Helpful Apps and Websites To Have Before You Travel

HELPFUL APPS AND WEBSITES TO HAVE BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

California is known for its diverse landscapes and microclimates, with everything from sun-drenched beaches to snow-capped mountains, dense forests to arid deserts. The state’s geography creates a wide range of weather patterns that can change dramatically, often within just a few miles. Being prepared to travel in California is crucial, as conditions can shift quickly—what feels like a warm, coastal breeze one moment can turn into chilly mountain air or intense desert heat shortly after. These ever-changing conditions often cause unexpected road closures. Understanding the local climate and packing accordingly ensures you’ll be ready to enjoy everything this stunning state has to offer. So we've put together a list of apps and websites that we would strongly recommend using!

CALTRANS ROAD CLOSURES

The CalTrans Road Closure website is an essential resource for anyone traveling in California, offering up-to-date information on road closures, detours, and traffic incidents across the state. It provides real-time updates on construction projects, emergencies, weather-related closures, and other disruptions that can affect travel. By using this site, drivers can plan their routes more efficiently, avoid delays, and ensure safer travels through California’s diverse and often unpredictable road conditions. This is easily the first website you should check for specific road closures along your route.

Link: CalTrans Road Closures

CALTRANS QUICKMAP APP

Want something a little more interactive and flexible? The CalTrans QuickMap app is what you want! The CalTrans Quick Map app is a valuable tool for California travelers, providing real-time map updates on road conditions, closures, incidents, and traffic information. This user-friendly app offers a variety of features, including live traffic cameras, weather alerts, and chain control information, making it easier to plan your journey and avoid delays. Whether you’re navigating city streets or remote highways, the Quick Map app ensures you stay informed and safe while traveling through California.

Link: CalTrans QuickMap App

CALFIRE FIRE ALERTS

Unfortunately, wildfires are a natural and regularly occurring part of California's landscape. Anyone visiting California for the first time should be aware that wildfires can occur, especially in the summer and fall, and it’s important to stay informed about fire conditions and safety precautions through local alerts and resources.

The CAL FIRE website is a crucial resource for staying informed about wildfire conditions, prevention efforts, and safety updates in California. It provides real-time information on active fires, evacuation orders, and air quality, along with resources for preparing for fire season. The site also offers details on fire prevention programs, emergency response plans, and ways to protect your property. By regularly checking the CAL FIRE website, residents and travelers can stay updated and make informed decisions during wildfire events.

Link: CalFire Fire Alerts

WATCH DUTY APP

The Watch Duty app is a valuable tool for staying informed about wildfires in California and other regions. It provides real-time updates on active fires, including maps, incident reports, and evacuation notices. The app offers push notifications, so users can receive alerts on nearby fires and changing conditions, helping them stay prepared and safe. Whether you’re a resident or traveler, Watch Duty is an essential app for tracking wildfire activity and ensuring timely responses during fire season.

Link: Watch Duty App

EARTHQUAKE WARNING

Do not be alarmed! There has not been a significant earthquake in California since 1989, and in the last 10 years, we've only ever felt one tiny earthquake. We are simply including this as a precautionary measure.

The Earthquake Warning website and the MyShake app are critical tools for earthquake preparedness in California. The website provides valuable information on receiving alerts, understanding earthquake risks, and preparing for seismic events. The MyShake app delivers real-time earthquake warnings directly to your phone, giving users precious seconds to take cover before shaking starts. Together, they help residents and visitors stay informed, prepared, and safe in earthquake-prone areas.

Link: California Earthquake Warning App

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

For incoming travelers to California, staying updated with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website is essential for ensuring health and safety during their visit. The site provides critical information on public health guidelines, vaccination requirements, COVID-19 updates, air quality alerts, and other health-related news that can impact travel plans. By regularly checking the CDPH website, travelers can stay informed about any health advisories, precautionary measures, or changes in regulations that may affect their trip, helping them to plan accordingly and stay safe.

Link: California Department of Health

RESERVE CALIFORNIA

Looking to book a campground in one of California's national or state parks? The Reserve California website is a vital tool for anyone looking to book campgrounds, parks, and recreational areas across California. It allows users to easily search for available campsites, make reservations, and manage their bookings for state parks, beaches, and other outdoor destinations. By using this site, travelers can ensure they secure a spot in some of the most popular and scenic areas of the state, making planning their outdoor adventures more convenient and organized.

Link: Reserve California

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS

Odds are, if you're visiting California, you have at LEAST one state park or beach on your itinerary. California has 280 state parks, offering a wide variety of landscapes, including beaches, forests, mountains, and deserts. These parks provide opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, wildlife watching, and historical exploration, showcasing the state’s diverse natural beauty and cultural heritage.

The California State Parks website is an essential resource for discovering and exploring the state’s vast array of parks and recreational areas. It provides detailed information on park locations, activities, events, and amenities, allowing visitors to plan their trips and make reservations for camping, hiking, and other outdoor experiences. Whether you’re looking for a coastal retreat or a rugged mountain adventure, the site helps you navigate California’s natural wonders and ensures a smooth and enjoyable visit to the state’s parks.

Link: California State Parks

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE APP

Similar to the state parks, there is a high probability you have at least one California national park on your bucket list. One of THE best resources to visiting not just California's national parks, but all of the national park units in the U.S, is the National Park Service (NPS) app.

The National Park Service app is an invaluable tool for exploring the U.S. national parks, providing users with detailed maps, visitor information, offline downloading and real-time updates on park conditions and events. The app allows users to plan their visits, access trail information, find points of interest, and learn about park history and wildlife. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or sightseeing, the NPS app helps enhance your experience by offering essential resources for a smooth and informative adventure in national parks across the country.

Link: National Park Service (NPS) App

VISIT CALIFORNIA

The Visit California website is the official tourism site for the state, designed to help travelers plan their trips by showcasing the best things to see and do in California. It provides information on attractions, accommodations, events, dining, and outdoor activities, along with detailed guides on various regions of the state. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach getaway, an adventurous hike, or a cultural experience, the website offers all the resources needed to create a memorable California vacation.

Link: Visit California

OTHER NON-CALIFORNIA SPECIFIC APPS

While these next few apps and services are not specific to California, we have found them to be invaluable for finding places and timing things correctly. The last thing you want is to arrive AFTER a beautiful sunset, or to the wrong location entirely. So these apps will help with that!

APPLE AND GOOGLE OFFLINE MAPS

Downloading offline maps on Apple or Google Maps is essential for traveling, especially in areas with limited or no cell service. These maps allow you to navigate roads, trails, and destinations without relying on an internet connection, ensuring you can find your way even in remote locations. Offline maps are particularly useful for road trips, hikes, or exploring national parks, providing peace of mind and reliable directions wherever your adventure takes you.

Link: Apple Maps

Link: Google Maps

ALLTRAILS

While Apple's and Google's own map apps have gotten better at including trail info, they aren't quite perfect yet. That's where AllTrails comes in. The AllTrails app is an essential resource for hikers, runners, and outdoor enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive database of trails around the world. It provides detailed maps, user reviews, and information on trail difficulty, length, and features like waterfalls or scenic views. The app also includes GPS tracking and offline map options, making it perfect for planning and navigating adventures in both well-known parks and remote areas. AllTrails helps ensure a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience for all skill levels.

Link: AllTrails

iOVERLANDER APP

Are you going to be traveling in an RV or camper? If so, then the iOverlander app is an absolute must! The iOverlander app is a valuable tool for travelers, especially those seeking camping, RV, and overlanding spots across the globe. It provides a crowdsourced database of campsites, rest areas, water sources, and service locations, with detailed user reviews and GPS coordinates. Whether you’re road-tripping through California or exploring remote areas, the app helps you find safe and convenient places to stay, refuel, and rest, making it an essential resource for adventurous travelers on the go.

Link: iOverland App

SUN SEEKER APP

The Sun Seeker app is a powerful tool for tracking the sun’s movement, helping users plan activities based on sunlight. It provides a detailed, interactive 3D view of the sun’s path across the sky for any location, showing the exact times of sunrise, sunset, and solar noon. Ideal for photographers, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone planning events or activities dependent on sunlight, the app allows you to optimize your day, whether you’re hiking, camping, or capturing the perfect shot.

Link: Sun Seeker App

MOON SEEKER APP

Similar to Sun Seeker, the Moon Seeker app is designed for users who want to track the moon’s phases, rise and set times, and its position in the sky. It provides detailed, location-based information, helping users plan activities like stargazing, photography, or moonlit hikes. The app displays the moon’s current phase, as well as future lunar events, like eclipses or supermoons. It's also perfect for identifying where the Milky Way is located. Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast or just enjoy moonlit nights, Moon Seeker helps you make the most of the celestial experience.

Link: Moon Seeker App

Have questions about anything listed above? Or do you feel like we missed something? Let us know! Send us a message or email, we'd love to hear from you!