Search for car hire in California

Driving tips

Plan ahead – California is bigger than people expect. Long drives can get tiring so come up with an itinerary well before you leave, ensuring you have enough stops planned on your way up or down the coast. This is not only as you'll want to rest regularly, but because you’ll miss you on so much if you don't!

Top up the tank – If you’re heading into remote areas such as the desert or mountains, have a petrol plan! It'll become tricky to fill up once you are well on your way into a vast expanse of not a lot – so fill up before hand. It’s also worth noting that gas stations expect you to pay before you fill up. Usually this means taking your card into the sales merchant first.

Get in lane – There are carpooling lanes in operation in California. These are sometimes known as diamond lanes to match their sign. If you aren’t solo travelling, make the most of these lanes as they can save you time.

Prepare for the junctions – Look out for four way stop signs. They will appear at intersections in and outside of cities and right of way is decided by who gets there first. So, if there are any cars already at the intersection, you must let them pull out before you do.

Parking up – Curbs are colour coded, indicating whether you can park there. Some rules of thumb are blue for disabled, red for no parking and various other colours (white and yellow) for restricted parking. Always check the signs!

Weather

What: Much of California is blessed with lovely temperatures year round. Lots of cities experience a an almost Mediterranean climate, so there’s plenty of sun to go around. However, the temperatures change drastically depending on where you are in the state.

Cooler climates –In the more northern areas (Monterey upwards) fog can make an appearance. Dense bouts of fog are fairly typical in San Francisco, but this component of San Fran’s strange microclimate adds to its charm. Half of the city can be enveloped in fog while the other half basks in the determined sun. It can get unpredictably cool here, so bring a jumper even in the height of summer.

Scorching sun –California’s Death Valley is home to the hottest US temperature on record. If you’re planning to explore isolated areas of the desert, you’ll need to be well prepared for the heat.

When: Peak season runs from June to August, these summer months seeing the majority of tourists. This is largely due to the great weather.

If this is when you are planning to go, don't worry. The great thing about The States is their vastness. Regardless of how many visitors California gets, it's easy to get lost in the quiet – especially out on the open road. The desert roads are incredibly peaceful, and even famous routes like Highway 1 are so extensive, you'll have endless stretches to yourself all year round.

• 

  San Francisco Airport
  SFO

  The starting point for our monster road trip (we’d recommend making some smaller stops on the way and taking 2-3 weeks to complete this).

• 

  Yosemite National Park – 300km

  Breathtaking national park with curvaceous roads, tree-filled valleys and waterfalls.

• 

  Monterey – 320km

  Whale watching and sensational seafood dominate this quiet and historic coastal town.

• 

  Los Angeles – 500km

  The city of angels is impressively versatile from its hipster beach vibes to its Walk of Fame.

• 

  San Diego  – 200km

  Close to the Mexican border, near perfect weather and exciting attractions are guaranteed year round.

• 

  Palm Springs  – 200km

  The ultimate desert resort, this high-temperatured haven is ideal for those who love a poolside lifestyle.