A week has passed me by at a frightening rate and I've found it difficult to find the time to write a travel update.

The week has consisted of surfing, partying and having a good time.

The couch surfing has proved a great success and I've developed some close friendships in the process.

First of all Demetrius; I really don't know where to begin with him. He's literally one of the kindest natured guys I have ever met. He has hosted me on two different occasions in the last week and I have met up with him even when he's not hosting me. His place is amazing and in a great area near Ocean Beach (OB). And couch surfing isn't really the word when he provides a private double room!

I also stayed with a guy called Ben who lives a stones throw away from Newport Avenue (the main road leading to OB). He was a very cool and easy going guy. I stayed with him for three nights and we shared some great stories and he had a fantastic knowledge of the area. He works in a local club called Winston's, and it was great fun to have a host working on the doors!

OB is probably the coolest place in the world. The area has no chain stores with exception of maybe the gas stations, which means all pubs, restaurants and stores are independently owned/run.

As with many places on the Californian coast, there is a very real surfer vibe about OB. And I believe the town is run by Hells Angels, which itself sounds pretty cool.

Then moving on to Pacific Beach (PB) where my Swiss friend Marco and I went surfing on numerous occasions. The beach is a nicer stretch and the waves are better for surf beginners than OB. It's a very 'college' place with a mixture of muscular guys and hot women either jogging, skating or rollerblading up and down the promenade. There is a great vibe to the place however it seems a little more 'fake' and built up than OB.

The next town up the coast is La Jolla where Ben kindly took me when he was hosting me. This area has less of a surfing vibe than the other two and more of a rich 'Sex and the City' feel. If I ever wanted to find a sugar mamma, this would be the place to do it, however it would be easier breaking into Buckingham Palace than through the security of these Mansions. We went to Mount Soledad which is a panoramic lookout of the city and includes a war memorial for the people of San Diego. We also visited a beach cove where seals come ashore and mate.

In between couch surfing, I have also spent a few nights in the downtown hostel where Marco is based. We had some fantastic nights and the least said about 'Makers Mark' and 'pink feather bowers' the better. I would highly recommend the downtown USA hostel, however parking is expensive (I decided to leave the car in PB and get the bus in).

Other potential attractions I could do are the Zoo and Sea World. While these attractions do appeal to me, I have seen plenty of wildlife in Australia and I'd rather spend the time progressing my surfing skills.

The only downside I could find about San Diego is their strictness on identification for sale of alcohol and getting into pubs and clubs. I feel uneasy about taking my passport out with me, however many places refuse to accept a foreign drivers licence. I also had this one occasion where a douche behind a CVS (pharmacy that sells liquor) counter wouldn't accept a foreign passport (Really, so foreigners can't buy alcohol now!?). Anyhow this is a small con amidst a long list of pro's! And I went to another CVS two doors down and had no problem.

Tomorrow I will be moving destinations on to Laguna Niguel (midway between San Diego and LA). This is where my good friend Hoppo's uncle lives and has kindly offered to put me up for a few nights.

As the sun sets on what has been a real magical time here in San Diego, I will certainly be noting this place on the 'where I'd like to live' list.