Berkeley Official Visitors Guide 2008/2009 - (Page 5) » Tips for the Traveler RULES AND REGULATIONS Sales Tax: 8.75% Liquor Laws: Legal drinking age in California is 21. Picture identification may be requested at any time. Bars are open until 2am. Liquor stores are open seven days a week. California State Law prohibits the sale of alcohol beverages from 2am to 6am. Smoking Laws: You must be 18 to purchase tobacco products. Smoking is prohibited on public transportation and in public buildings, including bars and restaurants. Smoking is prohibited within 20 feet of any entrance, or exit or air intake vent to any building that is open to the public, except while passing on the way to another destination. Smoking is also prohibited within 20 feet of any bus stop. PARKING REGULATIONS Colored Curb Markings: Painted curbs mean that parking is controlled. The colors on curbs mean: Yellow Curb are reserved for commercial use for loading and unloading merchandise or materials. Regulations are enforced Mon-Sat from 7am-6pm, unless posted otherwise. Some metered parking spaces can be yellow zones during certain hours. Red Curb are designated “no stopping, standing or parking” under any circumstances. Regulations are enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Green Curb are designated short-term, restricted or limited time parking. Zones are marked with signs indicating 5 minutes to 2 hours limited parking. Regulations are enforced Mon-Sat from 9am-6pm, unless posted otherwise. White Curbs are designated as passenger loading zones. Unless signs are posted, drivers of the vehicle must remain in the car for only 3 minutes to drop off or pick up passengers. Drivers cannot leave their vehicles. Regulations are enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, unless posted otherwise. Blue Curbs are designated for vehicles displaying valid Disabled placards or Disabled person license plates from any state. Regulations are enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Fines for vehicles parking at a disabled parking place without a placard are set by the State of California, and begin at $275.00. INTERNATIONAL VISITORS Customs - You must complete customs and immigration formalities at the first point of arrival in the United States, whether or not it’s your final destination. Currency - For currency conversion, please contact: Foreign Currency Exchange Corp., 2301 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704. (510) 704-1900. We buy and sell foreign cash and traveler’s checks from almost eighty different countries. Many of these currencies are kept in stock, so almost all requests can be accommodated without a wait. We can also process Foreign drafts or checks. www.fceco.com Electricity - Electrical current is 110 volts. Foreign Language Assistance - Dial 1-888-US-1-INFO provides free access to emergency services and travel assistance in more than 140 languages. Required Documents - Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for visa, passport, and health requirements. Travel Insurance - There is no compulsory or government plan in the United States. You are advised to purchase travel and health insurance in case of emergency. DRIVING REGULATIONS: Drinking and Driving: It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .08% or higher. If you are suspected of driving under the influence, you must submit to a chemical test to determine your blood alcohol content. Helmets: Required for bicyclists under 18 years old and all motorcyclists. Required Documents: You must carry a valid driver’s license from your home state or country. The minimum age for drivers is 16 with training, 18 without. Seat Belts/Restraints: Seat belts must be worn by all passengers. Children under 6 years old or weighing less than 60 pounds must be in an appropriate safety seat. “Right on Red”: You may turn right at a red light after making a full stop, unless signs indicate otherwise. Road Conditions: Call the California Department of Transportation for 24-hour information at 800-427-7623. Vehicular accidents: You must report an accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles if anyone is injured or killed, or if more than $500 in damage is incurred. SISTER CITIES Berkeley’s oldest sister city contact was established with Sakai, Japan on March 15, 1966. The most visible reminder of Berkeley’s sister-city relationship is the giant sundial at the foot of the Berkeley Pier, donated by Sakai in 1974. The two cities have an active student exchange program in which high school and college students spend a month visiting families in the sister city. SAKAI, JAPAN (est. 1966) GAO, MALI (est. 1985) JENA, GERMANY (est. 1989) ROAD & TRAFFIC CONDITIONS Bay Area Travel Guide 511 Highway Patrol: Emergency 911 Non-emergency calls 1-707-551-4100 Road Conditions 1-800-427-7623 WWW.VISITBERKELEY.COM |5| TIPS FOR THE TRAVELER http://www.fceco.com http://WWW.VISITBERKELEY.COM
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.