Medical treatment can be very expensive; there are no special arrangements for visitors from the UK and Ireland. You should ensure that you have comprehensive medical insurance, which includes hospital treatment and medical evacuation, if the need arises.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. You should also pay particular attention to any risks that are specific to areas in which you may be travelling. Please check for any updates on California before you travel. For a list of hospitals and medical centres in California, click here.

To reach the police, fire brigade or ambulance in an emergency, dial 9-1-1. This call is free from any public phone (no coins required). On motorways, there are emergency call boxes roughly every half-mile (1 kilometre) that will connect you to people who can help.