The minimum driving age in California (as in the rest of the USA) is 16 years and cars drive on the right. All valid national licences are acceptable, but an International Driving Permit (IDP) is preferred. US insurance is mandatory. National Interstate Highways can only be entered or exited at specific interchanges and have even numbers from east to west (I-8 near the Mexican border) and odd numbers from north to south.

Tolls on roads, bridges and tunnels are commonplace. Speed limits are typically 56kph (35mph) in cities and 113kph (70mph) on the Interstate, unless otherwise posted. Drivers on the West Coast, however, tend to go faster. All occupants of the car must wear seat belts and passengers under 12 must be seated in the back. Drivers may turn right at a red light, if the way is clear. A flashing red traffic light is the same as a stop sign, which means that it is necessary to come to a full stop and proceed when safe.

The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.08% but California has strict drink-driving laws. You can be charged regardless of blood alcohol amount if the police can prove the alcohol affected your driving. Penalties may be given at 0.04%. The Zero Tolerance Law, stricter for drivers under 21 years of age, can revoke the licence of drivers with a blood-alcohol content of 0.01% for one year on the first offence. Driving and parking on steep hills may require special care.

The American Automobile Association - AAA (tel: 1 800 922 8228; website: www.aaa.com) provides information and may offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries. Also see www.caldrive.com for information.

Emergency breakdown service: AAA (tel: 1 800 222 4357 or AAA HELP).

Routes to the city: Major highways are Route 80, the transcontinental highway from the east via Salt Lake City, Interstate 5, stretching to Seattle in the north and San Diego in the south, and Route 101, the north-south thoroughfare. The scenic and meandering coastal road, Highway 1 or PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), has incomparable ocean views, but it also has many intersections and traffic lights, which make for a longer trip. Both Santa Cruz and Monterey are on Highway 1. From both cities, drivers can take this scenic route (Highway 1) or connect to Highway 17 for the Interstate 280 north, which cuts down driving time.

Approximate driving times to San Francisco: From Santa Cruz - 2 hours; Monterey - 2 hours 30 minutes; Lake Tahoe - 4 hours; Los Angeles - 8 hours; Seattle - 21 hours.

Coach services: Greyhound (tel: 1 800 231 2222; website: www.greyhound.com) provides the most extensive bus service throughout the USA. The station is the Transbay Terminal, 425 Mission Street, South of Market (tel: (415) 495 1569). Regular long-distance services include Los Angeles, Seattle and Lake Tahoe.