San Francisco to LA

It's our last day in America so typing this before I forget what we've done here. San Francisco was cool, in every sense! Had to buy a hooded top to keep warm. (I was like Nkki from BB, "i'm sooo cold!!!"). Hotel Des Arts was cool, got used to the painted rooms, made friends with the guy in our green room by the end of the week. Had a great time there and did loads.

We went to Pier 39 and saw the sea lions. They're noisy! We went shopping at Macy's, H&M, DSW and sampled a pretzel in Union Square (rank! Way too salty). Got the cable car to Fishermans Wharf and had dinner & cocktails at the Hard Rock Cafe. We biked the Golden Gate bridge with hired bikes from Blazing Saddles on Wednesday and cycled to Sausalito and got ferry back. Great day! We were all saddle sore afterwards!

On Thanksgiving Day we went for lunch at Pier 39, all the tourists out in force! I tried clam chowder, was really nice. Walked to Lombard St where the roads bends down the hill like a zig zag. Loads of Japanese tourists there! Headed back to hotel down Hyde St and somehow ended up in Tenderloin, an area to be avoided. Crazy how the road was really nice further up then a few blocks down you're looking around and there's no one like you. Loads of bums, by that I mean tramps!

Found our way to Union Square and had a few drinks that night to celebrate getting home safe! Had a meal in Chinatown, the waiter Eric used to work in Glasgow in the 60's so got a bit of banter from him, read our palms too, Laura and I are spenders and Hels and Kim are savers! haha!

Had a big drinking night on Friday, met up with Top Gun Iain from Glasgow and many shots and drinks ensued. All felt ill the next day, had a good night though. Went to Alcatraz on Sunday before we head off. There's a storm brewing so by the time the ferry arrives on the island it's chucking it down. All adds to the atmosphere! The cell house was interesting and not as creepy as I'd imagined. There's an audio tour so tells you all about it.

Glad to be leaving the rain behind in San Francisco and driving back to LA. Long drive back, arrived at Santa Monica International Hostel at 12am. We were sharing with an English girl and an older Hispanic woman who had all her worldly possessions in the room. Made sure we locked everything up!

LA to San Fran

Arrived LA on Thursday afternoon after 11hr flight with Virgin Atlantic (fab! would reccommend them - 40 movies to choose from, TV, music, 2 meals and a snack! and a goodie pack which is now my laundry bag). LA is warm just now, in the 70's. Got cab to Ramada West Hollywood which is really nice and right on Santa Monica Boulevard, near Sunset Boulevard where all the cool bars & restaurants are.

On Friday we went for a wander, no one walks in LA, everyone drives everywhere so we look like tourists! Had huge breakfast, all portions are massive over here. Went on tour on Hollywood and Movie Star homes.. was better than we thought! Saw homes of Julia Roberts, J-Lo, Jack Nicholson, Britney Spears, John Travolta, Tom Cruise.. they all stay in Mulholland, Bel Air and Beverly Hills. Tour guide was really funny. Went to Miyagis for dinner which is owned by the actor who played Mr Miyagi in Karate Kid films!

On Saturday we got bus to Santa Monica where the beach is, it's like the one from Baywatch. We stick out like sore thumbs later wearing beach gear round the shops when everyone else is in jeans and jumpers. Oooh the shops are fab! I've been good and only bought a few 'essentials' in Urban Outfitters, Abercrombie & Fitch, Old Navy and Gap. Had dinner & cocktails in Saddle Ranch at night, crazy Wild West themed bar.

We hired a car on Sunday and drove up to San Francisco, one hell of a drive! Kim, Laura and I took turns to drive, we chose the more scenic, coastal route 1, which has the windiest roads on cliff edges - it was 30mph on those! The girls enjoyed the views while I drove, then Laura took over when it got dark. Knackered last night! We're staying at the Hotel des Arts in San Fran, it's really cool, all the rooms are painted by local artists, our's is bright green with a man in the corner! It feels like a proper Hotel you see in the movies with a shared bathroom down the hall. Check out the pics of our bright green room with a man in the corner!!

Yesterday we went to Pier 39 where the ferries leave for Alcatraz (going to do the night tour on Thursday) and where there's sea lions - they are noisy! Had lunch, Kim had shrimp and Laura tried Clam chowder served in a sour dough bread bowl. Hels and I had fries! Weather colder than LA but mild. Walking everywhere. America is cool so far, LA is great, better than I expected and still to explore San Francisco!

Leaving weekend

Finished up work on Friday, can't believe it's my last day at work for 6 and bit months (maybe longer!) As it was my last weekend in Glasgow had to go out for a few bevvies to say farewell. Had drinks at the Minibar on Saturday night, great to see everybody together and I had a fab night which ended at 5am.

Family day on Sunday with a big meal at Carrigans - we were all feeling tired after Sat night but meal was fab. Jack and Adam kept everyone entertained, as ever. Everyone has been so generous with cards and gifts, need to thank everyone. Still got loads to do before we head off... can't believe it's finally here!