What to Pack for California's Ultimate Road Trip
The sun is out and the road is calling. That means it’s time to plan your next great California adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned road tripper or planning your first post-grad road trip with friends, A-1 Self Storage has the tips you need to get packed and get on your way.
Road Trip Packing Tips
Get Clean Fast – There’s no way around it: spills happen. So do stains and crumbs. Head off the inevitable by coming prepared with a DIY car cleaning kit. Wet wipes are great for dirty hands and cleaning up spills. Tide® To Go pens are also handy when you need to remove stains from grease or food. Another good idea is to purchase a large cereal container with a lid to use as a garbage can. All you have to do is insert a liner – or a simple plastic grocery bag – and change it out as necessary.
Maximize Trunk Space – Space is a premium on any road trip, but especially so when traveling with friends. The best way to maximize trunk space is for each person to pack with a duffle bag. Unlike suitcases which can be bulky and hard to maneuver, duffle bags are more malleable and can packed into tighter spaces.
Power Up Your Electronics – Nothing puts a damper on a road trip quite like a dead phone battery, iPad, camera, or other important electronic devices. Save the headache and invest in a multi-port car charger. We like this one from Amazon with three USB ports and an intelligent circuit design to prevent your car from overheating.
Snacks on Snacks – Snacks are a quintessential part of every road trip. Whether you’re packing your carrots and celery sticks, stopping off at a gas station for chips and soda, or hitting up In-N-Out Burger, you need to make sure you have the proper storage to keep your food fresh. An insulated, portable cooler bag is an excellent choice for storing your road trip snacks.
Utilize These Apps – There are a lot of great, free apps you can use when planning a road trip. Want to save money on fuel costs? GasBuddy is available for iOS and Android and is a great tool for comparing gas prices in a given area. Want to know what to see or do in Carmel this weekend? Try Roadtrippers from the makers of MapQuest. With free trip guides including the famed “Weird Offbeat Guides N’Stuff,” it’s easy to find the state’s best – and weirdest –attractions.
California’s Best Road Trip Destinations
Now that you know what to pack, it’s time to hit the road. Here are a few of the stops you need to make on your California road trip:
- Rent a houseboat and spend the weekend cruising the shores of Lake Shasta
- Check out the bubbling sulfur pools at Bumpass Hell in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Instagram a cheesy photo of yourself in front of the Golden Gate Bridge
- Go for a guided tour of the Winchester Mystery House and feel the spooky energy
- Spend a day hiking Big Sur and then reserve your Redwood glamping retreat at Ventana Campground
- Take your pick of theme parks in Los Angeles: Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Disney California Adventure are timeless favorites
- Venture inland to Joshua Tree National Park for Martian landscapes and out of this world views
Want more ideas for where to road trip in California? Talk to the professionals in any A-1 Self Storage leasing office when you drop by to pick up or drop off summer gear from your storage unit. We know more than self storage – we know California.
