Anna SarjeantDeputy Lifestyle and Travel Editor, Audience·NZ Herald·7 Aug, 2026 07:30 PM7 mins to read‌California road trip guide: Budget tips and border advice for Kiwis. Photo / Getty ImagesCalifornia road trip guide: Budget tips and border advice for Kiwis. Photo / Getty ImagesHow to make a US road trip effortless and a little more affordable? It’s easier than you think. Here, Anna Sarjeant addresses border issues and budget fears.

In May 2026, I spent seven days in Southern California with my husband and two young kids on a road trip covering Ventura,