Taking a trip to the states - anyone been?

[mr_bizarre]

Go really south (Like Mexico) Or really north (Like Canada)

[Steve P]

Definitely go to Alcatraz, absolutely loved it. In fact SF was just amazing. If you're there for 10 days though I'd defintiely recommend hiring a car and doing a bit of driving. Reno is worth a vist just for how wierd it is, like a mini vegas. Take a drive down highway 1, it's the most beautiful road. Monteray is worth seeing, the aquarium is vert impressive. You get to see Sea Otters which are my favourite animals. Go on a whale watching trip as well. Also if you have time visit Big Sur, stunning.

[eFestivals]

I'm taking off for the states soon, spending 10 days in san fransisco

You'll be hard pushed to fill up more than a few days in SF itself - there isn't actually a huge amount to see there.

If you've hired a car, then a trip inland to Yosemite is very worthwhile - the drive thru the mountains to get there is stunning, as is Yosemite itself (tho it can get a bit tedious - "oh look, yet another stunning view" ). Laugh at the Japanese tourists who refuse to look at anything apart from thru the lens of a camera (I'd thought that stereotype was a myth - it's not). However, avoid trying to stay anywhere in the Park, it'll cost a packet. You'll need a couple of days minimum for this trip.

Shorter trips inland can take you to abandoned gold towns (google for them, I forget the details).

Drive across the San Mateo bridge.

Drive down the 101 to Redwood City, then go across country to Woodside, and down to the Pacific coast. Check out some of the hick old-style stores out that way.

Drive down to Monterey. Stop in Carmen on the way and have an ice cream; wave at Clint while you're there, and laugh at his house with its mini golf on the front lawn (if he still lives in the same place). Then drive along 17 Mile Drive (strangely, only 9.6 miles long ).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17-Mile_Drive

Drive north across the GG bridge, up to Sonoma, and around Napa Valley. Take in a few vineyards (enjoy the freebies ).

While up that way, check out 'Old Faithful'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calistoga,_Ca...ist_attractions

Some different ideas there from just within SF itself.

[Katster]

I never thought I'd say it but more and more I'm finding myself fancying a trip to the US. I have no idea where this sudden interest has come from.

[eFestivals]

Go see the Giants play.

Only do this is you're a big fan of watching paint dry when surrounded by thousands of people all also there to watch paint dry, but who don't actually bother to watch the paint drying.

Baseball makes cricket look exciting.

And it happens in the weirdest sporting atmosphere i've experienced, where no one is interested in what they've paid to see.

If you go and are under 50, take ID else you won't get served the awful stuff that they pretend is beer.

[oafc0000]

Only do this is you're a big fan of watching paint dry when surrounded by thousands of people all also there to watch paint dry, but who don't actually bother to watch the paint drying.

Baseball makes cricket look exciting.

And it happens in the weirdest sporting atmosphere i've experienced, where no one is interested in what they've paid to see.

If you go and are under 50, take ID else you won't get served the awful stuff that they pretend is beer.

[eFestivals]

The Giants play American Football....

the SF Giants play baseball.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Giants

And seeing as Wooderson was talking about SF when he mentioned them, the confused one here is you.

[future_shock]

The Giants play American Football....

[Steve P]

The Giants play American Football....

[oafc0000]

the SF Giants play baseball.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Giants

And seeing as Wooderson was talking about SF when he mentioned them, the confused one here is you.

Edited March 8, 2010 by oafc0000

[eFestivals]

It's a very different experience but worth going.

I agree that it's a very different experience, but I don't agree that it's worth going. My memory is of a pointless day out.

[oafc0000]

In New York maybe. He was talking baseball though. It is worth going to a big sports event in america just so you can see how differently they do things. Neil's right is as much as the game isn't that important. They are really just excuses to get friends and family together. You get people at games hours before all doing BBQ's from the back of their trucks and drinking. It's a very different experience but worth going.

For the record I agree that baseball is fecking dreadful.

[oafc0000]

I agree that it's a very different experience, but I don't agree that it's worth going. My memory is of a pointless day out.

Edited March 8, 2010 by oafc0000

[future_shock]

I agree Neil...

Baseball is shocking to experience both live and sat in your arm chair...

Ice Hockey, Baseball and American Football should be the weapons of choice

[oafc0000]

Totally agree. I'm assuming the middle one is supposed to be basketball. Ice hokey is great live as is American Football. Can be quite expensive depending on where you are wanting to sit however.

[smog]

Definately agree with a lot of ukslims pointers. Dont spend too much time in Manhatten - get out to Brooklyn and Queens for a wander about. Brooklyn is awesome and has some nice places to shop and eat (Williamaburg, Park Slope and Cobble Hill are all especially nice). Even parts of the Bronx are nice.

Its pretty easy to avoid the projects that are dotted about - just take the subway and dont bother walking everywhere. The makeup of New York can change very quickly, like in the space of a few blocks. The bus system is very good too and if you get a weelky pass for $45 you can use it unlimited on both sub and bus service.

http://www.notfortourists.com/NewYork.aspx

These are awesome guides for anyone visiting anywhere really but I found the NYC ones very uselful during my visits. Basically all the good places to eat and drink - no bullcrap to mislead you - just really informative guides to each area in NY.

Go to some gigs!!! There is always LOADS of stuff on every night. Check out Terminal 5's gig list for some pretty huge acts or the Bowery in Brooklyn for a more intimate atmosphere.

http://www.terminal5nyc.com/

Central Park is a nice walk too and you have the museums up that way. I remember being overawed by the size of New York the first time I visited and eas even more impressed when after a brief 5 minute walk I was in the middle of a field and couldnt see any buildings anywhere.

Check this place out

http://nymag.com/listings/bar/frying_pan/

Bar on an old Lightship - bit of a treck but its cheap foor and beer in Chelsea and you get an awesome view at both day and night of both Manhatten and Jersey.

I'll stop there hehe I could go on forever lol. When are you going? - Im back out there over Easter Weekend.

[Steve P]

Tailgaiting is ace. In the year that I was out at uni in west virginia I only remember one of the 8 games I went to due to the effects of tailgaiting.

[bunique]

While up that way, check out 'Old Faithful'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calistoga,_Ca...ist_attractions

[//ross]

Drive down to Monterey. Stop in Carmen on the way and have an ice cream; wave at Clint while you're there, and laugh at his house with its mini golf on the front lawn (if he still lives in the same place). Then drive along 17 Mile Drive (strangely, only 9.6 miles long ).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17-Mile_Drive

[eFestivals]

Carmel not Carmen!

Doh, you're of course right.

[Gre]

Do people tailgate at the baseball ? I always thought that only happened at the Football ?

Tailgating is awesome

Edited March 9, 2010 by Gre

[oafc0000]

I'm pretty sure it doesn't happen at baseball - because they play so many games its usually not as much an event as football is.

Which is a shame really, because the weather would be much more conducive! There's a big enough car park at the Giants stadium too.

[Gre]

You have to tailgate at the Football... Beer in the stadium is something like 8$

[TheGayTent]

The two best cities in the US. Well done.

Definitely agree with Neil on 17 mile drive, Monterey, & Carmel.

[eFestivals]

Definitely agree with Neil on 17 mile drive, Monterey, & Carmel.

hey, it had to happen some time.

Still, it won't last.....

The two best cities in the US.

there's no such thing. Each one is sadly full of Americans.