text:
El Centro

El Centro is the largest city in Imperial County in California. Its name is Spanish for "the center".

Understand
El Centro is the largest American city to lie entirely below sea level. In fact, at an average of 50 feet below sea level, it boasts one of the lowest elevations in the continental United States. From the I-8 freeway, passers-by can spot a line painted on a water tower proudly marking the negative elevation. Founded in 1906, El Centro holds the county seat for the Imperial County. Primarily a farming community, the area produces much of the state's winter vegetables including lettuce, onions, carrots, and tomatoes; in addition to cotton, alfalfa, and other produce. El Centro also has numerous cattle feed lots. The residing community of slightly over 40,000 people is primarily Hispanic and is significantly comprised of an agricultural migrant labor force. Apart from agriculture, two nearby prisons and the U.S. Border Patrol provide much of the area's employment.

The motto of the El Centro Chamber of Commerce is "Where the Sun Spends the Winter" - but the sun spends the summer here as well, with temperatures regularly exceeding 115°F. During the summer months, most residents understandably prefer spending their time indoors and generally only venture out for recreational reasons in the early morning or late evening. In the fall, winter, and spring, however, the climate is more moderate and much more pleasant.

While considered a "desert" community, El Centro is in fact surrounded by agricultural fields. The water used for irrigation, all of which originates from the Colorado River, contributes to the high humidity within the area- particularly in the summer months. Most tourism in the area is either business related or in the form of stopovers on the East-West bound Interstate 8; although there are "snowbirds" from Canada and other parts of the Northern United States who vacation here during the winter. The nearby sand dunes and desert areas offer many recreational opportunities to hundreds of thousands of people annually and have also served as the filming location for numerous Hollywood films including the Star Wars series, Jarhead, the Scorpion King, Stargate and Into the Wild. El Centro's proximity to Mexico allows for easy cross-border visits.

The nearby Naval Air Facility due west of the city is the winter home to the Blue Angels, and is a dry-land practice area for Navy pilots.

By car

 * I-8.svg Kumeyaay Hwy passes through from San Diego (120 miles west) and from Yuma (60 miles east). El Centro is accessed from Exits 111 (Forrester Rd) to 120 (Hwy 111).

 * California 78.svg from I-5.svg State Route (SR)-78 from Carlsbad at I-5 through Escondido (Jct I-15.svg), Julian and Borrego Springs to Blythe (through Glamis) is an option if you are coming from the north. It intersects SR-111 in Hovley, north of El Centro along SR-111.

 * California 86.svg & California 111.svg from I-10.svg Two major roads parallel each other from Indio on opposite sides of the Salton Sea. Hwy 86 goes along the western shores of the Salton Sea while SR-111 goes along the eastern shores of the Salton Sea. Hwy 86 provides a faster route to/from I-10 east of Indio ( north) than SR-111 which goes through Indio ( north of El Centro). SR-86 goes through town as 4th St while SR-111 bypasses town along the eastside through Anza. SR-86 (E Herber Rd) ends at its intersection with Hwy 111 south of town, south of the I-8 junction. Calexico is another ( southeast) of El Centro and the I-8 junction (Exit 115 of I-8).

By plane
Southern Airways Express is the only airline to offer commercial flights from Los Angeles International Airport. The airport is mostly used for general aviation.

It may be cheaper to fly into San Diego International Airport and then rent a car there or take a Greyhound bus to El Centro. From Mexico the nearest airport for commercial flights is in Mexicali

Get around
Driving is by far the preferred method of travel while in the Imperial Valley, and particularly within the city of El Centro. The local transportation cooperative, Imperial Valley Transit, has routes connecting all cities in Imperial County. You can purchase punch cards at City Hall. However, because of there are few buses, you may need to wait a few hours at some stops if you want to travel by bus. Public transportation isn't very good, and it's even worse for spur-of-the-moment outings because it may be two hours before a bus comes. In addition, it may be a long distance between the stop and your destination. If you don't have a punch card, you should have exact change ready. Route and fare information is on the company's website.

For local transportation if you're within the city of El Centro and without a car, taxis are preferable to the bus. Rates are reasonable and because of the close proximity of most places in town, a one-way ride will generally be under $7. Yellow Cab at +1 760-352-3100 is one option.

Walking is not a good option because of extremely high temperatures during the summer months.

See
Drive by the local agricultural fields and cattle feedlots to observe first-hand what your food is like, how it is grown and processed, and where it comes from before it arrives at your table. Find an asparagus field and listen to it grow! If you can, find a local farmer who can show you the sights or speak with a local resident who can tell you what life in El Centro is really like.

Eat
The food in El Centro tends to be inexpensive, high in calories, and primarily Mexican. The local population serves as evidence of this as rates of obesity and diabetes in the area are well above the national average. The city's main thoroughfare, Imperial Avenue, is dotted with the typical fast-food restaurants you'll find in any city; however, there are a few local restaurants that are worth visiting. Be sure to try a "special quesadilla" at one of the local eateries if the opportunity presents itself. This deep fried treat is said to have been invented locally. Carne-asada burritos are also a staple of the local diet.

 * Burgers & Beer, 260 North Imperial Avenue (760-353-4431). This is a popular local place. Although they serve mainly American style food such as hamburgers and french fries, there are some Mexican items on the menu as well. In addition, there is a large selection of brews found no where else locally- some of which are on tap. With televisions mainly showing sports in every corner and small televisions which you can control at most of the booths, you'll find it difficult not to watch what's on TV while enjoying your food.
 * Burgers & Beer, 260 North Imperial Avenue (760-353-4431). This is a popular local place. Although they serve mainly American style food such as hamburgers and french fries, there are some Mexican items on the menu as well. In addition, there is a large selection of brews found no where else locally- some of which are on tap. With televisions mainly showing sports in every corner and small televisions which you can control at most of the booths, you'll find it difficult not to watch what's on TV while enjoying your food.
 * Burgers & Beer, 260 North Imperial Avenue (760-353-4431). This is a popular local place. Although they serve mainly American style food such as hamburgers and french fries, there are some Mexican items on the menu as well. In addition, there is a large selection of brews found no where else locally- some of which are on tap. With televisions mainly showing sports in every corner and small televisions which you can control at most of the booths, you'll find it difficult not to watch what's on TV while enjoying your food.
 * Burgers & Beer, 260 North Imperial Avenue (760-353-4431). This is a popular local place. Although they serve mainly American style food such as hamburgers and french fries, there are some Mexican items on the menu as well. In addition, there is a large selection of brews found no where else locally- some of which are on tap. With televisions mainly showing sports in every corner and small televisions which you can control at most of the booths, you'll find it difficult not to watch what's on TV while enjoying your food.
 * Burgers & Beer, 260 North Imperial Avenue (760-353-4431). This is a popular local place. Although they serve mainly American style food such as hamburgers and french fries, there are some Mexican items on the menu as well. In addition, there is a large selection of brews found no where else locally- some of which are on tap. With televisions mainly showing sports in every corner and small televisions which you can control at most of the booths, you'll find it difficult not to watch what's on TV while enjoying your food.
 * Burgers & Beer, 260 North Imperial Avenue (760-353-4431). This is a popular local place. Although they serve mainly American style food such as hamburgers and french fries, there are some Mexican items on the menu as well. In addition, there is a large selection of brews found no where else locally- some of which are on tap. With televisions mainly showing sports in every corner and small televisions which you can control at most of the booths, you'll find it difficult not to watch what's on TV while enjoying your food.

Sleep
Because El Centro isn't a popular tourist destination, good hotel rooms are cheap and easy to find. Reservations are not necessary. Rates range from $50–60 a night. Some hotels around Adams Avenue are even cheaper, but these hotels are rather seedy and not in the most desirable parts of town.

Stay safe
El Centro is a relatively safe city. However, it's best to avoid areas east of 4th Street and north of Adams Avenue after dark. These areas are often filled with desperate characters and there isn't very much to see there anyway. Main Street near 4th Street and North 5th Street are also best avoided after dark as drug-related crime in these areas has been on the rise. In addition, the area of Adams Avenue should also be avoided late at night as this is home to most of the city's prostitutes. Nevertheless, in most other areas of the city and despite the fact there is an average of only three police cars patrolling the entire city at any one time, it is generally safe to walk around at any hour of the day or night.

Car doors should always be locked as theft is common – largely due to the desperation of the impoverished and unemployed. El Centro's unemployment rate typically hovers around 30% and is consistently among the highest in the nation.

Summers in El Centro are notoriously hot. It's common for temperatures to reach over in July and August. If you're not used to this sort of heat, it's best to stay indoors, avoid being outside, wear sunscreen, and stay hydrated. Even some locals still get heatstroke. The heat can be deadly. If you're going to rent a car, make sure it has a fully-functioning AC.

Like other areas in California, El Centro commonly experiences earthquakes. Most of these are so minor (registering less than a 2.5 on the Richter Scale) you may not even feel them. Because of strict building regulations, most buildings are built to withstand major earthquakes. Major earthquakes are not common, so it should not be a concern.

Respect
Avoid bringing up the topic of illegal immigration. El Centro is overwhelmingly Hispanic and most people are either immigrants or the children of immigrants. Illegal immigration and immigration in general can be a sensitive subject.

People with gang affiliations have moved into the area from Los Angeles, Salinas, and other cities due to the lower cost of living. Avoid staring at anyone you think might be affiliated with a gang as he or she might construe your unintentional look as "mad-dogging", which could provoke an altercation.

Many of El Centro's residents are employed by one of the area's two penitentiaries, the U.S. Border Patrol or other law enforcement, and may carry concealed firearms. It's best to mind your own business despite the friendly nature of many local residents.

Go next

 * Brawley
 * Yuma
 * Mexicali, Mexico Gateway to Baja California and also its capital. Great restaurants, hotels and more is 12 miles away.
 * San Felipe, Mexico This small but growing fishing port boasts some of the best seafood on the planet.  An approximate 2 hour drive from El Centro.
 * Los Algodones, Mexico Located in Baja California, Mexico, Los Algodones is about an hour drive east of El Centro on Interstate 8. It's recommended that you park on the USA side and then walk less than one block to get there through the port of entry. Catering mainly to seniors and offering a variety of medical services and open-air places to eat, Los Algodones is a very small town and one of those rare areas within Mexico that is recognized by the American government as a safe tourist destination.

title: El Centro


text:
El Cerrito

El Cerrito is just north of Albany in the inner East Bay in California.

Get in
Oakland International Airport and San Francisco International Airport  have Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations. Take the Richmond Line to the or. If traveling by car, take the Central Avenue exit from Interstate 80 or Interstate 580.

Del Norte BART station is something of a hub for regional buses. Golden Gate Transit bus 580 runs once an hour from San Rafael in Marin County across the bay, WestCAT buses run about twice an hour from Pinole, AC Transit comes from nearby parts of the inner East Bay, and other buses come from Solano County (SolTrans) and Napa County (Vine).

Because the cities and towns on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay all butt up against each other and function as one large metro area, it's likely that you will also visit El Cerrito's neighboring East Bay towns, such as Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, and Richmond, so much of the information about getting to those places also applies to getting to El Cerrito.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: El Cerrito


text:
El Cerrito (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called El Cerrito:

United States of America

 * El Cerrito - A city near Berkeley in Contra Costa County in the Bay Area of California.
 * El Cerrito (Riverside County) - A very small town near Corona in Riverside County in California.

title: El Cerrito (disambiguation)


text:
El Chalten

El Chaltén is in the Patagonia region in southern Argentina.

Understand
El Chaltén was founded in the late 1970s/early 1980s as an outpost of Argentina to anticipate land claims of Chile for that area. It is still a small town that is best known for being the gateway to Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, two of the most rugged and impressive peaks in the Patagonian Andes, as well as the Viedma Glacier, the biggest one in Argentina. The growing number of hiking tourist has led to an increase in construction and in summer the town is full of tourists.

El Chaltén is also called the trekking capital of the world and offers trails of highly varying degrees. Most tourists go for the easy Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre trails, while more enthusiastic hikers go for the Viedma Glacier trek. Besides that free salmon fishing, pricey glacier boat tours and even crossing over into Chile are possible here.

In general, the town is a budget paradise, considering the free national park and possibility to find inexpensive accommodation—see below.

Climate
Note, that hiking and trekking is highly dependent on the weather. Use WindGuru to plan ahead, which most people in Argentina and also the park office are using.

By bus
From:
 * El Calafate – Daily buses take 3 hr to drive the 222 km over a newly paved road. Buses leave at 08:00, 13:00 and 18:00, depending on the company. Avoid the company Taqsa/Marga, they have old and bad buses with failing or no ventilation at all which is terrible ... or course depending on the weather.
 * Bariloche – Buses ride the half paved Ruta 40 across the desertic landscape (30 hours). On the way, they stop in El Bolson, Perito Moreno and Los Antiguos (12 hr).

By thumb
Hitchhiking is highly accepted but competition is fierce. So, it might be better to split up or have a backup plan.

Get around
Only by foot or car. The main streets have been paved. Side streets remain mostly gravel.

See
For most things that are to see here, you will have to hike, see below.

Do

 * In the centre of town you can also pay to go horse riding with a gaucho guide along some of the major walking trails. The horses are easy-going and well suited to beginner riders.

 * Salmon fishing is popular near El Chalten, because many fish travel up Río de Las Vueltas back to their roots. It is unclear whether a permit is necessary, but good points seems to be right before waterfalls that the fish has problems to cross, being stranded at its foot. There are some beside the gravel road Ruta 23 out north of El Chalten, one such waterfall can be found.

Hiking
A popular trekking area so the trails get very crowded in peak season. A good strategy is to skip your hotel breakfast (self cater instead) and depart at dawn to avoid the crowds, unless hiking in a line with hikers every 20 m is your thing. All trails are clearly marked, and safe water is available from the rivers flowing down the mountains along the trails, so carrying 0.5 l should be sufficient.

If you do not want to buy a paper map, that does not have much detail, use OpenStreetMap, which many mobile Apps like OsmAnd or Mapy.cz are based on. It has all trails and camp sites of the El Chalten region, especially the more untouristy ones in the north.

 * The and  are easy climbs (two hours at most combined) behind the National Park office. Great views of the town, and the Fitz Roy range and Condors.

Loma del Pliegue Tumbado

 * A 24-km round trip hike (about 6-7 hr) that takes you above the valleys to see views of both Cerro Torre and Fitzroy to the north, and the Rio Tunel Valley to the south.

Combined treks
It is possible to combine the Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre treks using connecting side-trails and available camp sites that create a loop. In addition the following trail can be done:

Viedma Glacier
The is the reason why most experienced trekking tourists come to El Chaltén. However, meant by "experienced": 1) reasonable fit, 2) well-considering the weather, and 3) having the right equipment for registration (free) with the park office (especially harness). Inform yourself before heading to El Chaltén what is needed for the (latter) registration and bring everything with you—getting and renting things on site is more expensive and can be a hassle.

Lago del Desierto
A dead-end ripio road (about 37 km one way) leads you to the very remote Lago del Desierto through a wonderful valley along a river. You can do easy hikes and strolls there and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Besides the easy trails there do seem to exist considerable further even demanding hiking trail, which however are not available on OpenStreetMap. So, you need to consult another source if interested. It is even supposed to be possible to cross into Chile to Villa O’Higgins from here (2-3 days). (In case you find additional information, put them here to help others.)

Money
As of March 2015 there are two ATMs in town: one at the bus terminal, one at the new bank Nacion. The ATMs occasionally run out of cash on weekends, but since one of the supermakets and many restaurants accept credit cards you won't go hungry if you do. Some restaurants and small businesses such as bakeries and food shops do not accept credit cards.

You can exchange euros or US dollars in almost all hotels/hosterias, the rate is even attractive. Many of the shops, like Argentina generally, are very short on coins. Expect sweets instead of change, rounding down or even discounts if you're willing to pay with coins.

Shopping
There are three supermarkets in town, the largest and most central of which accepts credit cards. All three are well stocked, but about twice as expensive as the larger ones in the city. Opening hours depend on season. There is no need to stock up with food in El Calafate.

Eat
The calafate berry ice cream, a bit like blueberry but milder, from the ice cream shop in the middle of the town is worth trying. There are two small grocery stores selling food and supplies.

There are at least a dozen restaurants in town.

Drink
What better after a long hike in the mountains then to enjoy a good beer. Try home brews (rubia, roja, negro etc.) at the different bars, for example La Vinería (Lago del Desierto 265), ARS 2000 for tap beer, ARS 1000 for a decent glass of wine during the happy hour (until 20:00 - as of November 2023).

Sleep
There are a large number of hotels and hostels in town. Walk around and you will find cheaper deals than on the usual reservation websites indicated (also see below), so long as it is not high season.

Most accommodation accept credit cards, at least this is what they advertise with. However, it is worth checking in advance to make sure that this is the case and the connections are working.

There are several free camping sites in the park, even close to the town.

Budget

Mid-range

Connect
As of 2017 the town has cellular coverage, but 2G/edge/GPRS only. For internet, you will be reliant on slow wi-fi services, particularly in peak season, as the microwave link to the town is at capacity. Wi-fi is widespread but there are no exceptions to the slow internet as they all share the same microwave link.

Go next

 * El Calafate
 * Torres del Paine National Park
 * Puerto Natales

title: El Chalten


text:
El Colorado

There's more than one place called El Colorado:

Argentina

 * El Colorado - a town

Chile

 * El Colorado - a ski resort near Santiago

United States of America

 * El Colorado Lodge - in Manitou Springs, Colorado

title: El Colorado


text:
El Colorado (Chile)

El Colorado is a ski resort about 40 km outside of Santiago, Chile.

Understand
El Colorado has restaurants, equipment rental, and ski and snowboard schools.

Get in
El Colorado is easily accessible from Santiago by road.

By bus
Numerous companies offer service between different points in Santiago and El Colorado, and a round trip ticket usually costs around 12,000 pesos.

By road
El Colorado is only accessible by a narrow mountain route with over 20 switchbacks. Motorists should also be sure to check whether the road is operating in both directions; on weekends during the winter season, the road often operates in one direction (towards El Colorado in the morning, and back to Santiago in the afternoon).

Fees
Ski lift ticket prices (as of 2021):
 * 65 years or older 40,800 pesos
 * 25–64 years old 54,000 pesos
 * 13–24 years old 40,800 pesos
 * 5–12 years old 35,900 pesos
 * 0–4 years old 9,000 pesos

Get around
All parts of the hamlet of El Colorado are accessible by foot. During the season, the ski resort operates a shuttle connecting the hamlet with the mountain base.

Do
Skiing, snowboarding, sun bathing, etc.

Eat
El Colorado ski resort has several restaurants at its base and on the mountain.

title: El Colorado (Chile)


text:
El Cuco

El Cuco is a quintessential beach with dark sands, lined with vendor huts, seafood restaurants and shaggy palms.

Get in
The Pan-American highway travels through El Salvador and is a safe route for entering the country and travelling between San Miguel in the East and San Salvador in the West

From San Miguel bus terminal there are regular one hour bus rides to El Cuco. You can also get a $30 taxi or some hotels offer a shuttle service from San Miguel to Playa El Esteron via El Cuco

Get around
In Playa El Esteron you can find hotels that offer a shuttle service between Intipuca Beach, Playa Las Flores and El Cuco or alternatively you can take a cheap taxi between the neighbouring beaches.

See

 * Playa El Esteron is next to El Cuco and is regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in all of El Salvador
 * Playa Las Flores is next to El Cuco and is regarded as one of the best surf spots in all of El Salvador
 * Intipuca Beach is next to Playa El Esteron and is famous for El Salvador's first microbrewery and where the river joins the ocean is hugely popular for stand up paddle-boarding.

Do

 * Water skiing, Tubing, Wake boarding, Para sailing, Jet skiing
 * Surfing in Playa Las Flores, one of the best surf spots in El Salvador
 * Stand Up Paddleboarding at the famous Intipuca Beach
 * Boat trips around the islands
 * Kayaking through the mangroves
 * Volcano hiking up Chaparrastique - One of the most active volcanoes in El Salvador
 * Waterfalls and hot springs
 * Nature hikes and lake tours to Isla de Olomega on Lake Olomega

Eat
You can find the best sea food in Central America fresh from the coast of El Salvador at Playa El Cuco

Drink
Intipuca Beach is home to the first microbrewery in El Salvador and offers an array of hand-craft beers by the beach. You can also find several bars and liquor stores in El Cuco or for party-nightlife you can head to Ave. Roosevelt in San Miguel which has numerous bars and clubs open until the early hours of the morning and is also hosts to the biggest carnival in Central America in November.

Sleep
see San Miguel

Go next

 * There are regular buses that leave El Cuco for San Miguel bus station where you can catch a connecting bus to many other destinations inside or outside the country.
 * Some hotels offer a shuttle service to San Miguel or other destinations inside the country.
 * La Tortuga Verde offers transport between El Salvador and Nicaragua (skipping Honduras) by private boat $200 for up to 20 people.

title: El Cuco


text:
El Dorado

There is more than one place called El Dorado or Eldorado:

Argentina

 * Eldorado (city, Argentina) — A city in Misiones province.
 * Eldorado (department, Argentina) — A department in Misiones province.

Australia

 * Eldorado (Victoria) — A town in Victoria (state).

Brazil

 * Eldorado (São Paulo) — A town in São Paulo (state).
 * Eldorado (Mato Grosso do Sul) — A town in Mato Grosso do Sul.
 * Eldorado do Sul — A town in Rio Grande do Sul.

Canada

 * Eldorado (Ontario) — A town in Ontario.
 * Eldorado — An abandoned mining town in Saskatchewan.

Mexico

 * Eldorado (Sinaloa) — A town in Sinaloa.

Peru

 * El Dorado Province — A province in San Martín region.

United States of America

 * El Dorado (Arkansas) — A town in Arkansas.
 * El Dorado (California) — A town in California.
 * El Dorado County — A county in California.
 * Eldorado (Illinois) — A town in Illinois.
 * El Dorado (Kansas) — A town in Kansas.
 * Eldorado (Maryland) — A town in Maryland.
 * Eldorado (Ohio) — A town in Ohio.
 * Eldorado (Oklahoma) — A town in Oklahoma.
 * Eldorado (Texas) — A town in Texas.
 * Eldorado (Wisconsin) — A town in Wisconsin.

Venezuela

 * El Dorado (Venezuela) — A town in Bolivar (state).

Zimbabwe

 * Eldorado (Zimbabwe) — A town in Mashonaland.

title: El Dorado


text:
El Dorado (Arkansas)

El Dorado is a city in the Timberlands region of Arkansas.

Get in
Greyhound bus lines offers a daily bus from Little Rock to El Dorado.

The South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field has flights are operated by Southern Airways Express from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Memphis.

Get around
There is no public transportation in El Dorado, but there are some car rental agencies in town. Traffic runs fairly smoothly, so anyone used to driving in small- to medium-sized cities will have no problems getting around.

See

 * Union County Courthouse
 * Club Anthony
 * Blue Building

Do
South Arkansas Arboretum, 1506 Mt Holly Rd. Plant specimens representative of the Arkansas West Coastal Plain shown. M-Sa 8AM-5PM, Su 9AM-5PM. Tel: +1 888-287-2757

Buy
Downtown El Dorado has plenty of small boutiques, primarily aimed towards women.

title: El Dorado (Arkansas)


text:
El Dorado (Kansas)

El Dorado is a town in the Flint Hills of Kansas.

title: El Dorado (Kansas)


text:
Eldorado (Texas)

Eldorado is a city in the West Hill Country of Texas.

Get in
Eldorado is located on US 277 between San Angelo and Sonora.

Go next

 * X Bar Ranch, just north of town off US 277. 7100-acre guest ranch with camping and cabin lodging. Other features include 16 miles of nature trails and a swimming pool.

title: Eldorado (Texas)


text:
El Dorado County

El Dorado County is in California. From the Gold Country in the west, this county extends east across the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Gold Country
The following El Dorado County cities are in the Gold Country:

 * - The California Gold Rush began in Coloma in 1848 with the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill, and today travelers can visit the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park to see the exact spot where gold was found. In addition, the park has a recreation of Sutter's Mill, exhibits documenting the Gold Rush, and the opportunity to pan for gold in the American River.  While much of the original town is now essentially a ghost town, there are a few lodging options and restaurants.  For visitors seeking adventure, the American River is a popular whitewater rafting destination, and a number of outfitters offer trips that start in Coloma.
 * - Placerville is a town that played a key role in the Gold Rush, with a historic downtown that hearkens back to when it was originally incorporated as California's third largest town in 1857. Travelers looking for a place to stop on the way from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe can visit the downtown and shop in the oldest continually operated hardware store west of the Mississippi, or learn about the area's history in a museum housed in a former soda works.  In addition, the town hosts the El Dorado County Fair each Father's Day weekend, an event which has been held since 1859 and attracts about 65,000 visitors over its four day run.
 * - Placerville is a town that played a key role in the Gold Rush, with a historic downtown that hearkens back to when it was originally incorporated as California's third largest town in 1857. Travelers looking for a place to stop on the way from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe can visit the downtown and shop in the oldest continually operated hardware store west of the Mississippi, or learn about the area's history in a museum housed in a former soda works.  In addition, the town hosts the El Dorado County Fair each Father's Day weekend, an event which has been held since 1859 and attracts about 65,000 visitors over its four day run.

Sierra Nevada
The following El Dorado County cities are in the Sierra Nevada mountains:

Understand
"El Dorado" translates from Spanish as "the gilded/golden", an appropriate title for the county where the California Gold Rush was kicked off after a discovery at Sutter's Mill (near Coloma) on January 24, 1848. Over the next seven years 300,000 people would come to California seeking their fortunes.

Get in
U.S. Route 50, which runs from the intersection with Interstate 80 in West Sacramento to the Nevada state line, is the main east-west route through the county. The route was historically used by the 49ers and the Pony Express, but today is most often frequented by visitors to Lake Tahoe and its ski resorts.

Go next

 * - El Dorado County's northern neighbor stretches from the suburbs of Sacramento to Lake Tahoe and the Nevada border. Named after the Spanish word meaning "sand or gravel deposits containing gold", the county was a hotbed of activity during the Gold Rush.  Today visitors can enjoy mountain activities such as hiking and skiing, and will also be impressed by the historic courthouse in Auburn.
 * - Located southeast of El Dorado County, sparsely populated Alpine County advertises itself with the slogan "two people per square mile and you", making it a good option for a quiet mountain getaway. Attractions include the hot spring pools at Grover Hot Springs State Park, amazing views of the Sierras from the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway, and the excellent winter skiing at Kirkwood Mountain Resort.
 * - El Dorado County's neighbor to the south, Amador County was home to several mines during the Gold Rush, including the Kennedy Mine in Jackson which was the deepest gold mine of its time. Today the county is known for its Zinfandel, with the Shenandoah Valley home to over forty wineries.  Visitors may also enjoy Black Chasm Cavern in Volcano, historic buildings, and outdoor activities such as skiing, camping and fishing.
 * - Bordering El Dorado County to the west, Sacramento County stretches from the wetlands at the edge of the San Francisco Bay to the rolling hills of Gold Country. The Sacramento and American Rivers played prominent roles in the county's development, and today offer outdoor opportunities ranging from boating to fishing to birdwatching.  The capital city of Sacramento is located at the rivers' confluence, and visitors will appreciate its historic districts and more than 25 museums.
 * - Bordering El Dorado County to the west, Sacramento County stretches from the wetlands at the edge of the San Francisco Bay to the rolling hills of Gold Country. The Sacramento and American Rivers played prominent roles in the county's development, and today offer outdoor opportunities ranging from boating to fishing to birdwatching.  The capital city of Sacramento is located at the rivers' confluence, and visitors will appreciate its historic districts and more than 25 museums.

title: El Dorado County


text:
El Dorado Hills

El Dorado Hills is a city in El Dorado County in California's Gold Country.

Understand
Town Center is El Dorado Hill's go-to area for fun, fashion, and dining.

By taxi
There are 4 taxi cabs but they are rarely seen in El Dorado

See
Folsom Lake, Serrano, The Rock, Town Center, Scenic Scenery

Do
Go boating, bike ride, play tennis, paint the rock, tan

Go next
Sacramento- 50 West. About 25 minutes away, with no traffic.

Carson City- 50 East. About 2 hours away.

Reno- 50 East to 89 North to 80 East. About 3 hours away.

title: El Dorado Hills


text:
Electrical systems

Electrical systems around the world differ in voltage and, less critically, frequency. Plugs and sockets also vary and it might be physically impossible to insert the plug on your appliance into sockets at another place. There are some steps you can take to ensure that your electrical appliances can be used, and used safely, at your destination.

Understand
"Electricity is really just organized lightning."

- George Carlin

Voltage and frequency
[[File:World Map of Mains Voltages and Frequencies, Detailed.svg|thumb|400px|Map of the world coloured by voltage and frequency.

Yellow shades: 100–127 V, 50 Hz

Red shades: 100–127 V, 60 Hz

Blue shades: 220–240 V, 50 Hz

Green shades: 220–240 V, 60 Hz]]

Start by taking a look at the back of the device or charger you want to use and find the numbers for "input". If the input reads "100–240 V, 50/60 Hz", it will work anywhere in the world with the right plugs. It is quite common for devices designed for travel use, such as cell phone chargers or laptop power supplies, to cover this range of input possibilities, but it needs to be checked for every device.

If you've got voltage and frequency covered, you can skip to the plugs, sockets and adapters section. If not, keep reading here.

Dealing with electricity differences can be daunting, but it actually isn't too hard. There are only two main types of electric systems used around the world, with varying physical connections:

 * 100–127 volts, at 60 Hz frequency (in general: North America including Central America, Japan)
 * 220–240 volts, at 50 Hz frequency (in general: the rest of the world, with some exceptions)

Occasionally, you will find 100–127 volts at 50 Hz, such as in Tokyo and some Caribbean islands. On the other hand, there's 220–240 volts at 60 Hz, such as in South Korea, Peru, some states of Brazil and Guyana. A few other countries using 60 Hz are internally divided, with 100–127 volts in some locations, and 220–240 volts in others, such as in Brazil, the Philippines, and Saudi Arabia. Be extra careful each time you travel to a new destination within these countries, and ask about the voltage.

The voltage and frequency aboard ships varies depending on where the ship was built and where it is or was supposed to be used.

Aircraft in-seat power is universally 115 volts 60 Hz, however nearly all other aircraft systems use 115 volts 400 Hz. Some medical devices are designed for use on 400 Hz so they can be plugged into the aircraft's main supply, especially since in-seat power is not always available.

If the voltage and frequency for your device is the same as where you are travelling, then you need to worry only about the physical plug. Most devices have a voltage tolerance of around 10 percent, so there is no point in worrying about the difference between 220 and 240 volts or between 110 and 120 volts.

If the voltage provided by the local supply is not within the range accepted by your device, then you will need a transformer or converter to convert the voltage. Most travel accessory sources offer them and come with several plug adapters to solve all but the most exotic needs.

In addition to these, you might be able to use the 12 or 24 volt DC systems of cars and boats or the 5 volt DC of the USB port on computers (and increasingly on buses, boats, in solar powered cottages etc.) to charge small devices like cameras and mobile phones. It usually takes longer to charge up your devices using DC USB ports, but this could be the only option if there is no plugs for your charger.

Transformer or converter?
To use a 220–240 V appliance on a 110 V supply, you need a transformer.

If you're using a 110 V appliance at 220–240 V, you can also use a transformer but may be able to economise with a converter.

If your device is an electric appliance with just a heating element or mechanical motor such as hair curlers or dryer, then you can probably just use a converter, but make sure your transformer or converter is fully rated to deliver the amps and watts your device needs. If your device is electronic and uses electronic chips or circuits, such as a computer, printer, TV, microwave, VCR or even a battery charger (more and more devices contain electronics), you will need a transformer.

Before you purchase what you believe is your solution, understand the discussion below.

Transformers

 * There are two different types of transformers: "step-up" and "step-down". Step-up transformers allow you to plug a higher-voltage device into a lower-voltage power socket (such as using a UK device in the US). Step-down transformers allow you to plug a lower-voltage device into a higher-voltage socket (such as using a US device in the UK). Some transformers offer both. Take care to use the right type: if you plugged a 110-to-220 V step-up transformer into a 220 V socket, you would get 440 V and a fried device.
 * You must also make sure that the power rating (wattage) of your transformer is at least 10% greater than that of the device;  otherwise, the transformer can overheat and even catch fire. Before buying a transformer, look for the "input" figure: usually on the device's plug or in the manual. Some don't display wattage, but you can work it out simply by multiplying the voltage (V) and the current (amps (A); if it is milliamps (mA), divide by 1,000). The resulting figure is the same as the wattage.
 * Transformers can be used with both electronic devices (such as those with chips and circuits) or electrical appliances (such as those with heating elements and motors). They can usually operate for a much longer time than converters.

Converters
These lighter-weight, less expensive devices can handle large wattage loads of up to 1600 watts but only step-down voltage, not raise it. They are suitable for those from 110–120 V countries travelling to where the voltage is 220–240 V. Converters are designed to operate for only an hour or two at a time, not continuously. As stated above, they cannot be used with electronic devices: devices that use chips or circuits, such as a computers, printers, VCRs, or even battery chargers.

Nowadays, many electronic devices actually come with a converter which plugs into the power mains and converts the current to DC. However, if this won't accept a foreign voltage (check the plug) do not place a second converter behind it. You must use a heavier transformer instead. Fortunately, in the past few years, more and more devices come with a universal voltage AC/DC converter already included, and the most you would need is a plug adapter.

Frequency (Hz)
In alternating current (AC), the voltage cycles from positive to negative and back in a sine waveform. How many times the voltage cycles per second is the AC frequency and is expressed in hertz (Hz). The opposite is direct current (DC), in which the voltage stays constant over time. AC is used for mains electricity since the voltage can easily be increased or decreased using a transformer. AC is converted to DC to charge a battery or to operate electronic devices.

Frequency is generally not a problem — most travel items will work on either 50 or 60 Hz. If all the electrical appliance does is produce heat or light (except fluorescent lighting), then the frequency is unlikely to matter. Japan is a special case: East Japan (e.g. Tokyo) uses 50 Hz and west Japan (e.g. Osaka) uses 60 Hz. Equipment made for the Japanese market may have a switch to select 50 Hz or 60 Hz.

Frequency is most likely to affect non-quartz clocks and devices with motors. They may run faster or slower than they should, and may be damaged in the long run as a result. Again, though, some motorised devices may function correctly on either 50 or 60 Hz — especially if they also operate on batteries. Just look on the label or plug.

If your appliance runs on a rechargeable battery, such as laptops and mobile phones, it should be equally apt at operating on 50 or 60 Hz. This is because the charger converts the AC mains electricity to DC to supply the appliance. However, things get more complicated with larger appliances that convert AC to DC. Large converters produce harmonics, which can interfere with other electrical appliances. To reduce harmonics, filters have to be used, and these filters are usually designed for one frequency only. If you also need to change the voltage (because the voltage of your device is different from the power mains voltage), you cannot use a switching-type converter. You must use the heavier iron-core transformer. If in doubt, consult a reputable electrical goods dealer.

If your device won't operate with a different frequency (powerful motors and non-quartz clocks), there are relatively few options. Unlike voltage, frequency cannot be converted by transformers. The only common methods of changing line frequency are to convert to mechanical power and back (with a bulky motor-generator set) or convert electronically to DC and back (using an inverter).

A 12 V DC to AC inverter will often be marketed for vehicle use. Many inexpensive mass-market versions output a "sawtooth" wave instead of a sine wave; this may pose issues for clocks keeping time from the frequency and some electronic devices. (A sine-wave inverter may be special-order at a premium price.) Power is also severely limited; for example, 12 V times a seemingly-hefty 15 A yields 180 W (or less after losses are included) - which is just an amp and a half at 120 V or a mere 0.75 amps at 240 volts.

Another option is using an "uninterruptible power supply" (UPS), often used for computer equipment. Prices and sizes vary, and if power mains voltage doesn't match, you'll need a heavy iron-core transformer of the same wattage. Be sure to check for "pure sine wave" output, if needed. A UPS may have its power specification in volt-amps (VA). This matches the wattage, but also implies a maximum current limit when the voltage is divided out.

Plugs, sockets and adapters
A device that lets you insert a plug (the male connector on your device) into a different socket (the female connector in the wall) is an adapter: these are small and cheap. For example, between Britain and Germany, you need only an adapter. You stick your British plug in the adapter, which connects the rectangular phase/live and neutral prongs to the round German ones and puts the ground ("Earth") where the German outlet expects it. Then, you stick the adapter into the German socket and you're good to go.

Unfortunately, there are many different plugs in the world. The five most widespread standards are the following:

If your device has one of these plugs and you can adapt it to the others, you have 95% of the world covered, for equipment that can handle the local voltage and frequency. The main exceptions are India and South Africa. Adapters between Type A and Type C and from C to G are tiny and cheap; converting Type A into G or Type G into anything else, on the other hand, often needs a bulkier model.

For hobbyists: if you can't find an adapter, and you're staying for a longer time, just buy a separate plug at your destination, remove the existing plug, and attach the new one. Unlike adapters, plugs are always available, and they're generally cheaper too. Caution: try this only if you know what you're doing! Fire and/or electrocution are possible if you are inexperienced. Also note the wiring colours and orientation of phase/live and neutral pins vary between countries as well, and may be different in some old or sloppy installations; in some regions two phases may be connected instead of one to neutral.

Some outlets accept only low-power devices, the plugs of which may have slightly thinner pins, sometimes with also other differences. The "Europlug" (type C) for at most 2.5 A fits several otherwise non-compatible standards. Having a sturdier plug for a low-power double-insulated device requires adapters in many more countries.

In some countries it is common to have child-protected outlets, which require you to insert the plug straightly (a child with scissors should not be able to imitate a plug). This is sometimes tricky, but don't destroy your plugs by using excess force.

There's one more complication to consider: any two-pin socket is ungrounded, but all three-pin plugs are grounded ("Earthed"). Trying to get grounding to work makes life more difficult, as any of sockets C, E, F, H, J, K, N and some versions of D and L will happily accept the ungrounded plug C but will not work with any grounded variant other than their own. Do not use an adapter to turn a three-pin into a two-pin: this will disable grounding, potentially leaving you vulnerable to electrocution and other electrical nastiness, especially where you may be grounded, such as in kitchens and wet bathrooms. In some countries grounded outlets may be hard to find, so plan ahead.

A last word of warning: many developing countries, especially those with multiple widespread standards, use multi-plug or universal sockets that accept (say) both Type A and Type C, or perhaps more. These combine the potential hazards listed above with poor contact, exposure of live pins, and the ability of some plug types to be inserted in such a way as to short-circuit.

Appliances
If you are buying new appliances, get in the habit of checking the voltage. A dual-voltage hair straightener will cost you no more than a single voltage one, and save considerable hassle when travelling.

Laptop computers
Virtually all laptop computers (including those with internal power supplies) will handle well a range of 100 to 240 volts and a frequency of 50 to 60 Hz. In other words, you won't need a converter/transformer; most power supplies have supported ranges printed directly on them so have a look. You will still need to check that you have the plug that matches the outlet for the country you are going to, to see if you need to buy an adaptor.

Laptop computer power supplies are generally very good at accepting a poor or varying supply. Many manufacturers use the same type of supply, so getting spares is not too hard. The type used by HP/Compaq is very common. It is very easy and cheap to get a spare supply from sites such as eBay. However, make sure it is a genuine manufacturer replacement and not a cheap copy. With a spare, you can take a risk with an unknown supply. Of course, do not take any risks if your laptop is one of the few with an internal supply.

If you are taking a laptop, you can use it to charge other items using the USB ports. Be sure to bring the correct cables – a USB device cable may terminate in any of micro-USB, USB-C, Apple 30-pin or Apple Lightning connectors depending on your mobile phone. Digital cameras often charge from USB with a non-standard cable as manufacturers use proprietary connectors.

Many tablet computers can charge with 5V from a standard microUSB connector, but there are exceptions (older models in Apple's iPad series use proprietary connectors; Acer makes a few models which use standard-looking USB connectors but only charge from a proprietary charger at a non-standard voltage).

Radios

Most digital communications equipment for travel use include some kinds of radio transmitters. Normal "radios" don't transmit, only receive, and thus don't risk interfering with anything. Listening to some frequencies (such as the police) might be disallowed, but those should nowadays be encrypted and amateur air-tapping thus no concern.

Wireless networks such as 2450 MHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are likely to exist in some form, but a few countries don't allow all channels to be used. There's usually a setting on the base station (or Wi-Fi router) to specify which country's frequencies may be used. It's not necessary to configure this on every computer joining an existing wireless network. Your phone, acting as Wi-Fi base station, should have those settings enabled automatically.

Cellular telephones which are on the wrong frequencies for a country or region won't find the base station and simply won't use the network. They may still be usable as offline tools or as VoIP phones and Internet browsers where Wi-Fi connections are available.

Broadcast analog radio
Radios tend to be interchangeable from country to country, as long as the power issues are settled and the radio handles the right frequencies. The exact FM range being used in a few countries is different, so you may not be able to access all stations. In the Americas, only odd channels (88.1, 88.3, 100.1 etc.) are used. A radio intended exclusively for the US market will not work well overseas. Japan, in particular, has an FM band from 76 MHz to 90 MHz rather than the more common 87.5 MHz to 108 MHz. The countries of the former Soviet Union have also used a similar band. For the medium wave (AM) band, channel spacings (the difference between each valid frequency) can be 9 kHz (Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania) or 10 kHz (Americas). Radios with digital display and buttons for tuning may have a switch or setting to choose which channel spacing is used. Without this, they will not work correctly outside their intended market. Old-fashioned analog-dial tuners don't have this limitation.

If you need a new radio for international travel, consider one that includes the shortwave band (SW). This way, you can receive news and information from all over the world (BBC, Deutsche Welle, Voice of America, Radio Australia, etc.) Shortwave broadcasts are at a higher frequency than the medium wave (MW, designated AM on many radios) band and travel a lot further, especially after dark, but are noisy and prone to signal fading. In the 21st century, AM/SW/FM radios became smaller and cheaper and much easier to use. Some shortwave radios provide an adjustable beat frequency oscillator (BFO); while not required for standard broadcast reception, this allows reception of SSB (single side band) amateur radio signals. Many broadcasters have cut back their shortwave programming (BBC, for example, ended shortwave broadcasts to Europe in 2008) so verify that shortwave is still broadcast to the region you are visiting in the languages you want to hear.

Shortwave radio may be used as an accurate time source by tuning to WWV (2.5, 5, 10 and 15 MHz) or similar signals from various nations worldwide. Coastal VHF FM radio provides weather forecasts continuously or at set times on marine VHF frequencies (some of the information may be useful for non-mariners). There may also be other specific weather frequencies well outside the standard FM broadcast band; in North America, some purpose-built "weather radios" sound an alarm if tornadoes or other extreme weather pose an immediate danger.

Broadcast digital radio
Digital radio is in use in some countries, mainly in highly developed and industrialized areas. The most common systems are:
 * DAB, the main European standard
 * DAB+, an update to the DAB standard, used in some European countries and Australia
 * DRM, used in India and for long-distance radio broadcasting
 * Several other systems have limited usage, including HD Radio, the standard used in North America, T-DMB, a variant of the DAB standard used in South Korea, and ISDB-tsb, used in Japan.

The success of digital radio varies from country to country, but it has generally been the most widely adopted in Europe. In Norway, adoption of DAB and DAB+ radio is now high enough that the country shut off its FM radio transmitters in 2017; Switzerland plans to follow suit in 2023. Several other European countries, such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany, also have extensive DAB radio offerings, while other countries, including Spain and Sweden, have begun rolling out digital radio services. Countries such as the United States and Australia maintain underdeveloped digital radio services and remain highly dependent on analog radio, and even highly developed European countries such as Finland and Portugal have no digital radio service at all. Canada tested DAB in a handful of cities, only to shut it down in 2010, and in 2014 began trials of HD Radio broadcasts. In general, analog radios will be adequate for most travelers, although those planning to travel to Europe may want to look into buying a radio that also contains DAB and DAB+ capabilities.

Two-way radio
Radio transmitters are subject to varying levels of government regulation and licensing in each country, as transmitting too powerfully or on the wrong frequencies will interfere with other stations. That Australian 477 MHz UHF CB rig which required no license in its home country might not be welcomed in North America, where it obliterates channel 15 on all the neighbours' HDTV's. Do your research.

Some equipment can be reconfigured for each country you will be visiting, but consumer reconfigurable equipment (or any consumer equipment able to send on illegal frequencies) may be illegal in some countries.

Standards for walkie-talkies and vehicle mounted two-way radios for the general public include FRS and GMRS (most of the Americas), PMR446 (most of Europe), UHF CB (Australia and New Zealand), SLPR and Digital Simple Radio (Japan), CB radio, and MURS. Use of some of these is allowed in only one or a few countries, others in several, but the allowed frequencies often differ, so that some of the channels on the radio are illegal and some of the legal frequencies unavailable. Also signal strength requirements vary for some frequencies.

While two-way radios may be an excellent way to keep contact between people in a group – you don't pay for talking and everybody that listens to the channel will hear everybody else in range – the range varies considerably according to many factors, such as frequency, terrain, obstacles, antennas, even radio weather. The practical range is usually a few miles or kilometres, less in cities or hilly landscape, more with line of sight and the right radio. Don't trust the marketed range, but check practical experience in circumstances close to what you are expecting (buildings of concrete affect range differently from wood and hills). Long range has the drawback that users also far away can interfere with your communication; more people are sharing the same channels. Usually listening to other people's conversations is allowed (as it is hard to avoid while waiting for the channel to become free), but telling anything about what you heard is not.

Most channels of marine VHF are available worldwide with varying licensing requirements, but usage restrictions on individual channels vary. Small craft that only needed an operator's licence at home may need an ITU callsign on marine frequencies abroad. Some licences are standardised by ITU and should be valid more or less worldwide, while other licences for recreational or coastal traffic may be restricted to domestic waters. Use of marine radios on land is restricted to facilities such as harbour masters, weather stations, marinas or canal, lift and swing bridge operators, which operate on one assigned frequency only. Calling channels also vary, as some countries reserve VHF 16 for distress calls. Misuse of a locally reserved channel will not be received gratefully.

Some countries will recognise foreign amateur radio licences if the stations are properly identified on-air and operated with local frequencies and power levels; others will not. Some may issue a local licence to a foreign operator. There's an entire hobby in temporarily placing portable radioamateur stations with huge antennas on obscure uninhabited islands as "DXpeditions" so that "hams" overseas can get one more hard-to-find country into the log books, but a few countries (such as 'P5' North Korea) are pretty much impossibilities as they license no one.

Recording and playback devices
Unlike video playback (which is a mess of incompatible standards and annoying regional coding schemes), recorded audio tends to be reasonably well standardised internationally.

Mobile phones and digital cameras
Most recent-model mobile handsets have standardised on USB as a +5 volt charging source. Chargers are available for both 110 V and 240 V AC, there are also adapters for the 12 V DC system in cars. Dual voltage chargers support both mains systems (though some may still need an adaptor plug).

Older cellphones used a wide-array of non-standard connectors and proprietary chargers. 21st century handsets (and smartphones) are increasingly standardising to USB chargers but cables vary due to multiple connector types. Micro-USB or USB-C are commonly used with Android devices. In the late 2010s, USB-C became standard for high-end Android devices, and migrated to lower-spec devices in the early 2020s. All Apple iPhones through the iPhone 14 series need a cable with that manufacturer's licensed proprietary connectors; the iPhone 15 series is the first to ship with USB-C, with the change made in response to an impending EU mandate of USB-C as its mobile phone charging standard.

For mobile phones there is the additional problem of getting a connection. Smartphones can usually obtain a Wi-Fi connection abroad (which may suffice to enable Internet telephony) but ability to connect to the destination country's mobile network varies; handsets may be on the wrong frequency, use incompatible standards or be locked to a single provider.

Digital cameras do not need a network connection, but do require a compatible charger. Most will charge from USB but many require cables with proprietary connectors. Some digital cameras still take AA batteries, and they may be a better option if you plan on traveling without access to mains power for extended periods of time.

Equipment using standard batteries
Battery sizes and voltages tend to be standard from place to place, and equipment that uses off-the-shelf batteries tends to be interchangeable. It may be difficult to get good quality batteries in some countries, especially alkaline batteries which are needed by most electronic equipment. If a cheaper battery is used, make sure to remove it as soon as it is exhausted and when the equipment will not be used for a while, due to the risk of leakage.

Dual voltage battery chargers for NiCad and NiMH generally cost no more than single voltage ones, but you need to look for this feature before you buy. If an existing single-voltage charger uses a 12 volt DC adapter, find a quality dual-voltage adapter (110 V to 240 V) at 12 Volts DC with its DC current rating (in milliAmps) equal or higher, and the same size plug on the charger end. (This is not possible if the charger plugs directly into the power mains without any cord.)

Large appliance power mains
In most countries, electrical power is distributed to industrial/commercial buildings using a three phase system. An industrial three-phase outlet has three different live/phase wires and optionally a single neutral wire. These use non-standard or physically larger connectors (compared to the ordinary domestic plug and socket for a country), typically with higher maximum current and four or more pins to accommodate the three phases plus a neutral or ground.

Normal domestic outlets are invariably single phase. They will receive just one of these phase wires and a neutral wire. Three-phase outlets may be available on the factory floor, or be employed to power large commercial or industrial equipment. Some private homes may have three-phase power available for power-hungry appliances such as kitchen ranges, water heaters and air conditioners (which usually are hard wired or use custom connectors). You may find the industrial type outlets at the distribution board or somewhere where large machines might be used, such as in a workshop. You won't find these outlets in normal rooms.

Another variant in nominally 120 V regions is a centre-tapped 240 V 60 Hz system connected to a large load such as a kitchen range or a full-size clothes dryer. The 240 V plug has both blades turned sideways or is a physically larger plug with four pins (two live wires, a neutral and a protective ground) designed to handle greater current.

These non-standard connectors carry typically higher voltages (a European industrial three-phase outlet with 230 V line-to-neutral has 400 V line-to-line; Canada and USA make some industrial use of 600 V or 480 V line-to-line, respectively). They are appropriate for running large machines with motors, large air conditioners, industrial/commercial ovens and other power hungry appliances.

In countries using the "Australian" plug, you may occasionally come across a socket with a larger than normal vertical earth pin. This is a 15 A rated socket; the standard socket is 10 A rated. Since British and European outlets are rated at 13 A and 16 A respectively, it is generally fine to use for smaller appliances.

Regardless of voltage or how many phases are in use, the frequency (50 Hz or 60 Hz) of the local supply remains unchanged.

In countries with a poor distribution network, it is not unknown for single phase sockets to be connected across 2 phases to boost the voltage. This is dangerous and can damage electronic equipment.

As a general rule, do not attempt to connect your personal electrical items directly to an unknown three-phase system.

If you see a non-standard (for its country) or oversized connector, the voltage or current delivered may also be non-standard (for instance, 240 V 60 Hz feeding a large appliance in a nominally 120 V region, or a circuit breaker sized to allow enough current to pass to power a small house or cottage). Don't just connect and hope for the best.

Generators
In many countries without fully developed electrical power distribution systems, the use of generators is common. Generators are also used to provide power to temporary installations, as well as providing electricity to support essential services during a power outage. Generator supplies can be very good; however, in many places they are bad and can cause damage to sensitive equipment connected. The voltage, frequency, and waveform shape (it should be a smooth sine-wave) can vary. In some places, people modify generators to run faster. This gives more voltage and power but increases the frequency too. The part of a generator that keeps it running at a constant speed is called the governor. If this is tampered with, the output voltage could rise sufficiently to cause damage. The best advice is not to connect valuable equipment to the supply, or at the very least disconnect it as soon as you're finished.

If you are unsure about the quality of the generator in use, there are a few simple rules. If it runs from petrol/gasoline, it is bad: anyone serious about using generator power uses a diesel oil powered system. A good quality generator will have a low engine speed. 1,500 RPM for 50 Hz or 1,800 RPM for 60 Hz. If the engine speed is 3,000 RPM or more, it is not a good machine. It is entirely possible to make a good 12,000 RPM petrol generator; it is just not economical in most cases, and so they are too rare in general use to matter.

Lamps
Lamps and their light bulbs are very sensitive to voltage. If you shift between voltage systems, you will need to change the light bulbs to match the voltage, unless the lamp is designed to operate on both systems, say through a low voltage adaptor. If you buy a lamp abroad, you may need to have an electrician completely rewire a lamp when you get home to comply with your country's electrical safety standards. This may not be a problem for a one-off special item, but if you are going into the importing business it could be a show stopper.

Also watch out for the light bulb connection. In 100–127V systems this is often a screw connector while in 220–240 V systems it is often a bayonet connector. These connectors also come in at least two different sizes. Be sure you can obtain light bulbs of the right voltage, size, and connector shape in the country you intend to use the lamp, and at a reasonable price, or the lamp may become little more than junk when the bulb fails.

Note that fluorescent and LED lighting contains electronics and must use a heavy iron-core transformer to convert voltage. Converters are not acceptable.

Some fluorescent units might be sensitive to changes in frequency (50 or 60 Hz) if it's not the same as what is specified. Most affected are fixtures with a large coil or inductor as "ballast" to limit the current into the bulb, as the impedance of these coils is directly proportional to frequency. Electronic ballasts usually convert the AC line directly to DC (and then to a higher-frequency AC), causing line frequency to be ignored.

Electric motors
The electric motors in things like refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, washing machines and other whiteware are often sensitive to frequency, the same goes for older hairdryers and electric shavers. Even if you use a step-up or step-down transformer, the different supply frequencies mean that motors will run at the wrong speed and quickly burn out. The larger and more powerful the motor is, the more this is true. Don't, for example, bring a vacuum cleaner from the US to Europe (or vice versa). It's almost guaranteed to fail—even if you have a voltage converter.

Electric shavers
Hotels often provide a special electrical outlet specifically for electric shavers. They allow any voltage shaver to be plugged into them and be used safely in front of the bathroom mirror. They may also accept your cellphone adapter or similar low power battery charging unit. Many electric shavers sold today are dual voltage 50/60 Hz and some will even recharge the battery at 12V DC (such as in an automobile). Check the label and instructions for compatibility.

Hairdryers
Hairdryers are a particular risk; if you accidentally plug your 100–120 V hairdryer into a 240 V outlet. you may find it catching fire in your hands! Newer models should have a thermal switch, though. Allow 15–20 min. for it to cool down, then use a voltage converter (if the dryer is 50 Hz compatible). Similarly, a 220–240 V hairdryer in a 120 V outlet may run slowly and not heat up enough. Most good hotels and motels will be able to supply a hair dryer, and it may even be a room fitting. However, it may be worthwhile buying or borrowing a hairdryer suited for the electrical system of countries you'll be traveling in.

Many new hairdryers sold in 100-120 V countries are dual voltage with settings for 100–120 V and 220–240 V. Even though it's motorized, it will work on either 50 or 60 Hz. Don't forget to lockout the high setting with a flat screwdriver or something similar. At 220–240 V, the low setting becomes as powerful as the high setting was at home (with 'low' unavailable).

Clocks
An electric clock of any sort is sensitive to voltage. If the voltage is doubled or halved, it will not function and may burn out. Furthermore, the electric frequency (50 or 60 Hz) is used in cheap clocks (such as many clock-radio style clocks) to keep the time. Thus, if a clock made for North America were used in Europe – even with a voltage adapter – it would lose 10 min/h! Obviously, not a great idea if you have a train to catch. The mains frequency is influenced by mismatched electricity supply and demand (a dip in frequency suggests a generator going offline or an increase in demand, and vice versa), and therefore will drift by up to 0.25 Hz either side of the nominal frequency. This may cause mains-powered clocks to become inaccurate over time. During 2017/2018, small but systematic deviations from 50 Hz in the European grid caused such clocks to go wrong by several minutes.

On the other hand, if the clock has a quartz crystal, this is used for the timekeeping, and it operates independently of the line frequency. Inexpensive, battery-operated, digital LCD travel clocks (with a push button back light) are also available. These are recommended for destinations with frequent blackouts. Often, a battery-powered alarm clock will be built into some other device, such as a pocket pager or mobile telephone; this clock usually still works even if the original paging or telephone service was unsubscribed years ago.

Video equipment
Before purchasing any video equipment, read the manual and warranty carefully. Televisions, many radios, video and DVD players, as well as videotapes, are often specific to the broadcast system used in the country that they are sold in, usually associated with the frequency of the country's electric current. For example, North America is 60 Hz and its television is 30 frames per second, while Europe is 50 Hz and its television is 25 frames per second. Unless you have an internationally compatible device, you may find your expensive looking system is little more than worthless junk in another country because it won't work with your country's broadcast system. Your warranty is probably only valid in the country of purchase, and you may need to return the goods to the place you purchased them from.

There are three main analog television broadcast systems:
 * PAL, the closest to a worldwide standard, is used in the UK, Germany, much of western Europe as well as Australia and New Zealand.
 * NTSC is used mostly in the Americas and some East Asian countries (notably Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan).
 * SECAM is originally from France and was adopted by much of Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

There are various incompatibilities even within these supposed standards. For instance, Brazil uses a hybrid PAL/NTSC standard called "PAL-M". The system operates at the same resolution as NTSC (so DVDs and video tape are interchangeable with their NTSC counterparts, unless restricted by region coding), but the format of the over-the-air signal differs enough that PAL-M players and TV sets are useless outside the country unless they have a separate NTSC setting.

Likewise, there are multiple incompatible over-the-air digital television systems:
 * DVB-T, the closest to a worldwide standard, originated in the European Union. Most locations which were PAL or SECAM in the analog era use this system.
 * ATSC, the North American standard, is used in South Korea (but not Japan).
 * ISDB, Japan's own incompatible standard, has been exported to some South American countries but is otherwise rarely used.
 * There's also a DTMB which is standard in mainland China; there has been no widespread international adoption of this system.

Again, there are incompatibilities even within each standard; for instance, some countries (such as Brazil) use MPEG4 while others use MPEG2.

The likely result of bringing a TV to another country with an incompatible system varies. If the voltage is wrong, the equipment will not work at all or will be damaged. This can be remedied with a line-voltage transformer; if the equipment is "120/240 V 50/60 Hz" a plug adapter or replacement power cord may suffice.

Even if the voltage is correct, the TV will not be able to receive programming over-the-air if the broadcast frequency or the signal format is wrong. Using the TV solely as a video monitor (instead of relying on the TV's built-in over-the-air tuner) will give mixed results:
 * A signal which is merely on the wrong frequency will need to be tuned with a converter box; the aerial (or antenna) will need to be replaced for the correct bands. An over-the-air signal in the wrong format likely won't work if fed through an external tuner to the standard-definition analog "video in" jacks on a TV.
 * Most standard-definition analog baseband "video in" connections (such as "composite video" or "S-Video") are tied to the local video system. NTSC won't mix with PAL/SECAM at all (as the number of lines and frame rate don't match). Mixing PAL with SECAM is likely to produce a monochrome image.
 * Analog HDTV signals (such as VGA, "component video" or RGB) fare somewhat better as there are separate inputs for each color and frame rates are more flexible.
 * Computers (and their video displays) are standardized relatively well. Digital formats like DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort are likely to be compatible internationally. Don't be surprised if your foreign TV works perfectly well as a computer video monitor, but is non-functional for watching videotapes in the local format or tuning stations over-the-air with the built-in tuners.

Don't forget about cable TV frequencies; they may not be the same, even if everything else is. Furthermore, many countries have switched or are switching to digital over-the-air broadcasting (see dates by country on Wikipedia).

The final problem with transporting TVs is that many European countries, notoriously the UK, require a television licence to watch any live TV (over-the-air, cable, satellite, and even live-streams on the internet); the fees are used to fund public broadcasting such as the BBC. This even includes USB TV tuners for computers and laptops if they're capable of DVB reception. Licenses are typically in the range of /year, and fines for dodging the license can be hefty.

Bringing prerecorded tapes or discs with their player and the matching display/monitor to another country as a package will likely work if the line voltage is correct.

An attempt to mix and match local and imported pieces in the same system potentially has a few pitfalls:
 * Technically, there is no such thing as an NTSC or PAL DVD disc, as all color information is the same for both. When discs are labelled as such, what they're referring to is the picture size and frame rate (i.e. number of frames per second) that are used in most (but not all) countries that have TV broadcasts on this same system. Many NTSC players cannot play PAL DVDs, unless that's a specific feature included (many Philips and JVC models include this). PAL DVD players are generally much better at playing NTSC, but it's not a certainty. If all else fails, a computer DVD-ROM can play any DVD movie, though there's a limit on how many times you can change the region code. Unlike analog television sets, computer monitors can automatically handle both 25 (PAL and SECAM) and 30 (NTSC) frames per second, as well as various picture sizes. This also applies to LCD and plasma "flat panel" television sets, but don't expect their tuner to be compatible outside the country in which they were sold.
 * There is no difference between PAL and SECAM for unconverted digital video including DVDs. However, any analog output to a television set would be in the native format of the country of location.
 * DVD and Blu-Ray, infuriatingly, have completely artificial limitations introduced in the form of region coding, which attempts to limit the region where the discs can be used, as a technique to keep the various regions as separate markets. For example, a Region 1 player for North America will not play a Region 3 DVD for Hong Kong. The workarounds are to obtain either a region-free player which ignores the code, purchase multi-region discs (Regions 1 and 3 in this case), or better yet, region-free discs (Region 0 for DVDs), which can be played on any device.

Video cameras can usually be charged with both electrical systems so you can record during travels and view it back home. Digital cameras and video cameras can usually output to PAL, NTSC, and SECAM, so you can view your recording while travelling. Output from video cameras is typically composite (yellow RCA jack); you'll likely need an adapter from RCA to either SCART or S-Video to use a European television set.

If you have something on VHS video tape, it's best to convert to DVD before travelling. (Conversions between PAL and NTSC can be done before burning.) Use a video capture card for recording the VHS into a digital file on your computer. Then with DVD-making software, burn the file to a blank DVD.

If required, converting DVDs from one format to another (e.g. PAL to NTSC), can be done on a computer with a fast CPU, or you can get it done professionally. Allow plenty of time, as this can take many hours. Blank discs work fine for making copies of a foreign format, as it's all just a bunch of ones and zeros and no different than copying anything else – although ordinary blank disks may have a pre-written protected area, by which a copy can be recognised (professional manufacturers of unauthorised copies use disks that can be written in their entirety). Copies can be made quickly, while conversions cannot.

Stay safe

The first time you use electrical equipment on a voltage system you haven't used before, watch for excessive heat, strange smells, and smoke. This is especially true for those residing in countries with 120 V (USA, Canada, Japan, etc.) visiting places with the higher voltage. Smoke is a sure sign your equipment cannot cope with the voltage system.

If your electrical equipment gets very hot, smells of burning (there is a distinct smell of electrically fried circuit boards) or starts to smoke, turn it off at the wall, fuse box or the main switch immediately, then carefully unplug the equipment. Do not disconnect or unplug by just grabbing the smoking device, its plug or cord, and then unplugging it, as these parts are probably very hot, and the insulation could be melted or unsafe, which could result in electrocution. Rubber gloves insulate you from current, but not from heat.

You may find your expensive equipment has been fried and needs to be replaced because the wrong voltage was used. However, if the equipment only got hot and did not smoke or produce strange burning smells you may be lucky. Some older devices have fuses that you may be able to replace. New devices, such as gaming consoles, will trip a circuit breaker. Disconnect them from all power and leave them for 60 minutes or so, and the circuit breaker will normally reset. That said, do not rely on fuses to protect your equipment. If a fuse does blow, you should have things checked by an electrician before using the suspect equipment again (unless you're sure that you accidentally plugged in a 120 V device into 240 V power mains).

If your device unfortunately catches fire due to incorrect voltage used, unplug it if possible. Never try to extinguish it with water or foam, as you risk electric shock. Carbon dioxide or dry powder extinguisher, and fire blankets, are good for electrical fire. Get calm and aim well, as you only have a few seconds worth of powder. If the fire is out of control you should leave the scene, close the door and call the fire service. The smoke is toxic, give up in time.

In countries with frequent blackouts, it's not at all uncommon for a visitor to plug something in and have the power go out coincidentally. Always check the neighborhood first, before blaming the appliance or looking at the fuse/circuit breaker.

Electric shocks
Electric shocks are caused by electricity passing through a human body to earth rather than along the neutral return wire. It should go without saying that electric shocks can kill; at mains voltage, only a very small current (0.03 amps) is needed to interfere with the heart's electrical system and cause the person to enter cardiac arrest.

Damaged or frayed power cords are ripe for causing electric shocks, especially if they come into contact with water. If a power cord becomes frayed or damaged, stop using the appliance immediately and get the cord repaired or replaced.

A residual-current device (RCD) (also known as a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) in the US and Canada) can help prevent electric shocks. It measures the difference in current between the live and neutral wires and if the difference is excessive (suggesting a leakage to earth), the RCD trips off the power. Most new and remodelled homes in developed countries are now required to have RCDs on the distribution board. If you are using an appliance outdoors or in a wet area (e.g. a bathroom), you can buy plug-in RCDs for individual appliances. Some devices such as hair dryers commonly have them already built into the electrical plug.

Power spikes and surges
Power spikes are where the voltage supplied temporarily surges to dangerous levels, with potentially catastrophic consequences. In developed countries, the main source of spikes is weather events such as thunderstorms. In developing countries, they're most often associated with power outages since when the power comes back on, it rarely does so smoothly.

The cheapest method of protection is thus simply to disconnect electronic devices as soon as the power goes out and wait a few minutes after the power comes back on before plugging them back in.

Surge protectors are devices designed specially to protect against spikes and surges, and some are available in portable travel-sized versions. Some surge protectors can also be fitted to a telephone line to protect your phone or laptop modem. The most common variety use a metal oxide varistor (MOV), which shorts to ground if a given voltage is exceeded. These are easily destroyed by larger spikes, and better models will have a light indicating when the MOV has broken down, but you still need to keep an eye on them as the device will still continue to give power even if the protection is gone. There are also surge protectors with fuses, which are fail-safe (a blown fuse will stop power) and replaceable, but there is still a risk of a short, sharp spike which can pass through and damage your device before the fuse blows.

Equipment that switches on and off and has a heavy power draw can also cause surges; fridges and air conditioners are common examples. Even a photocopier drawing different amounts of power as it cycles through pages may produce quite a bit of noise on electrical lines. This is more of a problem for older equipment and buildings than new ones, and more in developing countries than elsewhere.

Voltage drops
In some regions, you may experience electricity voltage drops. This is where the actual voltage is less than 90% of the nominal supply voltage (e.g. below 207 V where the nominal voltage is 230 V). In poor regions, voltage drops 50% of the nominal supply voltage is not unknown. This happens especially if you're at "the end of the line" (far from the source or transformer) and is caused by the resistance of the electric lines themselves. Some appliances, such as light bulbs and heating equipment just keep working under a lower voltage, although a 20% voltage drop will cause a 36% power drop. Most electronic devices also keep working, but voltage drops are critical for fluorescent lamps, refrigerators, and air conditioners which may stop working altogether (usually without being damaged: when the voltage returns to normal, they will start working again).

Voltage drops can be solved with a special device called a voltage stabiliser or AVR (automatic voltage regulator). A stabiliser will raise the voltage again to its normal level. The principle is the same as for switching converters, except that stabilisers will produce a stable output, even with an unstable input. Stabilisers come in different power ranges, but they're all large, bulky and not practical to carry around. Be aware that some appliances, such as refrigerators, briefly consume two or three times more power at start up; the stabiliser should be able to provide this power. Voltage stabilisers can introduce surges if there is a power outage. The cheaper and most common relay type can also damage electronic equipment.

Blackouts
Blackouts may occur anywhere in the world, though they are more likely in places with lower standards of infrastructure (usually poor countries). Blackouts are not unheard of in developed countries, though there they are mostly caused by extreme weather events or third-party damage (car vs pole, a careless digger, etc.). Rural areas are more prone to power outages due to a larger proportion of overhead lines on poles, exposed to the elements, and fewer opportunities to re-route power around a faulty line. In first world countries, major power outages (such as the 2003 power outage in North America) are rare.

Blackouts and voltage drops may cause any electrical equipment to stop working, including major infrastructure. Usually you just have to wait them out, doing something else, but if you happen to be in an elevator or on a metro train, the wait can be uncomfortable. On the latter, you can just follow the locals' example. Elevators should have adequate ventilation, so there is no immediate danger, but there should also be an alarm button that you can use if your stay is becoming uncomfortable, and the door can be opened by qualified personnel (but you are not the only one in this situation, so be patient). Hospitals and the like should have generators to keep going during blackouts. Mobile phone base stations have batteries that may last for hours or days.

A rolling blackout is where different areas are switched off and on in turn as a way of reducing demand. These types of power outages may be common in developing countries. In developed countries, rolling blackouts occur as a last resort where there is insufficient generation, such as after a major power station failure.

Check
As stated above, while things like cell phone chargers and electrical shavers (that often get to travel with their owners) nowadays are designed to handle different voltages and frequencies, you have to be much more careful if you're bringing appliances overseas. If you are taking equipment with you that isn't intended for travel use, consider taking a multimeter with you that can handle several hundred volts AC and learn how to use it. With a multimeter you can easily check the voltage in the outlet and don't need to risk the life of your equipment. The ones with a digital display are easier to read and a few are as compact as a small pocket calculator.

title: Electrical systems