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Consuming alcohol anywhere other than at a residence or licensed premises is also a no-no, which puts parks, beaches and the rest of the great outdoors off limits. It is also illegal to carry open containers of alcohol inside a vehicle, even in the passenger section, even if they are empty. Containers that are full and sealed may be carried, but if they have ever been opened they must be stored in the trunk.

Possession of under 1oz of marijuana is a misdemeanor in California, and though it is punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine is more likely for first-time offenders. Possession of any other drug, including cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, heroin, hashish or more than an ounce of weed, is a felony punishable by lengthy jail sentences, depending on the circumstances. For foreigners, conviction of any drug offense is grounds for deportation.

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MAPS

Visitors centers distribute free (but often very basic) maps, but if you’re doing a lot of driving, you’ll need a detailed road map or a map atlas, such as the California Road & Recreation Atlas ($25), by Benchmark Maps (www.benchmarkmaps.com), which includes every road in the state, as well as topographic details, campgrounds and land features.

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MAY I SEE YOUR ID, PLEASE?

The legal minimum age in California to…

Drink alcohol: 21

Drive a car: 16

Fly a plane: 17

Buy a shotgun: 18

Go to war: 17

Have sex: 18

Smoke tobacco: 18

Vote in an election: 18

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Members of the American Automobile Association (AAA; 800-874-7532; www.aaa.com) or one of its international affiliates, can get AAA’s high-quality maps for free from any local office. Bookshops and tourist offices usually stock a good assortment of maps, while newsagents and gas stations have a more limited selection. For downloadable maps and driving directions try Google Maps (www.maps.google.com), Mapquest (www.mapquest.com) or Yahoo! Maps (http://maps.yahoo.com).

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SHOPPING

Southern Californians spend a lot of time spending their money and there’s certainly no shortage of big malls, department stores, outlet centers, boutiques and markets to help them do it. To many visitors the sheer variety and quantity of consumer goods can be as staggering as it is tempting. There’s really nothing you can’t buy here, be it computers or couture, flip-flops or funky designer outfits, anime DVDs or sex toys, surf gear or antiques. Orange County has the biggest concentration of malls, while LA is best for tomorrow’s fashions and accessories and unique items such as clothing worn by the stars. Palm Springs has the region’s best outlet mall, while places with local artist communities in LA, Laguna Beach and Santa Barbara are good for picking up originals. Rural towns, especially in the desert or mountain areas, are usually best for digging up Americana and Old West paraphernalia.

If you’re keen on Native American items, like rugs, jewelry or artwork, be aware that much of the stuff sold in stores and trading posts is mass-produced. Genuine products usually have a tag or stamps identifying them as ‘Indian handmade’ while imitations will say something like ‘Indian style.’ Be conscious of who’s doing the selling and ask a lot of questions. Who made the item? What tribe is the artist from? What kinds of materials were used? A reputable dealer will know the answers and happily talk about their origin.

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SOLO TRAVELERS

There are no particular problems or difficulties traveling alone in Southern California. Although it is not for everybody, the obvious advantage is the freedom to do whatever, whenever you want.

Americans are generally friendly and easy to talk to. Women don’t need to be afraid of initiating conversation, even with men. Unless you’re overtly coquettish, it most likely won’t be interpreted as a sexual advance. Hostels are great places for meeting up with other people, as are guided tours, major tourist attractions and internet cafés.

In general, don’t advertise where you’re staying