San Francisco

From top to bottom: art in The Castro, lighthouse on Alcatraz wearing Adidas and vintage puffer vest, Shasta, The Golden Gate Bridge, Ferry Market Building wearing Goorin Bros hat American Apparel and Kate Spade bag, The Golden Gate Bridge

It's easy to see why the Golden Gate Bridge is the most photographed bridge in the world isn't it? I loved this city and so will you. I'll make a list of some things you should know, but I could go on for hours about why this place is SO AWESOME. 

On the other hand, what they say about American coffee is true. When you find someone who understands the word cappuccino, expect it to be a mere shadow of the frothy goodness you enjoy so much at home.

Things I wished I knew before I got there:

- Become a tea lover
- When your new friend whips out a joint to enjoy with their dad, don't be surprised. Weed is everywhere, literally, and is part of many peoples daily routine. And as they say...when in Rome.
- There is this thing called GrubHub aka the best invention in the WORLD where you can go online and order any kind of take away you want, and they deliver it to your door or hotel, usually for free. 
- Always make sure you have $1 notes handy because it's the only bill accepted for bus tickets, and buses are by far the best way to get around. 
- Whenever 'downtown' is referred to, anywhere in The States, they are talking about the CBD or inner city.

A list of the places I loved and you should go to: 

- Firstly, if you're planning a US holiday, do not miss San Francisco. Out of all the places I went, this was my favourite. You need at least a week to soak up all the delicious culture it has to offer, but I was there for a bit over two and really got to know the place. So if you can, do the same!
- Hire a bike from Haight and Ashbury (after you check out the shops) and ride through Golden Gate Park to the lookout above the beach, then back through to the Presidio and over the Golden Gate Bridge. Finish with an early dinner in Sausalito across the bay and catch the ferry back to the city.
- Check out NightLife at the Cal Academy of Science
- If you've got some cash to spare, have dinner at Sushi Bistro. It even changed my forever-seafood-hating brother's mind on the matter. 
- If you head downtown, there's plenty of good shopping, but if you explore the surrounding areas a bit, you'll find some boutiques that explain why people look so good. Check out Union St if that's what you're in to.
- The Napa Valley is the perfect distance away from SF for a day trip, the only struggle you'll have is finding a designated driver. Keep in mind that a lot of places have an entry fee, but it's worth the trip and the cash.
- Skiing in Lake Tahoe 
- Alcatraz
- The Ferry Building Market

I could go on and on about how much I loved this place and all the cool things there is to do, but that would get boring and I have other stuff to do. Oh one more thing, eat as much Mexican food as you can stuff into your pie hole because oh my goodness it's delicious and it's one of the very few things we can't get our hands on Down Under (American's love that term. Show them huntsman spider pictures. They love that too!)