DK Eyewitness - DK Eyewitness Road Trips California (Travel Guide)

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About this Book

The 24 trips in this book capture the fantastic diversity of California, from the snow-capped mountains and fog-shrouded redwood forests of the north to the deserts and sun-baked beaches of the south. The dramatic scenery changes with the seasons, while the urban settings range from the sleepy 19th-century Gold Rush-era towns of the Sierra foothills to vibrant cities such as San Diego and San Francisco. With its superb highway system, California is tailormade for driving tours, whether it is a sojourn through the vineyards of Napa Valley, an exploration of the Mojave Desert when the spring wildflowers bloom, a tour of the dramatic Mendocino coastline, or a route along the twisty mountain roads of Yosemite National Park. These trips do not shun the regions lesser-known areas, but introduce you to some of the most spectacular hidden corners of the state, allowing visitors to explore facets of California that many never discover.

Getting Started

The front section of the guide provides all the practical information needed to plan and enjoy a driving holiday in California. It includes an overview of when to go and how to get there, advice on renting a vehicle and details of any documentation required. In-depth motoring advice ranges from driving rules to road conditions, from buying fuel to breakdown or accident procedures the background knowledge that makes a driving trip stress-free. There is also information on money, communications, opening hours, health and safety, as well as advice on accommodation and dining options, to ensure that you experience the very best of Californias hospitality.

The Trips

The main section of the guide is divided into 24 scenic trips, ranging in duration from one to five days. All the tours can be undertaken in a standard vehicle, and no special driving skills are required, although a few tours include side-trips along sections of unpaved road where a 4WD vehicle is recommended. The trips encompass every region of the state, from Southern Californias rugged Mojave Desert to Northern Californias Redwood Empire, and from the alpine spectacle of the Sierra Nevada to the beaches and craggy cliffs of the Pacific Coast.

Each trip begins with a list of highlights and a mapped itinerary. There is advice on the best time of year to do the trip, road conditions, market days, and major festival dates. The tour pages contain descriptions of each stop on the route, linked by clear driving instructions. Side panels highlight information on the most authentic places to stay and eat. Tinted boxes feature background information and interesting anecdotes that relate to the specific trip. Each trip features at least one mapped town or countryside walking tour or hike, designed to take a maximum of three hours at a gentle pace, with stops along the way. The tours are flexible: some can be linked to create a longer driving route; or can be experienced as segments and dipped into as day trips.

Top left Sprawling vineyard in Anderson Valley Top right Windswept South Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore Center left Lush pastures near Etna Center right Picnic tables at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve Below left Colored cliffs in Rock Canyon State Park Below right Scottys Castle in Death Valley

Driving through the rugged terrain of Mojave Desert

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Introducing California

With a kaleidoscopic array of terrains, including over 1,200 miles (1,930 km) of coastline, and elevations that range from 282 ft (86 m) below sea level to 14,505 ft (4,421 m) atop the highest peak in continental USA, California is a region of superlatives. The coast highway unfurls past surfing beaches, leaps the headlands of Big Sur, and sidles beneath towering red-wood trees often shrouded in fog. Inland, the wine regions and Gold Rush-era towns lend themselves to a lazy pace. The wild Shasta-Cascade region is a realm of crystal-clear streams and volcanic peaks, while the glacier-carved canyons of Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks are breathtaking in their majestic grandeur. In addition to a myriad of natural wonders, there are cosmopolitan cities full of excellent restaurants and world-class museums. Away from the well-maintained major highways, Californias countryside is laced with scenic back roads waiting to be discovered.

Scenic Coast Highway 1, near Elk

When to Go

Each of the drives suggests the best time of year to make the trip, whether it is because the scenery is at its most spectacular or the weather is at its best. With a huge span of latitudes and elevations, climates vary markedly across the state, with many extremes. The southern deserts invite exploration in winter and, especially, in spring, when wildflowers bloom; summer months are brutally hot. Winter also offers skiing in the Sierra Nevada and Shasta-Cascade region. Most of California basks in sunshine during summer thick fogs, however, can shroud the northern and central coast in July and August, when beach-crazy Southern Californians work on their tans. Early summer snowmelt feeds the waterfalls of Yosemite National Park, and white-water rafting is at its best; by late-summer the cascades can even dry up. Fall is the best time to experience vivid colors (September to November, depending on the region), especially in the wine regions and mountain foothills, when vines and trees turn gold and crimson.

Times to Avoid

Summer weather may be the best overall, but accommodations can be booked up well in advance in popular places, as many US and international visitors vacation then. In July and August, San Francisco may be cold when shrouded in morning fog, which can extend up and down the coast, while the southeast deserts, especially Death Valley, can be extremely hot. In winter, even Southern Californias mountain roads can be icy and snowbound, and tire chains may be required. Many high-elevation roads can be closed for weeks or even months on end the High Sierra passes, such as the Tioga Road through Yosemite National Park, usually remain closed NovMay (or longer), depending on snow levels.

Festivals and Events

California hosts a plethora of fairs, concerts, sporting events, festivals, and special events including folk festivals and agricultural fairs. Art and music festivals fill the annual calendar, while food and wine festivals showcasing the states rich natural bounty are especially popular. In any month, a major event is hosted somewhere within the state, while December is synonymous with Christmas celebrations. The state owes much of its cultural appeal to a dynamic ethnic mix source for a rich trove of festivals, often linked to the cultural heritage of the host town or region.