visiting california advice

[highlander_Daz]

Hi
I might be lucky enough to visit Cali (San diego) later in the year, any tips and im concerned about an obsession with producing ID, if i go in a bar or resteraunt someone was telling me I will get "carded" ????
what Id do I need to carry around? I dont want to carry my passport around as I am sure to lose it ,is a colour photocopy acceptable or is any Id with a pic and date of birth acceptable Im almost 37 and look my age am I really likely to get "carded"????

[Howard Clark]

Well if you're 37 and look it, it is not all that likely to be an issue. Most any identification with a picture and birth date will suffice. Driver's license is generally all most Americans have (those of us with passports being exceptions, but a minority). I would not carry my passport around for that purpose if I could use something else.

San Diego is nice. Check out the zoo, it is justly word famous. Lovely area, nice weather. Too many people for my taste, but most places are like that. I like a sparsely populated landscape myself. More wildlife than people suits me fine.

[Piper]

I've gone out to Oceanside CA at least once a year for the last 38 years (visiting my wife's folks). That's just a bit north of San Diego. Never had a problem with id. Of course I've always looked older than I am (and I'm at the point now where that isn't a happy thing)

[highlander_Daz]

Im very reluctant to carry my passport around with me and my driving licence come to that risk of losing/theft. maybe a musicians union ID with pic and DOB ? or the ID that kids get here to show they are old enough to drink? pic an DOB?

[highlander_Daz]

I just dont want to be turned away from bars and resteraunts, also if the security guys dont recognise the ID my friend says they will confiscate it and ring the cops !!!!!!!!!!!!!

maybe hes exagarating?

[Coinneach]

San Diego is a large town, but friendly. In the 30 years I've been here I've never had my pocket picked; I've never lost my driver license. I would think your driver license would be the best bet. I have a pub I go to regularly, I can ask them if your musicians ID would work. I'm much older than you, but after 8, they card everybody before they walk in the door. I think that's most annoying, so I've stopped going after 8.

Not all places will have the same policies.

If they don't accept your ID, I don't think they'd confiscate it. After all, it may not meet their policy, but that doesn't make it invalid, and they would be the ones guilty of theft if they took it. In that case, you should then call the cops to get it back. Most likely they'd give it back to you and ask you if you had something better. You could then go back and get your driver license and return if you want.

San Diego has a lot to offer...from the ocean (70 miles of coastline with only slightly warmer water than you'll find in Scotland ), to the mountains, the desert, the zoo and Wild Animal Park, Balboa Park. There's reasonable proximity to Los Angeles (and all the coastal citiies inbetween) and Palm Springs (which could be quite hot, depending on when you're coming).

There will be lots of music/concerts (some at unreasonable prices). The weather will be just about perfect. Lots of golf courses. In short, you can have a very different experience each day of your stay.

[Spartan]

I just dont want to be turned away from bars and resteraunts, also if the security guys dont recognise the ID my friend says they will confiscate it and ring the cops !!!!!!!!!!!!!

maybe hes exagarating?

Your friend is exaggerating! Maybe your friend has visited some very strange bars! For regular bars and restaurants it shouldn't be a problem. For most, its up to the waiter, and unless you look very young, they won't ask. Checking ID by security personnel at the door is most likely to happen to young people at clubs where college age people hang out.

If you look 37, you shouldn't even be asked. I believe that clerks in stores around here are instructed to ask for id when the customer appears to be under 27 (when purchasing liquor). I know that it came up on the register yesterday "is customer under 27?" when I purchased a bottle of Glenlevit. The clerk quickly pressed the "No" key, and went on with the checkout.

[ccga3359]

Don't carry your passport with you, leave it at the hotel. Indeed carry id like your drivers license or any official document that displays your dob and photo. I'll let you into a little secret, the Americans are not as tyrannical as one is led to believe. If you, for some reason, find yourself in the presence of a law official follow instructions, be polite and don't stare at their sidearms.

[sydnie7]

Be sure to let the forum know when you're coming, there are a fair number of us here in Sun Diego and vicinity. I'm not much for "clubbing" but we have a nice little local here in Bay Park (Mission Bay area).

Depending on your taste in music, check out this venue for very affordable concerts held in a 100-year-old church -- no affiliation with the church, they just rent the building in the evening for concerts.

Old Town San Diego will give a hint of our history, here's more info link

Every Tuesday, one or more of the museums in Balboa Park offers free admission -- check out the schedule here.

And here is the local newspaper's entertainment guide section.

* I know, I know: in the U.S., 100 years is a long time -- in the UK, 100 miles is a long way!

Hope you enjoy our little corner of Paradise!

[LANCER1562]

A few weeks ago I went bar crawling with a young friend of mine who doesn't look 21 and he was carded of course. However, when I got to the door the security carded me too and I look all of my 45 years. While I was getting out my DL, I cracked up everyone within earshot including the security guy by saying "I guess he want to make sure I qualify for the senior discount". lol

Since it was after 8pm this may be one of those bars that checks everyone after 8pm. Just go along with it and a little humor makes it less painful.