PRACTICALS

Passports & Visas
For international travelers, visit the US Department of State's website: http://travel.state.gov

Country Code
Inside the United States: dial 1 + area code (310, 323, 213, 818 are Los Angeles area codes) + telephone number
International calls to the United States: 00 + 1 + area code + telephone number
United States calls to International Countries: 011 + country code + area code + telephone number

Time Zone: Los Angeles has 2 times zones due to Daylight Savings Time:
PST -8 (Pacific Standard Time), March - November
PDT -7 (Pacific Daylight Time), November - March

Electricity: 110/120V, 60Hz

Embassies and Consulates: Google Los Angeles consulates or check out www.embassy.org/embassies

Money
The currency in the United States is the US dollar, also called buck. USD is the currency code and $ is the official abbreviation. $15.00 for example. See Money: Banks and ATMs for locations.

Discounts: Always the bargain hunter. Check out a company's website for printable discounts and online-purchase discounts. Places often have exclusive online offers because no paperwork is involved. For example, Universal Studios Hollywood.

AAA: AAA membership not only offers roadside assistance but services such as currency exchange. AAA also offers special discounts to a lot of cool places such as the LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) and Knott's Berry Farm.

Sales Tax: 9.75%

Tipping: Los Angeles has some crazy tipping expectations (e.g., Starbucks tip jars) but here's the deal. Restaurants and cab drivers expect 15% to 20% of the bill or receipt. Bellhops and valets, a few dollars.

Smoking: You get ostracized for smoking in Los Angeles. Not really but you can not smoke in public buildings such as restaurants, bars, etc. Some small bars scattered throughout Los Angeles such as bars in Korea town and Chinatown allow you to smoke on the sly.

Language
In Los Angeles, English and Spanish are equally spoken.
Since, however, there are so many diverse groups here, you are bound to find someone who speaks Lithuanian, Apache, etc.