Hitchhiking cross country, California

Anyone have any tips for hitching long distances, and, with no money???? I have hitched before, but I mean, not for very long distances....

I want to disappear and reappear in Cali, I'm in CT right now...I know of people who have gotten there in a week but what would I do for money? Suppose that's what I really want tips for, more than anything.

I am a very crafty person, as I'm sure lots of people on here are. But it's like, how do you get a job at a place if you don't have anywhere to live? Tell them, address - "the beach" ????

I honestly don't have any friends in California, maybe I should make some....heh

I want to hear from people who have done this. Because this is something I have wanted to do all my life, but never had the 'gumption" to, now, I feel my internal fire burning brightly and every moment I stay put, it's like it threatens to extinquish itself again.

Is there any hope for me? Would it actually go through? I do want to get settled in Cali, relatively, before I make my next trek.

And while you're at it, tell me which part of Cali, which cities would be good to go and hitch hike to as I've never even been past the Mississippi river....

Namaste
Francine

 

Francine,

I would suggest hitchhiking with a friend so that you're not alone. Try to find people who are travelling to summer music festivals. There you can find other like-minded travellers who will take you further west.

In California I would suggest visiting Davis (Delta of Venus Cafe, Domes), Humboldt county, and San Francisco. Stay clear of Southern Cal. May 6th in Davis is the Whole Earth Festival. Also worth visiting in the summer is Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver.

If you find a town you like, you'll probably meet hospitable people there and you should be able to use their address and phone to help find employment. Another way to do this is to find a job in CA first before going there. They may even pay for your relocation expenses. Otherwise I would save some money now so you at least have something to buy food with along the way. I once did the cross-country road trip sharing expenses with a friend. We lived on about $5 per day for food and $5 average per day for camping fees.

The Southern Route (I-10) has more to see and more camping. The northern routes are relatively flat and boring but can take you to Northern Cal faster.

One thing to note- California is changing. It's become extremely expensive to live here and a lot of people are moving out because right now unemployment is high and the cost of living is really high. The major cities are overcrowded, polluted, and traffic jams are everywhere. Unless you have friends here already, it's probably not the best place to decide to start a new life in. Some of my friends are moving to North Carolina- Ashville and Greensboro where there is no property tax and an easy lifestyle.

Good luck!

 

careful mama, its a bit dangerous out there for a single chick. as far as the money question goes, its not how do i get money, its how do i do with out money. the stronger your need for money, the more trouble youre going to get into. after a few days you will be desperate because you have no money, and youll hate that desperation, then some jack ass will offer you tons of loot just to sleep with him, and youll think thats a good idea. then that desperation will be replaced with a worse feeling. so just be content with having no money, and you will be fine. i play music on the road, but i barely make 10 bux a day. if someone buys a necklace i do alot better, but thats hit or mis. kids who panhandle can make up to 100 bux a day. a smart prostitute can make about 500 bux everytime she decides to go to work.

 

I agree it really dangerous for a young woman to be out there alone. Wish it was not that way. And good idea to sell stuff as you go. Anything easy to carry as you go.

 

yeah i just bring a roll of hemp and a few beads. now that i do the stone wraps i end up selling necklaces fairly quickly, dont even have to play the mandolin much anymore.

 

just go to your local truck stop an put the word out you need a straight thru ride to cali,,,then sit back an wait...

there still are decent folks out there..
lot of times even if a trucker aint goin thru,,couple hours before he gets to where he's goin he will get on the cb an hook ya up with a ride the rest of the way..

you bein a female,,its the safest way,,,will probably only costya a blow job a day,,an that beats bein raped an murdered by some wacko that knows noone saw ya get in his ride cause ya was on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere....

good fortune

 

A true gentlemen would offer a ride w/o the blow job expectation....but I am sure even he would not refuse one if offered.

 

yeah an with a lil luck she may hook up with a bible thumpin trucker,,then she will only have to give her life to christ for the ride....

 

middle of nowhere is the best place to get a ride.

 

Get a bike and enjoy the scenery. Unless you're on a deadline. On a bike it could take you 40-50 days (my dad went from Detroit to the Washington coast in about 30, but CT is farther from the West Coast than Detroit, so you gotta factor that in).


Other than that, I have a question. Is it possible to get a job without an address? And how does one learn to make hemp jewelry, and where is a good place to sell them? Like, college campuses or what?

 

hemp jewelry is almost impossible to make a buck with,,everyone makes the shit now,all its good for is tradin,,now wrappin crystals an stones ya can make cash at..

as far as a job without a addy,,,aint ya never seen the hispanics standin on the street corner??? im pretty sure the folks hirin them aint askin for a green card(there actually pink), much less a addy...

 

Thanks guys for all the advice. I will...keep it in mind....



Namaste
Francine

 

I've got a little advice for ya..
For money, try finding a day labor place like LaborReady or the like....
Menial shit jobs, but you're guaranteed 60-70$ in a day if they send you out.
Most decent sized cities have these places.
Also, If I were a woman hitchin, I would not do it alone... try digihitch.com to find a travellin partner
DO NOT ASK FOR RIDES AT TRUCKSTOPS, you should not approach people directly on truckstop property, this is illegal almost everywhere.
However, using a handheld CB radio to solicit a ride is perfectly acceptable, you should be able to find one for 40-50$ new.
Make sure you know the laws of the state that you are passing through pertaining to hitchin, most states don't like you to stand on the side of the highway with your thumb out, but sometimes its okay
As a general rule stay in the grass, past the shoulder if possible, if the cops hassle you.... they will almost always tell you that what you're doing is illegal, but they are almost always wrong, don't talk back, tell them something like "Well officer, I realize that soliciting rides is illegal while standing on the roadway, but I was under the impression that the legal definition of 'roadway' excluded the shoulder of the road."

Sometimes its good to sound like you're more trouble that you're worth....

When you find a ride, it's a good idea to ask the driver where he's headed before he asks you.... if he doesn't have an immediate, clear answer or his eyes flick up the road a bit before he answers, DO NOT GET IN THE CAR
"Just headin up the road a bit" and similar answers are also something to watch out for.

Trust your gut feelings and use common sense and you should be allright.
When you've been standing in the same spot for 2 hours someone finally stops, its hard to say 'no' to a ride, even if he does seem odd. Just remember the possibility of a ride is not worth the risk if something is tellin you to stay out of the car....

Good luck,
Blessed Be

 

you can hitch on any US highway in any state. you cannot hithch on the interstates though, like I-90, I 80 .. . etc. i still do but i do get hassled a bunch. Illinois is the only state that has a mandatory minimum of 30 days in jail for hitchhikin. other than that cops will just drive you to the edge of thier jurisdiction, drive you to the exit and tell you to hitch at the foot of the onramp, leave you alone, or put you in jail and gang bang you. please do not hitch with drugs or paraphenalia, if you need to toke, carry some joints and rolling tobacco. maybe have a big knife, but dont use it to scare people away, only pull it out seconds before plunging it into someone.
also if you do hitch on the interstate, choose a spot where people have enough room to see you and safely stop, and never, never hitch at night.

 

Sigh, sorry to say but there's no way I'd advise a lone woman to do what your thinking of.

I've hitched cross country a bunch of times--I spent years living on the road--so I know what I'm talking about.

If your dead set on it though, listen to some of the people in here; hit some fests and try to hook up with rides from the people you meet there, preferably other women.

 

i stand by my advice,,
everthings taboo or illegal somewhere,, your job sister is to find yer loophole and jump thru it..

 

wow, your adventure idea sounds wonderful ! i've been wanting 2 do a lone hitching trip 4 a long time...do a search on the internet,type in the search box something like "women hitchhiking" 2 get more info..i would pack pepper spray and get a self defense book 4 women, i've seen one 4 beginners that shows you how 2 defend yourself using hairpins in the eyes etc...maybe everyday on the road do an affirmation (really & truly mean it though) like "no harm will come 2 me today,i am safe" i hope your dreams come true..................

 

The best option would be to meet people who've been through the same or are going through the same at fests and concerts... I wouldn't risk the erm... blow jobs and truckers.

 

Haha, yeah. I am always safe. I have had no qualms whatsoever whether or not someone would rape me, beat me or kill me. I am very intuitive when it comes to people and besides, I don't intend circumstances like that into my life.

 

ahahahhaahhaha,, once again.. id take the non hitchhike travel with someone ya know an ride along route,, or go hustlin truckers...

AHAHAHAHAHAHA INTUITIVE AND INTENTIONS,,,AHAHHAHAHAHA