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GENERAL
INFORMATION
POPULATION: 39,144,818
AREA: 158,693 square miles. It is approx-
imately 770 miles long from the Mexican
border to the Oregon border, and 250
miles wide from the Pacific Ocean to the
Nevada and Arizona borders.
TIME: California is in the Pacific Time
Zone (GMT minus 8 hours). The state
observes daylight saving time.
TAXES: The state sales tax is 7.5%. Local
taxes may be as much as an additional 2.5%.
DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE: For local
numbers, dial 411; long-distance,
1 plus area code plus 555-1212; toll-free,
1-800-555-1212.
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE: Call 911
toll free from any public telephone to
obtain police, fire or medical assistance.
LIQUOR LAWS: Alcohol is sold throughout
California. Legal drinking age is 21.
SMOKING LAWS: You must be 18 to
purchase tobacco products. Smoking is
prohibited in all public buildings and
enclosed spaces throughout California.
Many cities in California have passed
ordinances prohibiting smoking in all
public places. It is even illegal to smoke
on certain beaches in Southern
California—watch for signs.
GENERAL TRAVEL
visitcalifornia.com
BEACHES
beachcalifornia.com
BORDER SERVICES
cbp.gov
BUS TRAVEL
greyhound.com
CALIFORNIA STATE GOVERNMENT
ca.gov
CALIFORNIA NATIONAL PARKS,
NATIONAL FORESTS & PUBLIC LANDS
nps.gov/state/ca
fs.fed.us/r5/ca.blm.gov
CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS
www.parks.ca.gov
COOKING SCHOOLS
epitourean.com/Destination/8/California.aspx
ECO, ADVENTURE, OUTDOOR
alopexadventures.com
infohub.com
FESTIVALS
californiafairsandfestivals.com
festivals.com
FISHING
wildlife.ca.gov
fishingnetwork.net
FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAMS
frequentflier.com
webflyer.com
GAY & LESBIAN TRAVEL
gaytravel.com
gogaycalifornia.com
GOLF
golfcalifornia.com
golflink.com
HUNTING
wildlife.ca.gov
RAIL TRAVEL
amtrak.com
ROAD CONDITIONS
dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi
SENIOR TRAVEL
roadscholar.org
aarp.org
SKI CONDITIONS
onthesnow.com
SOLO TRAVEL
cstn.org
STUDENT TRAVEL
statravel.com
SPORTS TRAVEL
sportstravel.com
TRANSPORTATION REGULATIONS
dmv.ca.gov
TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN
travelforkids.com/Funtodo/California/california.htm
familyvacationcritic.com
TRAVELERS WITH DISABILITIES
accessnca.org/resources
WEATHER CONDITIONS
wunderground.com
WOMEN TRAVELERS
adventurewomen.com
journeywoman.com
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE TO TRAVEL
»
CALIFORNIA WELCOME CENTERS
San Diego County
928 North Coast Highway
Oceanside 1-800-350-7873
760-721-1101
Inland Empire
One Mills Circle, Suite 1054
Ontario 909-937-3000
Desert Region
2796 Tanger Way, Suite 100
Barstow 760-253-4782
56711 29 Palms Highway
Yucca Valley 760-365-5464
Orange County
6601 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park
1-800-541-3953
Central Coast
333 Five Cities Drive, Suite 100
Pismo Beach 805-773-7924
1213 North Davis Road
Salinas 831-757-8687
2786 Seaglass Way, Space 5105
Oxnard 805-988-0717
Central Valley
710 W. 16
th
Street, Suite A
Merced 209-724-8104
San Francisco Bay Area
Pier 39, Building B, Second Level, Unit B12
San Francisco 415-981-1280
9 Fourth Street
Santa Rosa 1-800-404-7673
Gold Country
1103 High Street, Suite 150
Auburn 530-887-2111
2085 Vine Street, Suite 105
El Dorado Hills 916-358-3700
High Sierra
10065 Donner Pass Road
Truckee 530-587-8808
2510 Main Street
Mammoth Lakes 760-924-5500
Shasta Cascade
1699 Highway 273
Anderson 530-365-1180
2 California 96
Yreka 530-475-3814
2 0 1 7 T R AV E L G U I D E TO
CALIFORNIA RESOURCES
172 2 0 1 7 T R A V E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A
THERE ARE SEVENTEEN OFFICIAL state Welcome Centers in 10 of the state's tourism regions. Each center
is listed by the region in which it is located. For more information, go to VisitCWC.com.
