California Archives

Posted by: egle on April 21, 2024

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Everything You Should Know to Plan the Best Trip to California

Are you thinking about traveling in California? Great decision! The Golden State has many things to offer. It can be difficult for you to get bored here or run out of objects to visit. Of course, it is essential to prepare for your trip well to have as good an experience as possible. Read on to learn the most important things to consider when you plan a trip to California.

What is the best way to explore California?

By road trips! They are a good way to explore any state (check out road trips in Texas and Missouri), but California is almost perfect for them. One of the main reasons why is because the state is super big. It is the third-largest state. That is why if you are coming to California without a vehicle, you should rent a car.

If you are planning to travel on highways, an SUV or a family car is good. However, if you plan to explore state parks, it is best to choose a 4×4 vehicle. Having a GPS will be very useful because some objects could be hard to find.

There are many cool road trips you can take. Some of the most popular roads include Highway 1, Highway 101, and Route 66, the last of which ends in Los Angeles. The coastal road trip is also great.

Of course, there are other ways to travel in California than cars. You can go from city to city by plane. You can also use buses. In cities, it is often not even worth having cars, as they are too crowded. Consider using electric scooters in the cities. Learn about their laws in California.

When should you plan to visit California?

Most people go to California in summer – the high season is from June to August – but you can visit it all year round. The low seasons are also great if you want to save a bit and avoid the crowds. Some places, of course, are best visited at certain times. For example, if you plan to hike in the mountains, it is best to do it in the summer. However, in winter, you can ski in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Some say that spring is the most beautiful season in California. Why? Because the wildflowers bloom. The fields, hills, and even deserts color in hundreds of colors: the super blooms transform even the barren Death Valley! The fall is another season with smaller crowds and milder weather. It is also when San Fransisco, usually covered in fog, has some of the sunniest days. The fall is also a great season to visit California’s wine regions as this is grape harvest time. However, although September and October have pleasant weather, it is also when most wildfires happen.

Finally, consider the time when you plan your trip. The more adventurous it is, such as if you plan to camp in the Death Valley, the more flexible your plans should be. When camping in nature, unexpected things can happen, which might prevent you from leaving on time. Also, remember that traffic in big cities might make you very slow. For this reason, you should plan for at least an extra day or two.

Prepare for California: some things you should take

Every state and country has some peculiarities for which you should prepare. California is no exception. It is not that exotic, though. It also depends greatly on which part you are traveling at which time of the year: north or south, inland or coastland. The main things you need in California are:

Sunscreen. California is one of the sunniest states, and the sun can be harsh here. Protect yourself from it. Take sunglasses too: you won’t regret it.

Water bottles and reusable bags. California cares a lot about ecology. Water and recycling are really important here. There is a 5¢ deposit every time you buy a plastic bottle. You can’t buy plastic bags, and the paper bags cost. Better to bring your own bottle and bags.

Raincoat and jacket. While California is warm, it can also be rainy, especially in the north. The nights in the desert can get very cold too. Prepare for that.

Camera. The Golden State has many picturesque places, so do not forget your camera! You will probably take hundreds of photos, if not thousands.

What to visit

Ah, the seemingly obvious but such a difficult question. California is the most visited state for a reason. We could be listing objects to visit all day. But we will try to sum it up to help you plan what to visit during your trip to California.

The most popular cities are Los Angeles and San Fransisco. You should spend at least 2-3 days there to explore them. But you could stay a week and not run out of things to do! They are also great for yachting and boating. However, it is not worth renting a car in those cities: an average person spends 85 hours looking for parking there, according to Inrix. Of course, you could rent a parking space. But bikes and scooters might be better to get around.

If you love nature, there is a lot of beautiful national parks to visit. Yosemite national park is known for its waterfalls and valleys. Joshua Tree National Park has a desert landscape with unique Joshua trees. Redwood National and State Parks are home to the tallest trees on this planet. The Sequoia & Kings Canyon also has those spectacular trees, as well as many other things to see. Don’t forget the Death Valley National Park, with the lowest point in North America, and its climate extremes. California also has Pinnacles National Park, Bodie State Historic Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Emerald Bay, Big Sur, and more. There are also many beautiful lakes: check out the best lakes in California.

Also, don’t forget Disneyland, Legoland, and other theme parks! They are full of entertainment for all members of the family. There is also Hollywood, of course, where you can tour studio sets. The most popular experiences are Jurassic Park, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and The Walking Dead attraction.

Final tips for planning a perfect trip to California

California is large so don’t plan to see all the things during your trip, unless you are traveling for a month or so. Also, it’s better to plan less rather than more to have some flexibility. Don’t miss a great experience just because it wasn’t on your list, and you are rushing to experience the others.

Do not bring too much stuff. It can be troublesome to carry. You will also have to worry less when you have fewer items.

Make reservations for popular hotels and campsites. California is the most visited state, and the number of tourists is immense. So don’t spoil your trip because you could not book the hotel where you wanted to stay so much. You should book in advance.

Did you enjoy these tips? Hopefully, you can now better plan your trip to California! Perhaps you need a car? Check out the cars for rent on XRental!

Posted by: egle on April 13, 2024

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California Scooter Laws: 7 Things You Should Know Before Riding Electric Scooters in California

Electric scooters are cool. Whether you have your own or are planning to rent one, there are things you should know before riding off to the streets. You do not want to get a fine, do you? We will tell you all about California scooter laws, as they are set out in California Vehicle Code §21235, so you can ride your scooter safely and happily.

Wear a helmet if you are under 18

It is a legal requirement, which can get you a $200 fine if you do not comply. You can use a bicycle helmet, although a full-face helmet is safer. Remember to fasten it well.

Adults are not required to wear a helmet, but we really recommend it. Scooter accidents are pretty frequent, and you want to avoid head injuries at all costs. If you decide to ride without a helmet, you do it at your own risk.

Have a valid driver’s license

When riding a scooter, you have to carry a valid driver’s license. You also need one to rent a scooter. You can also use a learner’s permit instead. But if the police catch you on a scooter without a driver’s license or a learner’s permit, you will get a traffic ticket.

Do not tandem ride

Taking a passenger with you on the scooter, also known as a tandem ride, is forbidden. It is very unsafe as it becomes much harder to control a scooter with extra weight.

You also can’t carry any bundles that would not allow you to keep both hands on the handles.

Do not go faster than 15 mph

The speed limit for scooters is 15 miles per hour. If you go over it, you can be stopped and fined: the fine can be up to $250. So be careful not to speed too much!

If you use a Bird or Lime scooter, you won’t even be able to go faster. But if you ride at full-speed downhill, the speed increases, so keep that in mind.

Dismount when making a left turn

It might sound annoying, we know. But it’s the law, and the authorities passed it to protect you. Left turns are difficult, and the probability of an accident is pretty high. So when you want to turn left on an electric scooter, do this:

At the intersection, stop on the right curb;
Dismount;
Make a turn by walking.

Do not ride a scooter on the sidewalk

The best place to ride a scooter is bike lanes, either class II or class IV. Class II bikeways are separated from the street by a white stripe. Class IV bikeways have physical barriers from the street traffic, such as cones. The speed limit is also 15mph.

If you can see no bike lanes, you can travel on streets, but their speed limit cannot be higher than 25mph. Local authorities might also allow scooters on roads with speed limits up to 35mph. You still cannot ride the scooter faster than 15mph.

You can only step on sidewalks when you are planning to park the scooter (also, remember to park nicely to not block the area for pedestrians). Crosswalks are also technically sidewalks, so cross them on foot. You can get a ticket for not doing so.

Follow all other vehicle safety rules

According to the California Vehicle Code, an electric scooter has the same rights and obligations as other motor vehicles. Of course, you don’t have to wear a seatbelt because an electric scooter does not have one. But, for example, do not drive intoxicated: you can get a DUI charge just the same, as well as a ticket up to $350.

These are the most important laws to abide by when riding an electric scooter in California. There might also be some local rules in certain areas.

Perhaps you are interested in other types of scooters? Check out our article on it!

Posted by: egle on

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Boating Vacation? Best 10 Lakes in California to Explore by Boat

California, one of the largest and the most populated states in the US, can be proud of many things. Great boating destinations are definitely among them. Boaters and yachters love cities along the 840 miles long pacific coast, such as San Fransisco and San Diego, and they are great, but what about lakes? Did you know there are 3,000 of them in the Golden State? And they are awesome for boating. In this article, we will look at best 10 lakes to explore by boat in California.

Lake Tahoe

It is the second-largest lake in California and the largest Alpine Lake in North America. And one of the best boating destinations, to be sure! It is on the border of California and Nevada and surrounded by Sierra Nevada Mountains, which makes for very scenic sights to observe from a boat. All kinds of boats are popular here: motor and sailboats, jet skis and yachts, kayaks, and paddle-boats.

On the shores, you can find many hike trails. Lake Tahoe is in the Emerald Bay State Park, so nature sights here are really worth visiting. Nightlife enthusiasts will also not be bored: you can find great entertainment in Stateline and South Lake Tahoe cities.

Folsom Lake

This is another lake by the Sierra Nevada Mountains and another destination for boaters. Although this is not the only popular activity here: horseback riding, camping and hiking are too. It’s most popular with motorboats and jet skis, or at least it used to be so. In 2020, California State Parks lowered the speed limit to 5mph because of low water levels, so it’s just as safe for a non-motorized boat now too.

Lake Berryessa

This freshwater reservoir is two hours north of San Fransisco. All kinds of boats are welcome here, from houseboats to kayaks, although non-motorized boats are more popular. You can also easily rent out one; you do not have to be an owner! Explore the many coves and pretty beaches or try water various water activities. The mild temperature at the reservoir offers a retreat from the heat even in midsummer. Do not forget to check out the Morning Glory Spillway, which is basically a gigantic drain plug!

Lake Almanor

Another one of the best lakes in Northern California is Lake Almanor, popular as an affordable family vacation destination. This large lake is good for all kinds of boating, as well as fishing and water activities. There are many marinas along the coast, even some free launch ramps. The nearest town is Chester, with 2,000 inhabitants, and it has everything you might need. Choose this spot if you are not looking for something fancy but a simple and affordable place to spend your boating vacation.

Shasta Lake

Lake Shasta is the largest artificial lake in California, with a shoreline of 370 miles. It is in Northern California, 15 miles from Redding. Motorboats are the most popular here. Besides jet skis, there are also really many houseboats. You can either bring your own or rent all types of boats here.

There is not much wind here, and the waters are smooth, so Lake Shasta is known for various water activities, such as wakeboarding, water skiing, and more. Also, consider booking a tour to Lake Shasta caverns. The caverns are impressive, and you might even see some bats!

Big Bear Lake

This one is great to visit all year round. It is also unique scenery in California: a snow-fed lake at a 6,700 feet height and surrounded by pine trees. There are six marinas along the shores, where you can rent out a boat if you do not have one. You can also hop onto the Miss Liberty cruise for 90 minutes to hear the site’s history and see the most famous sights. The lake is not large, having a shoreline of 22 miles. The boat cannot be longer than 26 feet.

Silverwood Lake

Silverwood Lake is located in the same mountainous region in Southern California as Big Bear Lake and is only 90 minutes from Los Angeles. Besides enjoying boating and the rugged beauty of the scenery, one of the most popular activities here is bass fishing.

However, there are only 125 boats allowed in the lake at once. So have a boat launch reservation before you come in the high season, from May to September. Boat launching costs $10; canoes and kayaks do not have a fee.

Mono Lake

Mono lake is one of the oldest lakes in the US and three times saltier than the ocean. Because of this, there are unique tufa towers, sprouting from the water. This lake is popular among birdwatchers because millions of migrating birds stop here.

However, there are some restrictions on boating in Mono lake. The water is too salty and alkaline for speedboats and jet skis, and there are many underwater tufa towers. Also, to protect the birds, it is forbidden to go within one mile from the lake’s islands from April 1 to August 1 and to approach osprey nests and flocks of birds.

Lake Havasu

This Colorado River impoundment is between California and Arizona, surrounded by deserts and only 24 miles from Las Vegas: you can see its lights here! The lake has mild temperatures and can be visited all year round. A famous tourist attraction is the London Bridge across the lake. The lake is especially popular among houseboaters and motorized boat owners, although you can also sail, fish, and do many other things here.

Cachuma lake

This picturesque lake is in the Santa Ynez Valley, half an hour from Santa Barbara. The surrounding oak woods are a marvelous sight. This lake is a domestic water supply, so you cannot swim, water ski, or jet ski, as no body-to-water contact is allowed. But you can enjoy canoes, kayaks, and bass fishing: it’s actually one of the best California lakes for fishing. Also, visit Cachuma Lake Recreation Area for hiking, picnicking, camping, and more.

We hope that you were able to choose the next lakes in California to explore by boat. You don’t have to be a boat owner to enjoy such vacations since you can usually rent boats at those places. Perhaps you are renting out boats yourself? Check out our article on how to make more money with boat rentals! Or, if you are planning to rent a boat for the first time yourself, check out our tips for renting a boat.

If you are traveling to California, be sure to also check out our guide on how to plan a trip to California!