California Official Visitor's Guide - UK - 4


travel
basics

PASSPORTS & VISAS
Find out what's required to travel to the U.S. from
your country before you make travel plans. In
general, each visitor (including infants) must have
a passport valid for at least six months past the
expected return date. The Visa Waiver Program allows visitors from some countries to enter the U.S.
without a visa; for details and an online application,
visit the Electronic System for Travel Authorization
(esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta). If you live in a country
that is not covered by the waiver programme, get
details on what is required from the U.S. consulate
or embassy in your home country (locations at
usembassy.gov).

GETTING AROUND
California, the third largest state in the U.S., takes
time to explore. Driving from California's northern
end to where it meets Mexico-a distance of
roughly 800 miles (1,287 kilometres)-takes
nearly 12 hours without traffic. Even so, it can be
remarkably easy to get around California via its
excellent network of interstate and state roads and
highways. Petrol stations are generally easy to find
along major routes.
HIRING CARS & DRIVING TIPS Reputable car
hire agencies usually have offices at airports,
major hotels, and other central locations in major
cities. In most cases, the person hiring a vehicle
must be at least age 25. Drivers ages 21 to 24
may be able to hire a car for a higher fee; check
with individual companies. Drivers must have
a valid driver's licence, a passport, and a major
credit card. A valid international driver's licence,
issued by your country, may also be required;
check with the car agency when you reserve
your car. Extras, such as GPS devices and child
safety seats, required for children under age 8 or
under 4 feet 9 inches (1.45 metres), are generally
available from reputable companies and should
be reserved in advance. Remember: Driving is
on the right, passing on the left. Download a
free California Driver Handbook (dmv.ca.gov) to
review all the rules. For current road conditions
on major routes, visit the Caltrans website (dot.
ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi).
RECREATIONAL VEHICLES Hiring an RV or
caravan can be a fun way to explore. RVs are
welcome at many state parks, beaches, and
recreation areas (check parks.ca.gov) and at national
parks (details at nps.gov). Also try private campgrounds, like KOA (koa.com/rv-sites); more locations
at camp-california.com. Find reputable RVs and
caravans for hire at Cruise America (cruiseamerica.
com) and El Monte RV (elmonterv.com).
AIRPORTS & TRANSPORT Given California's
size, air travel between gateway cities can be a
good way to get around. Look for affordable fares
on Alaska (alaskaair.com), Delta (delta.com), JetBlue (jetblue.com), Southwest (southwest.com),
United (united.com), and Virgin America (virginamerica.com). Also consider travelling by Amtrak
train (amtrak.com); the Pacific Surfliner, Capitol
Corridor, and Coast Starlight routes are particularly
scenic. Gateway airports include San Francisco:
San Francisco International (SFO), Oakland International (OAK), and Mineta San José International
(SJC). Los Angeles: Los Angeles International
(LAX), John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA),
Ontario International (ONT). San Diego: San Diego
International (SAN). Mass transport (rail, subway,
bus) essentials: Los Angeles (metro.net) and San
Francisco (sfmta.org) both have subway networks

4 | VISITCALIFORNIA.CO.UK

and commuter light rail. Metrolink serves much of
Southern California (metrolinktrains.com); BART
(bart.gov) and Caltrain (caltrain.com) connect San
Francisco area towns. San José, Sacramento, and
San Diego also have light rail and/or commuter rail
lines. Local bus lines are generally safe and clean.
For bus travel around the state, try Greyhound
Lines (greyhound.com).

WEATHER
Much of California enjoys a Mediterranean climate,
with long, warm summers and short, wet winters.
In general, temperatures range from 8˚C to 21˚C
(46˚F to 70˚F) in San Francisco and roughly
50˚F to 80˚F (10˚C to 27˚C) in Los Angeles and
San Diego, though temperatures can vary widely.
Southern California enjoys hot, dry summers while
San Francisco gets a trademark blanket of cool
marine fog, usually from June through to August.
Many Californians think September and October
are the best months, with warm, calm days across
the whole state. Ocean water tends to be warmest
then, too, though it's never really warm. Southern
California ocean temperatures range from about
13˚C to 20˚C (55˚F to 68˚F), while Northern California ranges from 50˚F to 57˚F (10˚C to 14˚C).

MONEY & TIPPING
The easiest way to convert money is via automated
teller machines (ATMs), which are widely available.
Some financial institutions in your home country
may have relationships with California banks,
offering reduced or no exchange rates or other
fees, so check in advance for best options. Major
credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
are accepted at most locations, except at farmers'
markets and other special events where it's best
to bring cash. Tipping is expected, with 15 to 20
percent of the total for meals and spa services,
and a few extra dollars for cab drivers, porters, and
maids. If you have an excellent tour guide, a generous tip is customary and always appreciated.

Editorial
Editor & Creative Director
John Godfrey
Senior Editor Harriot Manley
Writer Ann Marie Brown
Copy Edit/Fact Check
Miron Huhulea
Design Director Beatriz Gámez
Art Director Jesper Goransson
Director, Video & Photo Content
Jennifer Tuozzolo
Group Manager, Production
Jacqueline Murray
Production Manager Amy Mackey
Pre-Press Manager Roger Dapiran
Maps © Copyright 2016
Karen Minot Illustration

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This guide is produced at no
expense to taxpayers. Advertisements and articles appearing in this
publication do not constitute an
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by Visit California or the State of
California. Information, including
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SMOKING RULES
Smoking is prohibited indoors in public buildings,
including restaurants, bars, and many casinos,
and at national and state beaches and parks. If
you're not sure, ask, as violators can be fined.
Accommodations that allow smoking usually have
designated smoking/non-smoking rooms; request
them when you make your booking.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

@VisitCalifornia.com

@VisitCA

On the following public holidays, state and
local government services and offices, banks,
schools, and workplaces generally close. Shops,
restaurants, and attractions are often open, but
museums may close (check in advance).
@VisitCA
1 January

New Year's Day

January on the 3rd Monday Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February on the 3rd Monday 
May on the last Monday 
4 July
September on the 1st Monday
October on the 2nd Monday

U.S. Presidents' Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Columbus Day

11 November 

Veterans Day

November on the 4th Thursday

Thanksgiving

25 December

@VisitCalifornia

Labour Day

Christmas Day

@VisitCalifornia

Advance reservations required. Advance Purchase rate offer only available online and cannot be combined with any other discount or offer.
Subject to availability at participating hotels throughout California. ©2015 Choice Hotels International. All rights reserved.


http://www.visitcalifornia.com/uk http://www.metrolinktrains.com http://www.bart.gov http://www.caltrain.com http://www.greyhound.com https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta http://www.usembassy.gov http://visittheusa.co.uk http://dmv.ca.gov https://www.facebook.com/VisitCalifornia http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi https://parks.ca.gov https://www.facebook.com/VisitCalifornia http://www.nps.gov http://www.koa.com/rv-sites http://www.camp-california.com http://www.elmonterv.com https://www.youtube.com/c/visitcalifornia http://www.alaskaair.com http://www.delta.com http://www.jetblue.com http://www.southwest.com http://www.united.com http://www.virginamerica.com https://www.instagram.com/visitcalifornia/ http://www.virginamerica.com http://www.amtrak.com https://www.pinterest.com/visitcalifornia/ http://www.metro.net http://www.sfmta.org http://VISITCALIFORNIA.CO.UK

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of California Official Visitor's Guide - UK

Contents
California Official Visitor's Guide - UK - Cover1
California Official Visitor's Guide - UK - Cover2
California Official Visitor's Guide - UK - Contents
California Official Visitor's Guide - UK - 2
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California Official Visitor's Guide - UK - A
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