California dreaming...

Who would've thought that the fog would take an autumn holiday and leave San Francisco during our stay? Super!

We arrived on a weekday and were welcomed by Dec's cousin MaryEllen and her daugther Lilly.

What a host!! ME showed us around San Francisco, mostly those amazing spots you don't get to see as a tourist without a car! We had a lovely brunch by the ocean, walked around the park, saw whales playing by the coast and then drove over the Golden Gate bridge.

Dec spotted Hulk Hogan sitting by his chopper and being friend to fans - all a bit surreal!

Other than that, we walked a lot, got the cable cars, took photos on Lambard street, ate at some really nice restaurants and had a special visit from Oregon: David Sheehan, Dec's mate from Uni who drove 9 hours only to see him after 11 years! Good man!!

On our last day we went to San Jose to visit Great American Park, for all of you 'amusement park fans', we had a ball. The park was very empty as far as those places go, and we got to go on every roller coaster or scary ride of sort soooo many times! Funnnnnn!

Up early the next morning to collect our truck!! We had booked a Mid-SUV but got given a Grand Cherokee Laredo. We drove south to Highway 1 on the coast, saw amazing places like Big Sur, a waterfall that end on the beach sands, had lunch in Carmel, and ended up in Santa Barbara for the evening.

The next day saw us driving even further south to San Diego where we stayed at a resort in the middle of Mission Bay. Pretty cool. We visited Mission and Pacific beaches where we had lemonades and walked the promenade (almost got run over by a thousand cyclist), had traditional Mexican in the old town, used the pool and the spa, relaxed, slept and had a few margaritas. Our hotel bar had manta rays, little sharks and other amusing creatures in its 'pond'.

All relaxed and ready, we headed to Los Angeles. Hollywood, here we come!! An afternoon of chasing stars and driving the big city ended with a super nice dinner at an uber cool burger place in Santa Monica.

Next day, more parks!!! Six Flags Magic Mountain was the best I've ever been too. But if you ever go, make sure to save and go Platinum, it's worth it every penny. And don't miss the X2!!

To end our Californian dream, we caught up with Dec's Dunbar mate Phil who has been living in LA for a while. Had some well deserved drinks and dinner and closed that chapter of our trip with a golden key!!

Off to Nevada folks... also known for VEGAS!!!