Loving San Francisco

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I'm currently in san francisco and absolutely loving it here. A short stop has turned into a really long stay as I can't bring myself to leave.

I was last in Santa Barbara and had a good couple of days there. It was a small quiet town and I spent the days on the beach and the evenings at the student nights with the girls from my hostel and 3 dollar cocktails.

Then I got the bus up to Santa Cruz where I had some fun at their boardwalk funfair.

I arrived at San Francisco last week and it's been such a good place to be. I visited Alcatraz last week and also made the most of the free wine and cheese nights at the hostel.

The weekend was amazing. A few of us from the hostel went to a oyster and beer festival on Saturday and it was perfect weather and had some really good music. We spent the day dancing in the park overlooking a misty golden gate bridge and then ended up at a house party. It was really nice to meet some locals for a change rather than more travellers.

On the Sunday was the 'bay to breakers' race. This is a race through the town from the bay to the beach and some take it seriously and others dress up in the craziest costumes and walk it whilst drinking beer (guess which one i did) but around 70,000 people take part. The atmosphere was amazing and it was a real eye opener. I've never seen to many naked running people in my life. It ended in the golden gate park near the beach where it turned into a huge park party and then got broken up into lots of house party's so we ended up at a huge party, which was like a typical frat party from american films.

After such a manic weekend i got up early on Monday and got a bus to Yosemite. Almost everyone on the bus had been doing the same at the weekend so we all suffered equally as we went hiking for three days around Yosemite and stayed in a hostel there.

Climbing Yosemite falls was really hard work but definitely worth it. The views were breathtaking and it was so nice to get back to the hostel lodge in the evening and chill out after a long day of walking. There was a big storm while we were there and the lightening was spectacular. It was quite exciting to be in such a huge place with the prospect of forest fires caused by the storm.

After a few days i got the bus back to San Francisco with the intent of staying one more day but a few days on and i'm still here trying to drag myself away so that i can see some more places while i'm here. If it's anything like last weekend the hostel will be full up at the weekend so that'll give me the push to move on.

So next time i write i'll probably have gambled everything i own away at las Vegas, (i wonder if they accept family members as payments for bets? Don't be surprised some of you if you suddenly find yourself owned by an American, it was all in a good cause).

But this all depends on whether i can leave the great seafood here at fisherman's wharf and the subdued buzz of the city. It's a lot less hectic here than LA but so much more to do and see than any of the coastal towns i've been to. It's certainly a place i have to come back to. So i'll update soon when i've dragged myself away and have hit the bright lights of vegas.

Take care everyone.

x x x

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Comments

[holly]

Love you xxx
Hun it sounds and looks amazing. So glad you're having a fab time. miss you and love you xxx

[Aunty Dawn]

Where are the naked runners?
Sounds like great fun there!! Good photos but was rather disappointed that there were none of the naked runners!! Look forward to Las Vegas update!!....I don't think family members will be worth many dollars!

[Evelyn]

Hey
Hello love, well the adventure keeps on getting better doesn't it, you are having the most amazing time. Like Auntie Dawn I was looking for photo's of naked runners.... I was in Vegas last year, I loved it, of course its all rediculous but great over the top fun. I stayed in the Belagio in a room facing the fountains, it was wonderful, weirdly they play Viva Las Vegas alot! Make sure you go on the rides at the top of the Stratosphere, I'm going again in Novemberand staying in the Venetian, that has a canal on the first floor with Gondoliers, only in the states. Saw Hols last week before she flew to Denmark but she's coming home again on the 17th so will spend Dickens weekend with us in Broadstairs. Did my sky dive last week, OMG, amazing!!! Take care. Much love. x

[Travellingbex]

Wow can't wait to see the pics of your sky dive if you have some, well done, it's pretty scary i know. Vegas is OTT but so much fun and very pretty at the same time. I loved the venetian, it's such a nice place with the little boats outside. Have fun in Broadstairs and give Holly a big hug from me. x x x