If your trip to Martinez is all booked but your travel itinerary is a little on the empty side, let us give you a helping hand.Head out into the wider area and get closer to nature with some activities like surfing. If you’re looking for more, try your hand at skiing as well.

Make sure you swing by Benicia and Martinez during your stay here. Allow enough time to explore — there’s loads to keep you busy. Benicia is approximately 3 miles away, while Martinez is 0.1 miles.

After spending loads of time chatting to like-minded people, it’s always good to know you can kick back and relax somewhere nearby. If you’re traveling to Martinez primarily for business, these are some of the best convention centers that are close to hotels, cafés and restaurants:

• Craneway Pavilion (14 miles away).
• Oakland Convention Center (17 miles away).
• Kaiser Convention Center (17 miles away).

Rent an intermediate car and soak up the best of Concord with a few friends. These mid-size vehicles offer more space and a bigger trunk to stow all your gear. They have great fuel economy, so you can easily travel the 6 miles between Martinez and central Concord (and beyond!) without burning a hole in your pocket. But if you’d like to treat yourself on your vacation, why not select a premium car? All those extra features, like plush leather seats and a voice activation system, will ensure you have an unforgettable driving experience.

First of all, there’s a wide variety of luxurious rental vehicles available in Martinez. What you go for is largely dependent on how much you want to spend as well as what you plan to do. Specialty vehicles offer the best in comfort and class. If you’re splashing out, why not go for an elite SUV, or perhaps a flashy mid-size sedan? Otherwise, if you just need a car to zip around town in as cheaply as possible, maybe go for an economy vehicle (or something else that won’t blow your budget).

In Martinez, you’ll have to keep on the right side. When visiting someplace new, it’s smart to select a car with automatic transmission. That way, you can focus on the road ahead and save worrying about gear changes.

Normally, one of two things will happen. Your chosen car rental company may bill the amount of the fine to your credit card. This is the most common practice. On the other hand, it may forward your contact information to local authorities so the fine is sent directly to you.

Seat belts should always be worn in Contra Costa County. That being said, the rules may not apply for certain vehicles, like those operated by public transportation systems.

As is the case in many places, regular cell phone usage is not permitted while driving a car in Martinez. However, there is an exception for hands-free or Bluetooth functions. Just be sure to stay focused on the road.

In Martinez, it is against the law to operate a vehicle with a BAC (blood alcohol content) in excess of 0.08%. If you’re in the mood for a few drinks with lunch or dinner, you’d be wise to leave the car behind.

Traffic laws in Martinez permit drivers at a red light to turn into the lane closest to them, without having to wait for it to turn green. Before turning, the car must stop completely and the driver must be sure that the way is clear before proceeding.