All You Need to Know Get ready to experience San Francisco, California, USA!  Overflowing with world-class dining and shopping, historical neighborhoods, famous museums and so much to see and do – you will see why so many from around the world view the city as an ultimate vacation venue.  Here is some helpful information about San Francisco and the US. Languages Official language of the 12th ICEM is English Time Zone San Francisco will be observing Pacific Daylight Time during the ICEM conference. Pacific Daylight Time is 7 hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time and 3 hours earlier than North America’s Eastern Time Zone. Climate The month of April is one of the best times of the year to visit San Francisco.  It’s full of clear days and little fog with an average daily temperature of 17° C (63° F) and evening temperatures of 9° C (49° F). Mid-weight jacket, short-sleeved shirts, light weight pants and a sweater for layering is suggested. Temperatures may be warm enough for shorts. Area Code 415 and 650 - International callers dial 001 then the Area Code Customs Visitors to San Francisco living outside the United States must carry a valid passport and, in certain cases a visa to enter the United States. For more information on traveling to the US visit www.cbp.gov. Currency The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard and American Express) and debit cards can be used readily. Credit and debit card charges will appear on your statement converted to your home currency. Travellers cheques are widely accepted and should be taken in US Dollars to avoid hassles. Banking hours are typically Monday to Friday 0900 to 1500. Hospital/Medical Services Visitors to the US are strongly urged to obtain health insurance before leaving their home country. A hospital stay in the US can be costly without adequate insurance coverage. Visitors taking prescribed medications are advised to have a copy of their prescription.