Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/929711
38 maltatoday SUNDAY 21 JANUARY 2018 Travel ≠≠ THE NATIVE Travelling is always risky business – get stuck in a touristy area and your meals are terrible. The same can be said of sightseeing, hotels and nightspots. Travelling to a place where you know people to recommend the right places makes your stay all the more enjoyable. Sasha Shumarayeva, 25, was born in Berkeley, California, and lived throughout California for 20 years. If you're taking a California road trip, these are the places she recommends to hang out like a native. NEED TO KNOW How to get there There are no direct flights between the USA and Malta. A connection somewhere in Europe is required to get there. Connections are typically in Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, or Rome. Fly into Los Angeles and rent a car and cruise your way down the Pacific Coast Best time to visit California is a year-round destination, with weather that has something for everyone— from sun worshippers to snow bunnies. The best time to visit really comes down to what you want to see and do. Much of California has a Mediterranean-like climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. On the coast, the average daily high temperature hovers around 21°C, but can occasionally spike to 27° C or more on hottest summer days; freezing temperatures are rare, even in winter. Most vacationers head to California during the peak summer months (June through August); that's when you can expect the biggest crowds at top attractions, and high-season rates at lodgings and resorts. Currency The currency is the American dollar. Visas For people from Malta and the European Union, a valid passport and an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) document are required to travel to the USA. An ETA can be applied for online using a valid passport, credit or debit card, and email address. California Sasha Shumarayeva takes us on a California Road Trip BEST SPOT FOR SIGHTSEEING The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most iconic drives in the world and there's just no better way to experience California than a true Cali road trip along the coast to a great playlist. Fly into Los Angeles (California's major international airport), get a sweet rental car, stock up on snacks and drive north towards San Francisco. Some must-see stops along the way include the Hol- lywood Hills (hike to the Hollywood sign), Santa Monica, Venice Beach (check out the boardwalk), Malibu, Monterey (head to the aquarium), Santa Cruz (ride the classic wooden roller coaster) and everyone's favourite - San Francisco - for sightseeing and clam chowder galore. The Big Sur section of the Pacific Coast Highway hugs a national park and it is breath-taking. Stop here for at least half a day to hike in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Don't forget to say 'Hi' to the resident el- ephant seals along the way. BEST PLACE TO EAT IN-N-OUT! I'm just starting to realise my Americanness when the first thing that comes to mind when I think of California is In-N-Out… and those glorious Mexican food trucks. In-N-Out is basically high- quality fast food which for years was only available in California. Fresh potatoes are cut right in front of you – no frozen bags here. They have traditional American milkshakes and I should mention their "secret menu" which includes grilled cheese for vegetarians and "animal style" every- thing. You can pretty much order any menu item "animal style". You won't be sorry.