Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For sending important documents or packages internationally, try
Federal Express
(FedEx;
800-742-5877;
www.ups.com
)
.
Public Holidays
On the following national holidays, banks, schools and government offices (including post
offices) are closed, and transportation, museums and other services operate on a Sunday
schedule. Holidays falling on a weekend are usually observed the following Monday.
New Year's Day
January 1
Martin Luther King Jr Day
Third Monday in January
Presidents' Day
Third Monday in February
Good Friday
Friday before Easter in March/April
Memorial Day
Last Monday in May
Independence Day
July 4
Labor Day
First Monday in September
Columbus Day
Second Monday in October
Veterans Day
November 11
Thanksgiving Day
Fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day
December 25
School Holidays
Colleges take a one- or two-week 'spring break' around Easter, sometime in March or
April. Some hotels and resorts, especially along the coast, near SoCal's theme parks and
in the deserts, raise their rates during this time.
School summer vacations run from mid-June until mid-August, making July and August
the busiest travel months.
Safe Travel
Despite its seemingly apocalyptic list of dangers - guns, violent crime, riots, earthquakes -
California is a reasonably safe place to visit. The greatest danger is posed by car accidents
(buckle up - it's the law), while the biggest annoyances are metro-area traffic and crowds.
