14 Tips for Traveling to the USA West Coast

How to apply for the ESTA or the visa to travel to the USA

One of the first things you should consider when planning your trip to the West Coast of the United States is applying for the ESTA or the visa in order to enter the country. One doesn't replace the other, meaning that if you need the ESTA, you don't have to apply for a visa, and vice versa.

As this is a complicated and lengthy topic, we prefer to refer you to the specific articles we have for each case. In them, we explain the differences between the two procedures, when you should apply for one or the other, the cost, and a step-by-step tutorial on how to apply for them:

• How to apply for ESTA to travel to the United States
• How to apply for a visa to travel to the United States

⚠️We've already emphasized this in both posts, but it's very important to always complete the process on official websites. There're other sites that appear on the internet and charge much more money!

What car should you rent for a USA West Coast road trip

Going on a West Coast road trip is one of the most legendary trips you can do, but always choosing the right type of vehicle to rent! Our first recommendation is to use this search engine to rent your car in the USA: it has great deals and offers comprehensive insurance at an excellent price.

On our first trip, even though we had rented a normal car, when we arrived at the agency they convinced us to pay a little more and get a convertible Mustang. At the time, we got carried away and accepted! It was very epic, but we also saw its drawbacks: our suitcases didn't fit in the trunk (we had to carry them in the back seats) and the gas consumption was quite high.

By this we mean that you should think carefully about what type of car you need depending on the trip you want to do, but above all, make sure it's comfortable. You're going to spend many (many) hours driving it, and even if you have to pay a little more, you'll be glad you did.

Is a 4x4 necessary to travel to the USA West Coast?

It depends. Which places you plan to visit? If you're doing the common 15-day USA West Coast Road Trip, we'd say it's not necessary at all. You can even drive through Monument Valley in a normal car. Now... are you planning to go to more remote places? White Pocket, Alstrom Point, or Cathedral Valley in Capitol Reef, are some examples. In these cases, it's a resounding yes!

Is an International Driving Permit required for the United States?

🚙 The regulations on whether an International Driving Permit is required for the United States are a little unclear. In some states it seems that it is, in others it is not. We've never been asked for one, but for the little price it costs, we think it's better to get one and have peace of mind, both for renting the car and in case you're stopped by the police.

⚠️Remember to always bring a credit card if you're going to rent a car; debit cards are not accepted.

What are the speed limits in the USA?

Another thing to keep in mind when driving in the United States is that speed limits vary from state to state. There're speed cameras and often police officers "hidden" on the side of the road, so it's very important to respect the limits even if you're driving on one of those endless straight roads so common on the USA.

Speed in the USA is measured in miles per hour (mph): 1 mile equals 1.6 km. If you're going to drive using your phone's navigation system (such as Google Maps), once you're in the United States, it'll automatically change all measurements, making it easier for you to adapt. Of course, you'll need a SIM card for the United States to do this!

Rent a campervan or motorhome on the USA West Coast

Another great way to travel along the West Coast is by renting a campervan or RV. We personally love it—in fact, we've traveled more than 17,000 km (10.500 mi) on American roads in a campervan! If there's one thing we know, it's traveling in a camper across the US 😉

First of all, take a look at this search engine for renting motorhomes and campers in the United States. We've always booked through them because it was cheaper than booking directly with the company itself.

Is it better to rent a car or a camper/motorhome on the USA West Coast?

Here comes another very personal decision, and there are several things to consider:

• Renting a car will always be cheaper than renting a campervan or RV. On the other hand, in many cases, you can save on the high cost of accommodation and restaurants. Despite what many people think, it's easy to overnight for free on the USA West Coast, and it doesn't always have to be in a Walmart parking lot. On a 5-month trip in a campervan, we only paid for one night! And we stayed in incredible places surrounded by nature on many occasions.
• If you're traveling by campervan or RV and want to spend the night inside the National Parks, you'll have no choice but to stay at the designated campgrounds. However, despite exceptional cases such as Yellowstone where the cost of campgrounds is high, in others the prices are more than reasonable.
• Traveling in a campervan or motorhome isn't for everyone. Apart from the smaller space, you have to worry about things like filling/emptying water tanks, electricity, etc. Luckily, the USA is very well prepared for this type of vehicle, there're always parking spaces reserved for them, and the campsites are very well equipped.
• Motorhomes are restricted in some areas of the West Coast. For example, they cannot drive through Monument Valley and, depending on their size, they cannot drive on some roads in Sequoia National Park or on the access road to Zion National Park. For this reason, unless you're traveling with a big family and need the space, we always recommend a campervan over a motorhome.

How fuel works in the USA

The topic of fuel in the United States is a world apart, and we have a lot of advice to give you on this point:

• The vast majority of vehicles run on gasoline, not diesel. There're also several types of gasoline depending on the octane rating: Regular (87 octane), Mid-Grade (89-90 octane), and Premium (91-93 octane). Rental cars and campervans/RVs run on Regular, but if you're renting a sports car, check the fuel cap to see if another type is indicated.
• In the USA, fuel prices are quoted per gallon. If you need to convert this to liters when doing your calculations, you have to divide the amount by 3.78.
• Most gas stations are self-service.
• Fuel prices vary greatly between states. On the West Coast, the cheapest gas is in Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, while California and some areas of Wyoming are more expensive.
• Fuel is cheapest in Native American areas, as they have lower taxes. For example, we filled up our tank in a Native American area of California at a very low price. Many of these gas stations are located next to casinos, as Native American territories have their own laws that allow them to operate gambling businesses.
• Use the GasBuddy app to find the cheapest gas station. There is also a web version, but it doesn't work very well. There can be quite a difference in price between nearby gas stations, so you'll save a lot of money by using it.

When is the best time to travel to the USA West Coast

📅 If you're wondering when to visit the West Coast of the United States, bearing in mind that you can choose any time of year, we would definitely say that the best month is June. Although weather conditions vary from state to state, June is the month when practically everything is perfect.

🌸Traveling to the West Coast in spring (March to June)

Spring is one of our favorite seasons, especially from late May to mid-June. Why?

• It's the ideal time to visit cities without getting burned. We were in San Francisco in June and even felt cold!
• There are far fewer people in the National Parks than in summer.
• May marks the start of wildlife viewing season in Yosemite, Sequoia, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton. It's the perfect time to see bears!
• In June, Yosemite's waterfalls are at their most spectacular due to the snowmelt, and Tioga Pass is usually open, which makes it easier to plan the route.
• Although it's already hot in the Utah desert, it's still bearable.

On the other hand, this is the season when there are winds in the desert, affecting areas of northern Arizona and southern Utah. We almost got blown away in May in the Valley of Gods! Some trails in mountain areas may still be closed due to snow (especially at the beginning of the season), and fog is common on the California coast in June (a phenomenon called June Gloom).

☀️Traveling to the West Coast in summer (July and August)

For us, it's one of the worst times for several reasons:

• Overcrowding in natural areas, as it's school vacation season in the US, Canada, and Europe. There're national parks such as Yosemite where the lines to get in can be hellish, causing you to waste valuable vacation time.
• As a result, prices tend to be higher.
• It's very hot, and visiting places like Death Valley, Las Vegas, or the desert in Utah and Arizona becomes torture. For some areas, you should consider visiting them first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening.

Of course, not everything about this time of year is bad. If you can only travel during these months, don't beat yourself up about it! It's better in summer than never 😉 In return, you'll have more hours of daylight (allowing you to extend your days), there's very little chance of rainy days, the skies are clear, and you don't have to worry about access closures as everything is open.

🍂Traveling to the West Coast in fall (September and October)

We haven't been lucky enough to travel to the West Coast in fall season, but it's definitely another of the best seasons to visit. The reasons are very similar to spring: pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds, and mountain roads that remain open until around mid-October. Added to this are the beautiful autumn colors, which begin to appear in mid-September.

On the downside, the waterfalls no longer have as much flow (or none at all in the case of Yosemite), and around October the chances of seeing bears begin to diminish.

❄️Traveling to the West Coast in winter (November to February)

Winter on the West Coast is ideal for visiting cities, especially Los Angeles and Las Vegas, as the temperatures are perfect. In addition, tourism decreases considerably and, therefore, so do prices.

The most complicated thing is visiting natural areas, as access is much more limited due to closed trails and low temperatures. But hey, seeing Monument Valley or the Grand Canyon covered in snow must be spectacular! There're other examples, such as Yellowstone, which offers special tours to access the park in winter, or Yosemite, which has a bus service that operates all year round.

It's also important to bear in mind that there are fewer hours of daylight at this time of year, meaning you have less time during the day to do things.

What travel insurance do you need for the USA

You're not thinking of traveling to the United States without travel insurance, are you? You need to be well covered when traveling to one of the countries with the most expensive healthcare system in the world. We've been lucky enough never to have had to use it in this country, but we did in Canada (where costs are similar), and the visit cost the insurance company around 700€ ($800).

Although you can find more information in our comparison of travel insurance policies for the United States, here are some examples of approximate healthcare costs in the United States to give you an idea, bearing in mind that they vary from state to state:

• Ambulance: between $1,500 and $2,500
• Medical visit without diagnostic tests: $300-$600 depending on the specialty
• Day of hospitalization: $3,000
• Simple surgery (such as appendicitis): $14,000

We always travel insured with Heymondo, it's the company with the best value for money and among all its services, the free medical consultation via WhatsApp is top notch.

How to book accommodation on the USA West Coast

It's no secret that lodging on the West Coast of the USA are expensive, but rest assured, there are also options to suit all budgets. In general, for a 15-day trip along the West Coast, you'll pass through:

• Cities: accommodations in places like San Francisco and Los Angeles are expensive, and the closer you're to the city center, the more expensive they are. It's difficult to find a decent hotel for less than $150 a night, but if you book early and are a little flexible in terms of amenities, you can find decent rates. The exception would be Las Vegas, the city where you can treat yourself to a luxury hotel at a very good price. There're usually great deals here, especially during weekdays! Take advantage of this stop to feel like a king or queen 😉
  
  • Where to stay in San Francisco
  • Where to stay in Las Vegas
    
• Motels: a road trip along the West Coast wouldn't be the same without staying in a motel. The kind with thick carpeting (hello dust mites!), 2 floors, and parking right outside your room. Just like in the movies! They're functional, no-frills accommodations, but they have everything you need for a night on the road, and you can find them for less than $100. Just be sure to read the reviews before booking so you don't get any surprises and end up feeling like you're in the Psycho movie!
• National parks: as you can imagine, sleeping inside a national park on the West Coast of the US comes at a price, with Yosemite and Yellowstone being some of the most expensive (and the first reservations you need to get out of the way). Inside the parks, there're usually both private and public accommodations (the latter are only managed through the Recreation.gov app), in addition to all the options available in the surrounding area.
  
  • Where to stay in Yosemite

🧐Some recommendations to keep in mind:

-Make your reservations well in advance. At least 8 months in advance would be ideal. You'll find more availability in both hotels and campsites and will have more options to choose from.

-Use Booking.com to make your reservations. This search engine allows you to find practically all available lodging in one place and, in most cases, at a better price than on the hotel's own website. In addition, this platform already includes all taxes (which in the USA are numerous) in the price.

-Choose hotels with free cancellation. The variation in prices in the USA is tremendous; they can change daily! Book with free cancellation and keep an eye out to see if the price drops. 

-Take advantage of the well-equipped rooms. In the USA, everything is big, and our experience on the West Coast is that when you book a double room, you get two king-size beds. In addition, the rooms usually have everything: a refrigerator, coffee maker, sometimes a microwave, a picnic area, etc. Be proactive and buy food at the supermarket so you can take breakfast at your hotel.

How to pay on the USA West Coast

You can pay practically everything in the USA by card, so it's essential that you take one or more of the best travel cards for the USA to avoid all the currency exchange fees that the traditional bank cards apply. Let's say that on your trip you pay $1,500 with a conventional bank card: you'll pay a fee between $45 and $75.

💳 If you don't have an american card, we recommend the Wise card not only to avoid fees when paying in USD, but also because you can withdraw up to 200€ per month from ATMs abroad for free (fees charged by some ATMs aren't included). Ideally, you should carry a second card, in this case the best one is Revolut, which also allows you to withdraw 200€, but you must be careful because on weekends it charges a 1% fee when paying and withdrawing money.

💡Recommended: Best travel card for the USA |Comparison and Opinion|

As we have said, almost everything is paid by card, but we have encountered some exceptions:

• Laundromats: most only accept cash, as the washing machines operate with coins or tokens. There is always a machine inside that changes bills.
• Campgrounds: some campgrounds, especially those that operate on a first-come, first-served basis, only accept cash. Sometimes you pay to the campground manager, and other times you leave the money in an envelope inside a locked box.
• Street vendors: at markets or street food stalls, they sometimes only accept cash.
• Cash Only businesses: There are small businesses that only accept cash. You will recognize them by the Cash Only sign.

How to get internet on the USA West Coast

After visiting the West Coast several times, we believe that having internet access during your trip is essential.

We can think of countless reasons why you'll need it: to use your phone's GPS, find out how to get from one place to another, look up information about the place you want to visit, check restaurant reviews, book a tour, participate in The Wave's lottery, find the cheapest gas station, deal with any unexpected issues that may arise...

📲 In our guide on how to get internet when traveling to the USA, you'll find all the options available for staying connected, with exact prices and our personal opinion.

What are the must-do tours in the USA West Coast

Although there are many tours you can do on the West Coast, we believe there are two that you should pay special attention to and book in advance:

Antelope Canyon Tour

The most famous slot canyon in the United States is one of the most popular attractions on the West Coast, not only because of its beauty, but also because it's easily accessible from Page. Antelope Canyon is located within a Navajo Nation area and is managed entirely by this community. Guided tours are mandatory and a fee must be paid. If you want to go, it would be the first tour we would book!

This canyon is divided into several sections: Upper, Lower, X... Here is the tour we would choose for each of them, all of which include the guided tour and admission:

• Upper Antelope Canyon Tour
• Lower Antelope Canyon Tour
• Antelope Canyon X Tour

Visit to Alcatraz

If you're going to visit San Francisco during your trip (we hope you are!), then you simply must visit the most notorious prison in history. Although there're many agencies selling tours to Alcatraz, there's only one official operator, and it's important to book with them so you don't end up paying more than you need to. We recommend booking in advance, especially during high season, as places on the ferries sell out fast!

💡Recommended: How to Visit Alcatraz |Ultime Guide for not being scammed|

Once you've booked these two tours, the rest are optional, such as:

• Monument Valley Tour: interesting if you want to explore this movie-like location with a Navajo guide or if you're traveling by motorcycle or RV (access with these vehicles is prohibited).
• Helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon: if you would like to see this natural wonder from the air and feel its immensity even more, this tour will be one you'll never forget.
• Visit to Warner Bros Studios: if you're in Los Angeles, you can't miss Hollywood's most famous studios.
• Golden Gate Bay Cruise: it's not every day you get to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge—how wonderful!

How the time zone works on the USA West Coast

The time difference between states in the West Coast is such a hassle! It's something you need to keep in mind during your trip: you could miss a tour because you didn't show up on time, be unable to participate in The Wave lottery, or find that the restaurant you want to go to has closed its kitchen because it's an hour later than you thought.

In the United States, there's a time change in spring and fall, called Daylight Saving Time, which usually takes place in early March and early November. The problem arises because some states don't make this time change, meaning that the time remains the same throughout the year. This means that, depending on the time of year, there may or may not be a time difference between these states and their neighboring.

Taking into account the most popular states visited during a trip along the West Coast (California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Wyoming), here are the time zones for each state. We should warn you that Arizona is a bit of an oddball!

• California: daylight saving time
  • UTC -8 Pacific Standard Time from early November to early March
  • UTC -7 Pacific Daylight Time from early March to early November
• Nevada: daylight saving time
  • UTC -8 Pacific Standard Time from early November to early March
  • UTC -7 Pacific Daylight Time from early March to early November
• Arizona: no daylight saving time, except in Navajo Territory
  • In Arizona (except for the Navajo area), it's always UTC -7 Mountain Standard Time.
  • In the Navajo area (e.g., Monument Valley): UTC -7 Mountain Standard Time from early November to early March
  • In the Navajo area (e.g., Monument Valley): UTC -6 Mountain Daylight Time from early March to early November
• Utah: daylight saving time
  • UTC -7 Mountain Standard Time from early November to early March
  • UTC -6 Mountain Daylight Time from early March to early November
• Wyoming: daylight saving time
  • UTC -7 Mountain Standard Time from early November to early March
  • UTC -6 Mountain Daylight Time from early March to early November

🤓 In summary...

• California and Nevada are always in the same time zone.
• Utah, Wyoming, and the Navajo Territory of Arizona always have the same time.
• California and Nevada are always one hour behind Utah, Wyoming, and the Navajo Nation in Arizona.
• From early March to early November: Arizona is in the same time zone as California and Nevada, but one hour behind its Navajo Territory, Utah, and Wyoming.
• From early November to early March: Arizona is one hour ahead of California and Nevada, but the same as Navajo Territory, Utah, and Wyoming.

💡If you use this website, simply enter the name of the place you want to know the time for, and you'll get it instantly, along with any time zone changes that apply.

How to visit the USA West Coast National Parks

After visiting a third of all national parks in the USA, here are our tips:

• Read our guides for each national park 😉
• If you plan to visit several parks, purchase the America the Beautiful annual pass. Especially since the recent changes in non-resident fees, it's more cost-effective than ever. You can purchase it online or at the visitor center of any park.
• Try to avoid weekends and holidays, although it can sometimes be difficult to plan your route. Keep in mind that on public holidays, access to national parks is free for residents, so there can be long lines at the entrances. Examples of public holidays that fall during peak season are June 14 (Flag Day), July 4 (Independence Day) and the first Monday in September (Labor Day).
• Before you start exploring the park, head to the visitor center to pick up a map and find out about possible routes or closed access points. Be warned: you'll want to buy everything in the gift shops!
• If you like collecting memories, bring a notebook and stamp it at each park. You'll find them at visitor centers, and some have really cool designs 😊 They also sell an exclusive park passport for this purpose!
• There are parks where, during peak season, you need to reserve a time slot in advance, such as Yosemite, Arches or Glacier. Without this reservation, you won't be allowed to enter!

How electricity works in the United States

Did you know that electricity in the United States runs at 110v instead of 220v? If you plan to take stuff such as hair dryers, electric shavers, epilators, etc. on your trip, make sure beforehand that they can operate at this voltage so as not to damage them. If they can, keep in mind that they'll operate at much lower power.

In addition to this, keep in mind that type A and B plugs are used in the USA, so you'll need an American plug adapter like this one or this universal adapter.

How tipping works in the United States

As strange as it may seem to us sometimes, in the United States it's mandatory to leave a tip in restaurants, whether you liked the service or not (although it's usually very good, precisely for this reason). It's also common for tour guides, taxi drivers, hotel staff who have provided you with a service, etc. to ask for a tip.

In restaurants, we have noticed that they expect at least 15-18% of the total bill; leaving less isn't well regarded. There are places where, if you go with a large group, a fixed tip amount is already established (we have seen up to 22%).

In our experience, we have encountered two ways of leaving tips:

• You pay by card and after accepting the bill amount, the screen will show you the % tip you want to leave. You can choose between 18%, 20%, 22%... but there is also the option to choose the amount yourself and type it in. ⚠️Remember that you have to type in the exact amount, not the %. We wanted to leave 15% and typed in 15, which resulted in a $15 tip (much more than we wanted to leave).
• You pay the bill by card, excluding the tip, they print out your receipt, and you have to write the exact amount of tip by hand, which they charge you once you've left.

💡2 things to remember...

-In the US, prices are listed without taxes, so the amounts you see on restaurant menus are not the final ones.
-Restaurants are required to offer free water, so if you want to save money, a good way to do so is to not order drinks (which are usually expensive).

We hope this information has been useful in helping you plan your trip to the West Coast of the United States!