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8 things you need to know about the driving laws in California

1. Headlights: Use your headlights 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.
2. Headlights & wipers: When using windshield wipers for rain, switch on your low-beam headlights.
3. Drink driving: If your blood alcohol level is 0.8% or higher it’s illegal to drive a car.
4. Driving near schools: If you are on roads that are within 500 to 1,000 feet of a school with children outside, the speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise stated.
5. Towing vehicles: For vehicles towing trailers the maximum speed limit is 55 mph.
6. Driver’s license: Carry your driver’s license with you at all times
7. Cell phones: Never use a handheld cellphone or computer while driving. Use of cell phones is only permitted while driving if you are using a hands-free device or you have to call for help in an emergency
8. Left turns: Only make a left turn on a red light from a one-way street onto another one-way street.

7 things you need to know about California parking rules

1. Parking on a slope: when parking on an uphill or downhill slope, turn the wheels into the curb to ensure the car doesn’t roll into the middle of the street if the brakes fail.
2. White painted curbs: You can only park alongside white painted curbs long enough to pick up or drop off passengers or mail.
3. Red painted curb: Stopping, standing, or parking is not allowed alongside a red painted curb.
4. Blue painted curb: Only those displaying a disabled badge can park alongside blue painted curbs.
5. Safety zone and curb: Never park between a safety zone and the curb
6. Fire hydrants: It’s illegal to park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or a fire station driveway.
7. Engine running: Never leave your car with the engine still running, even if you have parked up and put the brake on.

1. Interstate 5: Routes 1- 5 run from the Mexican border just south of San Diego to Canada. This is a well-used route for travel between San Diego, LA, and Sacramento. When not intersecting urban areas, the route is just two lanes in both directions, with minimal traveler services and many trucks traveling in each direction. 1-5 isn’t known for its scenic landscape, it is more commonly used by those wishing to travel as quickly as possible between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

1. US Highway 101: Runs between Los Angeles and the Oregon state line to Lund in Canada. This route is heavily used for travel between LA and San Francisco as it is more scenic than routes 1-5 and parts of it run alongside the coast. Nature lovers will be pleased to hear that the main highway goes right through Redwood National Park - no entry fee is charged.

1. US Highway 99: Otherwise known as the ‘Golden State Highway”, this modern-day freeway follows the route of old Indian trails. Constructed in the 1920s, it was one of the first roads to traverse California. The most used section of 99 runs from just south of Bakersfield to Sacramento and passes many exits that offer convenient traveler services.

1. State Route 1: Commonly known as Pacific Coast Highway or PCH, Highway 1 hugs the coast from San Clemente to Leggett. Thanks to great scenery, it’s a popular route connecting Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Much of the route is just one lane in each direction making it far slower but a more picturesque alternative to freeways.

1. Interstate 15/U.S. Highway 395: Extending from San Diego to the Nevada state line, this efficient route is popular with people traveling between Las Vegas and Utah, Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite to the north. Large sections of the route run through the desert in Southern California as well as the Sierra Nevada mountains.

1. Pacific Coast Highway road trip

   The Pacific Coast Highway, otherwise known as Highway 1 is probably California’s most famous scenic route. Many drivers begin in San Diego and head north, hugging the coastal road. This drive offers spectacular views of mostly wild, open country. Be sure to stop at Huntington Beach, Santa Barbara, and Monterey.

1. Golden Chain Highway

   This 130 miles of scenic highway starts in Nevada City and ends at Columbia State Historic Park. Take 2 to 3 days to drive Highway 49 and experience the history of the Gold Rush era along the way. Make fascinating stops in charming mining towns and soak up the incredible views of the Sierra Nevada foothills.

1. Napa Valley’s Silverado Trail

   Built-in 1852, this road links the towns of Calistoga and Napa and runs parallel with State Highway 29. It offers easy access to some of California’s best wineries. Start your wine tour in Napa and drive north stopping along the way at wineries such as Mumm Napa, Reynolds Family Winery, and Clos du Val. make a couple of days of it by staying at a fabulous local hotel en route.

1. Sierra Vista Scenic Byway

   This 90-mile drive starts on Forest Road 81 just outside the town of North Fork. It takes you along forest roads and includes views of peaks and granite domes. Stop at the Jesse Ross Cabin from the 1860s and the Bull Buck Tree which is 2,700 years old and one of the oldest sequoia trees in the world.

1. Highway 101 from Malibu to Lompoc

   This 120-mile stretch of highway offers up both scenic beaches and vineyards. It starts in Malibu and follows the base of the Santa Monica Mountains before passing through Oxnard, Ventura, and iconic Santa Barbara. Get your feet wet and sandy with a walk on one of Santa Barbara’s local beaches, before heading inland to Lompoc to taste the region's excellent Pinot Noir.

1. Rim of the World Scenic Byway

   Winding around the cliffs of the San Bernadino Mountains, State Highway 18 takes you through small, picturesque villages on the drive to Big Bear Lake. The best stops include Lake Arrowhead, the Sequoia Trail at Heaps Peak Arboretum, as well as Keller Peak Fire Lookout. Drink in spectacular views of mountains, lakes, and even the Pacific Ocean on a clear day.

1. Orange County Surf Safari

   Take a 30-mile drive through Orange County, starting at Dana Point where can sometimes be lucky enough to spot whales. Head north to Laguna Beach to browse its many art galleries. Stop to walk on Crystal Cove State Park, one of the Golden State’s prettiest beaches. Next, head to Newport Beach to enjoy frozen bananas and creamy balboa Bars. Finally, head to Huntington Beach to catch a wave yourself or just watch others enjoying the surf.

1. San Diego Desert Drive

   Cross Southern California taking in beaches, the mountains, and the desert all in one 90-mile drive. Take the State Road 56 east to Highway 78 and into the Cuyamaca Mountains towards Julian, a township famous for its apple crop. Head back down into the desert and Anza Borrego Desert State Park, where wildflowers bloom profusely each year around February and March. Finally, sleep overnight at Borrego Springs, an International Dark Sky Community to experience the night sky as you’ve never seen it before.

1. California is the state with the most registered vehicles in the US (over 14 million).

1. The average commuter in Los Angeles spends 119 hours stuck in traffic each year. The average commuter in San Francisco spends 103 hours a year twiddling their thumbs in traffic jams.

1. California is the state with the highest percentage of hybrid and electric vehicles in the US.

1. Over 1 million people own and use electric cars in California.

1. In 2019, the all-electric Tesla Model 3 become the third best-selling car in California (33,005 sales), beaten only by the Toyota Camry (33,638) and the Honda Civic (39,081).