<p>Although I have no doubt that it can work out fine if you do not visit schools before applying, I would strongly suggest doing visits if you can swing the time and financial aspects. A well planned trip can encompass many schools in a few days and can be cost effective. Buy airfare far in advance--it cost my father and I only $220, round trip (for BOTH of us) to fly out east for my big college trip. I realize that I, in Chicago, am much closer than you are in Cali, but bargains can be had from Cali as well. Make sure that your list is well considered--you don't have to be sure about the schools (that's the point of the trip) but when cost and time are concerns, you don't have the resources to be visiting schools willy-nilly. To echo some of the other posters' advice, it is fine to visit reaches, but try to hit matches and safeties as well. After all, these are the schools that you are most likely to attend--take care of that first!</p>
<p>Personally, I could not overstate the significance of my visits. Had I not done any visits, I probably would have applied to 15 or 16 schools--believe me when I say that 9 applications was more than enough. In addition, a couple of the schools that I visited turned out to be totally wrong for me--I got there and absolutely hated these schools. It also helps with applications and interviews--it gives you real, concrete reasons why you want to attend a school, and that question often comes up. But it does cost money that not everybody has lying around, and it is a lot of planning to pull off, so I understand that it doesn't work out for everyone. But do it if you can!</p>