Kitchen
During my first days in the US, I initially ordered several dishes out of habit, but quickly gave up on that idea. Portions here are incredibly huge; one dish from the "appetizers" section is usually enough unless you're starving. If you can't finish a significant part of your meal, I highly recommend asking the waiter for a box and taking the food with you. Don't be shy; it's common practice here.
American fast food culture can be discussed for hours, and it's easiest to criticize.
Size, shape, color, taste – everything is different. Large portions are especially valued here. When you go to Johnny Rockets, this national value immediately comes to mind. The portion of French fries is practically unlimited: as soon as you finish the first batch, they offer you more. However, we have never gotten to that extra plate of "American fries": every time, after eating burgers and washing them down with lemonade, happy and content, we crawl home. And we don't want any more.
In short, there it is – a classic American diner. One where milkshakes are five dollars, but for half a pint. With incredibly filling hamburgers that leave you feeling full until lunch the next day.
Be sure to visit local ethnic restaurants.
Due to its proximity to the Mexican border, Mexican cuisine is most widely represented in California. From it, I recommend trying carne asada (grilled beef), salsa (spicy tomato sauce with chili), guacamole (avocado paste usually served with corn chips), and of course, margarita (in a classic Mexican bar, you'll always find several varieties on the menu).
If you come across a brewery like Karl Strauss or BJ's, stop in even if you're not particularly interested in beer: most such establishments brew their own drinks, and the food is quite good. Additionally, you'll encounter Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Korean, and even French restaurants, which you can also visit for a change.
Local bars and clubs often feature fusion cuisine: the menu mixes American, European, and Asian recipes, and most dishes are simple.
Regardless of the venue, tipping in American restaurants is mandatory, even if you spent your entire time at the bar and didn't order any food. The percentage varies from place to place, but you should count on 18% on top. If you go to dinner in a large group and there are more than eight people at your table, the tip amount will be automatically included in the bill at any establishment, leaving room for an additional tip below the final amount. You can give one if the service was exceptional.
Don't forget to bring your passport. Establishment owners pay huge fines for selling alcohol to minors, so no one will take your word for it: the waiter must verify that you are over twenty-one. The same goes for a store clerk if you buy any alcohol.
Shopping
When shopping in California (whether it's US online stores or regular supermarkets), you pay sales tax. The cost of goods and services in the US is always listed without tax, so when comparing prices, keep in mind that, with rare exceptions, you need to add about 8% to the listed figure, depending on which part of the state you're spending money. In the north, near San Francisco, the tax is slightly higher; to the south, it's a bit lower. Unfortunately, taxes paid in the US cannot be refunded: there is no special form for getting money back that you can fill out after your vacation.
Americans are avid shopaholics, but they rarely buy things at full price, and almost unanimously prefer functional and understated items over elegant outfits.
In many parts of California, the approach to clothing selection is less serious than in Moscow, which is why the American, and especially Californian, way of putting together a wardrobe may seem overly simplified and even somewhat eccentric to tourists. Californians have their own idea of the latest trends: despite the high income of the local population, most state residents prefer shorts, T-shirts, and comfortable shoes for everyday wear.
Still, local sales – which, with the onset of the recession, turned from seasonal to monthly – are the main reason to take a break from sightseeing.
Every moderately significant settlement has some kind of mall, and collections that would sell out in Europe in a couple of weeks often end up on sale in the States. Paying for excess baggage would be unpleasant, so I recommend bringing a minimum of things: many of the items you'll need on vacation can be bought much cheaper in California than at home. Prices at local chains – Macy's, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and Neiman & Markus, which mix mid-range brands and designer labels in varying proportions – are lower than in Europe and Canada.
At the height of the crisis, Macy's, for example, drops prices by 25% almost as soon as a collection arrives, then later reduces them by 45%, and after about four months by a full 70%. Additionally, some department stores near beach towns offer special discounts for tourists, usually around 11%. To get such a coupon, you typically need to show a foreign passport.
Technology, like clothing, is also relatively inexpensive in the US, and many people leave their vacation with brand new laptops. As souvenirs for friends, you can buy local wine, cigars, or Mexican tequila. And you don't have to go to a souvenir shop for this: in the most ordinary store like Albertsons, Ralphs, where locals go every day, or the already mentioned gourmet shops Gelson's, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's, the most expensive wine from Napa Valley will cost no more than $30.
But shopping, of course, is still not the reason to endure a long flight across the ocean and also turn back the clock eleven hours.
No sale will bring as much pleasure as walks in the local theme parks, which are abundant throughout the state, from the already mentioned Disneyland to the Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park and the zoos Wild Animal Park and San Diego Zoo. No super deal will overshadow the sunsets in beach towns, diving in Catalina, skiing, museum visits, and Hollywood tours...
The sights of one of the largest and most populous American states would be enough for several vacations. But that's what makes the "Golden State" so good: thanks to its vast area, there is plenty to see in California, even if you have lived here for several years. California draws you in. Whenever I have a free weekend, I rush to see something new. My personal list of must-see places is still growing.
Read also related material: FOR THOSE GOING TO CALIFORNIA
Alexandra ZAKHAROVA.
Photo by the author.