Let's begin by addressing some general questions you might have before diving into the detailed itinerary and planning phase.
What’s the best season for a road trip in California & nearby?
Spring and fall are often considered the best times as the weather is pleasant, and the crowds are more manageable. However, I chose to take my road trip from late August to early September due to work commitments, and I do not regret at all! During this period, you can comfortably enjoy sunbathing and swimming in the ocean. The only aspects to keep in mind for the summer period are the temperatures in Las Vegas and in the Death Valley, which can easily exceed 40 degrees!
Do I need a VISA?
The requirements to enter in the United States depend on your nationality. If, like me, you are an EU citizen, you can stay in the US for up to 90 days without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program via the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Applications for ESTA may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States, therefore I would suggest you to submit your application as a first step because if for any reason the application is rejected, you need to apply for VISA, which may require more time. Keep in mind that if you have travelled to certain countries (Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen on or after March 1, 2011, or Cuba on or after January 12, 2021), you are not eligible for ESTA and you need to apply for VISA.
I personally found the ESTA application process very smooth and fast. There is a $21 fee for the application. If you do not want to do it by yourself, you can always rely to some third party providers who will do it for you!
Below the official website to submit your ESTA application:
What are the driving rules in the US?
The US is very similar to the European countries in terms of driving rules, with few discrepancy (for instance, you are often allowed to turn right when the traffic light is red). I personally found some difficulties to drive in San Francisco as there are several lines designated only for busses or for carpools which I was noticing only at the last second, plus the hills are very steep. On the other side, San Francisco is a very walkable city, so you can easily leave the car parked and explore the city on foot. Regarding the parking, I often found streets where I could leave the car parked for 2 or 3 hours for free, which was very convenient. Keep in mind that RED CURBS are NO PARKING ZONES in California. I did not know this rule, but fortunately I learned about it from a passerby just in time to avoid a fine! Another important aspect to remember is that there are toll roads in California. For example, you need to pay tolls (approximately $10) when driving southbound over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It's advisable to check with your rental car agency about toll payments, as they usually offer an optional service called e-Toll. This service allows customers to use electronic toll lanes on highways, bridges, tunnels, and other tolled routes.
Which sim should I buy to stay connected?
I personally opted for an e-sim, which is s a digital version of the physical SIM card. You can purchase an eSIM before flying to the US and activate it upon arrival. There are several eSIM providers available. I chose Holafly eSIM as I found it very convenient and it offers an unlimited data plan. It also enables you to share internet with others through the Hotspot feature, which is not possible with other providers (be aware that there might be a daily limit on the amount of data you can share). If you are interested in purchasing Holafly eSIM, here is the link:
Holafly | International eSIM card for travelers
Do I need a travel insurance?
It is not compulsory, but it is high recommended as the healthcare in the US is much more expensive than in the rest of the world! Just consider what an unexpected incident could end up costing you if you weren't' covered. I personally did not need to purchase an additional travel insurance as I was already covered by my credit card. Travel insurance is a benefit included with certain credit cards, so it's something you should check with your bank before spending any extra money! If you are not already covered, you may want to consider Axa or Allianz travel insurance, as they are among the largest and most reliable insurance companies in the world.
Do I need to carry cash on a daily basis?
Based on my experience, you can easily manage your expenses by credit or debit card without carrying cash. However, you won't last even a day without a credit card. All the hotels and the rental companies ask for a credit card as they often charge a deposit in case of damages. So, make sure to have it available. I would suggest to withdraw a small amount of cash just in case, but you will be able to cover most of your expenses with a card. I personally use Revolut credit card when I travel, especially when the currency of the country I am travelling to is not Euro. Revolut offers significant savings by using its own 'real-time' exchange rate and cutting out transaction fees of between 2%–3% charged by most banks and credit card companies. Some additional benefits that I enjoy from Revolut are the possibilities to send instant transfers to other friends using Revolut and to withdraw money without fees (up to your plan’s limit). The app is very user-friendly and you can easily track your spending, and even split the bills with your friends! It takes only few minutes to open a bank account and the standard credit card is completely free. Here is the link if you are interested in opening a Revolut bank account:
Now that we covered the basics, you should be able to start planning your road trip. Click on the links below for tips and advises on the itinerary, accommodations, day-to-day activities and much more!
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