

San Francisco also benefits from being a part of the greater Bay Area, which offers West Coast road trippers a huge array of activities. It has superior public transport, more public works, and a greater amount of accommodation options. Staying in San Francisco can be refreshing and recharging, especially after spending a long time on the road. Google.Īs a city, San Francisco is far denser, better planned, and all-in-all more modern than Los Angeles. Whereas LA is more defined by its entertainment and pleasure industries, San Francisco is a technological utopia that hosts some of the most influential industries in the world i.e. Nothing illustrates the difference between NorCal and SoCal better than comparing Los Angeles and San Francisco. Its home to many of the best hikes in California. You won’t find the desert beaches and vast deserts of SoCal NorCal has grander forests, more alpine areas, and a rougher coastline. The weather is moodier, people are slightly more cosmopolitan, and the food is far more eclectic. Northern California or NorCal is a bit more temperate than SoCal, both in climate and attitude. The parties in Southern California are often extravagant and it goes without saying that places like Hollywood or Santa Barbara get really crazy.īook Your Los Angeles Lodge Here Northern California Road Trip Metropolises, like Los Angeles and San Diego, host huge populations of people who just want to have fun in the sun, do business, and maybe get famous. The region is best known for its easy-going and Epicurean culture. Southern California is by no means small – it hosts millions of residents, leagues of land, several national parks, and a lot of coastlines – but for the sake of brevity, we must condense all of Southern California into a single section. It is distinct from Northern California in many ways and should definitely be discussed in its own section. Southern California or SoCal is the drier, sunnier part of California, known for its desert landscapes, Latin-influences, beach culture, and urban sprawl. Study them well and decide which ones you like the most for your road trip.


While these costs might seem steep, always remember you can always save a TON by camping. Pick 1-2 parks, or invest in an America the Beautiful Pass. You will probably visit several national parks as well and each has a fee. Camping out and cooking for yourself will save you much more money in the long run. Staying in fancy digs and eating out for every meal will obviously drain your funds. not driving 500 miles a day).įood and lodging will cost as much as you’re willing to invest. No fear! You can also save money on a solo trip by camping and staying at hostels, grocery shopping, and taking your time (i.e. Traveling with other people is the best way to save money, but we understand this isn’t always possible! Going on a road trip in the USA with a group is fun, more environmentally friendly, and cheaper. Big Sur views will have just about anyone wanting to plan a West Coast road trip!
