I have to say that it was one of my all-time holiday highlights, up there with the Eiffel Tower, is catching a Cable Car and being the standing passenger at the front. Keep that head in or the passing Cable Car will knock it off. The free Cable Car museum was wonderful. A close second is the F line with it’s old Chicago, Philadelphi, St Louis, Baltimore and Milan streetcars! I had to buy a Calendar to support their on-going efforts.

We’ve been on the road for 2 days up the North Coast of California on Highway 1, the road less travelled, quite towns, more sea lions and lighthouses. Crossed the San Andreas fault as it “plunged into the sea”. We were in SF as the Parkfield earthquake struck but felt nothing.

We stayed in Bodega Bay, a beautiful secluded bay with a working fish industry and then used one of our Coupons for an el-cheapo in Fort Bragg. We have 2 more nights on the road.

We’re at the Fort Bragg public library I am on Navarro and Helen is on Albion – both computers were donated by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation… Using old Windows 2000! I thought they would have at least XP! Such is life eh?

Kym

I’m here test driving a Powerbook G4 at Compusa on Market Street. Nice, sleek and silver.

Just got off the F trolley (Tram), a 1947 Philadelphia Model, SF has 17 historic models collected from around the US. Seen many Sea Lions near Pier 39.

About to have a look around downtown to by a 3 day pass. We caught the cable car on the way back because the hills are TOO STEEP to walk!

Still no photos. Will hopefully rectify soon.

KDT

By far the most spectacular scenery this holiday has been this past two days, a two lane highway, cliffs and mountains on your right and the pacific on the left. A complete buzz, it is surprising to see so much wildlife, but I am sure Helen’s post will keep you upto date.

The roads into San Francisco are mad!! I love eight lanes of freeway followed by the steepest streets I have ever seen in my life. I am sure even our automatic would have rolled back.

The highlights including the stunning vistas, Santa Cruz and its sea lions, a Lucia’s standard Mocha in a little town called Half-moon Bay there was even a “parking sign” indicating that only Australians could park there! The best little supermarket I’ve seen with extensive organic goodies.

Santa Cruz is certainly much more radical than Santa Barbara despite both of them being University towns. Perhaps SB specialises in accountants and SC anthropolgists. Who knows, but the is much brighter hair and more holes in SC.

Cambria, is a mock English town, a bit like Hahndorf but less tacky and decidely more successful. We opted for the cheapest clean hotel in Town. The british flag was the magnet. We went to the “recommended” top notch restaurant, I’d still prefer an Aussie country pub than this stuff. Oh well! I am looking forward to San Francisco food, we’ve already sampled a Crab Sandwich. Yummmmmy!

Sorry, I forgot to bring the cable so no photos yet!

This is KDT signing off.

Hi we are on the road with Mazda 6 and Neverlost (or so it claims).

We looked forward to the funicular, but it Angels Flight was closed until further notice and we’ve receive word that 2 of the 3 San Francisco cable lines are closed. The public transport angel is not looking kindly on me.

Visited Hollywood – imagine Hindley street, but bigger and lots of movie kitsch, an experience only required once. Lots of interesting museums like Ripley’s Oddities and yet another wax museum. The Erotic Museum is probably the pick, but I don’t know it cost $US12.

LA really is a donut city. The Downtown is less busy than Adelaide, even though it has many buildings twice as high as the Santos building. Quite a surprise really. Imagine Elizabeth and Adelaide being switched.

Santa Monica was where I’d live… if I was required to move to LA. But I will investigate other areas when we return.

Santa Barbara was just gorgeous, and no I am not just referring to the cheerleaders roaming the street. Classes are back at the UCSB.

This blog is being typed from SLO San Luis Obispo a pleasant town a few miles inland. We’re off to find a hotel near Heasrt Castle.

Looking forward to your comments, we don’t just want lurkers!

LA has been added to our list of US downtown areas that change character within a matter of a block. We caught the 16 to downton LA. Like the buses in Washington DC there is a very specific customer group. I doubt many tourists use public transport.

We got of in the wrong block, it reminded me more of Cuba (the rundown glory) than the richest nation in the world. Fortunately, we got our bearings and are now in the extremely pleasant and extensive LA Central Public Library.

I am about to head off searching for the funiculair. After, we will catch the Metro to Hollywood.. Need sleeep!

Tomorrow we head North.

Here’s one for the public transport enthusiasts out there. Brisbane airport now has a private funded rail link between its domestic and international terminals, making it a doddle to transfer. Even better it was free, at least for Qantas passengers.

It uses the existing QR rolling stock and operates on an elavate railway. I wonder if it making a return.

Brisbane certainly looks better from the sky than close up, or perhaps my memories are just jaded.

Like everything good these days, this holiday needs a SOUNDTRACK. Here are the first two contenders. I’d appreciate your suggestions.

Contender #1 – California by Phantom Planet

Obviously this song is location specific, but I could imagine landing at LAX with this blaring out of the overhead speakers. It’s got to be better than I Still Call Australia Home sometimes played by that airline that would like to be anything other than Australian!

Check out the lyrics of California.

I have a short clip of the chorus here, sorry about the bad quality, but if you really want to here it and can bear Orange County then watch Channel 10, and remember don’t steal music!

{Note from 2024 – back in the days before broadband and high quality streaming – see YouTube link below}

Contender #2 – Jacqueline by Franz Ferdinand

Apart from being a better band, this “post-punk” (or so says my player) song applies to all holidays. Perhaps I should let the lyrics speak for themselves. Consider this chorus:

It’s always better on holiday

So much better on holiday

That’s why we only work when

We need the money

Check out the lyrics.

Not so sure that the rest of the lyrics are that pertinent, but the chorus is good.

I’ve also got a short clip for you here.

{Note from 2024 – back in the days before broadband and high quality streaming – see YouTube link below}

Leave a comment below to nominate more contenders.