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 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Another question.....sales tax.

I was well confused when I went to MA back in 1994. See, some counties (I may have crossed States. This was a very long time ago!) included Sales Tax in the price tag. Others don't.

Where is a good place to find out what's what on that sort of thing? Just generally, not CA specifically.

In the US generally sales tax is NOT included in the prices listed. There are exceptions, like gasoline already has all the taxes included and some stores include the sales tax on the menu, but its pretty rare so just assume that tax is not included.

In CA at least just assume another ~8% on top of the listed price.

 Grey Templar wrote:

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Another question.....sales tax.

I was well confused when I went to MA back in 1994. See, some counties (I may have crossed States. This was a very long time ago!) included Sales Tax in the price tag. Others don't.

Where is a good place to find out what's what on that sort of thing? Just generally, not CA specifically.

In the US generally sales tax is NOT included in the prices listed. There are exceptions, like gasoline already has all the taxes included and some stores include the sales tax on the menu, but its pretty rare so just assume that tax is not included.

In CA at least just assume another ~8% on top of the listed price.

To make things even more confusing, the tax rate will vary as you move through the state. While at Disneyland you are looking at a 7.75% sales tax, when you go north to LA you are hit with a 9.5% tax, and further north in SF it drops to 8.5%.

The tax is actually a flat d3+6% across the state, they just roll is separately by region

 NinthMusketeer wrote:
The tax is actually a flat d3+6% across the state, they just roll is separately by region

Ha! Exalted.

 DarkTraveler777 wrote:

 Grey Templar wrote:

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Another question.....sales tax.

I was well confused when I went to MA back in 1994. See, some counties (I may have crossed States. This was a very long time ago!) included Sales Tax in the price tag. Others don't.

Where is a good place to find out what's what on that sort of thing? Just generally, not CA specifically.

In the US generally sales tax is NOT included in the prices listed. There are exceptions, like gasoline already has all the taxes included and some stores include the sales tax on the menu, but its pretty rare so just assume that tax is not included.

In CA at least just assume another ~8% on top of the listed price.

To make things even more confusing, the tax rate will vary as you move through the state. While at Disneyland you are looking at a 7.75% sales tax, when you go north to LA you are hit with a 9.5% tax, and further north in SF it drops to 8.5%.

Well thats because local counties and cities also impose sales tax in addition to the state. So the added tax is the combination of the state and local taxes. The state part of the sales tax isn't different in different areas, its the local sales tax that changes.

 Grey Templar wrote:

 DarkTraveler777 wrote:

 Grey Templar wrote:

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Another question.....sales tax.

I was well confused when I went to MA back in 1994. See, some counties (I may have crossed States. This was a very long time ago!) included Sales Tax in the price tag. Others don't.

Where is a good place to find out what's what on that sort of thing? Just generally, not CA specifically.

In the US generally sales tax is NOT included in the prices listed. There are exceptions, like gasoline already has all the taxes included and some stores include the sales tax on the menu, but its pretty rare so just assume that tax is not included.

In CA at least just assume another ~8% on top of the listed price.

To make things even more confusing, the tax rate will vary as you move through the state. While at Disneyland you are looking at a 7.75% sales tax, when you go north to LA you are hit with a 9.5% tax, and further north in SF it drops to 8.5%.

Well thats because local counties and cities also impose sales tax in addition to the state. So the added tax is the combination of the state and local taxes. The state part of the sales tax isn't different in different areas, its the local sales tax that changes.

I was merely pointing out for Mad Doc and other non-US residents that "sales tax" varies in the state by locale, not showing real confusion on how state and local taxes work.

See the redwood forest

Muir Woods?

Anyway, taking the 101 or the 1 down puts you near Gilroy (Garlic Capital of the World, and Casa De Fruta), Hearst Castle, The Winchester House, Halfmoon Bay, Monterrey, Some Missions and other neat stops.

 Valkyrie wrote:
We're flying into San Francisco for a few days, driving down to Los Angeles for a week, then a few days in Vegas.

1: Visit Hollywood and Santa Monica Pier / Muscle Beach, swim in the Pacific (briefly - it's very cold). Eat sushi and poke and real Mexican food. Consider Disneyland, because it's such a cultural landmark. Griffith Park, Grand Central Market.

In SF, Ghiradelli Square is nice, have a hot fudge sundae after eating at Fisherman's Wharf.

2: Traffic is a bitch. On the way down, have the steak at Harris Ranch; seconding Hearst Castle, eat the smorgasbord in Solvang. Drive LA-Vegas after dinner, or midday to avoid local rush hour traffic.

3: Vegas for the gun range - fire the full auto guns!

4: Expedia for lodging.

5: ???

6: The Grand Canyon is just a really big hole in the ground, it's nice, but I would not plan to hike it unless you're staying the night and planning around that specifically. If you're visiting, be sure to see the dam where they keep Megatron in Transformers 1.

MUST: Dine at Masa of Echo Park, have a starter and split a pizza pie. It's fantastic.
____

Oh yeah, you're from the UK? Well the sun in LA and Vegas is very different from the dim bulb you're used to in blighty. It's a fething heat lamp, and some of the Vegas poolsides are set up like a fething magnifying glass. Get the very serious sunblock as soon as you arrive in LA. If she does topless tanning in Vegas, be sure to help her with applying sunscreen, or you'll both be very sad.

I know this thread is a bit old now but want to post an update.

We got back from the US late last week. I've undertaken many trips in the past, hopped around Japan, spent a couple of days in Chernobyl, but this was the best trip I've ever done. I want to thank all of you for your advice and help, you've all provided some great tips.

We had a few days in San Fran, explored the Fisherman's Wharf and Ghiradelli Square while also visiting Alcatraz and Sausalito, and had a day in Yosemite before an overnight halt in Monterey (beautiful place). We then headed down to LA (thanks for the prior warning about the traffic), and managed to see a lot of the area, including the USS Iowa, Griffith Observatory and Disneyland.

Afterwards we headed down to Vegas, managed to score tickets for Penn and Teller and Cirque de Soleil, and finished it off with a helicopter flight over the strip before heading home. We also were able to visit a couple of gun ranges, used a Kimber 9mm, Kar98, AK-47 and Desert Eagle at the LA Gun Club (would highly recommend them for anyone visiting), and Battlefield Vegas where we got to use a Barrett .50! Despite being $30/round it was definitely worth it.

The best bit of the trip however, was that I left with a girlfriend, but came back with a fiance. Thanks again for everyone who commented for your tips.

Very cool, glad it was fun

Congrats on your engagement!

Sounds like a very fun trip.

I hope this was the same girl. You did visit Vegas though...

E: I was late to the party

 Frazzled wrote:
I hope this was the same girl. You did visit Vegas though...

I'm surprised she didn't push up to "wife" in Vegas!


@OP - congrats!

Aw congratulations!

Thanks for all the kind words