Getting Around in California

Pictured is a transportation bike that allows you to take a ride and leave the peddling to someone one else. Such rides exist in beach cities along the coast such as San Diego and Huntington Beach. These bikes are usually located along the waterfront at Seaport Village and the marina in San Diego, and near the pier in Huntington Beach. San Diego rides charge money, while the Huntington Beach option is free and you tip the driver.

When you need a lift, there are some interesting options for getting around in California.

At the beach you may want to hop on a surrey bike you can rent, ride a bike that somebody else pedals, or take a free shuttle bus in places such as Laguna Beach.

In San Pedro you can hop on a Port of Los Angeles Waterfront Red Car Line that runs up and down Harbor, and connects to a bus that take people to Cabrillo Beach.

In Napa there are some unique rickshaws that provide rides for travelers for a small fee.

And in San Francisco you can always take the Cable Car.

Oceanside has a rail system with three different types of trains to accommodate those heading into San Diego.

Many cities now offer Segway rentals to see the sites and sounds around a town.

While the skateboard still remains a viable mode of transportation in California, some cities have ordinances about riding them in certain places or taking them into buildings, which makes life a challenge when it is your mode of transportation.

Bicycles continue to be the top non-car option. Most larger cities with attractions such as beaches or mountains offer bike rentals.

Part of the joy or pain of visiting a place includes the logistics of getting around. Even some cities you can even see the landscape from a hot air balloon. Such places include Temecula, Palm Desert, Napa and Sonoma.

One of the best places to get a free ride is Laguna Beach. A trolley bus runs throughout the summer and winter, connecting travelers throughout the city.

Best place to rent a bike is Redondo Beach. When people come calling for sales calls, the Crowne Plaza marketing department will often take their guests out for a courtesy ride to show them the how many people get around on a bike. It is a lifestyle that connects the South Bay cities all the way from Redondo Beach to Santa Monica--and you stay on dedicated bike paths with other riders.

Best place to take a train is San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles. It is such a great opportunity to be able to take an affordable ride. The best deal of all is in Los Angeles on the Metro Rail system where most rides are around $1.50. That's cheap!

While the boat is another mode of transportation not to be overlooked, the rides that used to be cheap have gone up in price. Still the best deals are the ferry in Balboa ($1 person) and the Water Taxi in Long Beach, around $1.

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