Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you plan a trip to California. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to see in California, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do on your trip to California.
Don’t Think Northern California and Southern California are the Same
California is a huge state. It’s the third-largest US state by size and the most populated state in the country. But not all parts of California are the same. In fact, Northern California and Southern California are very different. Southern California has beaches, warm weather, desert, and sunshine. Northern California is really more like the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon and Washington than Southern California.
Likewise, California cities are more than just Los Angeles and San Francisco. San Diego is one of our favorite California destinations. California has more national parks than any other state. From Death Valley to Yosemite and Redwoods National Park, there are tons of cool things to see in California. Make sure you get out of the cities to explore some of the nature that California has to offer. Just don’t forget to plan for traffic and long distances. It is about 14 hours to drive from one end of California to the other! There are way too many things to see in California on one trip.
Don’t Think All Californians are Surfer Dudes
The stereotypical Californian is probably a long-haired blonde surfer guy or girl. It’s true, you’ll find a lot of that culture in Southern California, but just like the landscape, the people of California are also incredibly diverse. Don’t buy into the stereotypes and don’t assume you’ll see famous people everywhere you go.
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Don’t Diss In-N-Out Burger
In-N-Out Burger is a California institution, with a near cult-like following. Californians love their In-N-Out burgers, so don’t diss them. You might think the menu is underwhelming, but there’s a secret menu, so do some research before you go. And even if you think Culver’s or Whataburger is better, don’t tell that to someone from California.
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Don’t Call it Cali
If you don’t want to sound like a tourist, don’t call California “Cali.” Cali is a city in Colombia. And don’t call San Francisco “San Fran” or “Frisco.” Just call them by their regular names. That said, there is a lot of slang used in California that you might not understand. Don’t stress if you don’t understand it right away; you’ll catch on!
Don’t Plan on Swimming a Lot
The Pacific Ocean is pretty cold. That’s why you see so many surfers wearing wetsuits. It’s not warm water like the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean. And while Northern California has beaches, too, it’s not really a beach destination because it can be cold!
Learn more at the Official Visit California website: www.visitcalifornia.com
Don’t Expect a Cheap Vacation in California
California is notoriously expensive compared to most other states in the U.S. It’s not just the cost of living for locals that’s high; tourists can also expect to pay a premium for visiting California. Accommodation, food, shopping, and taxes on everything really adds up. Even the grocery bags aren’t free when you go food shopping!
Don’t Forget to Stock up on Wine
California’s Napa Valley has fabulous wineries. If you are visiting Northern California, make sure you swing through a few of the vineyards to taste some wine. It also makes a great souvenir or gift for someone back home. Even the regular grocery stores in California have amazing wine selections. Be careful to avoid vineyard burnout, though. After a few stops, all of them can start to blur together. (Don’t forget a designated driver if you’re touring several vineyards!)
Visit the Napa Valley website: www.visitnapavalley.com
Don’t Freak Out If You’re in an Earthquake
California does have a lot of earthquakes; second only to Alaska in the United States. But don’t freak out if you happen to experience one. California’s infrastructure has been built to withstand some pretty big earthquakes.
Don’t Forget to Pack Accordingly
Because the various parts of California are so diverse, so is the climate. Southern Californians love to tell you that you can go to the beach and go skiing on the same day. Yes, there are ski resorts in California, too! Ever hear of Lake Tahoe? That’s in California. San Francisco is notoriously chilly in the summer months, so be prepared with some good layers so you don’t have to buy a cheesy poncho at Fisherman’s Wharf!
Don’t Risk Any Wildfires
California is also known for devastating wildfires. The dry climate combined with often windy conditions makes fires very dangerous. So, if you’re a smoker, make sure you don’t throw any cigarette butts out the window. If you’re camping, make sure you are extra careful with your campfire; if you’re even allowed to have them. Many places will have fire bans in place through most of the summer months.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Don’t let these “don’ts” keep you from planning a trip to California. It’s such a cool state, with so many cool places to travel in California! Want more California travel tips? Check out some of our other blog posts: