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1. Location is everything. 
Ideally tucked between Southern California’s cool
ocean beaches and sunny mountain foothills,
Beverly Hills lies along the northwestern
edge of Los Angeles. You’ll find it’s extremely convenient
to downtown Los Angeles,
the L.A. Convention Center, Los Angeles International Airport,
Century City, and
most other major sites in the region. In Beverly Hills you are also just a few minutes
drive from the Pacific Ocean and less than an hour from virtually every visitor
attraction in Southern California including Hollywood, UCLA, the Getty Center, Disneyland
and Universal Studios Hollywood.
2. What to wear?
The style of Beverly Hills is
casually elegant. Jeans and sportswear are the general rule by day. In the evening,
dressier attire is more appropriate in some hotels, and some restaurants prefer
jackets and ties for men. During fall and winter in particular, visitors will find
dressing in layers, including sweaters or light jackets, the most comfortable strategy
at night.
3. How’s the weather?
Beverly Hills enjoys nearly perfect weather; almost year-round sunshine; an average of 15 inches of rainfall recorded annually, none of it between May and October; and an average high daily temperature of 75 F (24 C).
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Winter (January-March) - 45-65 F (7-18 C)
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Spring (April-June) - 53-77 F (11-25 C)
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Summer (June-September) - 61-83 F (16-28 C)
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Fall (October-December) - 60-77 F (15-25 C)
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4.
What time is it?
Beverly Hills lies in the Pacific Standard Time Zone, 8 hours behind Greenwich Mean
Time. Between April and October, the city observes Daylight Saving Time which adds
one hour to standard time.
5. Professional guides.
Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau proudly provides
a unique service for visitors: official docents offering a wide variety of business
and visitor services including meeting registration, translation, and specialized
walking tours. Sophisticated, highly trained, and chicly dressed (in black, with
Nicole Miller scarves from Giorgio Beverly Hills), the Ambassadears, as they’re
called, have played host for more than 35 years to dignitaries, delegations, and
VIPs including the Lladró family, representatives from Hermés and Hugo Boss, and
spouses of Forbes 500 CEOs, and have assisted in major conventions, galas, and formal
events.
The Ambassadears entertained the first astronauts to land on the moon, escorted
Prince Andrew to breakfast at the Regent Beverly Wilshire and stood by John F. Kennedy
when he received the Democratic nomination at the Beverly Hilton. For business and
leisure visitors, journalists, and even local residents who wish to learn more about
Beverly Hills, Ambassadears are available for $80 per walking tour (four-hour maximum
time limit), or for conventions and events at $20 per hour (four-hour minimum).
For more information, or to schedule an Ambassadear, contact Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau at 310.248.1015.
6. When do I tip?
As it is throughout the United States, tipping is customary in Beverly Hills (and tips do not appear on your bill except in some cases involving large parties). Although specific amounts are, of course, matters of personal preference, it is general practice to offer 15-20% of the total bill as a tip in a restaurant, a taxi, or a salon or spa. Bellmen, doormen and skycaps usually receive $1 or $2 per bag; valet parking attendants receive the same when they return your car to you; housekeeping staff receive $1 to $2 per night of your visit; and other service staff generally receive $1 to $2 for their assistance as well. If you have requested special assistance from a hotel concierge, you should expect to tip $5-$20, depending on the type and quality of service.
7. Banking and currency.
Banks and financial institutions are located on virtually every block of Beverly Hills’ downtown business district. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are also located throughout the city. If you need to exchange foreign currency, several banks and businesses can accommodate your needs (for specific guidance, check with your concierge).
8. Electrical current & computer modem/fax.
The electrical current in the United States is 110 volts A/C. International travelers bringing personal appliances may need to purchase a converter prior to departure. In the United States, telephone jacks for computer modems and faxes use the RJ11 standard.
9. Telephone.
The area code for most phone numbers in Beverly Hills is 310. If you are calling any number with a different area code, you must dial the number 1, then the area code of the number you’re calling, then the 7-digit number.
The prefixes 800, 888 or 877 are toll-free (you are not charged for calling them), but you must still dial the number 1 before dialing the number.
If you are calling an international number and want to dial the number yourself, you must first dial 011, then the country code, then the city code, then the number you’re calling. You can find country and city codes in the front pages of any telephone book.
10. A few rules & regulations.
California state law requires that when traveling in a car, the driver and all passengers must wear their seatbelts at all times. Children weighing less than 80 pounds must be secured in a child safety seat.
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offense in California. A person is considered legally drunk when his or her blood alcohol level reaches .08%. It is illegal for anyone less than 21 years old to consume alcohol in any quantity at any time in California.
As is true throughout California, smoking is not permitted in restaurants, bars, theaters, auditoriums, museums, or most other public buildings.
It is illegal (and dangerous) to cross streets in Beverly Hills except at designated crosswalks (note that at several spots special crosswalks allow you to cross intersections diagonally). The Police Department strictly enforces this law.
In Beverly Hills, parking meters are in operation and are closely monitored 24 hours a day. Citations and fines are expensive; to avoid them, be sure to read all parking signs carefully before parking your vehicles.
For more information, please visit
http://www.lovebeverlyhills.org/
Call us at 1-800-345-2210
© Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau 2007.
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