California

Understand

History

Human settlement in California goes back 50,000 years; California was home to 30 different tribal groups prior to the arrival of European explorers in the 1500s and now over 120 tribes are left. The first Europeans to discover what is now California were the Spanish and Portuguese. Spanish colonialism was established through twenty-one missions built throughout California by the late 1700s. These missions still survive today, stretching from San Diego on the Mexican border to Sonoma in the northern San Francisco Bay Area.

After the Mexican War for Independence in 1821, California became a part of Mexico for 25 years until 1846, when many of its residents declared a sovereign nation (the California Republic, also called the Bear Flag Republic) before it was annexed by the United States in 1846, and has since then had an image as the "land of opportunity" and the final destination of luck-seekers. The 1848 discovery of gold in the Sierra Nevada mountains kicked off the California Gold Rush, and California's non-native population surged from 15,000 to over 300,000 within two years. People who moved to California during the Gold rush were often called "49ers", a term that was adopted as the name for the San Francisco football team. California became a state in 1850, and its population has increased steadily since then.

Los Angeles, a city which once boasted one of the longest streetcar networks in the world, boomed through defense contractors and later converted to a "freeway" city after the streetcars were dismantled. The city hosted Olympic Games twice (1932 & 1984) at times when the Olympic movement was in crisis and the games were largely seen as successes for the city as well as the Olympic movement. In the post-war years, California (especially the Bay Area) became a hotspot of counterculture, including popular music, the anti-war movement, and the LGBT community. Since the late 20th century, the state and in particular, the Bay Area, has been at the forefront of the Digital Revolution, with innovations such as personal computers and smartphones having been introduced through Silicon Valley.

Today California is the most populous state in the US with over 38 million residents. Taken by itself, California would rank as one of the world's top ten economies and Californian places like Silicon Valley, Hollywood and San Francisco are known globally and have shaped not only American but world culture. Politically, California is seen as a solidly "blue" state: it has a two-thirds majority of Democrats in both chambers of the legislature and often provides the Democratic party with particularly left-wing ideas, especially on social issues. That said, the state actually contains a lot of political diversity, with conservative views prevalent in much of the state outside the densely populated Bay Area and Los Angeles County, particularly in the fertile but relatively sparsely populated Central Valley.

Landscape

With over 160,000 square miles (411,000 km2), the landscape of California is vast and varied, and the stereotypical beach paradise is only the tip of the iceberg. The state contains extremes in elevation, with Mount Whitney at 14,505 ft (4,421 m) being the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states, while less than 200 miles (320 km) away Death Valley, at 282 ft (82 m) below sea level, is North America's lowest point.

California's border to the west is made up of a rugged coastline along the Pacific Ocean. The coastal mountains rise up from the ocean and are home to redwood trees in their northern half. Moving eastward, the Central Valley bisects California from north-to-south, before giving way to the Sierra Nevada mountains, which are home to Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and other natural wonders. The southeastern part of California is dominated by desert, which covers 25% of California's total area. The Mojave is a high desert, with elevations ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 ft (1,000 to 2,000 m) above sea level. This area receives less than six inches (152 mm) of rain each year.

Climate

The state's climate varies from subtropical at the coast to the brutal winters of the mountains to one of the world's hottest regions in the deserts. Rainfall is more common in the northern part of the state than in the south, and snow is rare except in the mountains. Most precipitation occurs during winter, but California experiences frequent droughts. This has prompted people to install drought-resistant landscaping. In some years, farms lie fallow due to lack of water for irrigation.

The hottest temperature ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere, 134°F (56.6°C) was at Death Valley in 1913, and temperatures here regularly exceed 120°F (50°C) during the summer. In contrast, winter temperatures in the mountains can drop below 0°F (-20°C). In between these extremes there are great local variations in climate due to topography and the influence of the Pacific Ocean upon precipitation and temperature, with temperatures becoming increasingly moderated nearer the coastline.

For swimming, the Pacific Ocean can be surprisingly cold even in July due to currents. September and October are the best months for swimming. Another surprise in coastal areas is the presence of cool temperatures and fog in the mornings through most of the year. To experience California as a sunny place, plan to sleep late.

People

California is a very diverse state with many ethnic groups. California has large populations of people of varied backgrounds such as Mexican, Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Armenian, Iranian, Jewish, Chinese, Russian, Filipino, Eastern Indian, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Thai, and Hmong. California also has large populations of African Americans and Native Americans.

Although typically considered to be a liberal state, Californians have a wide variety of political views which tend to vary based on region. The Central Valley, Orange County, San Diego, and Palm Springs area tend to be more conservative, while Los Angeles County and the San Francisco Bay Area are among the most progressive areas in the country.

California is a large and diverse state, with different cultures in each region.

Holidays

California observes all the federal holidays, except Columbus Day, and adds Farmworkers Day on March 31st (or nearest weekday). However, some cities such as Coronado that have a large population of federal workers or military personnel do observe Columbus Day.

Tourist information

• Visit California website

Regions

California is geographically varied, ranging from warm beaches to snowy mountains to fertile farmland to extreme desert. In the middle of the state is the farmland of the Central Valley, which provides produce to the whole country. The conventional wisdom is that there is a huge difference—and also rivalry—between the Southern California area around Los Angeles (or as Californians often say, “LA”) and Northern California centered around the San Francisco Bay Area. There is also a cultural clash between the large liberal coastal cities, and more conservative parts of the state such as Orange County, the Central Valley, and the far northeast part of the state.

Cities

Here are a few of California's most notable cities, listed from north to south.

• Eureka – former logging town with charming Victorian city center, waterfront trails, and Redwood Sky Walk featuring the world's tallest tree species.
• Redding – Sundial Bridge and gateway to a plethora of outdoor adventures ranging from underground caverns to some of the highest volcanic peaks in the United States.
• Sacramento – the laid-back state capital with historic Gold Rush-era quarter of the city, Old Sacramento.
• San Francisco – Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, America's largest Chinatown, cable cars, and Victorian houses.
• San Jose – south of San Francisco, this city is the center of Silicon Valley, and is home to many technology companies and the (in)famous Winchester Mystery House.
• Santa Barbara – city on a south-facing coast which styles itself, with some justification, as "the American Riviera."
• Los Angeles – the state's largest city, and 2nd-largest in the nation. L.A. is home to Hollywood, Venice, The Getty Center, and Griffith Park.
• Palm Springs – desert recreation with golf, spas, resorts, casinos, and the famous aerial tramway.
• San Diego – Balboa Park, Old Town, SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, and nearby Tijuana, Mexico.

Other destinations

• Big Sur can be loosely defined as the stretch of coastline between Carmel and San Simeon, and the steep cliffs, rocky coast, churning waves, abundant wildlife, redwoods, and remoteness make it a stunningly beautiful drive.
• Death Valley National Park – a place of legend and a place of trial.
• Disneyland – this world-famous amusement park opened its doors in 1955 and today draws around 16 million yearly visitors. The California Adventure theme park was added in 2001 and provides attractions inspired by the state's scenery and movie industry.
• Joshua Tree National Park – combines two different desert ecosystems anchored by the peculiar-looking namesake tree species.
• Lake Tahoe – a deep blue mountain lake, popular for water sports in the summer and skiing in the winter.
• Napa Valley – the premier wine region of the United States, with spas, wine tasting and wine tours; the historic heart of California Wine Country.
• Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks – these twin parks hold monuments to nature's size, beauty, and diversity, including the largest tree on Earth, the General Sherman Tree.
• Yosemite National Park – one of the first wilderness parks in the United States, the site of natural wonders such as Half Dome, El Capitan, and numerous waterfalls.

California also has many state parks, approximately half of which are near urban centers. This is in addition to the state's eight national parks found across the state.

Get in

There are biosecurity controls; certain goods, such as some fruits and vegetables, can’t be transported from abroad or from other parts of the country.

There are six border crossings between California and Mexico: two between San Diego and Tijuana, one between Tecate and Tecate, two between Calexico and Mexicali, and one between Andrade and Los Algodones. The United States operates a consulate-general in Tijuana and a consulate in Mexicali. Mexico operates Consulates in Calexico, Fresno, Los Angeles, Oxnard, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Ana.

By plane

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) are the most popular entry points with a wide variety of flights from Europe, East Asia, India, Oceania (Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Tahiti, etc.), Latin America and from various cities in the U.S. on a variety of U.S. and foreign flag carriers. To a lesser extent there are also direct flights from the Middle East (Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates) to Los Angeles. They are however also the most crowded and the SFO-LAX route is one of the busiest air corridors in the world causing frequent delays due to congestion. Delays at San Francisco airport due to fog are also somewhat common. If coming from within the U.S. and from Mexico there are other alternate airports in California that are less crowded and may be closer to your final destination. They are:

• Los Angeles area – Hollywood-Burbank Airport (Bob Hope Airport) (BUR) in Burbank (closest to Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles), John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County (closest to Disneyland & Knott's Berry Farm), Ontario International Airport (ONT) in Ontario (closest to Joshua Tree and the Inland Empire deserts), and Long Beach Airport (LGB) in Long Beach.
• San Francisco Bay Area – Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) in Oakland (closer to Downtown San Francisco than SFO), San Jose Airport (SJC) in San Jose (closest to Silicon Valley), and Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa (closest to Wine Country). Both San Francisco and Oakland airports are now connected to the local metro network, BART, while San Jose is connected by Caltrain via a bus route 10 to the 'Santa Clara Station'.
• San Diego International Airport (SAN) in San Diego
• Sacramento Airport (SMF) in Sacramento
• Reno Airport (RNO) in Reno, Nevada is closer to Lake Tahoe than from Sacramento.
• Fresno Airport (FAT) in Fresno, closest to Yosemite NP and the major airport in the San Joaquin Valley.
• Palm Springs (PSP)
• Central Coast – Monterey (MRY) (closest to Big Sur), San Luis Obispo (SBP) (closest to Hearst Castle), and Santa Barbara (SBA).
• Las Vegas (LAS), Nevada is closer to Death Valley NP than from Los Angeles or Ontario.
• Tijuana Airport (TIJ) in Tijuana. If coming from Mexico it may be better to fly to Tijuana on a (Mexican) domestic flight and then cross into San Diego by ground transportation or through its second terminal (CBX) on the American side of the border than on an international flight to San Diego, Los Angeles, or other cities further north. From San Diego, you can continue north to the San Francisco Bay area, Las Vegas, Phoenix or wherever in the U.S. you are continuing to. See By plane under the "Get Around" section for more information.

By train

Amtrak serves several routes into and out of California. If you are going to Los Angeles from the Central Valley, you might have to change to a bus for the last part of the trip, as the only railway connection between the Central Valley and Los Angeles is also one of the busiest freight lines in the United States. Plans to build a new high speed rail line to link San Francisco and Los Angeles are underway, but completion is not scheduled before the late 2020s.

The following Amtrak routes serve California and terminate in Los Angeles or Emeryville:

• The California Zephyr runs daily between Chicago and Emeryville with connections in Omaha, Denver, Provo, Salt Lake City and Reno/Lake Tahoe. This train also stops in the Sierra Nevada (Truckee and Colfax) and the Sacramento Valley (Roseville, Sacramento, Davies and Martinez). Emeryville is the nearest Amtrak station to downtown San Francisco where passengers transfer to the Amtrak Thruway bus to continue across the bay to San Francisco.
• The Coast Starlight runs daily between Los Angeles and Seattle via Portland, Klamath Falls, Redding, San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Oxnard.
• The Southwest Chief runs daily from Chicago via Kansas City, Albuquerque, Flagstaff, Williams Junction (nearest stop to the Grand Canyon) and Kingman to Los Angeles. It also makes stops in the Mojave Desert (Needles, Barstow and Victorville); the Inland Empire (Riverside and San Bernardino) and Orange County (Fullerton) and on its way into Los Angeles.
• The Sunset Limited runs three times a week from New Orleans via Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, Tucson and Yuma. Additionally, Amtrak's Texas Eagle service between San Antonio and Chicago incorporates the Sunset Limited to provide a direct connection to Los Angeles with the same stops as the Sunset Limited between San Antonio and Los Angeles. This train also stops in the Inland Empire (Pomona, Ontario and Palm Springs).

Train services are limited to two token lines with hardly any real transport value in Mexico and there are no passenger rail service to anywhere near the U.S./Mexican border from anywhere in Mexico.

By bus

Many bus companies operate services to California. Service is most frequent along the interstates from large cities in neighboring states. See By bus under Get around in the below for a list of bus companies serving the state.

By car

All major road entrances (including entrances from other U.S. States) to California have agricultural inspection stations to ensure that some fruits and vegetables do not cross into a region where they may come into contact with the farms in the Central Valley. Often, travelers are subject to border inspection (somewhat strict for domestic travel) and asked if they have been on a farm or are carrying organic matter with them.

Get around

California is the third largest state of the U.S. by area (after Alaska and Texas). It compares in size with Sweden. However, getting around California can be simple.

By car

In addition to interstates and US highways, California has one of the most expansive state highway systems in the United States. As with all long-distance trips in the United States, a car is generally the best way to get around and see destinations, especially rural ones. However the trip from the northern end of California to the southern end can take well over ten hours as the state's varied and in places rugged terrain can pose obstacles to the road network. The coast routes (State Route 1 and U.S. 101) are much slower and windier than Interstate 5, and GPS travel estimate times may be inaccurate, especially on Highway 1.

Most California drivers are courteous and careful (although speeding is rampant), and the safety and ease of driving in California is comparable to most wealthy countries. Exceptions may be found in the most congested areas of San Francisco and Los Angeles — where potholes, road rage and reckless driving are commonplace — and some country roads in mountain ranges.

Vehicle collisions and other non-congestion traffic problems on highways are reported online on the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page. Traffic congestion is also tracked by most online map sites.

CHP publishes far more details than most jurisdictions. This can help you rapidly assess the severity of a traffic incident, such as the number of parties involved, which lanes are blocked, whether there have been injuries or property damage, whether a vehicle is no longer driveable, and what resources have been summoned to the scene. Knowing that information can mean the difference between choosing to sit and wait it out, finding an alternate route, or turning around and abandoning the journey altogether. However, CHP logs incidents with its unique abbreviations, which are notoriously cryptic at first glance. A glossary of abbreviations is publicly available. For the most severe incidents, CHP will post a SigAlert, meaning that one or more lanes of traffic will be closed for more than 30 minutes. If a county coroner, medical examiner, or a Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) are summoned to the scene, then cleanup will take several hours.

Gasoline prices are much more expensive than in other parts of the U.S. Consider public transit in highly populated areas such as the Bay Area where gas is especially expensive.

Freeway signage (and cautions)

California uses the MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) lane marking system standard throughout the United States, in which dashed white lines divide lanes of through traffic and yellow divides opposing traffic (with single dashed indicating passing and double solid indicating no passing). In many urban areas the lane markings are replaced by Botts dots for additional tactile feedback when crossing lanes.

The network of freeways in major population centers is often confusing and intimidating to those unfamiliar with the area, so having a good map is very helpful. The great majority of exits from freeways are on the right. At interchanges between freeways, in most cases, the flow of traffic continues through the left lanes with the transition to the other freeway being in the right lanes.

At some freeway interchanges, Caltrans (California Dept. of Transportation) is notorious for posting advance direction signs that do not correctly explain which lanes correspond to which ramps. Additionally, Caltrans does not always post signs warning of upcoming lane drops or merges.

For example, where a freeway has three through lanes and the central lane splits into two lanes, thus resulting in two ramps with two lanes each, the advance signage may incorrectly imply that only the right lane will break off for the upcoming right-side ramp, thus causing visitors driving in the middle lane to merge unnecessarily into the right lane. And the two lanes on the right-side ramp may suddenly merge into each other without any warning.

These issues frequently result in visitors making wild last-minute lane merges. Approach major freeway interchanges in California with caution.

Mile-based exit numbering is in progress but is still very erratic in areas; an exit number may not be marked at all, may be marked on the last directional sign before the exit, or may be marked on the final "Exit" sign where the exit ramp separates.

Ramp meters

In urban areas, the access ramps to a freeway may have traffic lights for each lane (called ramp meters or ramp metering lights; you'll see warning signs that read "meter on"). During high-traffic times, the traffic light spaces out the vehicles attempting to merge onto the freeway. Be sure to read the sign below the light as ramps can allow 1 to 3 vehicles per green light. Most ramp meters are for ramps from local roads to a freeway, but some freeway junctions have meters on their ramps too.

Toll roads and bridges

Most highways are freely accessible and toll-free. However, California has some toll bridges, toll roads, and tolled Express Lanes. Toll road and bridges are indicated on road signs. When a toll-free road flows directly into a toll road or bridge, there is sometimes a sign for "last exit before toll".

FasTrak electronic toll collection (ETC) via toll transponders or tags is used for all toll facilities. Cash is no longer accepted. FasTrak is not compatible with any other state's ETC system.

Some California toll authorities also allow online pay-by-plate, but if no signage mentions it, assume it is unavailable. If you drive a vehicle through a toll gantry without an active FasTrak account and the toll authority has no pay by plate option, you may receive an expensive ticket for nonpayment of toll.

In Northern California, all major bridges in the San Francisco Bay Area have toll plazas, with tolls charged on traffic in only one direction. The plazas are unmanned and will be replaced with gantries for open-road tolling, but for now, drivers must slow to 20 mph to pass through them.

Southern California has several toll roads in Orange County which use open-road tolling.

"Express Lanes" are high-occupancy (HOV) lanes (carpool lanes) that non-high-occupancy vehicles can often use by paying a toll. Electronic signs will indicate whether the Express Lane is "open to all" (no toll is charged) or "HOV only" (only HOVs eligible for toll-free access may use the lane). If the signs show a price in dollars and cents, it means that non-HOV vehicles may use the Express Lane but will be charged that toll. During times of severe traffic congestion, Express Lanes may charge tolls of $20 or more per vehicle.

HOVs are supposed to be exempt from tolls in Express Lanes. Some Express Lane operators require all HOVs to carry FasTrak Flex transponders to signal their toll-free status. If you are legally using a free carpool lane and a sign warns it will turn into a tolled Express Lane, you must merge immediately back into regular lanes if you do not have FasTrak Flex.

HOV/carpool lanes

Some freeways have a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane on the far left. This lane, also called the carpool lane or diamond lane, is marked by:

• a diamond symbol painted on the road surface
• signage on the wall separating the two sides of the freeway, with the diamond symbol
• a double yellow line on the road surface (only in Southern California)

Some freeway access ramps have carpool lanes too; often, the non-carpool lanes will have ramp meter traffic lights while the carpool lane has none.

In most cases, the carpool lane is only for vehicles with 2 or more persons inside, motorcycles, and clean-air vehicles with government-issued "Access OK" stickers. Sometimes, 3 or more persons and/or a FasTrak transponder may be required, so check the signage before entering a carpool lane. Carpool lane restrictions may be enforced 24 hours a day every day, or only when the signage says so (in those cases, it's usually only during rush hour on weekdays).

Carpool lanes in Southern California have limited access points marked by a dashed white line. This is the only point at which a vehicle may legally enter or exit a carpool lane, since you are not allowed to cross a double yellow line.

The minimum fine for unlawful use of a carpool lane is $490.

Traffic safety and law enforcement

All persons in a moving vehicle are required to wear a seatbelt and the driver and all passengers can be individually ticketed for failing to do so. Motorcycle riders must wear a helmet. Cellphone users are required to use a hands-free headset if talking on the phone while driving. Texting by the driver is illegal, as is any action on the phone that forces the driver to touch it more than once (and even single-touch actions are only allowed if the phone is mounted securely rather than hand-held). Unless otherwise signed, right-turns are permitted at red lights following a full stop. If it is raining hard enough to require you to use your windshield wipers, California law requires that your headlights be turned on.

Most California police officers carry radar guns to catch speeding drivers. The California Highway Patrol occasionally flies aircraft overhead to spot speeders and help ground units home in on their positions.

Red light enforcement cameras are in use at many urban intersections, but are marked only by a single "photo enforced" sign before the intersection. Speed enforcement cameras are being piloted in a few cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles; the cameras are small and hard to spot.

California's laws against driving under the influence of alcohol are very strict; the maximum permissible blood alcohol concentration is 0.08%. All drivers are strongly encouraged to call 911 to report drunk drivers.

California requires disabled out-of-state visitors to apply at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a travel placard for handicapped parking. It is valid for 90 days.

Travelers with a non-US driver's license are generally permitted to drive in California. However, travelers who are in California for more than 10 days with some kinds of visas, especially the K-1 non-immigrant visa for future spouses, have run into some difficulties over their place of residence. The DMV refuses to issue drivers' licenses to people with non-immigrant visas, but police have filed charges against some of them for becoming a California resident without promptly obtaining a California license – the very license that the State refuses to issue on the grounds that they haven't legally become residents yet. This risk may be reduced by giving your non-California address as your place of legal residence if stopped by police.

Unlike most states, "lane-splitting" by motorcyclists (i.e. riding down the painted lines between traffic lanes) is legal in California and commonly done in heavy traffic. It's only legal when traffic is going slower than 30 mph, and motorcyclists are only allowed to go 15 mph faster than the general flow of traffic, but many motorcyclists seem to treat this as more of a guideline than a hard and fast rule. As a result, if you're driving a car, take extra care to watch for motorcycles when changing lanes on a major highway.

Major highways

Here are some important highways in California:

• Interstate 5: Runs between San Diego, Los Angeles, and Sacramento, then north into Oregon and Washington.

* State Route 99: Runs along the California Central Valley between Red Bluff, Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, Fresno and Bakersfield as the Golden State Freeway.

• Interstate 8: Runs between San Diego, Calexico, Yumma, and Casa Grande, Arizona.
• Interstate 10: Runs between Santa Monica, Los Angeles, the Inland Empire and Palm Springs, then over the Colorado River into Arizona and points east.
• Interstate 15: Runs between San Diego, the Inland Empire, Barstow, Las Vegas, Nevada and points north.
• Interstate 40: Runs between Barstow, Needles, then into Arizona, towards Oklahoma City and points east. Interstate 40 bypasses or replaces the old Route 66 between Barstow and Oklahoma City (as County Rd 66 in San Bernardino County).

* Historic Route 66: Now decommissioned, historically connected Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, Barstow, Needles, then into Arizona and points east. It runs alongside I-40 between Barstow and Oklahoma City and alongside or concurrent with I-15 between Barstow and San Bernardino.

• Interstate 80: Runs between the Bay Area, Sacramento, Reno, Nevada, and points east.
• Interstate 405: Runs 72 mi between Northridge and Irvine via Van Nuys, LAX, Culver City, Long Beach, Santa Ana, and point in between as an auxiliary by-pass of I-5 through the Los Angeles Area.
• Interstate 580: Connects the San Francisco Bay Area with Interstate 5 in the Central Valley
• U.S. Highway 50: Runs between Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Nevada, and points east
• U.S. Highway 101: Runs between Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, then close to the California Coast to the San Francisco Bay, Eureka and points north

* State Route 1: Runs up the California Coast between Orange County, Los Angeles, Monterey, the Bay Area, and Fort Bragg

• 'U.S. Highway 395: Runs along the Eastern Sierras, connecting the Inland Empire and High Desert with Bishop, Reno, and Susanville, then into Oregon and points north

Taxis and rideshares

Taxis and rideshare services (Uber and Lyft) are widely available in and around California's largest cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles (including Orange County), San Diego, and Sacramento. They are less likely to be available in small towns and rural areas.

Robotaxis

Waymo operates a robotaxi service with self-driving vehicles in two service areas: one on the San Francisco Peninsula from San Francisco to downtown San Jose, and another in the western part of Los Angeles south of the Santa Monica Mountains, from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica and as far south as Inglewood.

However, Waymo does not yet have authorization to provide service to Los Angeles International Airport. Only San Jose International Airport allows Waymo unrestricted access to pick up and drop off passengers.

Waymo is now able to drive on freeways, and it can also pick up and drop off at San Francisco International Airport, but only at the Rental Car Center (10 minutes to the terminals via AirTrain tram). Both features are subject to wait lists, making them less useful to new users.

By plane

Flying may be a more reasonable option for crossing large expanses of the state. American/American Eagle; United/United Express, Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, Jet Suite X (JSX), and Alaska Airlines offer intrastate flights within the state of California. San Francisco is a hub for United and Alaska; while Los Angeles is a hub for United, American/American Eagle, Delta, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines. The LAX-SFO route is one of the busiest in America which means competitive fares and delays are frequent which is only made worse by the fog that tends to hit San Francisco bay on a regular basis. In addition, the airlines offer flights from different airports in southern California in the south; to the SF Bay area and to Sacramento in the north at competitive rates. A route between lesser-known airports (say, Burbank to Oakland) may save you money and avoid airport chaos compared to LAX-SFO.

The primary airports served by major US carriers, Volaris (from Mexico) and Aeromexico (from Mexico) in California are in:

* Los Angeles area – Los Angeles International (LAX), Burbank-Hollywood Airport (Bob Hope Airport) (BUR) in Burbank, John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County; Ontario Airport (ONT), and a small airport in Long Beach (LGB) * San Francisco Bay Area – San Francisco (SFO), Oakland San Francisco Bay (OAK), San Jose (SJC), and Sonoma County Airport (Charles M. Schulz Airport) (STS) in Santa Rosa; both San Francisco and Oakland airport are now connected to the metro, BART, while San Jose is connected by Caltrain via a free shuttle at the 'Santa Clara Station'. Oakland is closer to Downtown San Francisco than SFO is and offers a fog-free alternative. * San Diego (SAN) * Sacramento (SMF) * Reno (RNO), Nevada closer to the Lake Tahoe area than Sacramento The busiest second tier airports are Fresno (FAT) (nearest to Yosemite NP); Santa Barbara (SBA); and Palm Springs (PSP). There are also flights from major hubs to Arcata/McKinleyville (nearest to Eureka), Bakersfield, Crescent City, El Centro, Mammoth Lakes, Merced, Monterey, Redding, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, and Stockton.

By train

The state's various rail services provide a cheap and reasonably comfortable way to see and get around much of the state without a car. Amtrak operates a few long-distance routes through and out of California, as well as the three Amtrak California routes:

* San Luis Obispo-Santa Barbara-Los Angeles-Anahiem-San Diego on the Pacific Surfliner * Oakland/Sacramento-Stockton-Fresno-Bakersfield on the Gold Runner (which has a connecting Thruway bus service to Los Angeles) * San Jose-Oakland-Sacramento-Auburn on the Capitol Corridor * Los Angeles-Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo-San Jose-Oakland-Sacramento-Redding-(continues to Seattle) on the Coast Starlight * Emeryville (San Francisco connection)-Sacramento-Truckee (near Lake Tahoe)-(continues to Chicago) on the California Zephyr *Los Angeles-Palm Springs-(continues to Chicago) on the Sunset Limited *Amtrak Thruway Motorcoaches connects additional cities and towns to/from the Amtrak (train) network by bus such as Santa Cruz-San Jose; San Francisco-Emeryville; Bakersfield-Los Angeles; Bakersfield-Las Vegas; Martinez-Arcata; Redding-Sacramento; etc. Amtrak has seen continuously increasing ridership in most of the US for more than a decade now, and surprisingly enough three of the six most popular Amtrak routes run through California, thus making them a viable alternative to the more often than not congested roads and airports.

In addition, there are several commuter and regional services in the state's metro areas:

*Caltrain San Francisco-Palo Alto-San Jose-Gilroy through the famous Silicon Valley. * Altamont Commuter Express San Jose-Stockton through the Altamont Corridor Express. * BART operates in the Bay Area, connecting much of the East Bay (Oakland, Berkeley, Walnut Creek) to San Francisco and SFO. * Metrolink runs regional train service throughout the greater Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura County (metropolis) region on multiple routes. * COASTER runs along the coast of San Diego County between downtown San Diego, Carlsbad and Oceanside. *SPRINTER runs across Northern San Diego County between Escondino and Oceanside with bus and train connections to Los Angeles and San Diego. *Sonoma-Marin Rail (SMART) runs between Santa Rosa and San Rafael in Marin/Sonoma County (Northern Bay Area) with ferry connections to San Francisco

There are also light rail systems in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, and San Jose. Almost all of these systems are being expanded or upgraded to cope with rising ridership, so expect more and better service in years to come.

By bus

The bus is not the most glamorous way to get around the state, but it can be the cheapest. There are fairly frequent service from Los Angeles to San Francisco/San Jose; San Diego/Tijuana; Las Vegas/San Bernardino and Sacramento with on multiple routes with various bus companies. There are other the smaller companies, county bus services, and those connecting rural towns which are not listed, check the article of your destination for all the transportation options. Information on transit can be found here.

By foot

• The Pacific Crest Trail crosses the length of California on its way from Mexico to Canada
• The American Discovery Trail connects California with Nevada and the East Coast.

By boat

• Ferry service is limited, but can be a scenic, relaxing, and fun way to travel. Major services exist in the Bay Area, to the Channel Islands and to Catalina Island near Los Angeles. Several of the smaller coastal towns have water taxi services within their city. Check as the stops are limited and the schedules may be seasonal.
• Many cities are along the coast, or else on navigable waterways, and you can dock your own boat there.
• Cruise ports in California include San Pedro, Long Beach and San Diego

Stay safe

If you find yourself in an emergency situation (of any kind), dial 9-1-1 on your phone or from any (available) phone. It is a free call from a payphone.

California–Mexico border

Due to California's proximity to the international boundary with Mexico, visitors should be cautious while in areas near the border.

• Beware Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) checkpoints and patrols. Non-whites, and especially Latinos, should expect to be profiled, targeted, and harassed by these government agents. There is little you can do about it; just don't lose your temper.
• Don't get lost.
• Do not pick up hitchhikers. If the person is undocumented or carrying drugs, you could be mistaken for a trafficker.
• Keep valuables, including spare change, out of sight and lock your vehicle.
• Avoid traveling along unofficial trails, even when they are well marked.
• Avoid hiking or camping in areas of major border activity. If you are visiting a national or state park, consult park staff to help keeping to safe areas.

Crossing the border

Thousands of U.S citizens visit the state of Baja California, Mexico from California every year, with the majority of travelers returning from an enjoyable experience. However, a minority of travelers do experience difficulties. Before going, ensure that you have the proper documentation and are familiar with the recommendations for foreign travel from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs

Crime

The usual inner city crime can be found in the worst parts of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland. Central Valley cities, such as Sacramento, Stockton, and Fresno also have gang problems. Northern coastal cities such as Eureka have an ongoing problem with significant drug activity and property crimes. However, most California cities are safe. As long as you take basic precautions against petty crime, such as keeping your phone and other valuables out of sight in tourist areas, and stay out of obviously run-down neighborhoods, you will probably have a safe and pleasant visit.

Drugs are illegal in California, with the noted exception of marijuana. Adults 21 and over are allowed to possess, use, and cultivate small amounts of marijuana, so long as it is not consumed in public or possessed on the grounds of a school or day care center. The maximum amount a person may possess is one ounce (28.35 g) of marijuana or 8 grams of concentrates. Some dispensaries sell marijuana products to the general public, although others remain restricted to those who have a medical marijuana recommendation from a doctor. Delivery services are also available. Marijuana is still illegal under federal law, so do not carry marijuana across state lines—even to another state where it is legal—as this will be considered drug trafficking and subject to harsh punishment. Also, do not take marijuana onto federal land, including any of the dozens of national parks and national forests in California, or onto flights even within California, as the TSA is a federal agency.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes that are large enough to cause extensive damage are rare, but remain a matter of reality for the state. Most earthquakes are mild and last for a couple of seconds. You're not likely to encounter one during your trip, but if you do, you'll probably go home with nothing more exciting than a story about it being over before you figured out that it was an earthquake. When you feel the shaking, act quickly to drop, cover, and hold on.

The biggest dangers in an earthquake are falling objects (such as books or bottles flying off shelves – or the whole shelf with all of its contents, if it's not properly mounted) and windows, which may shatter explosively. In the event of an earthquake, face away from windows and hide under any sturdy table or desk – and then hold on to that table, because the shaking could cause the table to slide across the floor. Contrary to popular belief, do not stand in a door frame; these are structurally weaker spots in modern buildings, and they provide no protection against falling objects.

If you are indoors, do not run outside! Falling building facades are more likely to cause severe injuries than anything inside. If outdoors, stay away from buildings (especially brick chimneys, which may spray bricks around a large area), and stay out from under power lines.

If you are driving, your first thought will probably be that something is wrong with your car. Immediately slow down and then stop at the nearest safe place. When the shaking is over (the ground and your nerves), it's okay to start driving again, but drive cautiously, as traffic signals will likely be out, the road surface may be cracked, other drivers may be panicking, and there may be trees or damaged vehicles blocking the road ahead.

Deserts

Along the southern most border of California-Nevada, as well as the border of California-Arizona, California has elaborate desert landscapes which extend into the south central regions of the state, the most famous (or infamous) being the region known as Death Valley, where several tourists and hikers have indeed met their fate while exploring the region.

If you are planning on traveling or hiking into these locations, follow desert survival guidelines. Be sure to take plenty of water (at least one gallon (4L) per person, per day), sunscreen and wear light clothing. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.

Be sure to have a full tank of gasoline prior to traveling by car into these regions, as many desert locations are extremely remote and without any services for several miles (in some cases nearly 100 miles, 160 km). Breaking down in these regions could be extremely unpleasant in the best case scenario, tragic in the worst.

Also, it is best to hike during the earlier part of the day, as thunderstorms tend to develop suddenly during the afternoon. In the event you encounter inclement weather conditions, seek high ground immediately! Thunderstorms can cause flash flooding in canyons and other low-lying areas.

Coast

The state's beautiful coast attracts many visitors. While almost every visitor has an enjoyable time, beware of some easily avoidable hazards.

Sunburn affects even people with dark skin.

At isolated beaches, your safety is up to you alone. Make sure you understand the effect of tides, rip currents, sharks and other dangers. Cliffs adjacent to the coast can be unstable. Avoid getting close to the edge as it might collapse beneath your feet. You will also see low rocky outcroppings extending into the sea. They can be tempting to walk on but put you in a bad position should a large wave inundate the surface.

Beaches staffed with lifeguards (usually adjacent to cities) are safer and the lifeguards can advise on safe places to swim. Still don't be foolish – they cannot see everything.

Tsunamis

The incidence of earthquakes in California raises the concern for potential threats of tsunamis. Though tsunamis occur very rarely, a great deal of California's coastline is in a tsunami zone. For more information on the state's hazard assessment, visit the NOAA Center for Tsunami Research website.

Wildfires

Wildfires are common between May and October, but can also occur at other times.

Precautions include the following: clear the area around campfires in campgrounds, never leave flames unattended (even artificial ones), do not throw cigarette ends out of a car, and avoid unnecessary weapon use in dry areas.

The strongest impact from fires is smoke. Smoke affects areas dramatically exceeding the size of the root fire. Travelers with respiratory issues should consult visitor information sites before visiting areas where fires are occurring, or anywhere in the path of the smoke, which can spread across large portions of the state during the worst wildfires.

Mudslides

Fire season is followed by the rainy season, and hilly areas where the vegetation has burned are particularly vulnerable to destructive and sometimes deadly mudslides. Heed any evacuation warnings that are issued.

Wild animals

Bears are found in the Sierra Nevada and all neighboring parts of the state. They're rarely dangerous, but should never be approached. If you are camping, you need to ensure that food, food waste, and other scented items such as soap and toothpaste are secure from them. Mountain lions are rarely seen, but live in all mountainous parts of the state and once in a while attack humans. If you see one, yell and wave your arms to make yourself appear as large as possible. Coyotes are quite common, even in relatively populated areas like the Hollywood Hills. They pose little danger to humans, but will attack dogs, cats and other domestic animals. Many animals, most notoriously bats, can carry rabies. When hiking, watch for ticks, which can carry Lyme disease, and rattlesnakes. California is home to 2 potentially deadly species of spiders—the black widow and the brown recluse—if you don't go poking around abandoned structures and woodpiles, you're very unlikely to encounter them. If you're bitten by any animal, seek immediate medical attention. Shark attacks have happened once in a great while at California beaches, and deadly sharks such as great whites do roam the California coast, but unless a shark has been repeatedly sighted by a specific beach (the local media will broadcast warnings) this is an extremely remote possibility.

Poisonous plants and mushrooms

Poison oak can be found almost anywhere in the state, but is particularly common in Southern California, the Central Coast, the Bay Area, and any Coast Redwood woodlands. It's toxic throughout the year, even during the winter when it's lost its leaves. Sensitivity varies by individual, but many people can end up with a very nasty, blistering rash by contacting it. See the linked article for treatment options. The poisonous oleander plant is native to California, and the Ricinus aka castor bean plant, which is the source of ricin and castor oil, is common there. California is also home to several lethal varieties of mushrooms, which can be particularly dangerous to would-be gatherers because some of them resemble edible varieties found elsewhere in the world. Even if you're an expert on mushroom varieties where you live, don't assume you're safe gathering them in California.

Stay healthy

Air pollution

While air pollution levels have dropped dramatically since the 1970s, more than ninety percent of Californians live in counties with unhealthy air. Visitors to the mountains or the rural regions of Northern California will have nothing to worry about, but the overreliance on cars, low rainfall, and surrounding mountains in Los Angeles, the Central Valley, and the Bay Area create some of America's worst air quality. It gets particularly bad when a layer of cold air gets "trapped" by a layer of warmer air above it ("inversion") which is particularly likely in basins. While air quality is rarely at levels that would be considered immediately dangerous, visitors should heed alerts and be especially cautious when any local wildfires are burning.

Occasionally, there will be an advisory issued for air stagnation, which is a phenomenon involving an air mass that cannot move and therefore stagnates over an area for an extensive period of time. Air pollutants can cause breathing difficulties for those with existing respiratory conditions.

If you have a respiratory condition, refer to the National Weather Service website on air quality to see if any such advisories have been issued for the areas you might visit.

Disease

Deer mice can transmit a virus that causes hantaviral pulmonary syndrome. You are most likely to get infected if you breathe in dust containing their excrement (feces, urine, and saliva). Realistically, however, hantavirus is of very little concern to the traveler, as only a few people get infected each year, and most of them are exposed on the job, but sensible precautions should be applied. Do not venture in any wild animal's den or touch deer mice or their excrement. If you need to clean up after rodents, wear waterproof gloves, eye protection, and a high-quality respirator mask, and use disinfectants and wet-mopping techniques, rather than brooms and vacuums (both of which spread virus-laden dust). If you do get infected, treatment usually involves a week or two in the hospital. The main defense against the virus is prevention.

Respect

California is filled with a very diverse group of people. Northern and Southern California have notably different cultures, while the rural areas in the Central Valley and Eastern portions of the state differ even more significantly. Sensitive topics include immigration, water rights, and land-use. Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area are especially well known for being some of the most politically liberal areas in the US, and continue to serve as some of the world's major centers of counterculture. Conversely, parts of California, particularly the Central Valley and most areas north of Sacramento, are conservative. However, don't assume any individual's political leaning based on where they live.

• California's delicate ecosystem demands our utmost care. Conserving water, adhering to fire safety guidelines, and respecting wildlife habitats are fundamental.
• Staying informed about the state's water crisis and adopting water-saving habits is crucial for preserving this precious resource.

Go next

• Arizona – Home to the Grand Canyon, Arizona borders California to the southeast across the Colorado River.
• Nevada – California's eastern neighbor is best known as the home of Las Vegas, although towns such as Reno and Carson City are also good day-trip opportunities for visitors wanting to explore the Silver State.
• Oregon – Sharing a border to the north, Oregon is home to impressive mountains and extensive forests.
• Hawaii – Many visitors to America's fiftieth state depart through California on their journey across the Pacific, but it is not a neighboring state and requires a 5-hour flight to get there.
• Baja California – Those traveling across the border to Mexico can visit some of that country's most impressive sea and landscapes. Tijuana, Ensenada and Mexicali are also good day-trip options for visitors staying in Southern California to explore another country without going too far.

See also

The following are additional Wikivoyage articles regarding the history and itineraries for travel within California. The articles also list places of historical or natural significance along the way:

• El Camino Real (The Royal Road) is a historic road linking the 21 Spanish missions of California. Stretching over 600 miles (1000 km) from San Diego in the south to Sonoma in the north, the route traverses much of the state and has been a popular traveler itinerary for California motorists for nearly a century.
• The Pacific Coast Highway is officially California State Route 1 (CA-1) is one of California's slower state routes, closely following the coastline, which in many places is dominated by cliffs and mountains. The alternatives, including US-101 and Interstate 5 (with CA-1 sometimes concurrent with US-101), are for those who want to travel more quickly, while CA-1 is the best route for sightseeing California's beautiful coast. El Camino Real lines is best accessed from US Highway 101 and the Pacific Highway (CA-1) between San Diego and Sonoma.
• Arroyo del Valle Trail is south of the city of Livermore, which is in the Bay Area region of California. The Arroyo Del Valle trail is part of a longer trail network that extends from Livermore, California, through the Diablo Range to Fremont, California at Mission Peak Regional Park. It's about 30 mi (48 km) in all and later parts of the trail network are quite remote, but the part described in this article is used by the general public more frequently than the rest of the hike due to its proximity to the cities of the Tri-Valley.
• East Shore Trail goes from the northern staging area to the southeast staging area at Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore, California. It is approximately 7 miles (11 km) long, with optional extensions at each end.
• The Fictional tourism article aims at locations around the world famous from literature, motion pictures, television series, video games, comic books and other media. Numerous movies and television shows, such as Back to the Future, Terminator, I Dream of Jeannie, Brady Bunch, etc. have been filmed in Southern California which also served as a backdrop for many of these same films. Universal Studios even have a theme park to allow the public to get an up close tour of their production studios.
• The Iron Horse Regional Trail is a biking and walking trail in the East Bay. Formerly a railroad for transporting fruit and grain, it's now a 32-mile (51-kilometer) paved "rail trail" through Concord, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, and Pleasanton.
• The Ohlone Wilderness Trail is a hiking route in the East Bay. It goes from Livermore to Fremont in California across numerous mountain ranges and canyons, and is by no means an easy hike.
• California has several dozen state parks that focus on historic locations. The Olompali–Petaluma–Sonoma historic parks just north of the San Francisco Bay have significant connections to the rancho era of the Mexican Republic. This itinerary will take you through these three state historic parks in a day trip from the Bay area. Each is near a different city in California Wine Country.
• The San Francisco Crosstown Trail crosses San Francisco from its northwestern edge at Lands End to its southeastern corner at Candlestick Point. Designed by a group of local volunteers, the route connects various hiking paths in local parks with sidewalks and staircases in residential neighborhoods to create a continuous 17-mile (27-km) trail. See also the San Francisco article for a list of in-city itineraries.