Car Hire California

Driving in and around California

California was designed for driving, so getting familiar with the rules of the road is key to an all-American trip. First and foremost, drive on the right-hand side and make sure everyone is wearing a seat belt.

Speed limits can vary across California, but the general speed limit on highways is 65mph (104km/h), with some signposted 70mph (112km/h) sections. On undivided highways – main roads without a central reservation – the limit is usually 55mph (88km/h), dropping to a maximum of 35mph (56km/h) in urban areas and 25mph (40km/h) around schools.

Parking your hire car in California is easy – in a state devoted to driving, you’re never too far away from a car park. When parking on the street, the colour of the kerb will tell you the rules. Red means no stopping, blue is disabled-only, and yellow is loading-only. If the kerb is painted green, you can park here for a short time, and grey or unpainted curbs usually mean it’s unlimited. Signs will show whether there’s a time limit and if you need to pay a charge.

California’s expansive highway network makes driving along the West Coast fairly straightforward. Interstate 5 is the most prominent highway, running north to south through the urban centres of San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. For a coastal adventure, follow California State Route 1 (SR1), also known as the Pacific Coast Highway. This winding road encompasses golden shores, idyllic towns and the famous Bixby Creek Bridge along the way.

When you want to head inland, Los Angeles is the best place to start. The Interstate 10 highway snakes east from LA, over the border and into the neighbouring state of Arizona. If Las Vegas is calling your name, get on Interstate 15, which heads east out of LA. In four hours, this direct route will deliver you into the neon-lit heart of Nevada.

A quick guide to California

Bathed in sunshine for an average 266 days of the year, California is a golden haze of scenic beauty. The vistas effortlessly flow into one another, from coastal scenes to high-rise cities, lush green parks to snow-capped mountains. Car hire in California allows you to experience it all.

Big city adventures  

The Golden State is a veritable treasure trove of cities, all of them sun-kissed and brimming with character. The art scene of San Diego, the red-tile roofs of Santa Barbara, and the Dutch windmills of Solvang all beckon. But before these idyllic spots even get a look-in, there are two big hitters that demand your attention.

The City of Angels, Los Angeles is one of the most distinctive places on the planet. You’ve seen it in the movies, but nothing compares to standing in front of the iconic Hollywood sign and strolling down the star-studded Walk of Fame. Get your thrills at the city’s best amusement parks, flitting between Disneyland and Universal Studios, and join a tour of the city’s A-list residents and their palatial abodes.

Six hours up the coast, San Francisco oozes effortless cool. At the centre, the Golden Gate Bridge emerges from the morning fog, while the infamous Alcatraz prison lurks across the bay. Away from the tourist trail, San Fran’s artsy neighbourhoods hum with independence. Chow down at the restaurants in Dogpatch, browse the bookstores of North Beach, and enjoy artisanal coffee in Hayes Valley. As author Rudyard Kipling once said: “San Francisco has only one drawback, ‘tis hard to leave”.

Head to the coast 

Tear yourself away from the city buzz, head for the coastline and let the Californian dream wash over you. The West Coast is home to some of the most exciting surfing spots in the country, the envy of surfers around the world. Drive along California State Route 1 to ride the Pacific breaks, passing through dreamy seaside spots – La Jolla, Newport Beach and Rincon Point to name just a few.

Continue north from San Francisco on this route to discover the most authentic shores of California. This so-called Lost Coast is one of the last natural havens in the state – 68,000 acres of wilderness, untouched by human hands. Here, the clifftop landscape is rugged and the wildlife roams free, with elephant seals and bears indigenous to the area. You can hike and cycle through the park or drive the Lost Coast Loop, which takes around four hours. If the conditions are calm, park up your rental car and continue your adventures off shore on Sugarloaf Island.

Explore California’s national parks

In total, there are nine national parks in California. While some are on the coast, there are even more natural phenomena to be marvelled at inland. Drive east from the Pacific Ocean and into the Sierra Nevada mountains to wander among the world-famous Redwood trees at the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. Towering up to 350ft high and 20ft across, these colossal species dwarf everything around them, creating a verdant leaf canopy high up in the clouds.

Let your journey take a peculiar turn at the Death Valley National Park, famous for its eerie ghost towns. Further north, dip your toe in the sapphire-blue waters of Lake Tahoe. In the summer you can sunbathe, hike and try your hand at watersports in this mountain-top paradise. When winter falls, it becomes a skier’s dream, with crisp white runs that are easily amongst the world’s most scenic.

Book car hire in California to soak up the cities, wildlife and coastal gems, and see for yourself what makes the Golden State so special.