| Currency Converter |
What is the most important tool, a foreign visitor needs to have? I guess, it's a currency converter. This
web based converter uses the actual conversion rates for nearly all currencies around the globe.
It is updated daily. |
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Emergency!
-> Call 911 |
This is the most important phone number you should know! Whenever you experience a life threatening situation or an emergency,
call 911 to reach police, ambulance or
fire fighters. Although it might be difficult, try to answer the dispatcher's questions
calmly and precisely to get an emergency crew as quickly as possible to the
place needed. |
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| Do I need a Visa? |
It depends on the country you come from. I recommend you check in your home country about visa
requirements when booking your flight. Coming from most
European countries, the "Visa Waiver Program" allows entering the United States for up to three months and can be used for
traveling as tourist, short business trips, attending business meetings or visiting
companies. If you want to work or go to university in the US, you have to have a valid visa.
Before entering California you have to fill-in a white form (if you have a
visa) or a green form (for the "Visa Waiver Program"). The form is handed to you by the flight
attendants in the plane of your air carrier prior to arrival on the
destination airport. |
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| No fresh food and flowers! |
California law does not allow to bring any fresh food (fruit, meat, eggs)
or flowers into the state of California. At the airport and the borders to other states
(like Nevada) you may be controlled and even may be asked to dump your apples. |
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| Tipping |
If you go to a restaurant, tip is normally not included. The guideline is to add between 15%
to 20% as a tip. Even if you had a very bad service, you should still tip the waiter since this is
a large part of her/his income. It is better to complain at the manager
rather than not tipping. Some restaurants in tourist places (like Pier 39 in
San Francisco) may give you a "card" in different languages with your bill telling you about the tipping rules.
In rare occasions they add a tip already to your bill, so you should check your bill carefully. In Fast Food chains (MacDonald, Burger King, Jack in the Box, etc) you do not tip. |
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| Sales Tax |
Be aware that the price info of articles you see at the shelves in shops, in
restaurants and in Fast Food chains are not showing the prices you have to
pay, because they do not include California sales tax (which is
currently 8.5%). You have to add this tax to know the price you are
actually paying. |
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| California Facts |
If you are
interested in some historic and general info about California, you may
want to check out the links:
California Facts
* California
History * California
History Links * Official State
of California Page |
Info For Non-Americans
