California is one of America’s biggest tourist attractions, but making your way through a state so large can be a tough job. Oh, and don’t forget the 36.5 million residents and almost 156,000 square miles of land you have to deal with as well. That’s why something as simple as a little California zip code map can come in handy.

Of course, a California zip code map is BIG. After all, the state houses over 300 zips in 450 towns. Luckily, if you need a more detailed map, you can get zip code maps by the county as well. That’s useful if you’re only going to get to visit one small area of the state.

Traveling to a state as big as CA is tough, especially when you have to budget both time and money. And it’s not as though the area is cheap – unfortunately, California is one of the most expensive places to live and visit. It’s not surprising though, considering you can find anything to interest you while there, from its technology-focused Silicon Valley, to the star-studded streets of Hollywood to the breathtaking wine country of Napa Valley (most of which you can find easily on a zip code map of California).

By using a map you can plan your visit ahead of time and map out the various destinations before you even get there! By planning an itinerary you can save yourself time, stress and money, especially if you look for discounts for any activities you may be interested in ahead of time. Getting from place to place is also a concern when on vacation and with gas prices being so high, you’ll want to drive as little as possible. By mapping out your destinations on a California zip code map you can also make sure you’re using the shortest and most gas-efficient routes available to make your visits.

One of the best loved attractions of California is of course, Hollywood and surrounding areas. Once there, you’ll be bombarded with street vendors and maps of Hollywood homes galore. But really, who needs to buy of map of the stars’ homes when you can easily make your own? Yet another way of using your California zip code map to make your vacation a little cheaper and a lot more special. A little research online and a good pen is all you need to start marking off your OWN ‘Hollywood Homes Map’.

If you’re traveling to California on business, a zip code map of California can still come in handy. You can map out each business you must hit up so that you take the routes that save you the most gas and time between meetings. It’s certainly one way to impress your boss! Just make sure you actually purchase a zip code map rather than relying on free ones. That way you know it will include zip code boundaries, landmarks and major roads as well as being high resolution.

When you purchase one online, you have access to it immediately and can manipulate it, resize it, etc. Plus, you can print it out yourself, which saves you shipping and handling fees! Either way, buying a California zip code map is going to come in handy whether you’re a tourist or a business person. It’s all in how you use it!