California Road Trip Packing List

Documents — get these right before anything else

Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. The United States does not require six months validity beyond your return date — valid for the length of your trip is sufficient — but check your specific passport and confirm with your airline.

ESTA authorisation is mandatory for UK visitors travelling under the Visa Waiver Program. Apply at the official CBP website (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) at least 72 hours before travel, ideally well in advance. Cost is $21. See our ESTA guide for full details. Do not use third-party sites that charge significantly more — the official site is the only legitimate application portal.

Your UK driving licence is valid in California. Bring the photocard licence — the paper counterpart is no longer required. An International Driving Permit is not legally required for UK licence holders in California, though some rental companies request one; check with your specific rental company before travel. Bring your credit card — most car hire companies require a credit card rather than a debit card for the security deposit.

Travel insurance documentation should be accessible on your phone and printed as a backup. Know your policy number and the 24-hour emergency contact number before you travel. US healthcare costs are extremely high — a single emergency room visit can exceed £10,000. Do not travel without comprehensive cover.

Clothing — the California reality

California is not uniformly warm. This surprises almost every first-time visitor from the UK. San Francisco in summer is cold and foggy most afternoons — locals wear jackets in August. Yosemite and the national parks are cold at night even in summer, and can be genuinely cold in spring and autumn. The desert areas — Palm Springs, Joshua Tree — are hot by day and cold at night. Only Southern California coastal areas — Orange County, San Diego, Malibu — are reliably warm throughout the summer months.

The practical approach: layers. A lightweight down jacket or fleece that compresses small covers you in San Francisco, on the coast at night and in the mountains without taking up much space. Light clothing for the daytime, warmer layers for evenings. One smarter outfit for nicer restaurants — California is casual but the better restaurants in LA and San Francisco appreciate the effort.

Footwear is critical on a road trip. Comfortable walking shoes that are already broken in for cities and light exploring. Hiking shoes or trail runners if you are visiting national parks — never new ones bought for the trip. Sandals or flip-flops for beaches. Smart shoes if you plan to visit higher-end restaurants or venues. Three pairs covers most itineraries.

Swimming gear if beaches or hotel pools are on the agenda — the surf in Southern California is real and a rash vest provides both UV protection and some warmth. A wide-brimmed hat for sun protection is more useful than most people pack.

Sun protection

Sunscreen SPF 50 is the baseline in Southern California from April through October — and at altitude in the mountains year-round. The UV index in California regularly hits 8 to 11 in summer, which is extreme by UK standards. Bring more than you think you need or plan to buy on arrival, where good sunscreen is widely available at CVS and Target.

Sunglasses with UV protection are genuinely important, not a fashion accessory — the light intensity on the PCH and in the desert is significantly higher than UK eyes are accustomed to. A hat with a brim covers the face and neck on coastal and hiking days.

Technology and power

The United States uses Type A and B plugs — two flat parallel pins. Your UK three-pin plugs will not fit American sockets. Bring a universal travel adaptor or a US-specific adaptor. Most modern devices — phone chargers, laptop bricks, camera chargers — are dual voltage (100-240V) and need only an adaptor, not a converter. Check the label on your device before travel.

A portable power bank is useful on long driving days when your phone is navigating continuously. Most rental cars have USB ports but an older car may not, and a dead phone with Google Maps mid-route is an avoidable problem.

Mobile coverage in California is generally excellent on major routes and in cities. Coverage drops significantly in the national parks and in remote stretches of the PCH and Big Sur. Download offline Google Maps for your route before you leave each morning — it works without signal and is the single most useful navigation preparation you can make. Do not rely on signal in Big Sur or between Yosemite and the valley.

A UK SIM card will work in California but roaming charges from most UK networks make it expensive for data-heavy navigation use. An eSIM from a provider such as Airalo or Holafly costs around £15 to £25 for two weeks of US data and is the most cost-effective solution. Alternatively, most UK networks now offer US roaming as part of their standard plans — check before you travel.

In the car

A phone mount for the dashboard or windscreen is essential — do not hold your phone while driving in California. Handheld phone use while driving is illegal and fines are significant. Most rental cars have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto; bring the appropriate cable if your phone does not connect wirelessly.

A reusable water bottle is important on any road trip — California has excellent tap water in cities and most parks, and staying hydrated on long driving days and hikes is genuinely critical. Dehydration comes on quickly in the heat and at altitude.

A small cool box or soft cooler for the back seat is worth considering for longer road trips — drinks, snacks and fruit from supermarkets rather than gas stations save money and time. Target and Trader Joe's are the best supermarkets for road trip supplies. Whole Foods is excellent but expensive.

Cash in small denominations — ones and fives — for tips, parking meters, and situations where card is not accepted. Most California businesses take cards everywhere, but cash remains useful in markets, for valet parking and for some beach concessions.

For national park visits

The America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass costs $250 for international visitors — a change that came into effect on 1 January 2026, when the US introduced separate pricing for non-residents. US residents continue to pay $80. The pass covers your entire vehicle or up to four adults and is excellent value if you are visiting more than one or two parks. Without it, non-residents pay an additional $100 per person surcharge at 11 of the most visited parks including Yosemite and Sequoia. Buy it at recreation.gov before you travel or at your first park entrance.

Timed entry reservations are required for Yosemite in summer — book at recreation.gov as soon as the 28-day window opens. Muir Woods near San Francisco also requires advance booking. Do not assume walk-up entry is available at popular parks on peak season days.

Layers for the mountains regardless of the season. A waterproof jacket that packs small. Hiking poles for Half Dome or any strenuous trail — rental is available in Yosemite Valley if you do not want to bring your own. Blister plasters regardless of how good your footwear is.

What to buy on arrival

Toiletries are widely and cheaply available at CVS, Walgreens and Target across California — there is no advantage to bringing full-size bottles from the UK and every disadvantage for hand luggage. Sun cream, insect repellent, basic medication and most personal care items are all available on arrival.

Snacks and drinks for the road are best bought at a Target or Trader Joe's on the way out of your first city — significantly cheaper than tourist areas or gas stations and far better quality.

What not to bring

Heavy suitcases are a road trip liability — you will be loading and unloading from a hire car daily. A medium-sized bag that fits in an overhead locker is the maximum recommended per person. A smaller daypack for daily use — hiking, sightseeing, beach — is more useful than anything large.

Formal clothing beyond one smart outfit is rarely needed in California. The culture is casual and even the better restaurants in most cities do not require jackets. Check specific dress codes for any fine dining reservations but do not over-pack on the assumption that California is formal. It is not.