretty expensive destination compared to other states. It’s not outrageously expensive unless you want to buy a house, but it’s definitely not a cheap destination. As of 2019, the state sales tax in California is 7.25%, with many cities adding on a local tax that totals up to 10.25%. This, of course, affects everything from gas to groceries and entertainment options.
Love #4: California Landscapes
While many people think of California as the cities that make it famous, what I really love is the nature in California. From the beaches of San Diego, you can be in the mountains in 45 minutes or sand dunes within 90 minutes. If you like outdoor adventure, California is the perfect destination for hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, snow sports, and surfing. With the addition of Pinnacles National Park, California now has nine national parks, more than any other state in the country.
Hate #5: Safety Issues in California
Statistically, safety issues are pretty rare, but it’s worth mentioning anyway. If your vacation includes California beaches, make sure you are aware of what the flags mean. Some of the ocean rip currents can be deadly, so if the flags are up, check-in with the lifeguards. Additionally, the cost of living in California has created a serious homeless problem, so you will see a lot of homeless people living on the streets in California. If you are visiting some of the bigger California cities, ask your hotel if there are areas that you should avoid during your visit. Lastly, be aware of the wildlifes in California. Whether it’s the seals and sea lions on the beach, or deer and mountain lions in the woods, don’t approach any wild animals that you might encounter during your California trip.
Love #5: California Weather
California is known for its great weather, and it’s why so many people want to live here and visit California for vacation. Along with the diversity of landscapes, California also has diverse weather. But along the coast, the weather is pretty good year-round. The farther south you go, the warmer the weather will be, and Northern California can be pretty rainy, but the point is that there is a perfect climate for everyone in California. The weather makes California a year-round destination.
California is one of the most interesting and diverse states in the US, so I recommend including it in your USA vacation itinerary. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason not to plan a trip to California. Want more tips for planning a US vacation? Check out these other blog posts: