California: California from north to south, a land of insolent beauty

👉 California key figures :

Surface area: more than 420,000 km².

Population: more than 39,000,0000 inhabitants in 2021!

👉 Language

Anglo-American is still the majority language in California, but Spanish should eventually become the state's first language.

👉 Formalities and visa United States

Since 21 January 2016, under the law reforming the Visa Waiver Programme, French travellers who have visited Iran, Iraq, Syria or Sudan since 1 March 2011 will need a visa to set foot on American soil.

Since January 2009, nationals of visa-exempt countries, including France, have had to apply online for ESTA travel authorisation (for a fee) at least 72 hours before departure. Travellers can do this via their travel agent and will receive an electronic authorisation in return, which is essential before boarding a plane or a boat. This authorisation is valid for two years or until the passport expires. The new measure, one of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, is designed to make it more difficult for potential terrorists from countries such as France, Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Singapore, New Zealand, Japan and Australia to enter the United States.

Good to know If you have an old-style passport, you will need a visa, as this type of passport is not machine-readable and therefore not secure under US regulations. However, you can use it until its expiry date. But note that the tourist visa will cost you 80 euros.

The United States requires an individual passport, whatever the age of the traveller. Babies (even a few months old) and children must therefore have the same passport as adults (or an individual visa if the child is included in the passport of one of the parents who has a visa). The individual passport for children must be applied for at the Préfecture or Sous-préfecture de Police in the place of residence. It is valid for 5 years.

Since 26 October 2005:

You need to apply for a visa:

• if you are using an old-style passport, regardless of when it was issued.

• if you have a machine-readable passport (DELPHINE model) issued after 26 October 2005.

You do not need a visa:

• if you hold a biometric passport.

Since 30 September 2004, fingerprints and digital identity photographs have been required of all foreign nationals, including those from visa-exempt countries such as France.

For more information on the formalities for entering the United States, see the Office's website (www.office-tourisme-usa.com) or that of the US Department of Homeland Security (www.dhs.gov/us-visit). By telephone, the Visit USA Committee's audiotel service provides information on 0 899 70 24 70 (dial #1).

For information on the different types of passport, see the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

• To obtain a visa: First consult the embassy's website or its voice server: 08-92-23-84-72 (chargeable service). If you have not received an answer to all your questions or if you think you need an appointment, you can call an embassy adviser on: 0-810-26-46-26 (€14.50 per call). You may be asked for an interview. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for an interview to be arranged.

Please note that visa applications will no longer be accepted by post, except for children up to the age of 13 and people aged 80 and over.

👉 Religion

Protestantism is the majority religion in the United States. Catholicism, Judaism, Buddhism and Islam are also represented.

👉 Currency

The currency is the US dollar (USD), the rate of which can fluctuate quite widely (small denominations are preferable). It is divided into 100 cents. There are plenty of bureaux de change, but rates are higher at airports than in town. There is no problem exchanging traveller's cheques. All the major cities are well equipped with ATMs and 24-hour banking machines, which allow you to withdraw cash anywhere with any international credit card. Payment by bank card is widespread, but the use of cheques is relatively uncommon. Banks are generally open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.

👉Transport

There are several ways to get around California.

The car remains the most practical. In fact, it's the "king" form of transport around here.

Just look at the number of motorways and expressways!

All the major cities are easily accessible by road.

There are several bus routes serving the main destinations. The main bus company is Greyhound, particularly for the American West.

The train is not practical, but it is useful if you want to cross the whole country at a leisurely pace. The national company is Amtrak.

Finally, the plane is practical for connecting the largest cities.

👉 Health

Remember to check the access conditions linked to Covid19. You must currently have a full vaccination schedule (2 doses of vaccine for 2-dose vaccines).

Otherwise no specific vaccination is required, but very good insurance is strongly recommended (care and repatriation costs), in the event of illness or accident, given the very high cost of medical care in the United States.

👉 Electricity

The standard in force in the United States is 110 V 60 Hz. Electrical sockets have 2 or 3 flat pins, so cannot be used as they are for French appliances. Adaptor essential.

👉 Taxes

The prices of products displayed in shops are always exclusive of tax. State tax must be added. An additional local tax may be applied to hotels in certain towns, for a total that can vary from 11% to 14%. Prices quoted in the service sector (restaurants, taxis) always exclude a tip: it is customary to add a 15% tip to the price quoted. When paying by credit card, you should add the tip yourself and make up the final bill, before signing.

👉 What to avoid

Walk alone in certain areas of large cities.

Even though crime has fallen sharply in recent years, downtown Los Angeles remains safe after dark.

So don't panic! You just need to be careful, and in the evening you'd be better off taking a taxi. In any case, avoid dark streets, even if you're in a group.