Getting Around California

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Back to CaliforniaGetting Around

By Car

California's freeway signs frequently indicate direction by naming a town rather than a point on the compass. If you've never heard of Canoga Park, you might be in trouble -- unless you have a map. The best state road guide is the comprehensive Thomas Guide California Road Atlas, a 300-plus-page book of maps with schematics of towns and cities statewide. It costs about $25, a good investment if you plan to do a lot of exploring. Smaller, accordion-style maps are handy for the state as a whole or for individual cities and regions; you'll find a very useful one inserted in the back of this book.

If you're heading into the Sierra or Shasta-Cascades region for a winter ski trip, top up on antifreeze and carry snow chains for your tires. (Chains are mandatory in certain areas.)

See the full-color driving distance chart inside the front cover of the book for an idea of the distance between the state's popular destinations.

Driving Rules -- California law requires both drivers and passengers to wear seat belts. A law that took effect January 1, 2004, requires an approved safety seat for children under 6 or weighing less than 60 pounds. Motorcyclists must wear helmets. Auto insurance is mandatory; the car's registration and proof of insurance must be carried in the car.

You can turn right at a red light, unless otherwise indicated -- but be sure to come to a complete stop.

Many California freeways have designated carpool lanes, also known as high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes or "diamond" lanes. Some require two passengers, others three. Most on-ramps are metered during even light congestion to regulate the flow of traffic onto the freeway; cars in HOV lanes can pass the signal without stopping. All other drivers are required to observe the stoplights -- fines begin at around $271.

Car-Rental Agencies -- California is one of the cheapest places in the United States to rent a car. The best-known firms, with locations throughout the state and at most major airports, include Alamo (tel. 800/462-5866; www.alamo.com), Avis (tel. 800/230-4898; www.avis.com), Budget (tel. 800/527-0700; www.budget.com), Dollar (tel. 800/800-3665; www.dollar.com), Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131; www.hertz.com), National (tel. 800/227-7368; www.nationalcar.com), and Thrifty (tel. 800/847-4389; www.thrifty.com).

Many rental agencies have begun offering a variety of essential or just helpful extras, such as cellphones, child seats, and specially equipped vehicles for travelers with disabilities.

Demystifying Renter's Insurance -- Before you drive off in a rental car, be sure you're insured. Hasty assumptions about your personal auto insurance or a rental agency's additional coverage could end up costing you tens of thousands of dollars -- even if you're involved in an accident that was clearly the fault of another driver.

If you already hold a private auto insurance policy, you are most likely covered in the United States for loss of or damage to a rental car, and liability in case of injury to any other party involved in an accident. Be sure to find out whether you're covered in the area you're visiting, whether your policy extends to all persons who will be driving the rental car, how much liability is covered in case an outside party is injured in an accident, and whether the type of vehicle you are renting is included under your contract. (Rental trucks, sport-utility vehicles, and luxury vehicles or sports cars may not be covered.)

Most major credit cards provide some degree of coverage as well -- provided they were used to pay for the rental. Terms vary widely, however, so be sure to call your credit card company directly before you rent.

If you're uninsured, your credit card may provide primary coverage as long as you decline the rental agency's insurance. This means that the credit card may cover damage or theft of a rental car for the full cost of the vehicle. (In a few states, however, theft is not covered; ask specifically about state law where you will be renting and driving.) If you already have insurance, your credit card may provide secondary coverage -- which basically covers your deductible.

Credit cards will not cover liability, or the cost of injury to an outside party and/or damage to an outside party's vehicle. If you do not hold an insurance policy, you may want to consider purchasing additional liability insurance from your rental company. Be sure to check the terms, however: Some rental agencies only cover liability if the renter is not at fault.

The basic insurance coverage offered by most car-rental companies, known as the Loss/Damage Waiver (LDW) or Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), can cost as much as $20 per day. It usually covers the full value of the vehicle with no deductible if an outside party causes an accident or other damage to the rental car. Liability coverage varies according to the company policy and state law, but the minimum is usually at least $15,000. If you are at fault in an accident, however, you will be covered for the full replacement value of the car but not for liability. In California, you can buy additional liability coverage for such cases. Most rental companies will require a police report in order to process any claims you file, but your private insurer will not be notified of the accident.

By Plane

In addition to the major carriers listed earlier in this section, several airlines provide service within the state, including American Eagle (tel. 800/433-7300), Southwest (tel. 800/435-9792), United Express (tel. 800/241-6522), and US Airways Express (tel. 800/428-4322). The round-trip fare between Los Angeles and San Francisco ranges from $79 to $200.

By Train

Amtrak (tel. 800/USA-RAIL; www.amtrak.com) runs trains up and down the California coast, connecting San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, and all points in between. There are multiple trains each day, and rates fluctuate according to season and special promotions. One-way fares for the most popular segments can range from $17 (L.A.-Santa Barbara), to $24 (L.A.-San Diego), to $46 to $78 (San Francisco-L.A.).