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Los Angeles Travel Basics
Calling Codes
Area codes for the Los Angeles area include 213 (downtown), 323 (mid-city), 818 (San Fernando Valley), 310 (West Los Angeles and Santa Monica), 626 (Pasadena), and 562 (Long Beach).
For local numbers you must dial 10 digits (the area code plus the 7-digit phone number). For long-distance calls within the United States, dial 1, then the area code, then the 7-digit number. For long-distance calls outside the United States, it is usually necessary to dial 011 and the country code, any local codes, then the phone number. (When calling parts of the Caribbean, however, it is necessary to dial 1, plus the area code and phone number.)
Dial 0 to get the operator. Dial 411 for directory assistance.
Electricity
Electricity is 110V AC, 60Hz in the United States. Plugs are of the flat, two-pin type. Be aware that this voltage is half as much as in most European and Asian countries, so visitors from those countries will need a plug adapter and a power transformer to operate their appliances.
Emergency Contacts
Dial 911 for all emergencies.
Alcoholics Anonymous: 310-836-8716
Highway conditions: 800-427-7623
Fax/Modem
Public access to fax machines and modems is available at most hotels and business centers, including Kinko's business centers located throughout the city.
Local Language
Although English is the official language of the area, Spanish is spoken as a second language in many places, mainly because Latinos comprise nearly half of the area's population. People from nearly 140 countries, speaking approximately 96 different languages, currently call LA home.
Public Holidays
New Year's Day: January 1
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Third Monday in January
Presidents' Day: Third Monday in February
Easter Sunday: mid-March or early April
Memorial Day: Last Monday in May
Independence Day: July 4
Labor Day: First Monday in September
Columbus Day: Second Monday in October
Veterans Day: November 11
Thanksgiving: Fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day: December 25
Time Zone
Los Angeles lies in the Pacific Time Zone (Greenwich Mean Time minus eight hours). The city observes daylight-saving time.
Travel Documents
Australia: Citizens of Australia must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
Canada: Citizens of Canada need proof of citizenship for entry into the United States. This can be either a birth certificate with a raised seal or a voter registration card with a photo ID. A driver's license is not enough. Canadian citizens under 16 need notarized permission from both parents.
France:Citizens of France must have a valid passport to enter the United States if th ey are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
Germany: Citizens of Germany must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
Ireland: Citizens of Ireland must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
Japan: Citizens of Japan must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
United Kingdom: U.K. citizens must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
What to Take
Los Angeles is generally more casual in dress code than other major cities. During the warmer months, visitors are often seen strolling even the most glamorous areas in simple shorts. The finer restaurants often require men to wear jackets, but ties are usually optional. Unless you are in the entertainment industry, traditional business attire is appropriate. There is usually a strong temperature drop in the evening, so it is always best to have a sweater or jacket for after dark. Winter mornings are often in the 50s, but by midday, it generally warms up.
When to Go
Anytime of year is appropriate to visit Los Angeles. August and September are generally the hottest months. Temperatures range from the mid-40s (Fahrenheit) during the winter to the mid-80s during the summer. Los Angeles gets most of its rain in February. The holiday season, from Thanksgiving through New Year's, features very popular parades, including the Hollywood Christmas Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade. Hotels, shops, and public places are done up in festive trappings of the season.
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