“Once you're in California, there are a seemingly endless selection of things to do and places to see, as well as routes to take”
 

If you want to see the best that California has to offer and you have only a limited time in which to explore, a fly drive holiday may well be the best option for you. You just pack the essentials, including organising your USA travel insurance as well as the appropriate driving documents, before hopping on to a plane and then when you reach your destination, switching to a car. A lot of fly drives revolve around a circular route, with tourists returning to the airport that they originally flew in to, although this doesn't have to be the case.

This way of holidaying has numerous advantages, not least because you can jump from alpine territory to urban environments in the space of a few days. Plus, fuel is cheaper in the US and GPS technology has made finding your way easier than ever

Once you're in California, there are a seemingly endless selection of things to do and places to see, as well as routes to take, with the famous Highway 1 route, for example, taking visitors around the Californian coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles. However, while many tour companies suggest routes, it's often best to consider what you'd like to see and plan around those destinations.

The Highway 1 route takes in many of the coast's highlights, including San Francisco itself, a city dotted with iconic tourist attractions, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the island prison of Alcatraz and Chinatown. Elsewhere, you won't want to miss San Francisco's shopping opportunities or the chance to sample some speciality crab down by the city's Fisherman's Wharf. Whilst exploring the city, be careful with your valuables to avoid the need to make a claim on your travel insurance.

Not too far away, you can raise a toast in California's wine region, or get lost in Yosemite National Park. The Park features some stunning valley and forest views, along with opportunities to explore by foot, bike, or even on horseback. It is wise to check that you're covered by your USA travel insurance before setting off on any of these activities, just in case.

“stop off and soaking up the rays on the beach, or hire roller blades and take to the sidewalks”

Right on the edge of the Californian border with Nevada you'll find the stunning waters of Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in the USA, surrounded by the enchanting Sierra Nevada mountains. This area is perfect for relaxing or boating across the lake in the summer and skiing in the winter, although remember before you partake in any such activities to check whether you are covered by your USA travel insurance.

If snow isn't your thing, you can drive on to the likes of Santa Monica, Los Angeles' so-called 'urban beach'. Here you can stop off and soaking up the rays on the beach, or hire roller blades and take to the sidewalks. If you're feeling like a bite to eat, you can dine on the pier. The area is nicely positioned to allow access to other top tourist attractions, including the likes of Universal Studios and Disneyland.

Meanwhile, the City of Angels itself, Los Angeles, as the second largest city in the USA, offers a wealth of tourist attractions, including Griffith Observatory, which provides commanding views from its balconies, along with botanical gardens and of course, Hollywood.

A few key pointers to bear in mind while planning your trip include working out how many places you want to see and at what speed you want to see them. California has a large number of attractions, but it'll be no fun at all if you only get a few minutes at each! So it's best to be reasonable as to the distance you'll be travelling each day so that you're not simply rushing to get from A to B.

It is also worth investing some time in researching accommodation. Some fly drive deals through tour operators will arrange accommodation for you, or alternatively you can book ahead at hotels or motels along the way, but I wouldn’t recommend it in high season or in the cities.

Some travellers may want to risk just finding rooms as they go. The advantage of this approach is that it allows you to be casual as to how long you spend in each place, spending multiple nights there if you want to. The downside, of course, is that while you should be able to find accommodation most of the time, special events and peak seasons may mean that accommodation becomes scarce. Whatever accommodation you choose, do make sure your valuables are secure to avoid having to claim for lost items on your travel insurance.