We get so use to our own ways and culture that we often don’t realize that going abroad can be challenging even if we speak the language perfectly. This guide shows you some of the most common store chains on the West Coast, from grocery stores, pharmacies, and electronic stores. While some of the chains operate nationwide, others only operate stores in a few states. Here you will find information on what super market will carry which products.

Shopping on the West Coast: Grocery Stores

If you are visiting for a longer vacation, you will need to know where to shop for food. Here is a list of the grocery stores you can find on the West Coast.
-Vons/Safeway: This is a typical grocery store chain, where you can find everything from fresh to frozen produce, alcohol, milk, pet food and a few cleaning products.
- Ralph’s: Is another grocery store chain, a little more expensive than the first mentioned, with the same kind of products.
- Albertson: offers lower prices on certain produces and serve the same as the 2 previously mentioned.
- Henry’s and Trader Joe’s are grocery stores, with just groceries, and focus on the fresh and organic produce. You find a larger choice of fresh veggies and fruits and a smaller frozen section. They are considered the “healthy” stores, but also offer great prices.
- Whole Foods is the top of the chain grocery stores: it is the leader in “natural and fresh produce”. You can find international and specialty products and the best produces. It is the Gourmet of the grocery stores, however, it is also the most expensive grocery store.

Shopping on the West Coast: General Stores

- Wal-mart and Target are the two largest general store chains that you will find all over the US. They are kind of the equivalent of a European super market. You can find everything for your home, clothes, personal care, electronics, food… Wal-mart tends to have lower prices, but some people refuse to shop there due to the bad press they chain received for their employment rules. Target stores don’t always have a food section, only the super Target Stores offer this option.
- Kmart is another general store chain where you can find what the other general stores offer, but with less choices and quality.
- Sears is the first American general store chain, the oldest one ever created. Although it should be called a department store, it is another American store that can be compared to the European super market, carrying fewer choices that the 2 first mentioned.

Shopping on the West Coast: Pharmacy
It is hard in a new country to know where to go for medicines and to know what to take. Yes, even the vocabulary might raise some suspicion. In the US, people often refer to medicine as drugs and call a pharmacy a drug store. All the stores mentioned here have pharmacists available to answer your questions and direct you to the right product. Unlike most of European countries, in the USA you can buy most medicines, which are not personal prescriptions, over the counter.
CVS, Walgreen and Rite Aid are the most popular ones with the most locations. You can find everything for your personal care as well as snacks and cleaning products there. They usually also offer a small convenience section with the most use grocery items (milk, eggs, butter…) and alcohol, but note that in some states, you can only buy liquor in liquor stores. In California you can find every liquor, beer, wine in most stores. However in Texas, only licensed liquor stores can sell hard liquor.

Shopping on the West Coast: Convenient Stores

Sometimes if you just want a snack, a drink, candies, or the typical grocery items like milk you can find them at convenient stores. They usually have a larger selection of candies and cigarettes then grocery stores do. 7 Eleven and Circle K are 2 good examples. Sometimes, they also have a gas station.

Shopping on the West Coast: Electronics Stores

When traveling you might not want to shop for electronics, however, it could happen that your portable DVD player breaks or the camera you want to buy is much cheaper in the US… In case you need electronics for any particular reason, the two best American stores for this are Best Buy and Fry’s. Best Buy is a nationwide chain and offers everything,  from computers to TV, appliances to DVDs. Fry’s also offers these products, but with a wider selection of technical products as well. You can also find a good selection of electronics in Target and Wal-mart and other general stores.

Shopping on the West Coast: Pet Stores

In case you travel with you pet, it is useful to know where you can find everything you might need to keep your beloved pet happy during the vacation. Pet People, Pet Smart and Petco are American stores dedicated to the care of pets, from pet food to flea treatment and beds.

Other Chain Stores on the West Coast:

- For Office Supplies: Staples, Office Depot. You can find everything you need for office supplies, from paper to ink for your printer, envelopes and markers.
- For home and garden maintenance: Home Depot and Lowe’s have everything to fix and built.
- Department Stores
Large Department Stores which carry clothing as well as appliances for kitchen, bed and bath rooms and a beauty department: Macy’s and JC Penney
Large Department stores without the appliances section: Nordstrom, Bloomingdale, (up scale and higher prices, offer all designer brands) and Kohl’s and Ross (cheap clothing)
- For books and magazines, Borders and Barnes & Nobles have every type of books, and can help you find what you need. From dictionary to international authors, to cook books, they offer a large selection of books.

Shopping on the West Coast: Notes:
- Costco requires a membership card to shop there.
- When you pay at the register, you don’t need to put your items in bags, they have employees that will do that for you.
- Don’t try to find the scale to weigh your fruits and veggies; they do it for you when you pay.
- You don’t need money to get a cart.
- You are required to be 18 years old to buy cigarettes and 21 to buy alcohol, and you have to present your ID. You can buy cigarettes at the grocery stores, you just need to ask for them at the cashier.
- When you pay with your credit or debit card, they ask you “ Cash Back?” It is a way for you to get cash without going to the ATM. You are just charged the amount you ask (up to $200 in most stores) in addition to your purchase.

You are all set to shop in the USA. All American stores are different from your country’s stores, but you can still find the common items! Enjoy your trip to the US.

USA Immigration: Travel to the USA

If you are planning a trip to the US, there are a couple things you need to know about the USA immigration procedure. You have to follow a  number of rules to travel to the US. Make sure to get information about the immigration procedures, visa and other regulations to avoid problems getting in and not being able to enjoy your vacations or make it to your business meeting.

Visa requirements to travel in the USA.

Depending on the purpose of your visit in the USA, you will have to apply for different types of visa. Travelers always apply for a non immigrant visa. What defines you as a traveler? The Department of Homeland Security defines as traveler as any person visiting the USA for a tourist, business or medical visit. Your visit is temporary. Within the category of non immigrant visas, you find different visas for different travel purposes. You can find the list of visa with the description of who they related to under Immigration classifications and Visa Categories Table.
You must apply for your visa in advance. The embassy gets a lot of visa applications every day, so you need to give them enough time to process your application. It is important to understand, how to file your visa application, and fill it out very carefully. An application is easily rejected for any little mistake you make. Be aware that certain visas require an appointment at the Embassy of the USA in your country, and you need to sign up for it at least 1 month before your departure date so that you will get the visa on time. I would recommend at least 2 month, just to be on the safe side. Remember holidays are busy travel dates, and less officers are working. So take this into consideration. Also note that you are required to have an electronic passport to enter the USA that is still valid for 6 months after your departure. So if you don’t have one, you will need to take care of that first, so that your visa can be printed in the right passport.

Visa Waiver Program

35 countries have a special agreement with the US immigration, that allows citizens from these countries to travel to the US for up to 90 days without a visa. You can find additional information about the US visa waiver program and a list of these countries here. When you are a citizen of one of these countries, you do not have to apply for a visa, but simply fill out the green I94 online and you are good to go!

Be aware, numerous companies have tried to charge travelers for the service. This is a free application, you shouldn’t in any case pay for this. The ESTA is in charge of this service. Use their page to do it. Now what is this application all about? It asks you a series of question about yourself and the purpose of your trip. If you have traveled in the USA before, it is the equivalent of the green sheet you had to fill out on the plane. But still plan to have a pen with you on the plane! As this is a new system, you will still need to fill out the green I94 form on the plane just in case there are any bugs in the system! Make sure you fill it out carefully and try to have the address where you will be staying for the first few nights.

Questioning process at the border before entering the USA.

Once you get off the airplane at the first airport in the US, you will be directed to the US Immigration. At this point you should have  2 forms at hand: your immigration form (green I94 for non immigrant) and the Customs Declaration Form. That last one declares which goods you are bringing into the country. Now you just need to be patient and wait in line. Most likely it’s going to take a while, so remember to plan enough time to catch your connection flight! When you get to the officer that is checking your visa, you will be asked a series of questions. When I said to fill out the forms very carefully previously, I meant really carefully. If the officer can’t read it, or if you missed an answer or scratched out something, you are sent back to the end of the line and asked to fill out the form again. The officer usually asks you, why you are traveling in the USA, how long you are planning to stay, what are you going to do… They are not very patient, so try your best to understand what they ask! Then the officer will take your picture and scan your finger prints ( right thumbs alone, then the 3 other fingers together, and same with your left hand). If there is a problem with your visa, or if they need a special officer to take care of the paperwork you will be sent to an immigration office before getting you bags. He will give you  your passport back and you can then get your suitcases at the baggage claim. Welcome to the USA.

During your time in the US, make sure to not lose the green I94 card. Attach or staple it to your passport. Immigration will take it out of your passport once you leave the country to record your departure. If you loose your I94, the US government does not have any record of you leaving the country, so you could run into problems, when you travel to the US in the future.

Although this seems like a long and complicated process, you must understand that there are a lot of people traveling in and out of the country, and the USA immigration must therefore be careful and control it. The regulations to follow to travel in the USA are really not that complicated. You just need to be aware of them and follow them carefully, and everything will be fine. Enjoy an amazing trip to the USA!

Before going on your trip to the US you should make sure you plan everything ahead of time and plan it well. A trip to the US is usually quite expensive and it should be the trip of your lifetime, right? It is important when traveling to a different country that you learn about the culture and plan your trip accordingly. You might need to adapt your customs and habits to your trip and adopt new ways and attitudes. It is part of the fun to travel to a different country! Discover a new culture, learn about it and act according to it. The US are not that much different from the European culture, but there is a few things your need to be aware of to help you plan your trip to the US.

Trip to the US: Packing

When you are planning your trip to the US it is important to know what to pack and what you can leave at home to make your trip easier and lighter!
Don’t forget these things:
Take a little pocket dictionary or translator if your English isn’t perfect. It might be useful to avoid communication problems and will make things a lot easier for you! Find out about the weather and climate of your destination at the time of year, and match the clothes you pack for your trip. For example, if you are planning a trip to California, although it is warm during the summer, the nights are often chilly, so you should think about taking a light sweater or even a coat, if you plan to visit Northern California. Also match your clothes to the activities you have planned. If you plan hikes during the day and a fun nightlife, remember dress codes might be imposed! so you will have to pack more pair of shoes and shirts. If you are planing a trip in a warm part of the US with beach activities remember that it is forbidden for women to be top less. Children always wear their bathing suit as well.

Things you can leave at home:
Of course you want to bring your camera, iPod and some other electronics on your trip, but remember that the US has a different voltage and other differently shaped plugs. This means you have to buy an adapter and check your electronic equipment, if it can handle a different income voltage. Quite a hassle, right? So leave your flat iron, hair dryer, electric tooth brush and razor at home, if you can. Also, if you are staying in hotels during your trip note that most hotel rooms are equipped with a hair dryer, towels, flat irons as well as toiletries such as soap, shampoo and lotion so you don’t need to pack these things! If you are planning on going to the beach though, you might want to bring your own large beach towel. Sunscreen, batteries, even shampoo, soap and toothpaste are easy to find and very cheap, so you might want to lighten your bags and buy these things, when you get there.

Trip to the US: Required Documents

Drivers License: If you are planning to drive in the US make sure to take your driver license. Depending on where you are coming from, you might be required to have an international drivers license, instead of your national driver license. If you are renting a car, ask the car rental company what their policy is about that.
Passport: Your passport is obviously a MUST. No expired passport (or one that will expire during or shortly after your trip) is accepted by US immigration and must be an electronic passport. Even if your passport is not expired, you will need to have it redone if it is not an electronic passport.
Visa: Depending on the nature of your trip to the US, make sure you have all the papers and documents required by immigration to legally enter the country. Get information, if you need a visa and if so, what kind of visa you need and how to get it. As the process can take quite a while , make sure to take care of it early enough.
Insurance: Your insurance might cover you abroad, but some do not. If not, you should consider buying a travel insurance for the duration of your trip. A stay in an American hospital can cost several thousand Dollars and they might not even treat you without proof of insurance, even if you give them your credit card. Take you insurance information with you and keep it in a safe place. Better be safe than sorry and have all the information you need in case of an emergency. Also bring the documents of your car insurance, if you plan to rent a car. Some international insurances are accepted by car rental companies. This can also save you a few bucks.

Plan your Trip to the US: Reservations

Hotels
When you plan your trip to the US and decide to stay in a hotel, make sure to make your reservation ahead of time. Try to check if your travel dates are during any American Holidays. If so make sure to reserve ahead, Holidays are always a good excuse for travel and hotels get booked out quickly. Also prices get higher the closer you get to these special dates.
Camping
Most camp sites in the US require permits for RVs and tents as well. Make sure to call ahead and get the permits soon. Especially, if you are going to very popular places such as National Parks, during the summer, you need to get your permit at least 2 months before your visit.
Rental Cars
It is quite easy to rent a car in the US. However, depending on the type of car you need or want, you should reserve the car before your arrival, so you get the most suitable car model for your needs and plans. Also, if you will need additional equipment, such as a car seat, DVD player, ski racks etc… you will need to request this when doing your reservation so that everything can be set and ready upon your arrival. Make sure before you arrive and get your car, to include while planning of your trip to the US, to learn everything about driving in the US.

Note: when planning an international trip, make sure to respect the baggage weight limits of your airline company, because this will quickly increase your trip expenses. Remember that there might be different weight limits when you plan to fly domestic during your trip in the US (this does not affect layovers that are part of your international connection flight). Due to the increasing number of travelers and very high security standards at US airports, make sure to arrive at least 2 hours before departure at the airport. It is better to arrive early than miss your plane! And remember, it gets cold on planes, so if you have a long flight, plan to bring a sweater!

These tips should help you plan your trip to the US a little and give you insights on what to think about when packing, making your reservations and also about the culture. Enjoy discovering the US!

Tips about Driving in the USA

When you are planning a trip in the USA, you will most likely need to rent a car. It is a large country with so much to see, that first of all, you don’t want to waste your visit staying just at one place and second, even if you do, walking is not always possible. When you visit another country, it is good to be informed on what the driving practices are and important things to know before you get behind the wheel. Here are some useful tips about driving in the USA to help you be prepared for this road adventure!

Tip about driving in the USA #1: Rental info.

When you visit the USA and plan to rent a car, they are a few things you should know. First, it is true that for most states the legal driving age is 16 years old. However, most rental companies, do not allow drivers under 21 to rent a car. Second, not every country’s drivers license are accepted in the USA, and certain rental companies do not accept foreign drivers licenses at all. So make sure you get your International Driver License before leaving for your trip. In most countries you can apply for them at the city or town hall, but you can also ask in any travel agency and they will know where you can get the international drivers license. Finally, you might want to check if your driver’s insurance covers you abroad, otherwise you will need to buy a special insurance through your insurance, or through the rental company. Even if you are a good driver, remember that driving in the USA can be quite different from driving at home, so it is better to be safe than sorry, and be insured. Most states require you to have car insurance anyways and you probably do not want to get in trouble for driving without proper insurance in a foreign country during your vacation, right? Also, when you reserve your car ask the rental what their policy is. Some might not accept foreign insurance, or might require you to show proof of insurance.

Tip about driving in the USA #2: Freeway vs Highway

Definition: A Highway is defined as the main large road that usually links cities to one another. The speed limit is 55 mph, and you can run into stop signs and lights. On the Freeway, on the other hand, you have no intersections nor stops. It’s a road, (or highway) for high-speed traffic – usually limited up to 75 mph. Freeway is a term mostly used on the West coast though, while on the East cost they talk about Interstate Highway. Freeways have more lanes, and you can also find  the car-pool lanes on them. Now, if you never driven in the USA before, this is something to be aware of. Car-pool lanes are reserved to cars who have 2 or more people in them. You can only enter or exit them when the yellow lines are interrupted. Any car entering or exiting the lane by crossing the double line can be fined, as well as when you are alone in the car.

Numbers: When you start driving and looking for directions, you will realize that highways and freeways have numbers. The numbering system is very thought through and can facilitate your driving experience in the USA. Freeways with even numbers go from east to west. The lower numbers are in the South and increase as you move toward the North. For example if you take the 8 E (8 East) you are taking the Interstate 8 driving toward east in south California. Odd numbers are for freeways going South to North and the numbers increase as you go from the West coast to the East Coast ( e.g : I-5 in California, I – 95 in Florida). On maps when you read 3 digits numbers indicating a road, it’s a highway. If it starts with an even number ( such as 405) it usually connects major freeways, when it start with an odd number ( as 705) it usually connect a city to a freeway.

Stops: When you are driving on the freeway, most exits take you to a city or town. If you are used to the freeway rest points and gas stations common in Europe, don’t wait for one. If you want to stop for gas, take a break or find a restaurant, watch for the signs that indicate what the next exit has to offer.

Tip about driving in the USA #3: In Town.

Street names: When you drive in the USA, it is also important to understand how the street system works. The streets are often alphabetically organized one way, and numbered the other crossing way. When you are looking for the street name , at a cross street, the sign with the name facing you, across the intersection, is the street name you will be crossing. When you look for address numbers, they are marked on the buildings or houses, and sometime, mostly in residential areas, you can also find them painted on the side of the sidewalk. If you ask for directions, most people will use the term block. For example they will tell you it’s about 2 block away, or turn right after the second block. Between the first intersection with the road you’re on, and the second one, you pass one block. So blocks are an area of buildings situated between streets in a city. Also keep in mind that in most downtown areas, you find a lot of one way streets. If the first street goes one way, the next one usually goes the other.

Parking: If you drive in the USA, you also need to know the rules about parking. Parking can be tricky. Familiarize yourself with the color codes painted on the side walks for parking zones: Red: don’t stop don’t park, not even the back of your car should be in the red; White: loading zone for passengers; Yellow: commercial loading zone; Blue: reserved for disabled persons; Green: short term parking. Don’t think you can get away with it, they will tow your car, and it will cost you a lot to get it back. Also, make sure you respect the time limit for your parking zone. Even if you “refill” your meter, you are not allowed to park in the same spot longer than indicated. They will mark your tires and write down your license plate, so rather look for another spot. Then once you are parked, make sure your tires are turned the right way. If you park on a hill facing down, your tires should be turn toward the side of the road, and if facing up hill, turn your front tires away from the curb. On a flat street, you should always make sure you parked all your wheels parallel to the curb. If you don’t follow those rules you can get a ticket. Also, make sure to read the signs on the street where you park. Street cleaning is organized on different days and times, and parking on one side of the street is forbidden on those days. You will receive a ticket or be towed if you do not respect this.

For some people, these rules seem over the top and may be a little harsh, but remember that you are in a foreign country and to stay out of trouble, you should follow those rules. Remember to not talk on the phone, fasten your seat belt and have the regulated car seats for your children! Have a safe drive.

Driving Rules in the US

Stop signs are international… but before you get behind the wheel in the land of big cars and large roads, you should know all about driving rules in the US? Even though some traffic rules are the same as in other countries, here is a list of must-know rules you should be aware of before getting behind a wheel in the US.

Turning on a red light
In the United States, people are always in a hurry, so instead of wasting people’s time they got the great idea to not let people wait at the light when they don’t need to! So here is what you need to know: If you are turning right at a stop light, you can actually turn even tough the light is red. The red light in that case is like a stop sign. But be careful, you must make sure no one is coming from your left side nor in front of you turning left (for them), and of course don’t forget people crossing – they have the right of way!! Also you need to make sure it no sign forbids you to turn on red. The same is true for turning left from a one-way street into a one-way street.

Stop Signs in the US
If you come from Europe you are used to traffic circles…. well, they are not very common here in the US! So what are the traffic rules, when 3 or 4 roads cross? It is really simple. The first car that arrives goes first! You will ask then, ok what if we arrive at the same time? Then the car to your right has priority. You will be impressed how well educated American drivers are! But when you approach an intersection, remember to look for cars coming from the left as well!

Passing  on the Left Lane on the Freeway
Unfortunately for foreigners, not every state has the same rules when it comes to passing other cars on the freeway. Certain states allow you to pass cars on either side – left or right- to your convenience ( such as California). Other forbid passing on the right. As to the left lane, certain states do not allow slower traffic on the let lane and reserve it for passing. The  State “Keep Right” Laws link gives you a full description of which state allows what.

Emergency Vehicles
If you hear sirens and see light flashing, do you know what you should do? The traffic rule in the US is to yield to the right and let them pass, where ever you are. Traffic must stop to let them pass. Just stay out of their way. Every one will get back on the road and keep going once they are passed.

Phones
When you are stuck in traffic or on your way somewhere, it often seems the best time to make a call. Well not really. Most states have banned cell phone use in the car, unless a hands free system is used. But of course here again, they are not making it easy for you drivers, and kept it a federal law, so not all states have the same rules. Cell Phone Driving Laws gives you in detail per state the rules and regulation concerning this topic. Oh! By the way, this include text messaging as well!

School Buses

You probably know the famous yellow school buses from American movies. These school buses have special rights on the streets to ensure the safety of the children on board. When a school bus stops, it will flash red lights and extend a small stop sign! This means, you have to stop behind the bus and cannot pass. The same is true for oncoming traffic, unless the road is divided.

Okay, now you are all set to hit the road with your rental car in the US. Open you eyes for red lights non turning sign, don’t be in a hurry at the stop sign, and keep you ears open for sirens. And if you can wait for that so important phone calls remember someone might be passing that same car you’re passing from the right!
Have a safe drive.

PS: Certain countries offer you the possibility to get an international driver license. It might help you rent a car more easily and help you with insurance. Check with your town hall or Department of Motor Vehicles.

How to get gas in the US?

That might sounds like a silly question to any American driver, however, not ever country proceed the same way as to how to get gas into your car.

Pay first!
While you might be used to just park your car next to the gas pumps, open your gas tank and pour the gas until the pump reaches the amount you want to pay, and then sit in line to pay… the way Americans do it is a little different…They pay first!

You will tell me, but how do they know how much to pay? As a foreigner myself, this is what I thought too. So you can read the car manual and figure out how many gallons you car holds and then do some math to calculate how much it would cost you for x gallons. Or you can try to put in a minimum and see how long it will last and figure it out over time… prices keep changing anyways! And don’t worry if you pay too much, you can always go back to the cashier and get your change back. One fact to keep in mind as well is that most gas stations do not impose a certain direction of entering as the tank can be on either side of the vehicle. However, on most gas stations, the hose is long enough to reach the tank, even if your car faces the wrong way.

So step by step to get gas at a gas station in the US:
Park and turn off your car. Go to the cashier or the automatic credit card payment machine directly on the gas pump. You might be asked to pay an extra charge for paying with credit card over cash and most gas stations do not accept foreign credits cards at the pay machine of the gas pump. The easiest way is to go inside and pay the cashier either in cash or with your credit card. Once you are back to your car select the fuel your car needs (rental cars usually have a sticker on the tank cap, which one to use) by pressing the button with the gas selected. At some gas stations, you will have to lift the holder of the nozzle to start the pump. Then you can pump gas by holding the trigger until the pump stops automatically. If it ends up costing you less than you prepaid, go get your change, get in your car and leave.

Be aware!
New Jersey and Oregon on the other hand have banned self serving gas stations. For safety reasons, laws had been passed to assure that only trained persons could handle such a flammable liquid. Economic reasons are also mentioned; those states kept the gas pumpers to save jobs. And finally welfare reasons are suggested:  disable and elderly person needs the assistance. In those states, just park your car and wait to be served! However, a small tip is appropriate, as most of the time, they will also clean your windows and check your oil.

Now you are ready to get gas at an American gas station! Have a safe drive and enjoy your trip!

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Driving rules in the US