Moving During The Summertime

Summertime is the most popular time during the year to move. It’s easier to move around while working up a sweat during warmer weather. The cooler months make moving unbearable, especially if the climate is snowy. Relocating happens almost always during the peak months (Memorial to Labor Day Weekend) because some people may have time off and it’s easier to move a family with children in grade school. Although the summertime allows you to move comfortably while moving, they’re still challenges such as rising heat and humidity that can make moving a little more stressful. Lifting heavy furniture and boxes in the sun isn’t easy to do, so here are a few tips to help you out:

Get An Early Start

They say the hottest hours of the day are between 11 am – 3 pm, so waking up early to get a head start is the best way to go. We always hear the saying about getting more done with an early start, and in this case, it’s true. Once the heat rises, your pace may slow down so take advantage of the cooler temperatures in the morning to make the start of your move easier. 

Dress Appropriately

One important thing is attire, you want to make sure you’re wearing comfortable clothing that breathable. Closed-toe shoes are a must in protecting your feet from being injured. Fabrics such as cotton and linens are the way to go and try to avoid wearing darker colors and stick to lighter summer colors. Sunglasses are great at blocking out the rays, but a baseball cap or a visor does a better job of keeping your vision clear. This way you can eliminate the risk of dropping your sunglasses.

Stay Hydrated

During the move, you’ll work up a sweat and become dehydrated throughout the way. It is so important to bring a full day’s supply of water to keep yourself quenched. A hydro flask filled with ice-cold water is sure to not only keep you hydrated but also refreshed as well. Staying hydrated eliminates the risk of muscle cramps, headaches, and fatigue. 

Wear Sunscreen

Sunscreen is one of the most overlooked steps in our daily lives. More often than not, people skip wearing sunscreen while being exposed to the harmful UV rays that can cause permanent damage to your skin. Like we said, the hottest hours are where the sun is shining the strongest, make sure to apply sunscreen to protect your skin. Once you’ve got that down, don’t forget to apply sunscreen on your body in areas that will be exposed such as shoulders, arms, beck, and legs. 

Plan Ahead

Summertime is the peak for moving, so if you plan on moving during this time, it’s best to start doing early planning. Moving companies get booked up pretty quickly so make sure you do your research and schedule a time slot before they’re all filled up. Beware that not all companies offer competitive pricing due to the high demands during the summer season. 

Summer Sun, Roadtripping Fun: Pacific Coast Highway Stops

California native or out-of-town visitor, the drive up the Pacific Coast Highway is bucket-list worthy. Miles and miles of winding roads, cliffs and beaches, and sunshine with the ocean breeze blowing through your hair (you’re nuts if you don’t find a convertible for this trip). With summer officially here there’s no better time to plan a trip along the coast. Starting in Orange County and stretching all the way up to San Francisco, without any stops or traffic the drive tallies up to ten hours. But with so many stops between points A and B, you can easily take your time and stretch it out over 5 or even 10 days. To help you decide just how to chart your trip, here are 5 stops we recommend…

Malibu, CA

Dana Point, near San Clemente, where PCH begins (in our case) to Malibu is roughly 85 miles. Depending on the time of day and traffic, that drive comes out to 2.5 – 4 hours in traffic. Perfect for a morning drive to lunch on the beaches, dine on the Pier at a less touristy area than Santa Monica. Plus, there are hikes like Solstice Canyon featuring waterfalls and a little castle.

Ventura, CA

A mere hour without traffic from the Malibu Pier, this beautiful ocean-side city is the perfect place to park it for the night. You can take advantage of any number of ocean-side hotels and fine dining, or rough it out on the Channel Islands National Park.Time your trip right and you can make a pitstop in Oxnard for the Strawberry Festival. Or just stop and grab some fresh berries to snack on during your last leg of the drive.

Santa Barbara, CA

While you shouldn’t pass up the chance to go to Napa, stopping in Santa Barbara is a must along the way. This little slice of wine paradise is home to many a vineyard, as well as the quaint little Dutch town of Solvang. Worthy of being a full-day experience, this is the best first full stop to break up the driving, especially if you don’t have a whole lot of time. Only an hour and a quarter from Ventura, you can arrive early, check into your hotel and roam the vineyards.

San Luis Obispo, CA

Also near vast vineyards, this city is home to the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, the state’s fifth-oldest mission. After a trip to the Mission, stop by the Museum of Art, shop the downtown Farmer’s Market, or enjoy the scenery with Pismo Beach, Bishop Peak, or Lopez Lake. Enjoy nightlife with the Fremont Theatre or the Madonna Inn.      

Dealers Choice: San Simeon, Big Sur, Monterey

For the final big stop, if your time is limited, before hitting the final San Francisco destination, choose any of these three locales. If you can stop at all three, go for it. For more surf and beach, Big Sur is calling your name. Explore a Hearst Castle developed by William Randolph Hearst in the city of San Simeon. Monterey offers up an array of attractions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Old Fisherman’s Wharf, and missions, parks, and a jazz festival in September, there’s plenty to do to keep you occupied for at least a day before crossing the finish line in San Fran.

There are more stops than this along the way, no doubt. Find a bar and hit up the locals for their favorite eats around town. Take as much time as you can or want and enjoy the ride.