AboutSuzan Jackson Expertise I am a writer specializing in topics related to family, especially enjoying travel and the outdoors with children. My husband and I have traveled extensively with our own 2 sons - now ages 10 and 14 - since they were infants. I can advise on travel by air or car and on a variety of destinations across the US. We also enjoy many outdoor activities with our sons. For more information, see my websites: www.travelfamily.net and www.outdoorfamily.net.
Experience Traveling with my own 2 boys since they were infants, by air and car, to a wide variety of destinations, both urban and outdoor. Writing about travel with children.
Publications FAMILY FUN magazine
See my website www.travelfamily.net for articles and tips on traveling with kids.
Question My husband and I are traveling with our 3 year old son to California for a tour in December. Since we are coming from other country it will be difficult to be carrying our son's car seat. Do we need to bring his car seat or is there a car seat for rent? If yes, how much? Or does cabs provide car seat?
Thank you.
Answer Dear Grace -
You don't mention whether you'll be renting a car in California. If so, all rental companies now allow you to rent car seats, and some rental car companies have cars with integrated child seats. For either of these options, just be sure to reserve one ahead of time.
If you won't be renting a car but will be riding in someone else's car and/or using taxis, then you have some different options to consider. Here in the US, car seat requirements vary by state. Here is a state-by-state guide to car seat laws:
I took a quick look at California law on that website, and it requires that a child under 6 years old or 60 pounds ride in a car seat in the back seat. California law also requires car rental agencies to provide car seats for rental. Many states have an exemption to the car seat law for taxis, but I didn't see that in my reading of the California law - you may want to read through it more thoroughly. I've never seen a cab that provided car seats, but I don't often travel in California.
Regardless of the law, of course, you may want your child in a car seat for safety. When our kids were younger, we always brought our own car seat. We had a special bag for carrying it through the airport (they're widely available for about $30-$40). We actually preferred to have the car seat on the plane with us because our sons were both more comfortable and safer flying with their own car seats. You can also check the car seat with your luggage (again, a carrying bag is best to protect it). Here's one at amazon.com for only $18:
If you don't want to bring your own car seat, you might consider borrowing one from someone, if you have friends or family in California. Perhaps they can find one for you from a family whose child has recently outgrown it.
Those are some of your options. I hope this information helps you. Enjoy your trip!
