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In restaurants a tip of 15 to 20 percent is standard. An easy way to figure out the amount is by doubling the sales tax shown on your bill. Cab drivers, masseurs, hairdressers, and other service personnel expect about 10 to 15 percent.

The current sales tax in LA is about 8.25 percent. It must be added to all restaurant bills, and non-food items such as clothing, alcohol, and suntan lotion; it is included in gasoline prices, theater tickets, and museum admissions. Services are not taxable. Hotel rooms are subject to an occupancy tax which varies slightly within Los Angeles, from 12 percent in Santa Monica to 14 percent in Beverly Hills.

LA Inc, the city’s visitors bureau, operates two visitor information centers. In addition, cities such as Santa Monica and Beverly Hills have their own offices.

A great source for events listings is the Los Angeles Times daily Calendar section; the LA Weekly , a freebie available across town, also provides good “what’s-on” information.

Foreign and out-of-town newspapers and periodicals may be found at the airport, in bookstores such as Barnes & Noble, as well as at specialty newsstands around LA.

All the major TV networks have studios in Los Angeles, including KNBC (Channel 4) and FOX (Channel 11). WB (Warner Bros, Channel 5) and UPN (Channel 13) are smaller networks, while KCAL (Channel 9) is a local station.

Numerous radio stations crowd the LA air waves – Arrow 93 (93.1FM) features rock oldies, The Wave (94.7FM) offers smooth jazz, KISS (102.7FM) plays Top 40 chart music, and K-Mozart (105.1FM) presents classical sounds. KCRW (89.9F) is LA’s main affiliate of NPR (National Public Radio).

Banks, offices, and some museums are closed on these national holidays – Jan 1, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (3rd Mon in Jan), Presidents’ Day (3rd Mon in Feb), Memorial Day (last Mon in May), Independence Day (Jul 4), Labor Day (1st Mon in Sep), Columbus Day (2nd Mon in Oct), Veterans’ Day (Nov 11), Thanksgiving (4th Thu in Nov), and Christmas Day (Dec 25).

Stores in shopping malls and streets are usually open from 10am to 9pm Monday to Saturday, and to 6pm on Sunday. Banks are closed on weekends, but ATMs are accessible 24/7.

Students, seniors, and children usually qualify for reduced admission at museums and attractions. Proof of age or status may be required.