We’ve done trips both way, and we definitely have our opinion about which is best, but we’ll try to be objective and lay it out the best we can.
If you’re going TO California, or traveling FROM California with kids, we very strongly believe that a road trip is the way to go.
I took my then one year old son Brendan to China, and he was a famous little celebrity over there. We also spent two months in Puerto Rico a few years back. Both required flight, obviously.
Oh yeah, I cited my travel cred.
When traveling in Oahu with tiny kids, long flights are unbearable. Not so much for me as everyone around me. Yeah, I said it, I’ve been “that guy.” The Puerto Rico trip was really affordable, but it was still too far, and the rental car we got was too small.
The last time we flew by air it was traumatic. Our autistic boy was forced into the worthless bomb sniffing machine where he promptly freaked the unholy hell out… yeah, we decided air travel wasn’t for us at that point.
Some benefits of road-tripping semi-locally:
– You can pack ALL your stuff with no extra baggage fee.(Your best inflatable paddle board, Fishing pole, scuba or climbing gear)
– Bring bikes, kayaks and other big stuff without hassle.
– Your (medical, dental and auto) insurance still works.
– Attraction just out of town? Drive there!
– Attraction 30-miles out of town? Drive there!
– Unlike on a tour bus, you can always stop to eat, stretch, etc.
– When multiplied by 3 or more travelers, gas is cheaper than airfare.
– You can bring your pets without stuffing them in as (costly) luggage.
– Ability to cater your tour exactly to your desires.
The disadvantages of taking a road trip:
– Drive time can be tedious and boring.
– You have to stay within about 1,000 miles of home.
– If the car breaks, it’s your car, and you’re stuck.
– Dealing with your spouse/kids on such a long trip.
We’re obviously big fans of travel. We’ve covered attractions across the US and into other countries, both by land and by air… okay, yes, and also by a little bit of sea.
To see California properly, and for that matter, to see the Pacific Northwest, you really need wheels. Even if you have to rent, and you can, I recommend Enterprise, but you do need wheels.