California's Best Trips 2 - Full PDF eBook

NEED

TO

KNOW

CELL PHONES

The only foreign phones
that will work in the USA
are GSM multiband models.
Network coverage is often
spotty in remote areas (eg
mountains, deserts).

INTERNET ACCESS

Wi-fi is available at most
coffee shops and lodgings.
Some accommodations
have free guest computers.
Cybercafes ($6 to $12 per
hour) are common in cities.

FUEL

Gas stations are everywhere,
except in national parks and
remote areas. Expect to pay
$4 to $5 per US gallon.

RENTAL CARS

Alamo (www.alamo.com)

Car Rental Express (www.
carrentalexpress.com)

Simply Hybrid (www.
simplyhybrid.com)

Zipcar (www.zipcar.com)

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

American Automobile
Association (AAA; %877-
428-2277)

Emergencies (%911)

Highway conditions
(%800-427-7623)

Traffic updates (%511)

When to Go

High.Season.(Jun–Aug)

» Accommodations prices up 50% to 100%.

» Major holidays are even busier and more expensive.

» Summer is low season in the desert: temperatures exceed

100°F (38°C).

Shoulder.Season.(Apr–May.&.Sep–Oct)

» Crowds and prices drop, especially along the coast and in the

mountains.

» Typically wetter in spring, drier in autumn.

» Milder temperatures and sunny, cloudless days.

Low.Season.(Nov–Mar)

» Accommodations rates drop in cities and by the coast.

» Many attractions open fewer days and shorter hours.

» Chilly temperatures and rainstorms; mudslides occasionally

wash out coastal highways.

» In the mountains, carry tire chains; heavy snowfall closes

higher-elevation roads.

» Winter is peak season in SoCal’s desert regions.

# #

# #

#ArcataGO May-Sep

San Francisco

GO Apr-Oct Yosemite VillageGO Apr-Oct

Los Angeles

GO Apr-Oct Palm Springs

GO Dec-Apr

Desert, dry climate

Dry climate

Warm to hot summers, mild winters

Warm to hot summers, cold winters

Climate