LA travel information

Los Angeles can be an extremely confusing, albeit exciting city to visitors. First of all, it is comprised of 67 suburbs which can be thought of as six regions: Santa Monica and the beach communities, LA's Westside and Beverly Hills, Hollywood and West Hollywood, Downtown, Pasadena and the San Fernando Valley. This massive city offers a plethora of attractions ranging from amusement parks to beaches and celebrity sights. Although tourists can be susceptible to pickpockets and scam artists, those with their wits about them should remain safe.

• Banks and offices are usually open weekdays from 09:00 to 17:00. Stores, especially in shopping complexes, tend to stay open until about 21:00 on weekdays and 18:00 on weekends.

• The legal age for purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages in California is 21. Proof of age is required and often requested at bars, nightclubs and restaurants, so bring an ID when you go out.

• Do not carry open containers of alcohol in your car or any public area that isn't zoned for alcohol consumption. The police can fine you on the spot.

• Electricity in the United States is 110 to 120 volts AC. You may also need a plug adapter with two flat parallel pins.

• For emergencies, call 911, a toll-free call that can be made from any payphone for free.

• The Los Angeles chapter of the Traveler's Aid Society (tel 310-646-2270; www.travelersaid.org), helps travelers with such situations as reuniting families separated while travelling, providing food and/or shelter to people stranded without cash, and even emotional counselling.

• Petrol is known as gasoline (or ‘gas’) in the United States, and it costs a little less than half as much as in Europe, so enjoy driving around to the national parks in the area.

• In LA, there is no smoking in public buildings, sports arenas, lifts, theatres, banks, lobbies, restaurants, offices, stores, bed-and-breakfasts, most small hotels and bars.

• Sales tax is levied on goods and services by state and local governments and is not included in the price tags you'll see on merchandise, so expect to pay more when you get to the register. Sales tax in Los Angeles is eight per cent. Hotel tax is charged on the room tariff only and is set by the city; it ranges from 12 to 17 per cent around southern California.

• Daylight saving time is in effect from 01:00 on the first Sunday in April to 01:00 on the last Sunday in October, except in Arizona, Hawaii, part of Indiana and Puerto Rico. Daylight saving time moves the clock one hour ahead of standard time.

• Average tips are as follows: bellhops, at least $1 per bag; maid or chamber staff, $1 to $2 per day; valet parking attendant, $1 every time you get your car; restaurants, bars and nightclubs, tip service staff 15 per cent of the check, tip bartenders 10 per cent. Tipping is not expected in cafeterias and fast-food restaurants.

Useful travel tips resources

Footprint Guides - Los Angeles
Incomparable resource on Los Angeles travel from this well-known travel guide publisher.
http://www.footprintguides.com/

City of Los Angeles
The official website of the City of LA, with information on attractions.
http://www.lacity.org/lacity5.htm

LA Tourist
Covers hundreds of topics related to tourism in LA.
http://www.latourist.com/

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Essentials

Visas: Visitors from many EU and other countries (including the UK) do not require visas for stays of three months or less
Season: Year round
Money: US dollar – ATMs widely available, major credit cards readily accepted
Language: English – Spanish in some states
Emergency #: 911

USA