Before you go · California
California essentials
The practical things worth knowing before you arrive, so you can spend your time enjoying the road.
Updated October 2026
Distances and planning
San Francisco to Los Angeles is a full day by the coast road, and Lake Tahoe, Yosemite and Palm Springs are each a trip of their own. Plan two or three regions for a one-week trip rather than trying to see everything.
Highway 1 and the mountain passes
Highway 1 through Big Sur reopened in full between Carmel and Cambria on 14 January 2026 (Office of the Governor). Storms and roadwork can still close parts of it at short notice, and in winter the passes to Lake Tahoe and Yosemite may need chains. Check Caltrans road information before you set off.
National park fees
Each park sets its own entrance fee, usually per vehicle for seven days. At Yosemite, for example, a private vehicle pays $35, and non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person unless they hold an annual pass (nps.gov). Yosemite is not using a timed entry reservation in 2026.
Money and tipping
Prices are usually shown before sales tax, which is added at the till. Tipping is customary in restaurants and bars; read the bill, as some restaurants add service charges.
Weather and seasons
San Francisco can be cool and foggy in summer, while the desert around Palm Springs is extremely hot. Spring and autumn are lovely almost everywhere. In dry, windy weather, parks may close areas because of fire risk, and wildfires can affect roads and air quality: follow official alerts.
Questions and answers
Is Highway 1 through Big Sur open?
It reopened in full between Carmel and Cambria on 14 January 2026. Short closures for storms or roadwork still happen, so check Caltrans road information before you drive.
Do I need a reservation for Yosemite in 2026?
No. Yosemite is not using a timed entry reservation system in 2026 (nps.gov). You still pay the entrance fee.
What is the national park non-resident fee?
At Yosemite, non-US residents aged 16 and over pay $100 per person on top of the entrance fee, unless they enter with an annual pass (nps.gov). Check each park’s own fees page.
Rules and fees change: check official sources such as nps.gov, parks.ca.gov and Caltrans before you travel.