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Californian Travel
Author: Bob Braban
The Pacific
Coast Highway & Beyond
With US $ selling at a very good rate, there cannot be a better
time to visit the USA than now. We suggest this trip because it
offers enormous and diverse opportunities and represents
tremendous value for money. Any traveller with even a moderate
amount of confidence can plan and execute this trip without the
aid of a tour operator. The basics require only air travel
bookings, car hire, insurance and an adventurous spirit.
Accommodation for the arrival night should be booked in advance,
but there are adequate motels and hotels available along the
route for c$40 - $50 per room per night. By booking just one
night ahead, you can retain total flexibility in your itinerary.
Stay at a Hotel/Motel and ask them to ring ahead for you for the
next day. Don't forget, if you are over 55 years of age, they
will even give you a Senior's discount rate!
The recommended itinerary is to start and finish the trip in San
Francisco.
You can have a very worthwhile trip in two weeks, but
if you can take three, the possibilities are commensurately
greater. This short article does not set out to fix an
itinerary, simply to convey the possibilities for travellers.
There are excellent route ideas available free from the
California
Tourist Board. They offer a wealth of information
including a 36 page .pdf entitled 'Best of California Drives '
If you are worried about hiring a car and driving in America,
don't be! Driving discipline is generally a great deal better
than in Britain and the roads are excellent. The freeway system
is less perplexing than the M25 and the sign posting is top
quality. Within two or three miles, the average driver is quite
at home.
San Francisco is one of America's greatest cities and it is
quite easy to lose two or three days just taking in the
atmosphere. Even the beggars have 'techno-style', one even
bragging about his web site at www.loosechange.com.
In addition
to the many cultural attractions, a ride on a cable car through
the city streets, a visit to Alcatraz to be given a conducted
tour by an ex-con and a look at the Golden Gate Bridge are
essentials. If time permits and the season is right, a trip to
nearby Muir Woods to see the Salmon moving upstream to spawn, is
also rewarding.
Leaving San Francisco, head down the coast to Santa Cruz. The
Pacific Coast Highway 1 follows the coast-line all the way to
Los Angeles. The road is generally not busy and the views are
the some of the most stunning in the USA. Along the route, stop
at Monterey, visit Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck
and take a look at the excellent aquarium before visiting one of
the top quality sea-food restaurants lining the harbour where
Elephant seals work at their daily quest to take over some of
the magnificent yachts moored at the pier. At certain times of
the year, it is also possible to take whale-watching trips from
this and other coastal towns on the route. From the Pacific
Coast Highway, on some occasions one can see the whales tracking
north.
A little further south one comes to the famous golf complex at
Pebble Beach and the charming little town of Carmel, where Clint
Eastwood did a spell as the Mayor. San Luis Obispo, Santa
Barbara and Malibu also feature on the route and, if time
permits, a slight detour to visit Solvang, a Scandinavian oasis
in the USA, is well worth the effort. And so to Los Angeles, the
home of the Hollywood movies and the original Disneyland. Its
worth a visit and it would be a pity to travel to the area
without taking a look around, but there is little doubt that the
greatest value is in having a quick look around and pointing the
vehicle's nose in a northerly direction towards the Mojave
Desert, Death Valley, and Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite
National Parks. If you are on the three week trip, Las Vegas is
also a possibility. Vulgar? Yes it certainly is, but it is also
one of the worlds uniquely exciting cities and well worth a
visit. There are many people who were dragged kicking and
screaming to Las Vegas and have made a dozen return trips since
that first shock. If you have even more time, you can visit the
Californian wine regions in the Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe, Carson
City and a host of other places. If you see a signpost for
'Rough and Ready" give it a miss; as a tourist attraction it
falls a little short!
If time forces choices, make certain that Yosemite is on the
list. Drive to the charming little town of Mariposa, book into a
motel, and catch the public bus to Yosemite. This national park
is so stunningly beautiful that it will live in your memory
forever. Steep cliffs, giant trees and waterfalls plunging from
the high sierra, make this one of the most memorable places on
earth!
Things to Remember
The People - Throughout most of the USA and particularly
California, people are particularly friendly. Get used to being
greeted by perfect strangers who will find it odd if you do not
respond. Make a habit of saying "good morning" etc. to people
you meet, they will be surprised if you do not. When they say
"have a good day", they mean it!
Insurance - You should always have good travel insurance. When
you hire a car it is wise to take the additional 'CDW'
(Collision Damage Waiver)" cover. It is not expensive and gives
peace of mind. Americans are generally good and courteous
drivers, but are less obsessed by their cars than Europeans and
are not quite as concerned about bumps.
Restaurants - If you troop into a diner or some other
restaurants after about 8.30 p.m., you may be confronted only by
the cleaning staff! Americans tend to eat early in the evening
and a lot of eating facilities close after that demand is met.
Naturally, there are restaurants that are open very late, but
you may have to look around for them.
Security - There was a time when US cities were generally
thought to be places where the public was at peril. The
situation has changed over recent years. Naturally there are
places where it is not advisable to go, particularly in cities.
But, providing one follows the rules that would apply in any
other city in the world, there should be no cause for concern.
Apply the rule: "When in doubt - ask". If you are not sure, then
steer clear.
Traffic Discipline - Read advice on local traffic rules before
taking to the road. Observe speed limits carefully. There are
far more police cars on the roads than in the UK and they are
hot on speeding and road discipline. If you are stopped, remain
in the vehicle and be polite. The California Highway Patrol and
local police forces are extremely courteous; if you act in the
same way, you may be lucky enough to get away with a little
advice! Two real differences to remember:
1. If your road is clear, it is legal to turn right at a red
light after coming to a complete stop, providing there are no
signs prohibiting you from doing so. This is an excellent rule
and helps to keep the traffic flowing.
2. At Stop signs, you must stop. You then proceed in the order
in which you arrived at the junction/crossroads. If you were
third to arrive and stop, it will be your turn when the other
two have departed. Its all very logical and works well.
About the author:
Bob Braban is an experienced and widely travelled journalist who
now devotes a great deal of time to helping those who experience
problems with travel agents and tour operators. Part of this
mission is to provide reliable information and holiday
opportunities for the independent traveller.Many other articles
appear at http://www.travelwatchdog.com
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