California family-friendly travel guide

When you consider that this state is home to both snow-capped peaks in the Sierra Nevada and the lowest elevation in North America at Death Valley, it is not surprising that temperatures vary across the state.

Summer months are between June and August, with an average temperature of 21 degrees Celsius and average monthly rainfall of one millimetre.

Autumn months are between September and November, with an average temperature of 19 degrees Celsius and average monthly rainfall of 17 millimetres.

Winter months are between December and February, with an average temperature of 13 degrees Celsius and average monthly rainfall of 74 millimetres.

Spring months are between March and May, with an average temperature of 16 degrees Celsius and average monthly rainfall of 35 millimetres.

Make sure your passport is valid for six months after your intended return date to Australia.

America has a strict entry regime. You will most likely have your fingerprints scanned and digital photograph taken upon arrival in a US airport.

If you are travelling to the US for less than 90 days, you may be eligible for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The cost is US$14 and is valid for two years and for multiple entries. You must also get pre-approval for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) via the ESTA.

If you do not qualify for the ESTA and VWP, you will need to apply for a visa.

You must still apply for the ESTA and VWP if you are transiting through the US.

California is the gateway to the United States with several airlines now offering daily flights into both Los Angeles and San Francisco. The state stretches along the west coast for over 1300 kilometres from the Mexican border in the south to Oregon in the north. California also borders Arizona and Nevada to the east.

California is serviced by two main international airports: Los Angeles International Airport (more commonly known as LAX) and San Francisco International Airport. Qantas, Air New Zealand and United Airlines all fly into both destinations.

California is a state designed for driving. Most of the scenic beauty and unique character lies in outer areas that are not easily accessible by public transport. There are a number of hire car companies offering great deals.

As one would expect from the United States, there is a great range of food options in California. What many people do find surprising is that it is not all fast food chains and hot dogs. California is America’s ‘fruit bowl’. The state has been the number one food and agricultural producer in the United States for more than 50 years and more than half of the nation’s fruit, nuts and vegetables come from California.

If you are on the road in California it can be difficult to find quick, easy and healthy lunch options, as they don’t have the range of bakeries and sandwich shops you find across Australia. A better option is to pick up lunch supplies and fresh produce at a grocery store.

California is a shopper’s paradise, from iconic designer shopping streets like Rodeo Drive to unique San Francisco boutiques and mega factory outlets. Some clothing like shoes, jeans and children’s wear can be picked up much cheaper in the United States than in Australia and you will get even better bargains from the factory outlets that can be found around the state.

Tipping is customary in the USA. This is because base salaries in the US are very low and hospitality workers rely heavily on their tips to make a living. Even more importantly, the government taxes hospitality workers on a predicted level of tips for the year.

Because we’re not used to tipping in Australia it can be hard to get into the habit but if you are unsure, ask! Most Americans, particularly in touristy areas, don’t mind telling you what the standard practice is.

The following guide outlines normal tipping levels:

• 15% to 20% for table service with food and drink
• A token tip for food or drink where you serve yourself.
• Hotel personnel is $1 to $2 per bag taken to your room (you can opt to carry your own bags).
• Maids: A $2 tip per day is generally left in the room for your room maid.
• Taxicab drivers: Taxi drivers usually receive a tip of $1 to $2.
• Tour guides receive $1 to $2 per person for tours with a lot of people, 10% for more individualised tours.

The USA uses type A and type B electrical sockets.

Make sure you get travel insurance before you travel as it can be very expensive to seek emergency medical treatment overseas.

It is safe to drink the tap water in California.

America experiences a range of natural disasters that include earthquakes, wildfires, floods, hurricanes and landslides.

Wildfires are particularly common in California.

Golden Gate Bridge is one the California’s most iconic sights and one of the most photographed bridges in the word. The bright engine-red stands out against the fog and blue skies of San Francisco, making it quite an awe-inspiring sight whether the weather is sunny or not.

Built in the 1930s, Griffith Observatory enjoys unparalleled views over Los Angeles and the Hollywood sign. While enjoying the views, visitors can also peer through a telescope, attend a planetarium show and browse the current exhibitions.

The head-turner of the US’s national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Yosemite has been the worldwide pin-up for natural beauty and conservation for decades. From the the sky scraping giant sequoias to the hulking presence of El Capitan, its photographer’s dream, especially for those who are just a little obsessed with nature.

The whimsical Joshua trees (tree-sized yuccas) in this national park are a photographers dream. Not to mention the incredible vastness and vistas of the two deserts it sits between, the Colorado and Mojave.

If your Instagram feed is in desperate need of a shot of you looking minuscule next to a giant tree, then a visit to Redwood National and State Parks is an obvious must. Taking a scenic drive, enjoy a hike or even take the little ones camping in this otherwordly landscape.