Well I have made it, I am now in the 'USA'!! I arrived in 'San Francisco' airport on Wednesday at lunchtime and took the BART (metro) to Downtown 'San Francisco' and my hostel "HI San Francisco Downtown". It is $22 and really nice, it has a great location and the dorm rooms are big with an en-suite shower room. I had a shower when I first got in and then had a wander around the city to get my bearings. It is really easy to navigate as every street seems to end up at "Market St". There are so many shops, many of them incredibly posh! The area where I am staying is near the "Hilton"! so there are lots of rich Americans around. After a bite to eat I went to bed, after being up over 30h! Thursday - I had a real lie in today as the jetlag hit me, getting up at 2pm. After a bite to eat I headed down to the information centre to pick up my "MUNI" three day travel pass (for all inter city transport), book my 'Yosemite' tour and book my 'San Francisco' bay cruise. From there I caught the #5 bus to the ferry building and the "Amtrak" office so I could sort out my pass and organise my ticket for LA. When I left I wandered to the edge of pier 2 which had a superb view over the "Bay Bridge" (which leads to 'Oakland' and 'Berkley'). After that I took in the little craft market that was taking place in the ferry terminal, lots of local artists and crafts people. Then I took the "Embarcadero" pathway where I passed the very imposing clocktower of the ferry building. I then headed up the street, lined with palms, past a very strange sculpture and also a live band playing (in protest). Next I headed up "Clay St" to the "TransAmerica Pyramid" in the financial district, what an impressive building that was! I carried on up the street until I reached "Grant Avenue" and the gate to "Chinatown". It is the best place to go for culture, with the tiny streets and coloured decorations. From there I walked through "Chinatown" until I got to "Lombard St" where you got a great city view, this road also lead to "Coit Tower". You can see the massive tower structure, in white marble, for miles. It also has an impressive view from the top; Downtown, "Golden Gate Bridge", "Acatraz", The "TransAmerica Pyramid" and the "Bay Bridge". From there I walked to "Russian Hill" and "Nob Hill" which are huge steep hills (very steep to walk up!) but they have stunning views of 'San Francisco'. There were lots of posh houses, and many of them in the Art Deco style. Next I took "Jones St" to the beautiful "Grace Cathedral" which was next to a nice little park, where I sat and people-watched (so many people walking there tiny dogs). Then I took "California St", past the very impressive "Hopkin Inter-Continental Hotel". Finally I followed "Powell St" down past "Union Sq" and "Macys" before reaching the hostel. Back at 9pm, in the light, I grabbed dinner and then had an early night - I was knackered! Friday - Today I left the hostel at lunchtime and headed to the tram stop to catch one on the "Mason-Powell" line down to "Fisherman's Wharf". They are lovely trams, very old skool painted dark red and gold, and very efficient at getting you over all the hills in 'San Francisco'. I got off at "Lombard St" and walked across a few blocks to see the crookedest street in the world. It was amazing, 8 hairpin turns on a very steep incline - the cars were having trouble! From there I walked up to "Fishermans Wharf" and experienced the very busy restaurants, bars, seafood shops (chowda dishes) and impressive piers. I also watched a group of young freestylers dancing on a mat 1 After taking in the culturally diverse area I walked to pier 43 1/2 and caught my "Red and White Fleet" boat tour. We sailed around "Fort Point", under the "Golden Gate Bridge"(stunning!) and round past "Alcatraz". The island looked really delapidated and rough - it was the place for criminals! "Alcatraz" was not too far from shore, but the waters were very strong - you can see why nobody escaped. It was a really good tour as you got a commentary the whole way round. After the tour I strolled down the very clean "Embarcadero", a mixture of bars/cafes and warehouses, along by the sea. I arrived at the Home of the "San Francisco Giants", "SBC Park". It was so cool to be there to watch a matchup! Before the match started I wandered around the stadium, and stood behind the wall where Barry Bonds (a very famous player) hit his 700 home run into the water - COOL! Then I sat and watched the game, I had a great view of the diamond. I got talking to a mother and her son about the game, so the 3h went by really quickly. It was a great match and the "Giants" beat the "Florida Marlins" 8 - 5. After the game I caught the BART back to my hostel. What a great evening! Saturday - I have been on the internet putting on my photos and am now off to visit the "Golden Gate Bridge"! From the internet cafe I walked up to the "Marina", it is a very hot and sunny day here (30C), which was packed with boats and people. The whole area was a hive of activity with people cycling, walking, kite flying, running and generally relaxing. Eventually along "Marina Blvd" I came to the beach area. It was packed, with lots of tanned and toned people and many families. As I strolled along I reached "Crissy Field" and more parkland and beaches. This was also the point where the windsurfers start from, on their voyage across the water to the other side of the "Golden Gate Bridge". I continued along the "Bay path" with lots of other active people, until I came to a nice picnic area. There were families, mates and employee picnics going on. I veered off onto the path to "Fort Point", it was quite a long walk (3 miles), which takes you right under the "Golden Gate Bridge". It was amazing, you could see the impressive foundations and all the suspension cables. It was a magnificant site, a huge landmark! I stood at the base of the Bridge for 30mins and also watched the kiteboarders and windsurfers riding the waves. Next I took the stairway, through stunning gardens, to the "Golden Gate Bridge" itself. WOW what a view you got from the lookout! I had my picture taken and then set off on my walk across the Bridge. It took 2h return to cross, it is 1 mile between the two main uprights, I decided to walk the full way over! It is painted a deep red colour, not gold, but was still impressive. There were stunning views back towards 'San Francisco' and 'Acatraz'. I then took the #28 bus through "Golden Gate Park" - very lush. Finally I caught the BART back to town. I am knackered, having walked miles today!! Sunday - Off to Yosemite National Park today. Monday - I leave for LA.