Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [348]
Riptides
The biggest hazard lurking in the ocean is the dangerous ocean current called a riptide. If you find yourself being carried offshore by a rip, the important thing is to just keep afloat; don’t panic or try to swim against the current, as this will quickly exhaust you. Swim parallel to the shoreline and once the current stops, swim back to shore.
Scams
There are no scams unique to Southern California. A healthy skepticism is your best defense. In restaurants it pays to study your final bill as some servers have been observed slipping in an extra drink or adding their tip to the final tally without telling you (thereby hoping for a double tip). European visitors, who are perceived as cheap tippers, are especially prone to being victims of this annoying practice.
Wildlife
Mountain lions – also called cougars or pumas – inhabit forests and mountains throughout Southern California, especially in areas teeming with deer. This includes some areas near the coast. Attacks on humans are rare. If you encounter a cougar, face the animal and retreat slowly, trying to appear large by raising your arms or grabbing a stick. If attacked, you’ll need to fight back, shouting and throwing objects at it.
Although an estimated 16,000 to 24,000 black bears roam around California, the chances of bear encounters in the southern part of the state are exceedingly unlikely and limited to the San Gabriel Mountains and the San Bernardino Mountains east of LA. Look for instructions posted at trailheads and campgrounds.
Watch your step when hiking, especially on hot summer afternoons when rattlesnakes like to bask in the middle of the trail. Also beware of scorpions and black widow spiders, which hide under rocks and wood piles (Click here for more information).
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DISCOUNT CARDS
Cutting costs while exploring Southern California is as easy as locating the Hollywood Sign. If you’re a full-time student, the International Student Identity Card (ISIC; www.isic.org) is your ticket to savings on airline fares, travel insurance and many local attractions. For nonstudents under 26 years of age, the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) grants similar savings and benefits. All these cards are issued by student unions, hostelling organizations and youth-oriented travel agencies. Check the website for the one nearest you. Cards cost $22 and are valid for a year.
International and US students can also buy the Student Advantage Card ( 877-256-4672; www.studentadvantage.com) for 15% savings on Amtrak and Greyhound plus discounts of up to 50% at participating hotels, shops and airlines. It’s sold online and costs $20 for the first year and $10 for each additional year.
People over the age of 65 (although sometimes it’s 55, 60 or 62) often qualify for the same discounts as students; any identification showing your birth date should suffice as proof of age. Members of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP; 800-687-2277; www.aarp.org; annual membership fee $12.50), an advocacy group for Americans 50 years and older, and of the American Automobile Association (AAA; 800-874-7532; www.aaa.com; per yr from $47) or its foreign affiliates qualify for small discounts (usually 10%) in many places. Just make it a habit to ask every time you book a room, reserve a car, order a meal or pay an entrance fee, especially since these discounts are not usually advertised.
Also look for discount coupons in tourist offices, hotels, gas stations and newspapers. Be aware that discounts may have restrictions and conditions or may not be valid at peak times, so always read the fine print. Online hotel discount coupons are available through Roomsaver (www.roomsaver.com).
If Southern California’s theme parks are the focus of your trip, a Southern California CityPass (www.citypass.com) may be a wise investment. Passes cost