San Francisco • Washington Las Vegas • New York
2011
San Francisco • Washington Las Vegas • New York
San Francisco
We stayed at the Hotel Berresford in Sutter Street and spent the first two days touring using the hop-on hop-off bus. Walked both sides of Haight Street with many interesting shops, graffiti, architecture as well as several colourful characters. Went to the 9th floor at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park for expansive views. At Fisherman’s Wharf listened to Shanice Hayes and her father busking, walked the pier and then the very very steep climb to see the curved road section of Lombard St. At Pier 33 caught the ferry for the night tour of Alcatraz. We visited the Academy of Science, dined at Loris 50s diner and walked many different areas including Castro, Mission and Haight-Astbury.
Mission
Yosemite
A day trip to Yosemite National Park with Extranomical Tours and tour guide Andy. Drove over the long Bay Bridge which is the busiest bridge in the USA, with 300,000 crossings a day. Passed through Oakland and across the flat fertile valley reputably the most fertile in the world. We walked to area to view several giant Sequoias and then drove further into the park to the magnificent scenery with sheer cliffs on both sides and many cascading waterfalls. We then drove to a vista point above the valley where we witnessed one of the most spectacular views that we have ever seen. We then drove back down into the valley stopping a few times for other views and short walks.
Las Vegas
We hired a rental car for our five night stay at New York New York hotel. Went shopping at Ross as well as at both of the outlet centres. Most nights walked the strip as well as one memorable night at the lively Fremont Street with many entertainers dressed in costumes of various characters, bands and the obligatory scantily clad dancers and many performers. Drove to Red Rock Canyon where it was over 40째 Celcius and another day drove to Hoover Dam. Saw Celine Dion perform at Caesars Palace as well as seeing the amazing Beatles Love at The Mirage.
Hoover Dam
We drove to Hoover Dam arriving around 10am and went on the generator tour which first took us to view one of the four 50 foot diameter diversion tunnels made so that the dam could be built. Then went to the generator hall to see the large turbines with only a small part of them is visible above the ground, we then walked through an area of exhibits. Next we went to the observatory level and walked the length of the dam, then saw a 10 minute audio presentation using a 1940s 3D model of a vast area from New Mexico across to Los Angeles . We then drove to viewing areas at both sides of the dam, the wind so strong that it difficult to walk against it.
Red Rock Canyon
A late start at 10.30 heading west along Tropicana Ave, we stopped at a small roadside cafe and had Polish dogs and tropical iced drink then continued on to Red Rock Canyon. We drove the loop drive in the canyon stopping several times for short walks and to several lookout areas. It was stifling and far too hot to do any long walks and needed lots of water just to walk a hundred metres. It was really hot day with the temperature reaching over 40 degrees.
Washington
We stayed at the Harrington Hotel just a few blocks from the White House and The Mall. Took the Old Town Trolley two day tour, with a lively song from our driver. He gave commentary on various buildings, the architecture and even mentioning the Maltese Embassy as we passed by. We stopped at the Washington Cathedral, Chinatown and Union Station, walked by the reflection pool then down along The Mall area where we passed several local sports clubs playing Kickball. We then stopped at a marquee where groups of children were performing on stage. We then visited the American Indian Museum and the Air and Space Museum. On our last day we went to the Crime and Punishment Museum, the Old Post Office and the Holocaust Museum.
New York City
We arrived in New York City on the Megabus from Washington staying at Chelsea Lodge for 13 nights. Our first two days we used the Grayline hop-on hop-off bus and then bought weekly Metrocards and used the subway. Went to the Top of the Rock during the day and to the top of the Empire State building at night. Saw Memphis at the Shubert Theatre, Zarkana (Cirque Du Soleil) at Radio City Music Hall, amateur night at the Apollo Theatre and a great night at the Comedy Cellar. Attended the Gay Pride March, Macy’s July 4 fireworks and went on a Sopranos sites tour. Walked many areas of the city including Harlem, Chelsea, Battery Park, Chinatown, Little Italy, Soho and Greenwich Village. .
The End
San Francisco • Washington Las Vegas • New York
2011