California People – Advice Please.

[Gekken]

That doesn't matter. Mine is still issued by Ireland. Just renew and you'll get a pretty EU passport. Very useful.

I'll call the dutch consulate tomorrow. (I know them personally, I rebuilt their roof)

 

[BBWetKitty]

I’ve never been to America and there is a vague possibility I may be going to California for a few weeks in September.

It’s a little frightening (to be honest) as I know absolutely nothing of America. Are there areas to stay away from? What’s the weather like at that time of the year? Any things I should definitely see? What are the best music clubs? Can I get a decent cup of tea? *smile*

I suggest visiting San Francisco, Napa Valley and Carmel, maybe Sausilito. You'll love it. For the bay city, it will probably be foggy/misty in the morning and the sun will burn it off by afternoon, so dress a little warmer am, with layers to remove for pm.

Napa Valley is gorgeous wine country, very picturesque.

Carmel and Sausilito are beautiful towns, pretty relaxed.

Have fun!

 

[Metrodance]

I'll call the dutch consulate tomorrow. (I know them personally, I rebuilt their roof)

Good luck.

Now, everyone else - advice please! *smile

 

[Metrodance]

I suggest visiting San Francisco, Napa Valley and Carmel, maybe Sausilito. You'll love it. For the bay city, it will probably be foggy/misty in the morning and the sun will burn it off by afternoon, so dress a little warmer am, with layers to remove for pm.

Napa Valley is gorgeous wine country, very picturesque.

Carmel and Sausilito are beautiful towns, pretty relaxed.

Have fun!

Thanks - it's mostly San Francisco and perhaps Los Angeles.

 

[Never]

Orange is fire.

 

[Equinoxe]

I have no advice to offer, I don't think I've been further west in the United States than the eastern part of Kansas. Other people though seem to be of use.

Orange is fire.

A lovely map, about some unfortunate things.

 

[kbate]

There is no good tea in America. Bring your own.

Come prepared to stay. I'll fix a room for you.

 

[Metrodance]

Orange is fire.

Is that close? I think you could put Ireland in California and have tons left over!

Las Vegas - isn't that Sodom & Gomorrah? *smile* I know what Sodom is but unsure exactly what Gomorrah involves?

 

[Metrodance]

There is no good tea in America. Bring your own.

Come prepared to stay. I'll fix a room for you.

Can I work in the garden?

 

[Igor_1066]

Is that close? I think you could put Ireland in California and have tons left over!

You could put about six Irelands in California with plenty of room left over. In a "few weeks" you won't have time to really even get used to the difference in the scale of things. Have you read much Bill Bryson? He writes well on both Britain and the US, and comments on some of the differences in ways that lbring it alive.

There are many completely different ecosystems and many completely different cultures. You could easily spend a few weeks right here, going to Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, the gold country and seeing and feeling our unique irrigated agricultural area. Immigrants from Armenia and north eastern India tended to find this place compatible and settled here, but the Japanese found it a good place also, although it has little in common with Japan climacticly speaking. We're right smack dab between LA and San Francisco, abput 200 miles to each. A 3 1/2 to 4 hour drive depending on traffic.

You could spend a few weeks in the deserts, at Joshua Tree, Death Valley, and on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada.

You could spend a few weeks on the northern coasts, and in the Trinity Alps.

You could spend a few weeks between San Diego and Yuma, including the Coachella Valley and the Salton Sea.

You could spend a few weeks in some of the most beautiful terrain in the world, the mid-coast, including Carmel, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Santa Cruz.

Then there is the Los Angeles area.

And the San Franciso Bay area. Each good for extended stays (months, years), just to scratch the surface. Just imagine trying to give someone a flavor of all of Ireland from Dublin to the Aran Islands in a few weeks, and raise those difficulties to the 6th power. Oy.

If you only have a few weeks, it is worthwhile to invest in some guidebooks. If you PM me an address, I'll stop by AAA and get a copy of theirs and send it to you. It is aggressively middle-brow, but getting the middlebrow viewpoint is important also. At your bookstore you might want to start with the Michelin Guide. I find it concise enough to keep me from feeling like I'm drowning.

 

[Metrodance]

Thanks Igor.

The trip isn’t confirmed yet and if it does come about I will be focusing of the reason for it so not a lot of tourism time available. Any time available will be in San Francisco. However, all you’ve said has certainly aroused interest – I never knew.

If the trip occurs and if I like what I see, it sounds like the place for a holiday.

 

[gypsywitch]

I live in Central Calif. and it's almost all agricultural. Of course you must see San Francisco. That's where I think you'll find the best of the best in culture, entertainment, and of course food.
Gypsywitch could probably fill you in more about The Bay Area. (Yikes I hope she doesn't mind).

Yes, San Francisco would be a great place to start.

You'll have a great time shopping and see a lot of big spreadout places.
Its not just all cities over here.

When you get to the Golden Gate Bridge just turn right to the north and drive for about an hour. That's where I am.

Muir Woods, Sausalito... dreamy.

 

[Metrodance]

You'll have a great time shopping and see a lot of big spreadout places.
Its not just all cities over here.

When you get to the Golden Gate Bridge just turn right to the north and drive for about an hour. That's where I am.

Muir Woods, Sausalito... dreamy.

Shopping!! Yay!

What is public transport like? I don’t drive – never learned.

 

[JamesSD]

California

I live in San Diego, which is south of LA and just north of the US-Mexican border.

"Northern California" and "Southern California" have very different weather and attitudes. I'm not sure where the arbitrary line is drawn, but San Francisco and San Jose are definitely part of "NorCal" and LA and San Diego are part of "SoCal".

In September Los Angeles has really nice weather. In California the rule of thumb is the closer to the ocean you are, the more mild the weather is. In the summer it can be really pleasant on the coast but swelteringly hot ten miles inland.

San Francisco has much more varied weather. My experience has been you can travel a few miles and the weather changes. Generally it's breezy, but it depends where you are and the time of year.

Southern California is much more concerned with appearance and wealth. I tend to think of it as a "Hollywood" effect. SoCal people are often very pretty, and very fake.

San Francisco is the most politically liberal city in the United States. Homosexuality is widely accepted. Public transportation is pretty awesome in the San Francisco Bay Area. In LA everyone has a car, and getting places takes forever.

Hope that helps. I'd recommend visiting some travel websites.

 

[Metrodance]

I live in San Diego, which is south of LA and just north of the US-Mexican border.

"Northern California" and "Southern California" have very different weather and attitudes. I'm not sure where the arbitrary line is drawn, but San Francisco and San Jose are definitely part of "NorCal" and LA and San Diego are part of "SoCal".

In September Los Angeles has really nice weather. In California the rule of thumb is the closer to the ocean you are, the more mild the weather is. In the summer it can be really pleasant on the coast but swelteringly hot ten miles inland.

San Francisco has much more varied weather. My experience has been you can travel a few miles and the weather changes. Generally it's breezy, but it depends where you are and the time of year.

Southern California is much more concerned with appearance and wealth. I tend to think of it as a "Hollywood" effect. SoCal people are often very pretty, and very fake.

San Francisco is the most politically liberal city in the United States. Homosexuality is widely accepted. Public transportation is pretty awesome in the San Francisco Bay Area. In LA everyone has a car, and getting places takes forever.

Hope that helps. I'd recommend visiting some travel websites.

Thank so much for that. I will do a lot more research but it's valuable to receive personal insights.

 

[Igor_1066]

I don’t drive – never learned.

Learn. Seriously. Even in the By Area, unless you intend to stay within the 49 square miles of the City and County of San Francisco, you will be like a prisoner.

 

[Metrodance]

Learn. Seriously. Even in the By Area, unless you intend to stay within the 49 square miles of the City and County of San Francisco, you will be like a prisoner.

There will be others with me who can drive. I tried to learn once but it was a disaster. Really, I don't have a need for a car in my life.

 

[Igor_1066]

There will be others with me who can drive.

That'll work. My backup suggestions were going to be

1. Budget for a limo;

2. Arrange in advance for someone to drive you around; or

3. Do a Basic Instinct on the plane. It IS a San Francisco movie after all....

 

[gypsywitch]

Shopping!! Yay!

What is public transport like? I don’t drive – never learned.

Well if you come from San Francisco over to see my side of the bay you can take the ferry boat. There are plenty of buses like Golden Gate Transit, plus the monorail, BayAreaRapidTransit (BART). Muir Woods and points north up here to the wine country are best done with the many private tours available.

The dollar is good for you over here now. We've had a lot of Europeans hitting up the name brands like The Gap and Saks.

Down south is Santa Cruz and Monterey which are also very lovely.

My family came to SF in the early 1900's as marble importers. That's one of the resaons why I take the older buildings to heart. The lesbian scene is very strong in the goddess sense up here in Sonoma County. http://www.lezbeout.com/RUSSIANRIVERWOMENSWEEKENDGUIDE.htm

 

[Metrodance]

3. Do a Basic Instinct on the plane. It IS a San Francisco movie after all....

You saucy tart! *smile*

 

[Metrodance]

Well if you come from San Francisco over to see my side of the bay you can take the ferry boat. There are plenty of buses like Golden Gate Transit, plus the monorail, BayAreaRapidTransit (BART). Muir Woods and points north up here to the wine country are best done with the many private tours available.

The dollar is good for you over here now. We've had a lot of Europeans hitting up the name brands like The Gap and Saks.

Down south is Santa Cruz and Monterey which are also very lovely.

My family came to SF in the early 1900's as marble importers. That's one of the resaons why I take the older buildings to heart. The lesbian scene is very strong in the goddess sense up here in Sonoma County. http://www.lezbeout.com/RUSSIANRIVERWOMENSWEEKENDGUIDE.htm

Thanks, much appreciated and I enjoyed the link. Defintely keeping an eye out for the Finnish film. I hadn't heard of it.