SAN FRANCISCO

We arrived later to San Francisco than we thought but we found the hotel without too much hassle and although all their parking was gone there was a space out front we just had to be out by 9am. I wasn't planning on it after the long drive the day before but needs must I suppose.

Since one of the most iconic things San Francisco is named for is the Painted Ladies, I must go and see them. We saw the ones near Alamo Square and the detail on them is incredible. I am impressed in the talent of the people that built them.

 

I'm a fan of Full House although I only watched it a few years ago since I wasn't born yet back then, I needed to find the house that is represented as the Tanner's residence. I wasn't the only one there as you can see by this woman not wanting to move out my way!  
 

The Golden Gate Bridge is definitely the thing you think of when San Francisco is mentioned. How could I not go and see it? I'd seen a photo taken on a beach with the bridge in the background at sunset and I needed to find it. Unfortunately it wasn't at all sunny when we were there but still perfectly clear. I'd found out the beach we were looking for was Baker beach. We found it and about a hundred different fishermen. It was still awesome though.

 

I'd also heard of a place called Battery Spencer that sounded like a perfect viewpoint. I made the most of my satnav that served as a wifi hotspot and realised the time back home would mean my parents would be home. I thought I'd surprise them. I attempted to face time them and when they answered on the 3rd attempt I held my phone as close to my face as possible so they didn't know where I was. I said I had something to show them and I turned the camera and just watched the smiles grow on their face. Other than a couple messages saying I had made it to the states this was the first time since I'd left home that they had heard from me and it couldn't have been any better.

 

Finally though it was time to get some proper food so before we had to head to the airport and return my car (sobs), Denny's was calling my name! I did the total American thing. I got the burger and milkshake. I regretted after when I couldn't finish either but it was damn good.

 

Next stop Seattle.

Toodles for now.

LOS ANGELES

We arrived into LAX around 7pm on November 1st and first thought was it was insanely busy! We didn't get out of the airport for a good 3 hours! All we had to do for the rest of that night was find our rental car and get to the hotel. So that's what we did and then just went to sleep really, ready to start fresh tomorrow.

1st proper morning in the USA I could finally look at my car (since it wasn't dark anymore) which was gorgeous! A lovely red coloured 2017 Nissan Altima. It was lush. I was in love. Also the hotel, well it wasn't really a hotel. It was more of someone else's house that you rent rooms from, but it wasn't air b'n'b, I used Booking.com. It was really lovely apart from being small and apart from the random people you bump into every now and then. We had a bunk bed room which was good until there was a cockroach! A little one but it weren't half noisy! Luckily we were only staying for 2 nights. The bed was comfortable I had the top bunk because who prefers the bottom. I have a fear that the top bunk will fall on me. Always choose the top.

Still being on UK time and 7 hours behind at this point (US clocks hadn't changed yet but UK ones had which was great because I got to have 2 days with an extra hour in bed!) I woke up early like insanely early and hungry but we hadn't gone to the shop for supplies yet. That sucked!

First stop for Los Angeles was the Hollywood sign. I couldn't be there and not see it and after a minor detour which our satnav gave us and a small hike we thought there should be an easier way than this. Driving up and down the Hollywood hills was interesting, I'm so thankful my car was an automatic! But eventually we found the sign. 

Next stop is the Walk of Fame and our goal is to find Ellen DeGeneres' star. Typical that when we got there and went one way down the street walking for ages and not finding her I ask a Police man and he tells me it was all the way in the opposite direction. We found her though! And a couple others we were quite excited about. 

Last stop that I definitely want to see is the Griffith Observatory. Mainly because I discovered in the opening sequence of Dancing with the Stars season 23 but also because the view looks stunning and I wanted to see it in person. If you don't know it yet you will eventually realise I'm all about the view.

Target! I love a target! By this point we thought it best to get some food. Don't want to pass out at the start of the trip! Still had 20 days and 8 more stops to make on the trip. The store was huge! It was the target near Paramount Pictures. Stocked up on few essentials and decided to take it easy this evening with a frozen pizza for dinner. We didn't see too much of Los Angeles really but so far the holiday is good and couldn't wait for more!

Next is the Pacific Coast Highway.

Toodles for now.