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!