Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [347]
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ACTIVITIES
For outdoor enthusiasts Southern California offers the mother lode of possibilities. No matter what kind of activity gets you off that couch, you’ll be able to pursue it in this land of oceans and mountains, deserts and forests. Everywhere you go, you’ll find outfitters and local operators eager to gear you up. Go to the Southern California Outdoors chapter Click here for an overview of the main types of active pursuits that await you in the region.
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BUSINESS HOURS
Standard business hours, including most government offices, are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Bank hours are usually from 9am or 10am to 5pm or 6pm weekdays; some branches have Saturday hours from 9am to 1pm or 2pm. Bigger post-office branches do business from 8am to 5:30pm weekdays and 8am to 2pm on Saturday.
Most shops open doors around 10am, although noon is common for boutiques and art galleries. Closing time is anytime from 6pm to 9pm in shopping malls, except on Sunday when hours are noon to 5pm (malls to 6pm).
Convenience stores and supermarkets often stay open until 10pm or midnight; in cities, some stay open around the clock.
Restaurants don’t follow standard hours, although typical opening hours are 7am to 11am (breakfast), 11:30am to 2:30pm (lunch) and 5:30pm to 10pm (dinner). Bars usually open around 5pm or 6pm and keep pouring until 1am or 2am. Pubs are sometimes open during the daytime. Always confirm precise hours if you’ve got your eye on a particular place.
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CLIMATE CHARTS
For general advice on Southern California’s climate and the best times to travel here, Click here.
DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
By and large, Southern California is not a dangerous place. The most publicized problem is violent crime, but incidents are mostly confined to areas that few travelers would visit. Wildlife may pose some danger, and of course there is the dramatic, albeit unlikely, possibility of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake. Prepare for the worst, but expect the best.
Crime
Travelers will rarely get tricked, cheated or conned simply because they’re tourists. Potential violence is a problem for all but there’s really no need to worry. Most cities have some ‘bad neighborhoods,’ which should be avoided, particularly after dark. The Dangers & Annoyances section in each destination chapter provides some details and seriously nervous nellies can always quiz hotel staff or call local police about particulars.
Here are some general pointers on how to minimize trouble. Exercise particular caution in parking areas at night. Use ATMs only if they are located in well-lit and well-trafficked areas. Don’t carry lots of cash; keep the bulk of your money and your passport in a money belt inside your clothes and stash other valuables in the room safe or hotel safe. If you’re accosted by a mugger, there’s no fail-safe policy but handing over whatever the mugger wants is better than getting hurt. Keep some money separate and hand it over fast. Muggers are not too happy to find their victims penniless.
That said, don’t meditate on crime. Protect yourself as best you can, then focus your awareness on having a great trip.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes happen all the time but most are so tiny they are detectable only by sensitive seismological instruments. If you’re caught in a serious shaker, get under a desk, table or doorway. Protect your head and stay clear of windows, mirrors or anything that might fall. Don’t head for elevators or go running into the street. If you’re in a shopping mall or large public building, expect the alarm and/or sprinkler systems to come on.
If outdoors, get away from buildings, trees and power lines. If you are driving, pull over to the side of the road away from bridges, overpasses and power lines. Stay inside the car until the shaking stops. If you are on a sidewalk near