200 CDs, 6 tanks of gas, 3 trips to Taco Bell, 2 trips to McDonalds, 2 Starbucks stops and one new experience later…..

I feel like I have just accomplished a serious rite of passage, the long haul road trip. My friend Hyon has been living in the San Fran/Sacto area of California for two years now, and I still had not visited him. Desperately wanting a change of pace from Seattle, I decided to make the journey, in my car, to San Francisco. I knew that 13 hours of driving was going to be rough, but WOW, what a drive. I have been on other long road trips to Florida, Texas, Mexico, etc… but never alone. This time it was just me, The Beast (my huge SUV) and 200 cds.

At my highest point I was reveling in the majesty of the Northern California mountain range, the Cascades, thinking how beautiful it is. At my lowest point, I felt like I was in a moving solitary confinement cell. Being alone with your thoughts for 13 hours can be daunting. Props to the Adopt a highway people between central Oregon and most of Northern Cali. Those highways were pristine!

Once I finally got to Vacaville (pop. 97,000 and growing by the minute) I immediately wanted to take a loooooong nap. Hyon set me up with a blankie, the remote control to his home theatre system (it was immense) and I relaxed that night. I didn't get my turkey dinner, but I was too tired to eat anyways.

The next day it was off to San Francisco to finally see what it’s all about. Because Hyon drove, we saw most of the bay facing area of the city from the car- Fisherman's Wharf, the piers. We went straight to the Golden Gate Bridge, walking it, taking photos. I felt bad thinking about that Hyon has probably done this a thousand times, but it was definitely interesting to check it out and feel the sway of the bridge. I am finally beginning to understand how the Bay Area is laid out- we drove through Sausalito on the way back into the city and paid the crazy toll to get back in. Our toll booth collector was a cop with a bullet proof vest on. Makes me think Bay Area dwellers don't like tolls much. Heh.

We inadvertently spent most of our time in the Haight Ashbury area. We meant to walk it and check other things out, but ended up shopping like mad! First stop was So Good jewelry- loads of cheap to mid-priced rings, necklaces, earrings. I had to exercise some extreme discipline here. Then off to Bia’s Organic Café for lunch. They had these cool window seats made into booths, so it was fun to people watch. After that we really just roamed and shopped. The coolest place was kidRobot. They have loads of kitschy Japanese figurines with huge followings. The place was PACKED! It was fun to check out all the art. Hyon became facinated with these figurines that come in mystery boxes. He didn’t get the ones he wanted; he accendentally ended up with rare ones! But determined, he went back and bought more until he got the ones he wanted!

Hyon managed to score us a hotel in Union Square. I had no idea that Union Square was the SF equivalent of the Magnificent Mile back home. It features tons of department stores and chain stores (H&M anyone?). Our hotel was right across the street from the Macy’s Christmas tree in the center of the Square. There were thousands of people wandering around adding to the ambiance of the city. After dinner at Jimmy’s Irish pub we met up with Hyon’s friends Angela and Jenn.

I guess that the three of them have done club/bar crawls together before, so they decided to take me to a few random places throughout the city. After consulting a map, off we went in a manic taxi. It would take ages to explain the next 3 hours of drinking and dancing but basically I saw tons of transvestites, some fights and the TransAmerica building. We started out at Element Lounge, which was obviously an Asian hangout (people, not ambiance), but had a very cool atmosphere and awesome space. I hope to go back some day. We ended up at a very cheesy bar/club called “V” (or something like that) in the ‘red light district’. It was amusing to watch all the trashed frat boys/sorority girls getting down and hooking up. I would, of course, manage to find the brit posse in the crowd and end up talking to them (insert eye roll here). They were fun, but PISSED. So, most of the stuff coming out of their mouths was unintelligible. It was while standing on the corner at 2 am waiting for a taxi to take us back to our hotel that I realised that I was facing the famous TransAmerica building. Fly.

I rounded out my trip to San Fran with brekkie at a place called Daily’s Grill. Fab food, nice atmosphere. More waiters with accents. I had no idea that SF was such a foreigner hot spot to work at (nearly everyone in working in the Irish pub really was Irish).I can see why people dig San Francisco. It and Seattle have a similar feel (loads of hills, street kids and interesting shops/cafes), but SF feels more refined.

I was amazed at the grace of the buildings and the beauty of the bay. It was beautiful weather and good company. Shout out to my host Hyon (he’s single, ladies!!) and his friends Angela and Jenn. Thanks for taking me around town, ya’ll!