This is a guest post by Kieron, one-half of the team at travel blog Don’t Ever Look Back. With the support of Fox Rent a Car, Kieron and his partner Amy drove around California for 12 days last month and will be sharing some of their stories on the Fox Rent A Car Blog.

Our Fox Rent A Car California Road Trip has come and gone and we look back at our 12 days on the road with wonderful memories. As with any great road trip, it was filled with plenty of highlights as we navigated the roads and highways of the Golden State with ease in the Chevy Cruze provided by Fox.

There really is so much to see and do in California that you could take a lot longer than we did and still miss out on so much. Here are 5 of our favorite destinations – hopefully this can inspire you to follow in our footsteps, rent a Fox Rent A Car and explore this magnificent state.

1. South Lake Tahoe

Whether it’s summer or winter, there’s always something to do in South Lake Tahoe. If it’s warm, give the fast-growing sport of stand-up paddleboarding a try out on the lake. And if there’s snow, world-class skiing is right on your doorstep.

2. Yosemite National Park

Words can’t even begin to describe how beautiful Yosemite National Park is and you definitely want to spend at least a couple of nights here. Base yourself in the spectacular Yosemite Valley and explore the park from there.

3. Los Angeles

LA is the second largest metropolitan area in the United States and a must-visit on any trip through California. Some of our highlights? Santa Monica/Venice Beach, the Hollywood Sign and the area of Beverly Hills.

4. The Beaches of Orange County

There are some great beaches along the coast of Orange County so if the weather is nice, head down there! Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach are the better-known ones but there are several others to check out.

5. Disneyland

If you’re traveling with children (or are a big kid at heart!), you absolutely want to stop at Disneyland, located in Anaheim. Get there early, enjoy your day and make sure you stay for the fireworks spectacular at the end of the night.

If you want to read more about our California Road Trip adventures, check out our Road Trip page at Don’t Ever Look Back.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

The number one topic people wanted to hear about on our survey was ways to save.

We can do that!

Fox already provides a number of ways to save on car rentals. Here are a few that highlight some of the best ways.

Image courtesy of owenwbrown

1. Last Minute Deals

Score last minute deals with the Fox Hot Deals.

On our main website, you’ll find the lowest rates for the next two weeks.

2. Loyal Customers

The Fox Rent A Car Rewards Program is the best way to save on car rentals.

Earn points with each rental and use them on your next rental with Fox Bucks. Your points are applied directly to your next rental car. You’re allowed to use them whenever you’d like.

You can also redeem points for gift certificates. You can pick a Super Certificate on the Gift Certificates website, for a larger list of stores.

Give By Category

3. Coupons for Friends

Get discounts on a variety of cars and locations from our Facebook Specials.

“Like” us and the discounts will be yours!

You can also Check-In to our locations and receive upgrades and more!

About Fox Rent A Car

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Traveling is tough when you’re young.

You don’t have that much money, and it’s hard to get a hotel or transportation.

But it just got a little bit easier.

Fox Rent A Car is pleased to announce that we now rent to 20 year olds. College kids now have the chance to save big with Fox on their next big trip.

Fox has an attractive selection for young drivers, including economy through SUVs, convertibles, Jeeps® and luxury vehicles.

With Fox’s Choice Program, renters can select their preferred make, model and color upon pick up.

“We are a discount rental agency,” stated Jakub Kopiczak, Marketing Manager. “Our low prices are attractive to everyone, including budget minded students and youth. By allowing this age group more options, we feel we’ll attract a larger clientele base. Our goal is to be a low cost value leader across the board.”

Fox Rent A Car serves 13 airport locations, including:

• Phoenix (PHX),
• Salt Lake City (SLC),
• Los Angeles (LAX),
• Ontario (ONT),
• Burbank (BUR),
• Oakland (OAK),
• San Jose (SJC),
• Orange County (SNA),
• Las Vegas (LAS),
• San Diego (SAN),
• Seattle (SEA),
• San Francisco (SFO) and
• Denver (DEN)

Many other airports are serviced by Fox affiliates. The complete list of all airports could be found in Fox website.

About Fox Rent A Car

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

We’re now on Facebook Places and Foursquare!

Fox Rent A Car is pleased to announce that we’re now on Facebook Places and Foursquare! This will allow us to help deliver a better experience, and enable us to connect and reward our loyal customers.

What is Facebook Places?

Facebook Places is a service that lets you do several things:

• Share Where you Are
• Connect with Friends Nearby
• Find Local Deals

How do I Use Facebook Places?

You can find Fox Rent A Car by going to your mobile device:

Or you can find us by searching:

You’ll be able find the address, map, and contact information for each of our U.S. corporate locations.

What is Foursquare?

Foursquare is a location-based service just like Facebook Places.

Simply download the app on most smart phones:

How do I Check-In

Now search for the location, and simply “Check-In”.

Customer Loyalty Specials

Using Facebook Places and Foursquare locations will allow us to provide location-specific specials to reward and thank our loyal customers! In the future, when you arrive at Fox Rent A Car to pick up your car, all you have to do is “Check-In” and receive the free special. Over the next few weeks, we will be adding specials to several locations.

What locations would you like to see first? Let us know in the comments!

About Fox Rent A Car

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Visiting the Grand Canyon in winter has many advantages. Not only are there fewer visitors and lesser crowds, the scenery is breathtaking. The place was designated a national park in 1919 and while the north rim is not accessible after mid October, the south rim is a great place to be.

About 277 miles long and 18 miles across, the greatest abyss in the world is more than a mile deep. A visit in the winter here will allow you to engage in all kind of winter sports as you take in the beauty of the place.

Grand Canyon in Winter – Reservations

Even though the place is not too crowded in winter, it is always a good idea to make your reservations in advance. The Xanterra booking service will help you find the lodges that have availability so that you can check the ones that are open. Choices range from the classic lodge to the historic cabin and you can expect to pay anywhere between $55 and $300 depending on what you choose. Some of the popular lodges in the south rim are Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins, El Tovar Hotel, Kachina Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge and the Yavapai Lodge.

Grand Canyon in Winter – Weather

Winter can be very extreme on the south rim at the Grand Canyon. Be prepared for snow, ice and sleet covered roads and road closures that may disrupt plans at times. At 6950 feet you need to ensure that you have adequate layers of clothing that you can depend on. Warm jackets that are water proof, warm pants, gloves and thick woolen socks are a must. In addition to that make sure that you have warm headgear too.

Grand Canyon in Winter – Sightseeing

There may be days when hiking is not possible due to the weather. These are the days when you can go sightseeing. The El Tovar Lodge has a cozy lobby that you can enjoy anytime. The Hopi House is a multistory stone mason building and gives details about the Arizona native cultures. Hermit’s Rest is another place that you can drive down to. It is located at the end of the West Rim and is about a 9 mile drive from the Grand Canyon Village.

Grand Canyon in Winter – Driving There

Driving to the Great Canyon may be a good idea especially if you are not going there in the peak winter time. But driving all the way from your home town may not be a great idea since it will tire you out. Fly to one of the smaller airports near the park and consider renting a car. It will be easier for you get inside the Grand Canyon too. The charge per vehicle is $25 and you will be able to cover a wider area if you have your own car.

Some interesting things that you can do at the Grand Canyon in winter include rim drives, sunrise and sunset trips, day hikes and mule rides. A hike down the Bright Angel Trail to Indian Garden and the south Kaibab Trail to Clear Ridge is a good one. No special permissions are required for day hikes. If you are planning to hike, make sure that you bring along sturdy hiking boots that have good ankle support so that you do not hurt yourself on the rocky stones.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Visiting Yosemite in Winter is a very special experience. Snowy peaks and icy forests give it a special tranquil atmosphere, that you can enjoy in solitude, without hordes of day-trip tourists all over the pace.  The Yosemite National Park spans the counties of Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera in East Central California and reaches the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It is estimated that the park is visited by about 3.7 million people every year and most of these spend their time in the Yosemite Valley. The Park is known for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, streams, Giant Sequoia groves and biological diversity. The elevation range of the park is between 2127 and 13114 feet.

During the winter the Yosemite National Park becomes extremely serene as it is shrouded in white snow. Since there is a lesser amount of crowd, the park makes for a great place for skiing, skating and hikes too.

Yosemite National Park in Winter: Winter Sports

There are various skiing opportunities at the Yosemite National Park. You can choose to ski during the daytime at the Glacier Point or choose the Giant Sequioa Groves too. If you are an enthusiast and have confidence in your skiing skills, you can choose to take an overnight skiing trip to the backcountry trails at Tuolumne Meadows. There are also snowshoeing options at Badger Pass too. Some other trail options include Dewey Point via Meadows #18, Ostrander Lake and Ghost Forest Loop. Those who want to learn skiing can attend classes and there are even classes for the young ones on smaller slopes.

Before you start off on your own it is a good idea to get to know the rules of the specific location where you are headed. Understand the facilities that you are likely to get at the location and what is permitted. For example, you should be aware of the areas where motor vehicles are permitted before you think of driving anywhere inside the park.

Ice Skating is another activity that you can choose and the Curry Village Ice Rink is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. The dramatic view of the rock walls and open snow is one to remember. Located near Glacier Point, this rink was build in 1960 keeping in mind that it received sun only for a few hours in the morning.

Seasoned hikers may love the challenge that is posed by Yosemite National Park in winters. The Mariposa Grove Road that is closed to cars and vehicles during the winter makes for a great hiking trail from November onwards.

Other winter activities include snowboarding and snow-tubing. You can also enjoy bus tours, evening presentations, Yosemite Ranger walks and more.

Yosemite National Park in Winter: Getting There

It is practical to inquire about the road conditions before you set off to the Yosemite Park in the winter. For the latest road conditions inside the park you can call (209)372-0200 and then select 1 twice to get the information you want. For road conditions on roads that lead to the Yosemite National Park, visit the site for more information.

When you are driving, make sure that you carry a map, tire chains, flashlight, bottled water and snacks, sleeping bag, first aid kit, spare tire, matches, snow shovel, ice scraper and a cell phone with an extra battery.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Kings Canyon is located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and is about a five hour drive from each of the cities. It is a one-hour drive from the city of Fresno. This makes Kings Canyon the perfect Weekend Camping and Hiking getaway from to major metropolitan areas in beautiful California.

Other than the fact that the place provides grand scenery and serene atmosphere, the fact that the national park is relatively less crowded as compared to say the Yosemite National Park makes it a hot favorite among nature lovers, adventurers, trail hunters and animal lovers.

Kings Canyon: Getting There

You can get to Kings Canyon by taking Highway 245 or 180. Highway 245 is also mentioned as the shorter route in many maps. However, the drive is a 31 mile drive on winding road that has a speed limit of 15mph. Taking Highway 180 is probably better since it is a relatively easier route and one can speed up to 55 mph.

Kings Canyon: Best Time to Go

Kings Canyon is open throughout the year. Since it is relatively less crowded you can find a place to stay even if you book a day before in most cases. While you can enjoy the wildflower blossoms and the waterfalls in summer and spring, visitors in winter cane experience the canyon in its snowy beauty. Fall visitors are typically those who prefer to go after the hot sun has become more generous.

Kings Canyon: Entrance Fee

Entrance to the park is at $20 per vehicle. Cyclists and pedestrians are charged $10 per head. The entrance fee includes parking charges for up to 7 days. Commercial vehicles are charged an entrance fee based on the capacity of the vehicle.

If you are an avid outdoor person and see yourself driving to this amazing location more than once a year, the Sequoia/Kings Canyon park pass at $30 may make better money sense. If you opt for the National Park Pass you shall be able to visit all national parks for a year. This is priced at $50. Please note that the entrance fee includes that for the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National park.

Kings Canyon: Lodging and Camping

You can register and check in at Cedar Grove Lodge if you are visiting Kings Canyon between April and October. But if you are going there earlier or later in the year then you might want to stay at the Grant Grove Cabins & John Muir Lodge that is open throughout the year.

If you are looking for some camping fun, then you may need to check about the camping grounds too. The camping grounds are located in the most amazing oak woodlands and then there are some that are located higher up in the conifer forests too. Remember that the camping grounds are likely to be cooler than the resort lodging and so do come prepared. Do check whether the  camping ground you are booking allows RV’s if you are driving into the national park in one.

Kings Canyon: Things to do

The giant redwood trees are a feature that you should not miss at any cost even if you are here for a day. The General Sherman Tree and the General Grant Tree are favorites. If you are staying for longer there are various things that you can do including a visit to the other areas of the Sequoia park too.

- Crystal Cave – Visit this stalactite and stalagmite beauty that you may be able to access only in summer. Tickets here include a guided tour of 45 minutes through numerous rocky surfaces.

- Moro rock – When you are on the top of this monolith you will be able to see the Great Western Divide on one side and the Central Valley on the other, a sight that you will not forget in a hurry. You can get to the top via the 400 steps and reach a level of 300 feet. The round trip may take about an hour.

- Buck Rock – Created as a fire lookout, the highest point is at 8500 feet.

- Hume Lake – Created to supply water to the flume where logs floated, the Hume Lake is now used for water recreation like swimming and paddle boating.

Kings Canyon: Best Hiking Trails

Some of the most popular trails at Kings Canyon include:

-          Hotel Creek Trail

-          Mist Falls Trail

-          Redwood Mountain Grove Trail

-          Lady Bug Trail

-          Atwell-Hockett Trail

-          Tar Gap Trail

-          Mosquito/Mineral Trail

-          Farewell Gap Trail

-          Sawtooth Trail

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Going to a National Park can be a lot of fun for kids, especially when they love to explore. Many people feel that you can make the most of a trip to a National Park only if you are with adult outdoor lovers so that you can accomplish the trails that you set out to complete or climb rocks and watch animals. However, there are so many activities that you can do with kids in a National Park too; it will be a lot of fun for the whole family and close the bond among you even more. Fox Rent A Car presents some of those activities to you, all you need to do is to pick the ones that are appropriate to your kids’ age.

Fun for Kids in National Parks: Water activities

Most National Parks have natural water sources like lakes, springs, rivers and ponds as part of the overall landscape. At many of them a number of activities are allowed. Swimming in a still river, fishing in a lake or pond and rafting with your pre-teen are some of the activities that all of you can enjoy together. You can always find supplies like fishing gear and rafts on rent. It is important though that you ensure all the safety aspects when you take your kid on such an adventurous trip.  Follow the rules that may apply, especially for fishing and rafting. Maintain those rules, be a good example and have a wonderful day in and at lakes and rivers at our National Parks.

Fun for Kids in National Parks: Winter Sports

If you are visiting the National Park in winters there is likely to be a separate set of activities that you can plan to keep the family together and everyone happy. Typically you can enjoy snowshoeing, snowboarding and skiing too. At most places there are classes and training that is also managed for the young ones. Make sure to take advantage of this option if you are staying at a National Park for a while and take a snowboarding class together! It’s hard to have more fun than practicing it as a family.

Fun for Kids in National Parks: Backpacking

Check out some small trails that are easy and you will be able to take your kids along the path too. You may take some extra time in completing the trail but exposing your children to nature and adventure is a great thing to do together at this age, and very important for your kid’s development and education. Most importantly: its fun! Take proper trail maps so that you know exactly where you are heading to. One person should always travel without a backpack in case you need to piggy back one of the younger ones. Make sure that you also maintain the ‘leave no trace’ policy and follow all food storage regulations.

Fun for Kids in National Parks: Camping

When you go to a National Park with your children, camping itself is a great activity that you can indulge in. Teaching the younger ones how to pitch a tent is the first event of a camping trip! Grilling sausages on the fire and playing family board games in the evening together can bond a family like nothing else. Most camping places are safe, but always make sure that all of you are safe and sound all the time. Head out for some picnics and explore the closer area. This way, you won’t have to carry things too far, yet see a different surrounding. Your kids will love it!

What do you like most to do when you visit a National Park with your kids? Tell us your stories and adventures, we are excited to hear them!

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Who could imagine that just a short drive from San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge, lies Muir Woods with all its resplendent beauty? The old-growth redwood forest of Muir Woods National Monument are also covered under the aegis of The Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It is considered to be the best tree lover’s monument across the country.
Some of the tallest trees also called the mammoth trees that thrive in California and South Oregon can be seen here. The 550 acre woods are names after the famous naturalist John Muir, also founder of the Sierra Club.

Muir Woods – Getting there

Sponsored by Marin Transit and the National Park Service, Route 66 is probably the best way to get to Muir Woods without navigating through the maddening traffic. While it can also be reached via the Golden Gate, this is a relatively more well known route among those who have been to this location earlier and likely to be more congested. A round trip costs $3 for an adult while the elderly, children and people with disabilities need to pay only $1. There are bus transit connections from San Francisco, Sausalito, Northern Marin County and ferry connections from San Francisco as well.

Muir Woods – Timing

Muir Woods are open for all from 8am in the morning till sunset. Therefore the time of closure depends on the time at which the sun is expected to set that evening. It is a good idea to plan to arrive before 10am in the summers, failing which postponing the visit after 3pm is recommended.

Muir Woods – Cost

Entry for adults costs $3 and the same is free for children under the age of 15.

Muir Woods – Activities

Hike Dipsea Trail – This trail that runs from visitor’s center to Cathedral Grove is easy and paved into a loop. The walk is covered amidst some of the oldest redwood trees that are sometimes more than 250 feet tall. Branch off into the Dipsea trail and then towards the Ben Johnson cutoff to catch a view of Mount Tamalpais. If you do not take the Ben Johnson cutoff you can go right up to the Stinson Beach.
Salmon Spawning – In the redwood Creek you will be able to see both coho and steelhead salmon. Their mating dance is an amazing thing to watch with tail flapping in the rainy season.
Biking on Mount Tamalpais – Since these woods sit at the base or lower levels of Mount Tamalpais, you can choose the nearby Elridge trail in the Mount Tamalpais State Park if you are so inclined. Once at the top you can get the most mesmerizing view of the Marin Headlands and the bay.

Muir Woods – Flora and Fauna

While there is a fair amount of flora and fauna that lies within the forests, most of these are dominated by the large and awe inspiring trees. The Stellar Jays do tend to lay their claim on the attention that is due to them. The numerous beautiful ladybugs clustered together by the thousand can generally be seen on the horsetail ferns. The banana slug intrigues and disgusts everyone alike.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Southern California is a well-known destination for snorkelers and divers. Beautiful beaches, clear water and the perfect weather allow great views and a spectacular underwater experience to visitors. Divers and Fox Rent A Car recommend the areas around Santa Catalina Island, Santa Barbara Island and San Clemente Island for wonderful diving spots in Southern California.

Diving in Southern California: Santa Catalina Island

Casino Point Underwater Park is close to Santa Catalina’s coast and a great place for diving and snorkeling. Several wrecks and clean water ensure a gorgeous marine life that you can hardly find anywhere else. Automatically, this is one of the most famous diving sites in Southern California and the nearby cities are prepared to host a number of adventurous visitors. The surf is quite calm and divers usually have a clear visibility. What you need here is a curious mind and a camera to capture those impressive moments in your mind and on a photo. Casino Point Underwater Park allows you to easily see a variety of plants and animals and you will realize very quickly how important it is to protect such habitats from pollution and destruction.

Diving in Southern California: Santa Barbara Island

This island is famous for the huge population of sea lions and harbor seals. The animals are used to the humans and their boats, so take the chance and swim with them! The waters around Santa Barbara Island belong to a National Park and are very clear. Divers have a good visibility which makes the island a very frequently visited diving spot in Southern California. Other animals that you can find around Santa Barbara Island include bat rays and Angel sharks. If you get lucky and currents are weak, check Underwater Arch and Sutil Rock for more depth and exciting terrain. During the fishing season catch some lobster and sea bass.

Diving in Southern California: San Clemente Island

The waters around San Clemente Island belong to the most favorite ones for many divers. The size and variety of dive spots motivate many people to take the 6-hour overnight transit from Long Beach just to see the gorgeous corals and marine life. The visibility is excellent, and there are more than 50 dive sites spread over 25 kilometers. Among others, San Clemente Island is home to the shipwreck of the USS Butler, many deep water reef systems, and big fishes. Other sites are the Twin Caves, White Bluff, and Fisheye.

The islands of the coast of Southern California are a great place to go diving and snorkeling. Take the time to see the beautiful underwater habitat, Fox Rent A Car wishes you a great time on your diving trip in Southern California.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.