California is among the most-visited U.S. destinations. It attracts millions of tourists with its iconic landmarks, amazing natural landscapes and fascinating entertainment venues.
Whether you are looking for a good way to spend your vacation or want to diversify your weekend, rent a car and drive it to California. Of course, choose the right vehicle first - the spacious 8 seater minivan rental is perfect for a family trip, while the compact model will save you some money.
California is home to many charming places, and as a road traveler you have direct access to them. Whether it's romantic walks along the beautiful beaches, outdoor activities or sightseeing with your family, you will always be happy to spend an unforgettable time there. Here’re some great ideas to enjoy on your trip...
Explore California’s national parks
National parks are the true wildlife paradises in the United States, and many of them are located in California. Check the following places you shouldn't ignore:
Redwood National Park
This is the first place you should go in your rental car. It’s interesting for its incredibly dense vegetation, and the unusual color of the trees. You can ride horses among the vast plantations, water bodies and wooded areas, as well as visit exhibitions of unique plants, enjoy mountain biking, kayaking and even fishing. If you go to the ocean shore, you will be able to see its huge inhabitants - gray whales.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park covers several thousand square kilometers of California State. It’s famous for its steep granite cliffs, high waterfalls and a variety of wildlife. At your disposal are 1,500 km of well-maintained roads of the park that you can drive with a rental car. This is a great opportunity to experience all the beauty of the wild nature and enjoy the amazing local landscapes.
Sequoia National Park
The giant sequoia groves will be interesting not only to flora lovers, but also to ordinary travelers who have come to the state for new experiences. Here you can see the largest trees in the world - half of all those existing on the planet today. One of the major park’s representatives is the General Sherman tree with a height of about 85 meters.
Relax on California’s beaches and lakes
In addition to a variety of entertainment and unique landscapes, the Golden State can offer you large lakes with a long history. Lake Tahoe is one of them. As of the biggest lakes on Earth, it was formed during the Ice Age.
It’s located between two states - Nevada and California. Spring, summer and autumn are the best times to plan your car rental trip there. What's more, you can stay at one of the local campsites. As for the activity, you will have access to sailing, jet skis, swimming in the lake, fishing and hiking. In winter, you will also find something to do there - there are several ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area.
When it comes to beaches, this is a separate reason to travel to California. One of the most famous sandy spots is Venice Beach. This is a true multi-target option, where you can relax well, and also have fun. On weekends, you can meet professional swimmers, skaters, and bodybuilders, who demonstrate all their abilities.
In general, the coastline of California is full of beaches. One great way to see most of them is to drive your rental car along the iconic California SR 1. Traveling along the incredibly scenic highway will take several hours, during which you can experience all the variety of California beaches and landscapes.
Enjoy California’s exciting shows and entertainments
California is distinguished by the variety of entertainment venues for people of all ages. For example, in San Diego’s SeaWorld, you can admire the activity of walruses, penguins and polar bears. The impressive program will appeal to children and adults as well.
Another unique place in the state is the Golden Gate Bridge located in San Francisco. It has a deep red-orange color to stand out brightly in any weather. Take an interesting guided tour that will reveal incredible facts about the architectural features of the structure and its rich history of origin.
Do you want something fabulous? Drive a rental car to Disneyland Park, where famous cartoon characters come to life. It’s located in Anaheim, 30 miles away from Los Angeles. Here you can meet Mickey Mouse, Aladdin or Cinderella, and also turn into your favorite hero. The amazing scale of the amusement park, spectacular show programs, many restaurants and cafes will give an unforgettable experience not only from the park, but also from the country as a whole.
