Top Tips for California COVID Road Tripping

Anie Jonas
3 min readMar 5, 2021

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California has had a rather tumultuous time over the past five months. With the ever-changing COVID restrictions varying from county to county as well as the battle against California wildfires, it’s easy to see how you might think twice about your trip to the Golden State. However, as authorities retake hold of the reigns on both of these issues, the number of hotels in California open to the public has dramatically increased.

As fall sets in, many people are also considering returning to those holiday plans they might have missed over the summer, and furthermore, staying closer to home. California, what with its open roads and diverse scenery has always been a prime candidate for that magical American road trip. However, if you’re considering the long road down route 101, here are some tips to help you navigate the often complex post-COVID tourist culture.

You’ll No Longer Be Fined for Inessential Travel

Inessential travel has been phased out in most counties since June. COVID spike dependent, guests driving through California are allowed to visit tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants and much more, meaning that you can drive across the state and stay at great value hotels like the Good Nite Inn.

Infection Rates May Vary From County To County

That being said, the potent cocktail of COVID sikes and wildfires may restrict access to some areas. Mostly rural, the wildfires have exacerbated the openings of rural tourist attractions and areas. It’s best then, to keep an eye on updates from the areas your planning to visit and make sure that they are safe to travel to.

So Keep An Eye On Your Hotel’s Status

Alongside researching county updates, it’s also wise to keep an eye on your hotel booking’s status. Whilst all Good Nite Inn hotels have COVID 19 responder rooms, infections in the area may force temporary shutdowns of your next stop on your road trip. Luckily, many hotels have organised flexible cancellation policies that make sure that you’ll lose no money on a booking that has been deemed prohibited.

Tourist Attractions May Have Restricted Access

Whilst huge tourist attractions like Disneyland and SeaWorld have reopened, parts of the parks may very well be running at reduced capacity. This goes for all museums, tourist attractions and entertainment venues, which allow for visitors under social distancing guidelines but may close earlier and might be partly closed.

Remember to Follow Social Distancing Guidelines

Whether you’re visiting one of the many LA cinemas or you’re making the most of the local area during a city stay using a Good Nite Inn promo code, make sure that you retain social distance and adhere to government guidelines. Masks are still compulsory in public-facing areas, and social distance of at least 2 metres must be maintained.

Make Alternative Plans

Though all but a few of the Good Nite Inn hotels are open and ready for guests, some areas might come under temporary and fast-acting restrictions. If you’re worried that an area you’re travelling to will soon come under COVID restrictions, make sure that you have a Plan B in your pocket for alternative routes and destinations. There’s a lot to see in California, and a massive 58 counties, all with their own unique personalities.

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