Practical guide to California for UK visitors

ESTA — entry requirements for UK visitors

British citizens do not need a visa to visit the United States as a tourist. You do need an ESTA — Electronic System for Travel Authorization — which is a pre-travel authorisation, not a visa.

Apply at the official US government site: esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The cost is $21 and the ESTA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Most applications are approved within minutes, but apply at least 72 hours before travel to be safe.

Do not apply through third-party sites — many charge significantly more than the official fee for the same service. The official site is the only one you need.

Your ESTA allows stays of up to 90 days per visit. It does not authorise you to work in the United States.

Driving in California on a UK licence

A full UK driving licence is valid for driving in California. You do not need an International Driving Permit, though some car hire companies may ask for one — carry your UK licence, your booking confirmation and a credit card in your own name and you will be fine.

Americans drive on the right. Most British visitors find the adjustment straightforward after the first hour — the challenge is usually remembering when pulling out of a car park or petrol station rather than on the open road.

Speed limits are posted in miles per hour, which helps. Freeways are typically 65 mph. School zones drop to 25 mph when children are present. Right turns on red are permitted unless a sign says otherwise — this confuses many UK visitors who assume it must be a local aberration.

Fuel (gas) is sold by the US gallon and is significantly cheaper than in the UK. Pay at the pump with a credit card — most pumps will ask for a zip code, which UK cards don't have. Enter 00000 or ask the attendant inside to process the payment manually.

Car hire

Hiring a car is non-negotiable outside the major cities. California was built around the car in a way that most of Europe was not.

Book in advance — prices rise significantly if you leave it until arrival, particularly during summer. Choose a reputable company. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is worth taking unless your credit card provides rental car cover — check before you travel.

An automatic gearbox is standard in the US and makes the right-hand driving adjustment easier. Specify this when booking — manuals are rare but not unknown in rental fleets.

Toll roads exist throughout California. Many tolls are cashless and charge electronically — your hire car may come with a transponder, or you can sign up for a FasTrak account. Check with your hire company before you collect the car.

Tipping

Tipping in the United States is not optional — it is a core part of how service workers are compensated. The standard in restaurants is 20%, and this is very much expected. Budget for it from the start — a week of restaurant meals adds meaningfully to your costs if you have not accounted for it.

Beyond restaurants: taxi and rideshare drivers 15-20%, hotel housekeeping $3-5 per night left daily, hotel porters $2-3 per bag, tour guides 15-20% of the tour cost. Bar staff typically receive $1-2 per drink.

Many payment terminals now prompt for a tip on transactions that would not traditionally require one in the UK — coffee shops, fast food counters, and so on. There is no obligation to tip in these cases, but 10-15% is not unusual if you received table service.

Currency and payments

The currency is US Dollars. Major credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Notify your bank before travel to avoid your card being blocked for suspected fraud — a straightforward call or app notification that takes two minutes.

A travel money card or a bank account with no foreign transaction fees (Starling, Monzo and Chase all offer this) will save meaningful amounts on a two-week trip compared with a standard UK debit card. ATMs are widely available — use bank ATMs rather than independent machines to avoid excessive fees.

Keep some cash for smaller purchases, parking meters and tips. $100-200 in cash is a reasonable amount to have available on arrival.

Time difference

California is on Pacific Time. In winter (November to March) the difference is 8 hours behind the UK. In summer (March to October) it is also 8 hours — but because California and the UK change their clocks at different times, there is a brief window each year where the difference is 7 or 9 hours. Check before you travel if you are crossing the clock change boundary.

Jet lag heading westbound (UK to California) is generally easier than the return journey. You will likely be tired early in the evening for the first couple of days — this is why we recommend arriving into Orange County rather than San Francisco. A beach and an early night is a much better first day than trying to navigate an unfamiliar city on no sleep.

Mobile phones

UK mobile phones work in California. Check your provider's roaming rates before you travel — they vary significantly. A US SIM card (available at the airport or any phone shop) is worth considering for a trip of two weeks or more, as it will be cheaper than most UK roaming plans and gives you a reliable local number.

Data coverage is generally excellent in cities and on major highways. In national parks and remote areas — particularly parts of Big Sur, Death Valley and the Sierra Nevada — coverage is patchy to non-existent. Download offline maps before you go.

Health and safety

The United States does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK. Travel insurance with comprehensive medical cover is essential — US medical costs are very high and an uninsured hospital visit can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Do not travel without adequate cover.

Tap water is safe to drink throughout California. Sunscreen is essential — the California sun is stronger than most British visitors expect, particularly in the desert areas and at altitude in the national parks.

In national parks: wildlife is wild. Bears, mountain lions, rattlesnakes and coyotes are present. Follow park guidelines, store food correctly, and maintain a safe distance from all wildlife. The parks are extraordinary — treat them with respect and they will look after you.

What to pack

Layers are essential — California's temperature swings are larger than most visitors expect. San Francisco in August can be cold enough for a winter coat in the evenings. Death Valley in the same month can be 50°C by midday. The Sierra Nevada at altitude is cold year-round after dark.

For hiking: broken-in footwear is non-negotiable. Do not buy new hiking shoes for this trip — break them in at home over weeks before you travel. For the Half Dome cables in Yosemite, approach shoes with sticky rubber soles are strongly recommended over standard hiking boots.

A reusable water bottle that you actually fill and carry is more important than most visitors realise, particularly in the national parks and desert areas. Dehydration happens quickly in the heat, and many park trails are further from water sources than they appear on a map.