​Straight to the nitty gritty, we had booked two nights at the Bed & Breakfast on Broadway, in the area called Capitol Hill. It seemed to be in a good area that suited us, even though the reviews on Trip Advisor where slightly off-putting we went for it. After check-in we were shown to our room; a reasonable size if it were not for the oversized furniture, but it would do.
​A knock at the door; the owners again with good news: "we are upgrading you to our best and biggest room", which was just across the hallway. We got our bags and all and low and behold: space, lots of it, and a nice bathroom. But next morning at breakfast the rug was pulled from under us. After ‘good morning’ came, "sorry but we made a mistake you'll have to move back to you original room as the large room was booked that evening; something that, according to them, had been overlooked. Obviously someone had phoned in the meantime, asking for the bigger room and the owners wanted the dollars rather than let us stay in it. It was all very unprofessional, and I will say straight away that I would not recommend staying there; their home seemed more important to them than their guests. They are definitely in the wrong business. Enough ranting: time for Seattle. 

​With hire car in hand we headed off for the day in the direction of the lake. Very spectacular views with houses perched along the shore, each one of them with wonderful ever-changing scenery. Just around lunchtime we came across Port Orchard only a few shops and houses that we saw, but perfect for lunch. We went into the Market Hall and chose a café at the back. Two cups of coffee ordered, time to look at the menu. I went for the clam chowder, my partner a burger; both where very good. Time to hit the road again. We looked at the map and saw Bainbridge Island. This would be our next port of call. Over a bridge we went; therefore, it didn't have the feeling of an island, that is, until we came across the view of Puget Sound.

Time to get moving again. About ten minutes further on we saw that we could take the ferry back to Seattle instead of driving all the way back on the same route. Once on board we went up on deck just as the boat moved off and it was decidedly chilly in the wind on the water. We fled to the other side of the deck out of the wind and that was bearable. Slowly watching the so-called Space Needle getting ever closer on the shore of Seattle.

​The next morning we headed of to Snoqualmie Falls, which is about forty-five minutes drive from Seattle. We missed the entrance the first time but after turning around we flew much too fast into the gravel car park and skidded to a halt: a bit of a grand entrance and luckily, it looked a parking space was available. As soon as we got out of the car the roar of the water was immense, the spray started not long after that. The view, wow: white water cascading down a huge drop, my thoughts were ‘where does all the water come from?’ Snoqualmie Falls is well worth a visit.

Next we decided to take the scenic route back to Seattle. Our plan for the afternoon was to ditch the car and walk down to Pike Place Market. Luckily for us the walk was all down hill and soon enough the red neon sign announced we had arrived. The market had a very nice feel to it, used by locals and visitors alike added to a nice atmosphere. The seafood stalls were mouth watering, for me anyway. We spent a good couple of hours ambling around the area and well worth it it was. Time for a bus back to the notorious B&B. Dinner that night was a typical burger BBQ type place around the corner. In other words: what you see is what you get but we both enjoyed it, washed down with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. 

​The next morning which was our last, gave us just enough time to take a closer look at the Space Needle, then a quick drive up the Freeway to take a look at the massive Boeing aircraft plant and our trip to Seattle was over.

After what seemed an eternity we arrived at LAX, Los Angeles’ renowned airport famous for the X shaped building there (the Theme Building). We had hired a convertable car as we felt it was part of the LA experience, roof down and airco on but it did feel odd.

We had booked three nights at the Malibu Country Inn. So map in hand, of we jolly well go, traffic being quite busy as it was just after rush hour but the it kept moving and before long we were sailing along the Pacific coast Highway, and wow what views! I loved it immediately. Unfortunately, I'm not the best navigator and we missed our turning for the hotel so we took the next right: a canyon road and within minutes we had climbed Everest. We couldn't see the road over the bonnet it was so steep. We managed to turn around in someone's drive way (thank you) and back down we went. I will avoid that turn off again if I can help it. This time lucky, do a right first left up a steep driveway: home for the next three days.

Now, the beach situation along the Pacific Coast Highway is very odd. Lots are marked as private which even comes down to the fact that if anyone goes onto these beaches security guards turn up very quickly and ask the people to leave. But, here is the crunch: sometimes parts of the beaches are public but the owners of the million dollar homes overlooking these beaches want them kept private and if the people refuse to move the guards call the police. The police arrive and generally side with the guards, which makes the police's job easier, they don't really ever want to get out of their cars let alone arrest people for sitting on a beach. Having said that, there are some beautiful wide sandy beaches for those less well off and still with the same views. ​

It was getting time for a glass of wine and dinner so back to reception for some dining options as the hotel restaurant was closed. Our closest option was back down the drive along the beach road to a place called The Sunset Restaurant which would do us fine. I parked the car in the car park next door but we noticed a man in a bit of a flap at the car park’s entrance; it turned out to be valet parking something we in Europe are not used to plus the carpark was in spitting distance from the restaurant, we just said next time and in we went. The place was modern and across from the beach. Food ordered and a glass of wine a pleasant meal with a great view as in its name. The journey back to the hotel was less than a mile I was driving and had had two glasses of wine which is something I never do and have never done since, but typical: a cop car turns up just my luck. Luckily, he wasn't interested in us, so back safe and sound.

The beach outside The Sunset Restaurant Malibu

We arrived at San Francisco airport after an eleven hour flight from Amsterdam; twelve hours couped up is about my limit but now some airlines are introducing flights of up to eighteen hours… what a nightmare. Well, that out of the way, we picked up our hire car and off we go in search of the Frank Hotel, just off Union Square. 
​My partner behind the wheel and everything going to plan until we hit Lombard Street. “I can't drive down that” he yelled and unceremoniously got out of the driving seat, holding all the traffic up, giving me no choice other than to take over. It wasn’t all that bad at all: just a series of eight hairpin bends down a steep hill. That over with and not long after we arrived at our hotel. 

Time to explore. Union Square was very close by so this was our first port of call. I have to admit there wasn't much to see here. So on we went. We decided to get the cable car down to the bay. Easier said than done: the queue was massive; eventually we got on and found ourselves looking at Alcatraz. Odd though, it sounds it doesn't look that far from land but apparently the undercurrents stopped most if not all prisoners from escaping. 
​Time for lunch so off to Fishermans Wharf. The place was buzzing, a magnet for tourists alike but it had a nice atmosphere. I tucked into a lobster roll, my partner ordered a tortilla. The sun was shining, it was a lovely day. Time to go back to the hotel for a wash and brush up for the evening’s entertainment.

That afternoon we headed off to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). It was quite busy but we managed to see all we wanted. ‘Museumed out’ we headed back to the hotel for a bit of R&R. On the way in I mentioned about last night’s missing fog; only to be told "it will happen tonight”, which it didn't. We got the bus around to the Castro. First off a glass of wine in a bar at the beginning of the Castro. My first impression was that the place seemed a bit forlorn but we would leave our final judgement until we had walked around a bit more. We had dinner here in a surf & turf restaurant and very nice it was too and very popular. Next to check out the nightlife. Again we didn't seem to come across a single bar that suited us but at least we gave it a go. Time for the bus to the hotel and still no fog…

The next day would be our last. As we would be flying that evening we decided to make the most of it. First stop Russian Hill made famous for us by Armistead Maupin's series of books Tales of the city (well worth a read…). The view from the hill was wonderful and I can understand where the inspiration for the books came from. We sat down in the park to catch our breath. The hills are steep and not ideal for walking, but the view from here over the skyline out towards the bay was unforgettable.