California is 1.7 times bigger than the UK, yet it’s often reduced to just Los Angeles and San Francisco. Whilst both cities are well worth a visit, the state has so much more to offer visitors. From the staggering natural beauty of Yosemite National Park to the old gold mining towns that transport you back in time, there’s only one way to truly see it all: a road trip.
Katrina McMullan, a Travel Counsellor with more than 25 years of experience, had been to California before but Visit California’s first-ever Race Across California fam trip showcased the state in all its glory.
“We started in San Francisco and then headed over to Yosemite, Yolo County and then to Sacramento to fly down to San Diego. So, we had national park, winelands, beach and city. We really had it all.”
“Book in advance to avoid disappointment”
Whilst Katrina had previously visited San Francisco, she had never seen it from two wheels; an experience which proved unforgettable. “The absolute highlight was cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge. We did it with Blazing Saddles and we had a guide, so we got a lot of information about the city too.”
“Rather than cycling back over the bridge, you can get the ferry and ride over to Fisherman’s Wharf”, she said. “You’ll sail past Alcatraz, which is also an absolute must do, but you need to book in advance or you’ll most likely be left disappointed.”
San Francisco, owing to its coastal location, is a city at the mercy of the weather. Katrina advises other agents to thoroughly consider the time of year when booking: “We were there in September and October and it had perfect temperatures and perfect weather, and there are definitely fewer crowds. July and August are prone to fog that rolls into the city, where the high temperatures from the land meet the cold temperatures of the Pacific.”
“This Yosemite lodge was a highlight”
From San Francisco, Katrina and her group of Irish travel agents drove inland, to the town of Mariposa. “Mariposa is an old historical gold rush town, and it’s one of the gateways in Yosemite,” she said.
“We stayed in Autocamp, in one of their Airstreams. That was a really different experience and one I’d recommend for families.” She went on: “You’re right in the outdoors but it’s luxury. The Airstreams have fire pits so you’re toasting smores. There are movie nights and an outdoor pool as well.”
The next day, Katrina explored the Yosemite Valley floor, visiting the El Capitan rock formation before spending a night at Tenaya Lodge.
“I’ve been selling Tenaya Lodge since I started in travel, it was definitely one of the highlights.”
“The night we were there it started snowing. In San Francisco we’d been in shorts and t-shirts, so we really got so many different weather combinations. The next morning, we hiked up to Mariposa Grove, where you have the giant trees, The Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree being two of the main characters. To see the trees, in conditions where you have snow underfoot and blue skies, was just phenomenal.”
Much like San Francisco, agents looking to book clients a trip to Mariposa should carefully consider the time of year. Katrina explained: “In peak summer months you risk wildfires. So, the shoulder months, like May, June, September and October would be the best.”
Those visiting in winter should be mindful of road closures in particularly harsh weather. “The Tioga Pass – the main road that goes from Yosemite over to Mammoth Lakes – will close if the weather is bad because it’s so narrow. If that closes, you’re adding hours on your trip, so bear that in mind.”
“I caught ‘gold fever’ very quickly!”
Back on the road, Katrina and her group drove north to Tuolumne County, where they stayed in gold rush city, Sonoma. Though Katrina stayed overnight, she recommends it as a day trip, with an overnight stay only necessary for those seeking to break up a journey.
“What you’re really going there for is Columbia State Park, just outside of Sonoma Town. Back in the 1950s, that’s where all the gold miners lived, worked and traded. They’ve preserved parts of the town and they’re still operating as they were back in the day.”
“While we were there, we went gold panning. I’d often heard of gold fever, and you catch it very quickly. I had to be dragged away!”
Both Mariposa and Tuolumne are part of Yosemite National Park, making them subject to the increased visitor fee introduced this year. Non-US residents will now have to pay $100 per adult over the age of 16 for entry at each national park. Alternatively, they can purchase an annual pass for $250 which covers a vehicle, or the pass holder along with three additional adults.
Katrina explains: “I would have always recommended people get the America The Beautiful pass for $80, which got you into all the national parks across the States. It seems that even now that’s $250, it’s probably still the best value option.”
“This is a great alternative to Napa”
Still buzzing with gold fever, Katrina’s next leg took her to Yolo County. “We stayed in a town called Winters, which is the most beautiful little American town where everybody just seems to know everybody. You know when you just arrive somewhere and think, ah, this is my kind of place? There was just something so special about it.”
Just an hour and a half from San Francisco, Katrina believes Yolo County offers a great alternative to Napa, for those seeking a taste of California’s wine country: “I’ve been to Napa before, and the accommodation prices can be very high. Yolo is not as well known, and accommodation will be a lot more competitively priced. It’s surrounded by hills, vineyards and wineries, and on Fridays during the summer, they close the main street [in Winters] for live music.”
After a night in Winters, the group drove over to Sacramento, where they caught a flight to San Diego from the regional airport. “[Flying from Sacramento] isn’t something I wouldn’t have thought about before. It’s a small airport, but it means you don’t have to go all the way back to San Francisco. Some regional airports work really well.”
Katrina’s time in San Diego was brief, but the highlight was her visit to Hotel del Coronado: “We got a tour of the hotel, which is on the beach. It’s perfect for special occasions. The Grand Floridian Resort at Disney was actually inspired by it.”
Top road trip tips and takeaways
Having experienced a Californian road trip for herself, Katrina has many tips and tricks to help agents when booking the Golden State. When it comes to car hire, “if you collect and drop off at airports, you’re looking at a lower drop off fee”, she says. “You don’t need a car in the cities anyway, so getting out to the airport and driving from there is not a huge deal. I would also always send clients a screen recording of how to download offline Google Maps. It’s handy if there’s no GPS.”
When planning a route, she advises variety: “California is such a big state, there’s so many diverse experiences. Try to combine a few of them, move inland and get off the beaten track. You can combine cities, beaches, national parks and vineyards. Where else can you get all of that in one state? In the whole world?”
Whilst it’s easy to get caught up in all the unique activities, Katrina reminds agents to bear in mind the distance between locations. “Chat to customers and make sure they’re happy enough with lengthy days of travel. Maybe add in an extra night somewhere. The state is huge, so just be aware.”
Since returning from the trip, Katrina has introduced a much wider range of destinations to customers looking to book a Californian road trip, as well as designing both luxury and budget-conscious holidays.
“There are lots of motels, and staying outside of the main hubs and booking early will generally get you a better price. Go City passes are real cost savers too and they do those in all the cities around the States.”
“To elevate the trip for luxury travellers, I would recommend a hot air balloon ride in San Diego, a stay in the Hotel del Coronado, and upgrading to a convertible. There is also The Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite. It’s a historic, luxury hotel and it’s been there for years and years. Queen Elizabeth, Barack Obama, JFK, Charlie Chaplin; they’ve all stayed there. You can pre-book breakfast for a special occasion.”
Katrina’s Californian road trip bookings have also increased since her return. “When you’re able to transfer your knowledge to your customers, it resonates with them so much more,” she advises.
Find out more about what happened on the Race Across California fam trip, which was run in partnership with Aer Lingus, American Airlines and British Airways.
