Blogs from California, United States, North America - page 1162

This was a 3-day backpack trip along an undeveloped section of California's coastline.... read more

In the summer of 2002, I spent 2 months in California. As part of my degree in Britain I decided I wanted to write a dissertation on Mexican farmworkers in California, focussing in particular on the formation of Hometown Associations (where Mexicans from particular towns in Mexico would group their money together to pay for particular projects in those towns, such as rebuilding schools, churches, or laying new sewerage systems). I was lucky enough to get some funding from my University and so at the end of June I set off on a flight to San Francisco. After an uneventful flight I went by bus to the lovely town of Napa, about an hour north of San Fran. There I was met by Hugh and Aletha, 2 of the nicest people in the world! They knew ... read more

I touched down in San Francisco on June 20th 2002 after an 11 hour flight from London. Feeling tired and weary I did what any savvy budget traveller would do and hailed down a cab to take me to my Hostel. It took me a little while to settle into life in the Hostel. What no room service? The Pacific Tradewinds Hostel was a small and welcoming joint and I quickly made friends with some varied and interesting characters. I quickly developed a rapport with Robie from Canada, based mainly on a mutual apprecation of drinking and womanizing. I spent a few days doing the tourist thing e.g. walking around the city, alcatraz, cable car rides etc. The best thing I did was hiring a mountain bike and cycling over the Golden Gate Bridge, I also ... read more

After the road trip across from Utah I needed to rest a little. The USA Hostel, down town San Deigo had large airy rooms, friendly staff and free waffles for breakfast - all for $19 per night. I've been told that Oz is way cheaper - but that is the cheapest hostel so far - I booked up three nights. The hostel was located in the Gas Lamp Quarter, real scenic, lots of bars. America does actually have some nice beer. Samual Adams - real beer - like the english stuff - hops and malt and flavor. At $5 a pint it bloody well should be nice - had one pint and went to Ralphs supermarket - picked up 12 Corona for $9 and went back to the hostel - getting in training for Mexico. So ... read more

3 hrs drive saw us to San Diego - its really relaxed, lots of surf dudes and beach bunnies. We checked in to the Ocean Beach Hostel - spent the afternoon on the beach sleeping. Woke for the free BBQ at the hostel at six. Chatted to loads of people and made our way to a bar. Steve is twenty one in September - unfortunately that isn't good enough for state law and so we looked to see what else we could do. The hostel has received so many complaints that they don't allow drinking anywhere after nine. The bars are all ID crazy - one of the girls at the hostel said that down on the beach there are often fires which people gather around and party - so we went down to look for ... read more