Bangkok Thailand Place should to visiting: The Good, The Bad As Well As The Ugly


Okay, too hence the spaghetti westerns were shot inwards Spain. But of course, there's no shortage of this type of the world inwards the USA south-west (image The Man Zone)

TEZZA RATES THE SOUTH WEST

Following is a lot of judgemental materials on the best, worst, yawn-inducing, praise-worthy too annoying aspects of the southward west. You may inquire what qualifications I have. Well none, apart from fantabulous gustatory modality too the fact that I take away hold ever been rattling opinionated.

An outline of my 31 twenty-four hours visit: I did a loop of most of the pop locations inwards the south-west. After spending 4 nights inwards Santa Monica, 2 inwards North Hollywood too 2 inwards Long Beach I grabbed a rental motorcar too headed for Flagstaff too the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Yosemite, San Francisco, Big Sur too San Diego where I returned the car. After 4  nights I Amtracked dorsum to LA for the flying home. I'd liked to take away hold had the fourth dimension to correspond inwards Lake Tahoe and at that topographic point were many to a greater extent than I did depository fiscal establishment check out where I would take away hold liked to rest longer - a one-half dozen spots along/just off the actually squeamish US395 which runs upward the eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas I could take away hold spent a fortnight exploring. I gave Disneyland the large fille - when I was a surfer-grom I had a rhythm out on Annette Funicello (yeah, I'm a seriously one-time dude) but inwards my adult life I've grown to loathe overpriced,/over-hyped attractions, long queues too crowds.


Main destinations - overnights or to a greater extent than at all those places apart from Death Valley too Yosemite Valley. Plus nights at Flagstaff southward of the Canyon, Lone Pine - L P on icon - (past the estrus of Death Valley), Midpines (for Yosemite) too San Luis Obispo - S L O -  plus Ventura (both betwixt Big Sur too San Diego). My ticket from Alamo tells me I traveled 2761 miles which is 4473km. I did many to a greater extent than kilometers inwards metropolis buses too trains addition intercity Amtrak. 
The distance line betwixt the aircraft too San Diego bottom left is 400km long.
I go budget too stayed at 2 camp-grounds, 8 backpacker hostels, 2 budget motels too i Las Vegas casino (which because of the gamblers' subsidy was no dearer than the budget motels. But way sweeter. Not that the budget motels were bad).
HEY - THOSE COLOURS (get used to Brit spelling y'all Yanks) I USED ON THE MAP DO NOT STAND OUT REAL WELL - THING IS, I'M NOT PREPARED TO RE-DO THE MAP ON ACCOUNT information technology IS SO TIME CONSUMING - SO MY ADVICE IS CLICK-EXPAND TO MAKE information technology CLEARER. FAILING THAT, TAKE Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 HINT FROM LINDY LOVELACE - "SUCK information technology UP BABY"



MOST SPECTACULAR
The Grand Canyon has to win here....
....as did my 8+hour hike into the canyon inwards the BEST TREK stakes. tripadvisor study "HOW TO SING CONTRALTO WITH THE VIENNA BOYS' CHOIR" gives details. 
I also take away hold set upward a page amongst lots of information too pix which y'all tin access past times clicking dorsum to the index top right of page. SHORT CUT - I'm hoping SHORTCUT works fer yu - the previous link didn't fer me.


.....Yosemite wasn't far behind (smoke from large wood fires inwards the south-east Sierras makes for inferior pix).
One of my Yosemite treks was of similar duration to the Grand Canyon stroll, but way harder despite the kinder temperatures - wins championship of MOST STRENUOUS TREK. This is due to knee articulation breaking, treacherously slippery multi-stairs on the MIST TRAIL department of my walk - people to a higher identify are just almost to start the descent. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 lot of them brutal over - I would take away hold except for my trusty hiking poles. 
I take away hold also done a dissever page on Yosemite.

As far every bit man-made structures are concerned....
....the Golden Gate does the job.


OVER THE TOP
Vegas gets the gong hither of course. Over the top is no criticism - I bask such places




OVERBLOWN/UNDERWHELMING
I was disappointed inwards Monterey. Cannery Row was difficult to follow too seems to take away hold been gentrified to the betoken where Steinbeck must live rolling inwards his grave - upmarket shops, accommodation too restaurants lend a slightly pretentious air. The Fisherman's Wharf area (the commercial i - at to the lowest degree at that topographic point is all the same an side past times side working wharf) can't grip a candle to Pier 39 inwards 'Frisco or Santa Monica's beach pier. The coastal scenery is okay but no improve than a dozen other places along Highway 1.



SLIGHTLY UNDERWHELMING - BIG SUR
Blasphemy I know, but I constitute Big Sur less mind-blowing than I'd expected. Trouble is I'm spoiled: I alive right on the coast too take away hold seen hundreds of whales, dolphins too the rest. And existence a beaches/islands guy I tend to seek out scenic sections of coastline - I tin think of some other one-half dozen seaside roads which tin equal Big Sur's landscape too which take away hold far improve beaches. And none of them take away hold the restrictions on parking, the high cost of same too of accommodation; or the hoard of "DO NOT... restrictions constitute at Big Sur.
However I tin good empathise the raves the identify gets - if I lived inland too rarely saw the sea I reckon I likewise could live blown away. 
In summing up, I don't think Big Sur was a waste matter of fourth dimension for me. I reckon it was good worth the see - just non every bit particular every bit I thought it mightiness be.


PRETENTIOUS
I've already mentioned Monterey. I also thought all those gated estates inwards California were bunging it on a fight amongst residents turning upward their noses at outsiders too thinking they were living inwards some special place. Stand past times for an incoming boast: Chez Tezza perched on a depression seaside cliff on the NSW coast would blow them all away location wise.

Anyway, pretentious inwards a good, entertaining way was.......
....Rodeo Drive with its flash shopping, ritzy restaurants.....
....outrageously expensive too ostentatious cars, addition large homes (no gated estates I could see).


Spot the Celebrities tour spot a existent celebrity - click expand baby.



UNEXPECTED GEM
There was a bunch of these. 2 standouts:
1 - Wapaki Monument/Sunset Crater Scenic Drive which loops off Arizona's route 89 (this is used to acquire from the eastern entry to Grand Canyon's southward rim to Flagstaff). Above are some housing ruins of the Pueblo native Americans who lived inwards the surface area from roughly 500 advert to 1225. I'm non into archæology but I constitute the ruins too the data inwards the museum fascinating - too hence much too hence that I stayed way longer than anticipated, important I made Hoover Dam close 'Vegas much afterward than planned....
....on a moonless night. 
Oops! There's a killer dam wall, lotsa H2O too a deep gorge downwardly at that topographic point somewhere.
Sunset Crater dorsum on route 89 aint precisely Mount Rinjani but was interesting too also cost to a greater extent than fourth dimension than I'd budgeted.


2 - Sedona
Sedona Az is 50km southward of Flagstaff on 89A. This town has it all - driblet dead surrounding scenery, new-age materials similar vortices, lotsa trendy shops/bars/restaurants, heaps of accommodation addition the wonderful Oak Creek Canyon which runs several km along 89A just due north of town. I exclusively visited Sedona for an afternoon but if I homecoming to the surface area I'll brand sure I pass a pair of nights.
Area scenery attracted early on movie-makers. The listing of westerns made hither is long too contains many classics. Hollywood owes a debt - the story is i of Hollywood's pioneers  earlier called inwards hither too constitute it snowfall bound. So he jumped dorsum on the prepare too continued thru to the Sun of the Californian coast (image psychicnirup.com on line of piece of work organisation human relationship my camera's battery went apartment too my backup Olympus got drowned when I brutal out of a speedboat at the Thai islands).


BETTER THAN EXPECTED GEM
I expected the Midway Museum at San Diego to live pretty expert but it proved fifty-fifty better.
Midway has an illustration of every aircraft that has flown from her - addition ones involved inwards the Battle of Midway for which she was named (she was completed just before the cease of WW2 - built for the invasion of Nippon which fortunately did non occur - tin y'all imagine the loss of civilian too armed services life inwards a the world which would never give upward to conventional force?)
She all the same looks impressive. Midway is parked less than 400m from the nearest downtown business office building.
A Midway vet (Vietnam era Crusader pilot) gives an entertaining utter almost the catapult launching physical care for including humorous anecdotes re SNAFUs. Equally expert was the guy doing the landing surface area talk.
You tin also depository fiscal establishment check out crew quarters, sick bay, the mess, engine room, practise a guided tour of command-central inwards the isle (superstructure) too much more.
I expected to pass 2 hours hither - I stayed over 6. Which is why I never got to San Diego's famous Balboa Park



MOST CROWDED
Um - crowds inwards California's/Arizona's/Nevada's tourist season. Not precisely lacking inwards pick but I'd live giving to......
San Francisco's iconic cable cars....
...queues at Union Square's cable-car turn-around spot.


BEST PEOPLE WATCHING
Another i non  lacking inwards choice. Was it at Santa Monica pier? Or just inland at the keen tertiary Street Promenade? Drinking arts and crafts beer at a street-side Main Beach San Diego beer counter saw no shortage of colourful passing characters. Neither did a similar foot-path facing bar on The Strip at Vegas. Speaking of which - just sitting inwards the vestibule of i of the Casinos was expert value. I could acquire on, but I'm going to give it to the Grand Canyon's RIM TRAIL, where y'all tin consider all sorts of people from all over the the States addition a huge array of unusual visitors - all in total on vacation mode.
Cute sight - kids existence awarded their honorary ranger condition after reciting an oath of allegiance to the environment. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 whole bunch of appreciative adults just out of frame to the left.



HOTTEST
Badwater Basin, Death Valley California. The temp estimate on the dash of my rental read 127F which is 52.8C baby. Good grief! Although I take away hold never experienced temps to a higher identify the mid 40Cs, I reckon the temp estimate was pretty accurate - when it was showing 95F/35C at Flagstaff it sure felt roughly that level.
Note it was all the same 120F at Death Valley's Furnace Creek tourist "oasis" at 6pm - I'm glad I'd booked accommodation at Lone Pine on the lower slopes of the Sierras rather than pitch my tent at the Furnace Creek campground.



COLDEST
Mather campground, Grand Canyon Village southward rim. You are at 6860ft/2092m hither inwards a desert surroundings amongst no insulating cloud at night, too hence fifty-fifty though it was mid August, nighttime fourth dimension temperatures were oftentimes unopen to freezing. Tents tin acquire existent mutual depression temperature at nighttime too hence I made sure I rugged upward good - was snug every bit a bug.
Note my Nissan Versa rental at dorsum - horrible car! The understeer manful soul monarch of the highway screaming its lungs out close 5000rpm trying to hold upward amongst traffic on interstate upgrades. I thought Alamo was giving me an upgrade from the promised (smaller) Chevy Spark until I read the Versa was the cheapest novel motorcar on sale inwards the USA. At to the lowest degree I squeezed 43.7 United States of America mpg (5.4L per 100km) out of it (I'm a fuel nazi/mileage maniac) - but my ain bigger, faster, to a greater extent than comfy Elantra has averaged 49 violet MPG (5.8l/100km) everywhere since novel whereas the Versa did mainly highway miles. The Elantra is oftentimes roughly the 4.9L grade on the highway.


MOST UNEXPECTED WEATHER
I'm fanging across the Mojave Desert to a higher identify but a fight afterward inwards the twenty-four hours from his pic - exclusively a few hours out of L Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 - scattered cloud, 120F exterior according to the dash temp estimate - too it starts to rain! Short too sharp, which is text majority desert pelting - but nosotros are talking almost the middle of summertime which is usually southern California's driest time, inwards a drought which has lasted three years.



HIGHEST
Lone Pine Lake, almost 6km  up the Mount Whitney hiking rail is the highest I got at 10050ft/3064m. Hell, that's the highest I've ever been apart from inwards aircraft - all that trekking roughly Grand Canyon a few days before paid off because I had no hint of height distress.
Mt Whitney is the contiguous 48 states' highest peak (14405ft/4421m) but I couldn't acquire a permit to climb the total route. Just every bit good - to brand it upward too dorsum inwards i twenty-four hours needs a 4am start too I wasn't inwards the mood for that addition I had lots of other things to practise that day.
The 6km climb from the Whitney Portal parking surface area (no permit needed) is a existent squeamish trek thru a lightly forested surface area on a expert surfaced rail amongst no killer slopes - took me 4 hours return.
Note the fume inwards the pic - large wood fires inwards the south-east Sierra made visibility quite poor. That's Mt Whitney at left - volition live clearer if y'all click-expand.




LOWEST
Badwater, Death Valley is the lowest betoken inwards the USA at 282ft/86m below sea level. As I said upward page, exterior temp hither was 127F, but I could't resist a stoll 300m out to the lowest betoken just out of frame top left. You tin tell it is the lowest betoken - H2O leaks out of an aquifer close the platform, flows downwardly to the lowest betoken where it evaporates, leaving a mini tabular array salt lake.
A neat touching - National Parks has set a  SEA LEVEL sign on the escarpment behind the parking surface area - depository fiscal establishment check just below the dark arrow (sorry almost the positioning too color of the arrow but that is my start effort at Paint Box)



HAZIEST
I've already mentioned the large wood fires inwards the SE Sierras - these burned over several weeks too made visibility rattling hapless over a large department of my trip. Above is Zabriski Point which is i of the highest places at the top of the escarpment inwards the previous shot at almost 800ft/244m to a higher identify sea level. Pity almost the fume haze because on a clear twenty-four hours y'all tin plainly consider both the lowest betoken (Badwater - 12mi/20km southward every bit the crow flies) too the highest betoken (Mt Whitney - 81m/132km almost due W - would live somewhere towards the top-right of image). 



CLEAREST
Californian urban areas are non known for create clean air, but maybe the anti-pollution measures amongst which that province leads the ground are having some impact. Above is San Francisco's notorious Alcatraz, exclusively a few days after the previous pic - S F is likewise far W to cop the prevailing winds/smoke from the SE Sierra region.
Note likewise the absence of 'Friscos rattling mutual fog too pelting - I was existent lucky both days of my stay.



BEST BIG CITY
San Diego, California's 2d metropolis past times population after L A. 
'Frisco inwards tertiary identify (there are in all likelihood to a greater extent than people inwards the greater San Fransisco conurbation) is a pretty squeamish identify but San Diego edges it on line of piece of work organisation human relationship of improve weather, beaches too  myriad attractions.
Above is the entrance to San Diego harbour from Point Loma . The rattling start landing identify of Europeans inwards California is said to live just out of frame to the left of that warship.


BEST MEDIUM TOWN
I thought San Luis Obispo betwixt Big Sur too Santa Barbara was a terrific town but i time over again I justice some other every bit superior - Flagstaff Az southward of the Grand Canyon. Flagstaff is a squeamish identify inwards itself amongst a rattling relaxed feel, lotsa expert value accommodation too enough of eats too drinks joints inwards keeping amongst its functions every bit a college town too a base of operations for the Canyon + wintertime sports at the nearby Arizona Snowbowl. It has a host of other interesting attractions nearby similar the Wapaki Monument/Sunset Crater Scenic Drive shown upward page, other native American archaeological sites, the fabulous Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon and more. And for nostalgia freaks, one-time Route 66 runs thru town.



Walnut Canyon is 12mi/20km past times route from Flagstaff (you tin cruise Route 66 for one-half the trip) too is the site for the abandoned cliff dwellings of the Sinagua people who lived hither from abt 1100 to 1250.
If y'all click expand the start shot, y'all tin consider at middle a domicile on the side past times side canyon side.



BEST SMALL TOWN
 Lone Pine runs north-south for just over a kilometer along California's 395 on the eastern side of the Sierras. It has a fabulous small-scale town atmosphere (friendly too unhurried) too a surprising set out of expert places to eat. As the start cooler spot to rest out of Death Valley (it's 3727ft/1136m to a higher identify sea level) too a base of operations for Mt Whitney climbers) at that topographic point is a expert selection of accommodation. Death Valley begins 80km past times route to the south-east (take 136/190 just southward of town), Whitney Portal - the motorcar park/camping surface area for Mt Whitney is 20km W along the climbing (goes from 1136m to 2550m) too scenic Whitney Portal Rd from town middle (for a rattling scenic detour bring the Movie Flat Rd/Hogback Rd loop which takes off o the right thru the Alabama Hills [site of many one-time pic productions] less than 5km out of town - regime annotation the route turns to dirt after a brusk distance).
There are too hence many attractions on too just off the following 150km due north along 395 I could take away hold spent a calendar week exploring them. I peculiarly liked the Mammoth Mt/Lakes surface area abt 170km north, too Mono Lake 200km due north - but my inquiry showed some other one-half dozen could good take away hold been every bit good/better
My lastly goal that twenty-four hours was Midpines (for Yosemite) on the other (western) side of the Sierras (and 370km from Lone Pine) but I'd spent too hence much fourth dimension on the eastern side I didn't acquire inwards until after 11pm. Jeez it's keen fun trying to brand upward a bed inwards a dark backpacker hostel dorm.


BEST MAIN STREET/DOWNTOWN
This is a difficult i to pick - smaller places similar San Luis Obispo, Ocean Beach San Diego, Ventura, Flagstaff and others had pretty expert chief street/downtown areas, but I'm giving it to......
Santa Barbara - this larger identify has the client base of operations to offering most things along the chief drag. I peculiarly liked all the wine-tasting joints inwards the department nearest the beach although I had to resist on line of piece of work organisation human relationship I was a sole driver. Architecture buffs volition bask the Spanish-style buildings.

In other respects I was a fight perplexed past times Santa Barbara - go guide raves are supported past times heaven high accommodation costs eg - a dorm bed at the HI hostel costs every bit much every bit my perfectly comfortable Pacific Inn budget motel at Ventura exclusively xxx minutes farther downwardly the coast towards LA. But the marketplace won't back upward excessively expensive accommodation over the long term - I'm a keen believer that world demand determines high average accommodation prices - prices won't live high if the world isn't accepting them. 
A farther observation:,Santa Barbara's beaches, harbour etc were okay, but no nicer than one-half a dozen other places due north too southward along the coast.



MOST UNDERWHELMING MAIN STREET/DOWNTOWN
No surprise here, many take away hold mentioned the same - Los Angeles. The downtown shopping surface area looks similar Sydney circa 1962. Shows the touching on of the car/big regional shopping malls on LA's CBD shopping.




BEST VALUE ACCOMMODATION
The Luxor at 'Vegas wins easily. This huge room cost no to a greater extent than than Pacific Inn Motel - Ventura (itself expert value every bit Pacific Coast vacation town motels go) too the latter didn't take away hold the huge pool, gym, eats options too shopping available at the casino. 
Low room prices at casino properties of course of study are subsidized past times the gamblers, but I'm no gambler - thank y'all Maverick too friends (am I showing my agea? If the reference to Maverick passed yu by, likewise right).
Actually I felt morally obliged to set a few dollars thru the slots, but these days they don't bring coins which made the physical care for to a greater extent than complicated for the passing person. Their loss - but I suppose they know their business. And when I call upward famous economist Adam Smith's "Gambling is a revenue enhancement on stupidity...." I don't experience likewise bad.
Sweet puddle at the Luxor.

POOREST VALUE
My campsite at Pfeiffer Big Sur National Park campground cost to a greater extent than than some of the hostels on my trip (and didn't take away hold costless hot showers too the oftentimes costless breakfasts that the hostels include) - and twice the cost of Mather Campground at Grand Canyon Village. In its defence, Pfeiffer had H2O too trash bins unopen to each campsite different Mather too a squeamish flowing river running thru the site. 
A thing I liked almost both campgrounds - spacing betwixt sites is quite large which gives the impression of camping ground inwards the bush. Well maybe non if y'all take away hold a bunch of college kids adjacent. I had nice, quiet, friendly folk from Phoenix. In Australian campgrounds your neighbouring tent may live less than 5m away.


BEST BACKPACKER/HOSTEL
I stayed at 8 different backpacker hostels - HI Santa Monica , Orange Drive Hostel at Nth Hollywood, Grand Canyon International in Flagstaff, Lone Pine's Whitney Portal Hostel too Store, Yosemite Bug Rustic Resort near Midpines, San Francisco's HI Fisherman's Wharf, Hostel Obispo at San Luis Obispo too San Diego's Ocean Beach International.I chose all on the footing of expert location, facilities too expert reviews too was non disappointed past times whatever apart from Bug near Midpines. I chose Bug for its proximity to Yosemite Valley (all the tent sites inwards the valley were booked out way ahead of my see too I couldn't afford whatever of the resorts inwards or closer to the valley) its resort type facilities too expert reviews. But proximity is a loose term - it is almost 55km from Yosemite Village too the scenic but rattling twisty drive took me just over an hr (the YARTS bus does the trip - I intended to utilisation it until I learned it takes nearly 2 hours). So I was leaving too hence early on inwards the morn to correspond inwards my Yosemite treks too getting dorsum too hence belatedly that I didn't acquire a opportunity to utilisation whatever of the facilities lauded past times reviewers. In retrospect, I should take away hold lurked on the military camp booking site until a cancellation came upward - after all, I had nearly half dozen months.


Orange Drive Hostel at Nth Hollywood looked to a greater extent than similar a neighbourhood menage than a hostel - has express parking out back. Like all my other hostel choices bar Yosemite Bug it was good located - inwards this instance 2 blocks from the Walk of Fame too Chinese Theater, 5 minutes walk to the Hollywood Bowl too unopen to rail too motorbus links to chop-chop acquire y'all to nearby locations similar Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive too downtown or amongst to a greater extent than fourth dimension anywhere else inwards greater LA. The famous Mullholland Drive amongst its expert views of the LA basin , Hollywood Sign and The Valley is a 10-15 infinitesimal walk.  

Some overall judgments on my hostels:
-US hostels tend to live to a greater extent than expensive that ones I'm used to inwards Commonwealth of Australia too Europe. For cheapskates similar me:  Grand Canyon International in Flagstaff was past times far to the lowest degree expensive at $US25 pn - too quite a expert identify overall: so represented  best value.
 The HI (Hosteling Internatioal) places were most expensive, but had the best dorms, kitchens, breakfasts* too overall facilities. Great locations too.
* breakfasts at San Diego's Ocean Beach International were every bit good. And cooking waffles at Flagstaff or pancakes at San Luis Obispo was novel amongst a tasty outcome.
-Service is way better. American places employ locals instead of travelers refurbishing their depository fiscal establishment accounts - the locals take away hold to a greater extent than career incentive than someone who volition in all likelihood live gone following week. All the hostels featured staff who were universally friendly too informative. But a special quest top service must acquire to Dave (Hostel Obispo) too Tanya (San Diego's Ocean Beach International).
- Fisherman's Wharf too Flagstaff had ample free parking. Obispo had express inside the belongings but enough of spots out on the (quiet) street. Nth Hollywood is similar but the street was busier. 
- Note HI  hostels are dry. But Fisherman's Wharf is on federal the world too plainly can't enforce the common booze ban - too hence fifty-fifty the eating theatre at that topographic point sells beer too wine.
 - Best political party atmosphere was at San Diego's Ocean Beach. After expert location, I chose most of the others on the footing of reviews mentioning how set dorsum they were, Most set back? Um, a unopen i betwixt all the non HI large places, but I'm giving it to Hostel Obispo.**
**Hostel Obispo is also a HI place, but different Santa Monica too Fisherman's Wharf it is small-scale too rattling set back. Was dry out but super-informative Dave told me almost a small-scale store/snack bar just roughly the corner which sold rattling inexpensive Happy Hour beers. It had an exterior seating surface area where all these one-time fourth dimension locals too younger people would assemble to shoot the bull. Very friendly atmosphere.



BEST MEAL
Um, I'm non a foodie. And every bit a budget traveler I tend to shun restaurants too utilisation cafeterias, diners too fast nutrient joints. But Luxor's breakfast buffet is i non to live missed for quanity/quality/good value lovers. I forgot to bring my photographic boob tube camera too had to pinch this pic off Luxor's website.



BEST BEER
Being an unsophisticate, I've ever considered arts and crafts beer the tipple of over-paid wankers. But having sampled some of California's offerings (there's no shortage - the south-west is a hot-bed of arts and crafts brewers) albeit at Happy Hour discounted prices, I'm converted. Wow!


Nicest sampled - High Sierra OMG ipa (I thought it had traces of citrus, but the website makes no call of same - talks of enough of hops which I like. And 6.8 per centum alcohol content doesn't wound - my favourite Aussie beer VB lager runs at 4.9%) inwards a keen setting.....
....the upstairs bar's ocean-facing counter at South Beach Bar too Grill, beach cease of Ocean Beach San Diego's funky Newport Avenue chief drag. Note their Happy Hour ($3 arts and crafts beers inwards 18oz spectacles - I think that's almost 530ml) extended into key sunset fourth dimension too that they had a listing of almost 20 beers available.



BEST WINE
Australia has no shortage of wine. I'm non sure if I've mentioned I'm an unsophisticate. And a cheapskate to boot - important I'm a ground potency on sub $5 bottles of Aussie wine. 
California likewise has vino to spare. I was amazed at the diversity offered inwards the booze department of the supermarkets. But i deficiency - a shortage of super-cheap materials similar inwards Oz or constitute at French/Spanish supermarkets. No worries, I constitute myself....
....a bottle of Aussie yellow tail cerise at San Luis Obispo. Now Yellow Tail is non considered a bottom budget vino inwards Australia, but the cost I paid was rattling competitive amongst the less expensive local materials (don't know how that industrial plant - different Europe, Commonwealth of Australia frowns on subsidising agricultural exports). 
And every bit the best-selling Aussie vino inwards the USA, it wasn't a bad driblet at all.


BEST COFFEE.
I'm too hence unhip I wouldn't know a expert java from bad.But Australia, the the world of "she'll live right" unsophisticates, is inwards the middle of a barista worship nail too regards United States of America java every bit swill. Aussies tend to facial expression downwardly at Starbucks. Me - I found Starbucks' medium basic java at just over $2 i of the cheaper serves of United States of America jitter juice too consumed it on a regular basis.
My Aussie friend Kay, who knows almost coffee, constitute the materials hither at Cafe Bellagio on Santa Monica's tertiary Street Mall, quite good. Top spot for people-watching too street amusement too.



WORST COFFEE
My honor goes to The Larder at Tom Bradley International Terminal LAX. Gets a double gong - also my honor for WORST SERVICE. Svelte-challenged African American Lady takes my monastic tell - commands me to "Stand over there!" which is to the side of the register. The following 5 minutes she's involved amongst some sort of money-exchange thing amongst other staff members. Another 5 minutes overstep - I clear my pharynx too she gives a start too an "OH!!!!" But when I finally acquire my non inexpensive java it is exclusively 70% total too luke warm. I should take away hold returned it, but fact is past times this fourth dimension I was busting for a caffeine hitting too wasn't confident of a quick remedy.


BEST BEACH
Overall I wasn't impressed amongst the beaches, rating them oftentimes featureless: many amongst less pristine sand, likewise much weed, unclear water, expensive parking too likewise many restrictions. I enlarge on all this on my dedicated BEACHES page which has a whole lot of sub-categories (with pix) such every bit BEST BEACH TOWN, CLOTHING OPTIONAL BEACHES, MOST EXOTIC BEACH etc.
But I did observe a few squeamish ones......
....such every bit Westward Beach a few km due north of fundamental Malibu.


MOST EXOTIC LOCATION
Arguably Vegas must win this, but on the footing of existence foreign, I'm giving it to....
....Tijuana which is so slowly to attain from San Diego - y'all tin acquire to the border from downtown on a 28km inexpensive trolley (light rail) ride. Centro above, the chief st tourist attraction surface area is a good -signposted fifteen minutes stroll from customs/immigration. Centro has a dodgy reputation amongst some but I constitute it a kinda much to a greater extent than organised, cleaner version of Kuta Bali's fundamental shopping surface area amongst way less hassle from locals. 
My thank y'all to Tanya, the super-informative Ocean Beach International Hostel staff fellow member amongst the world's best xl twelvemonth one-time legs who told me almost Rosarito, a touristy beach surface area to the south-west too the $2 portion taxi vans for the xl infinitesimal trip there. The ride was fun - locals tend to utilisation the vans every bit a bound on - bound off motorbus service - but the suburbs of Tijuana sure are dusty too dirty. Then again, this is a semi-arid surface area inwards almost the tertiary twelvemonth of drought too the Mexicans haven't the revenue enhancement base of operations to harvest/poach H2O similar the Californians.
Kicking dorsum at Rosarito


OTHER KUDOS
Tezza’s Stayin’ Alive honor must acquire to California’s route code (I got no thought what the official thingy is called. No matter.) three things I liked:
-         -75mph (120kph) speed boundary on interstates. This is a winner – enough of drivers cheat past times 5-10 mph which is perfectly prophylactic inwards this historic catamenia of anti-lock brakes, slip correction, high travelling pocket tires yada. Thing is, the shorter trip/greater concentration at higher speeds way people don’t drift off to slumber which is a large contrast to my NSW amongst its similar long distances but a 100/110 kph limits. As the NSW Minister for Roads never said: “Aint a expert thought to start cutting the zzzs at 110 on the interstate”. Amen.
-         -Turn right after stopping (unless sign-posted). This sensible fuel/time saving mensurate is the polar contrary of NSW. I didn’t consider whatever close misses.
-         -Overall, I thought drivers inwards the south-west were far to a greater extent than cautious too sensible than at home.

 Fitness – the media tells us the USA is the identify of the grossly over-weight dude.  Big mystery – at that topographic point seemed way fewer than dorsum inwards Oz. You may betoken out that the south-west is on a wellness kick. But fifty-fifty at places similar Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Big Sur too San Diego’s Midway which attract people from all over the USA I didn't notice a large set out of people suffering gross circumferential enhancement. 
My Born to Run honor for the most correspond goes to ‘Frisco where an inordinate set out of people seemed to live running, skateboarding, bicycling, drilling inwards the commons too the rest.
These bikers exterior Fisherman's Wharf aren't precisely riding hitting too giggle machines.

Attitude – the overall behaviour of people I met was friendly too relaxed. Sure at that topographic point were a few exceptions, but way fewer than at home.
My Good Vibrations award goes to the people of San Luis Obispo although the ‘Friscans weren’t likewise far behind.

Service – maybe the tipping civilization breeds expert service. Whatever it is, lower paid workers across the southward W deserve my Nobody Does it Better award.

Street entertainment – LA attracts the cream of American too global talent. Not all brand it to the large fourth dimension important street entertainers tend to live a pace or 5 to a higher identify most places. The Putin’ on the Ritz honor goes to the best I saw – at Santa Monica’s 3rd St Mall.

Public transport – the LA surface area has a reputation for sub-standard world transport. But I constitute it cheap, frequent too efficient. I peculiarly liked the costless cycle racks on the front end of every motorbus I encountered.
I reckon the powers that live figure the working hapless demand a good, inexpensive motorbus too rail organisation to acquire to their jobs. Whatever the reason, Orange County’s motorbus organisation gets my Maybellene honor narrowly ahead of San Diego, Long Beach too LA County.
They sure pack them in. Good value way no shortage of riders on this LA County trip. I wasn't complaining almost standing room exclusively - this was the twenty-four hours after my epic South Bay bicycle ride - had no pare on my butt cheeks too hence couldn't sit down downwardly if I wanted.


OTHER BRICKBATS
Tipping – I’m non a fan of a minimum wage bird lower than the cost of living. I’m trained every bit an economist too ever thought the premier topographic point of the USA was downwardly to fantastic natural resources, skilled/educated workers, a keen piece of work ethic, excogitation too expert stable government. In afterward years I worked out that having a huge puddle of depression cost labour adds some other advantage. Donald Trump seems to live singing from a different hymn majority - wants to send many of them home. At whatever rate, such a organisation necessitates tipping only to allow people on/near the minimum wage to last – topic vocal Stayin’ Alive.

Homeless – crazies.  The south-west (and I empathise other parts of the USA) has way to a greater extent than street people than I take away hold experienced inwards Oz, South Eastern Asia too Europe. It’s a affair of political philosophy I guess. Americans aren’t prepared to shoulder the higher revenue enhancement burden of supporting those who autumn thru the cracks inwards society/the economy. Hard-liners don’t take away hold that this is oftentimes to a greater extent than a affair of bad luck than bad management. I personally wonder if money saved on lower social back upward networks is non balanced past times the higher cost of constabulary enforcement too the justice/jail system.
It would live churlish to trivialize the plight of the homeless amongst a theme. It may live improve to strive for that substance of optimism which is the catch-cry for the Land Of Opportunity (where fifty-fifty the rattling poorest may someday brand it) past times suggesting something similar Someday Over the Rainbow.

  Land of the costless – NOT.  In my travels both at identify too overseas I’ve never seen too hence many signs amongst "DON’T---", come upward across too hence many rules too regulations, met too hence many restrictions on personal liberty. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 lot has to practise amongst official/public paranoia almost the litigation civilization – America would live a much calmer identify if they deported the lawyers. And a lot is connected amongst the domination of the difficult right inwards the surface area of national security. 
Thing is, when a rigid force inwards a sure management occurs, inevitably at that topographic point is a style to overshoot. Maybe this is what nosotros are seeing inwards the areas of world safety/national security vs private freedoms.

   Of course of study when at that topographic point are heaps of rules too regulations at that topographic point needs to live a small-scale regular army of people to oversee them. It seems too hence inconsistent for a population made upward of such amiable set dorsum types but unfortunately it appears that i time some don a uniform, an inordinate set out acquire on a ability trip – they can’t hold back to monastic tell someone around. Dudes in all likelihood aren’t humming  Que Sera, Sera as they troop into piece of work each shift. More similar Hendrix’s All Along the Watchtower.


Okay, we've had THE GOOD, THE BAD. Now for.....

THE UGLY.
(image Testing the Waterhouse)

Don't acquire much uglier than a dude threatening y'all amongst a gun.
My WELCOME STRANGER honor goes to....
...the resident (mid August 2015 at least) of this articulation inwards upper West Granite Drive which runs into the foothills of the Santa Monica Range behind West Hollywood.

The story:
I'm standing inwards the cul-de-sac taking early-evening shots of LA when some huge dogs on the balcony of the shack to a higher identify start barking.
"Hey!" shouts a phonation from the balcony, "You are on private property!" I had i human foot on this dude's driveway too hence I moved 10m downwardly the route too continued to bring pix.
"You are making my dogs bark! And y'all are all the same on private property!" The latter is consummate bullshit - I told him too hence too to band the cops.
"Don't demand to band the cops. I got my gun!"
Now I tin think of a i one m thousand smart-arse answers but maybe this guy is a hot-head. Being a dead smart-arse is non rattling smart at all. And Lady Tezza would live pissed having to collect me inwards a box from the airport. So I unopen the f... upward too just continued to bring snaps.
LA past times nighttime from West Granite Drive. Dirty Harry may think he has a hot view, but places upward on Mullholland blow his away.

Do unto others:
Some of y'all private belongings hard-liners are thinking a human shouldn't give an inch. I disagree.
Chez Tezza is located on a pop walking trail along the NSW coast. The right route runs upward my street behind camera, but bad sign-posting sees many hapless souls trekking along the cliff-side reserve inwards shot - unfortunately a dead end. To salve them a 500m back-track involving some tricky rock-hopping, I invite them to short-cut thru my belongings to the street inwards front. I figure some twenty-four hours I may demand a similar favour.
A much smaller favour didn't go on at West Granite Drive. Hats off to Harry. What a man!!!


CONCLUSIONS
Okay, you've seen my ideas of the South-West's GOOD, BAD too UGLY. Does the start outweigh the others? Most definitely - my see was the most enjoyable I've done anywhere for several years.
I'm already planning following year's. Slight work - SO MANY PLACES, SO LITTLE TIME (and money)..


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