The Golden State is filled with scenic road trips leading to the fantastic coastline, isolated backcountry, and national parks. Road trips are the best since you have the flexibility to create your travel itinerary and spice it up with a few great pit stops.
No matter what kind of vacation you have on your mind, whether it’s visiting a big city like San Francisco or getting lost in the giant sequoia trees of Sierra Nevada, you’re guaranteed to find your perfect getaway. But before you start looking for studio apartments in San Francisco and the perfect camping locations, you need to read the following guide, which will help you know the ins and outs of California road-tripping and make your trip fun and smooth.
Think About Your Security On The Road
Planning your budget and getting a good travel insurance policy sounds boring, but it’s crucial before embarking on your adventure. Keep the total budget in mind, allocate it into different categories based on your priorities, and stick to it. So, it mainly depends on you how much the road trip will cost you.
Another thing on this to-do list has to be travel insurance. It basically covers everything from stolen property to trip cancellation. Of course, a travel insurance policy is always a must, but especially now if you plan to take expensive gear like lenses, cameras, and everything in between.
Navigation and Electronics
You’ll need good GPS navigation and physical maps because cell service isn’t guaranteed in many rural areas in California. While the Pacific Coast Highway offers plenty to do in terms of beaches, boardwalks, restaurants, and more, taking detours will add to your adventure since there are many enchanting sites to see off the main route.
We recommend you to have a car phone mount for when you use your phone for navigation. These are helpful, cheap, and lightweight. Of course, don’t forget your portable charger as well!
For the Fun Part of Road-Tripping
One of the most thrilling aspects of this California road-tripping is the amount of marine life you’ll probably see. So, take binoculars, keep your eyes on the water for the passing whales, or scan the coastline for some sea lions. It’s best to learn when and where the best wildlife tends to hang out so you can enjoy the fantastic sights.
And no road trip would be complete without some good jams. So, load up your phone with your favourite tunes, or throw in some good CDs. Besides music, you can download audiobooks or podcasts. Just make sure you download everything ahead of time because you’ll probably lose service somewhere along the way.
Snacks, Snacks, and More Snacks
To get into the California spirit, you should pack a cooler with the most delicious California snacks to properly enjoy the isolated stretches of road. San Francisco sourdough, an assortment of cheese, and local honey are essential. Bring some utensils and plates and have a beach picnic with an unbeatable view.
We hope you’re an environmentally friendly road-tripper and conscious about plastic waste since they’re big into the environment in California. Bring a reusable water bottle to save money while being good to the environment.
In Case of Emergency
It’s advisable to be prepared for everything when embarking on a road trip. A first aid kit is one of the essential things to have in your vehicle. And you certainly never know what can happen, so make sure to bring a travel electric blanket, travel pillow, full gas can, handheld portable flashlight, and bug spray.
Road tripping means hours and hours of driving. You must inspect your vehicle before embarking on a road trip, even if you think everything’s fine. Still, it’s advisable to have spare tires and tools, jumper cables, and a tire patch kit. In addition, it’s wise to spend your time in comfort. We recommend bringing items that are breathable, odour-resistant, and cosy. Put these clothing essentials on your packing list:
- Breathable shirts
- Comfortable bottoms
- Rain jacket
- Fleece pullover
- Breathable undergarments
- Hat
- Wool socks
- Flip flops or slip-on shoes
- Hiking Boots
- Sunglasses
Wrapping up
We hope that now you won’t have to wonder what to take for a road trip anymore. Instead, you can use this article as a road trip packing checklist before starting your adventure across California. You definitely won’t want to forget any of these vital road trip essentials so you can have a memorable road trip!