WELCOME TO SAN FRANCISCO
WELCOME TO SAN FRANCISCOOnce again, Google's Streetview is a great way to explore San Francisco - in this case, Chinatown. Starting at the corner of Grant and Bush is the archway entrance to Chinatown. Just use the arrows to walk the streets and explore all the shops and restaurants!
01/30/09 by visitEarth
From USA Today is quite a lengthy article with various travel suggestions for San Francisco, depending on the length of your trip. Geared towards the holiday or vacation traveler, these ideas mostly cover the downtown area and the city's main landmarks like Chinatown, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower and the cable cars. Only in the weeklong itinerary does it mention the wine country in Napa and Sonoma and doesn't mention the magnificent redwood trees in Muir Woods. But nevertheless, quite a good list complete with links. To read the article, click here.
06/19/08 by visitEarth
Time: San Francisco, California is Pacific Standard Time, GMT -8.
Electricity: 110 volts, 60Hz. Plugs are mainly the two, flat-pin type, though three-pin plugs are also widely used. European appliances without dual-voltage capabilities will require an adapter, which can be purchased in most major departure airports.
Money: The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.
Language: English is the official language.
Health: There are no specific health risks associated with travel within the USA. Medical facilities are excellent, but expensive. Only emergencies are treated without prior payment and treatment can be refused without evidence of insurance or proof of funds. Good medical insurance is essential.
Tipping: A 15% tip is expected by taxi drivers, bartenders, hairdressers and waiters, but don't tip in fast-food or self-service restaurants. In expensive restaurants or for large parties tip 20% of the bill. It is normal to tip staff in hotels. In more expensive accommodation there is sometimes a bed tax, often as high as 15%, and it is worth checking that this is included within the quote.
Safety: Travel within the United States is generally trouble-free, however travellers should be aware that the US shares with the rest of the world an increased threat from terrorist incidents. Security has been heightened particularly at airports. Restrictions on hand luggage apply and travellers are advised to check on the latest situation with airlines in advance. Travellers should also be alert to the dangers of car and street crime in cities and should use common sense and take basic precautions.
Business: The East Coast is traditionally more formal than the West Coast, however in states such as California dress code and conservative appearance are as common as they would be in New York. Punctuality is important throughout the country and it is considered rude to be late for a meeting. Gift-giving is uncommon as it may be construed as bribery. Appropriate titles (Mr, Mrs, Ms) are used upon introduction and until otherwise stated. Americans favour politeness and greetings of 'Hello' and 'How are you?' are often expressed with sincerity. Business hours may vary in each state, but an 8am start and 5pm finish Monday to Friday is the most common with an hour over lunch.
Communications: The international country dialling code for the United States is +1. The outgoing code is 011, followed by the relevant country code. Mobile networks cover most of the country, including all urban areas, however unless you have a tri-band phone it is likely your cellular phone from home will not work in the United States. The largest GSM networks are T-mobile and Cingular. Internet cafes are prevalent in most towns and cities.
Travel guide content sourced from wordtravels.com
05/08/07 by visitEarth
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