3 Brits hitting the West Coast

[Wallsey]

Many thanks guys- I'm astonished by the responses! So useful!

Firstly- Just flying into one airport- that's genius! How that idea eluded me I'm not sure, but yes, it does seem eminiently feasible, and knocks a good £300 off the cost of the flight (and potential savings on car hire) and, though I'm reluctant to ever leave the coast(!) you've given us some great suggestions for the route back. I was not delighted to hear that my compatriot will be flying via AUSTRALIA for cheaper than we'll be getting there, but hey, that's the price of flexibility in booking a little later.

I will be moving heaven and earth to see the Fighting Banana Slugs and Eugene will definitely be getting a visit- can't remember the last time I didn't enjoy a 'liberal enclave!'

Finally apologies for suggesting that the map was a little bare above San Francisco, that was of course, because I am an idiot, and was using the map in my mind, which is a little unreliable at the best of times, especially regarding places I've never been to.

Please keep the suggestions rolling in....

[PNW Judy]

No offense was taken on the perceived blank spots on the maps. Some of these areas do have wide open expanses of may appear to be nothing. But they're only nothing to those who don't like scenery with awesome views or the outdoors in general. I didn't take you as such a person. I just wanted you to be aware of the wealth of great places to visit on your trip.

When you're in Eugene, check out the ducks on the streets (I hope they're still there). And I'm not sure if it's a year-round thing or seasonal, but they have a fun and funky public market in a park with many different folks, some of them quite unique, selling strange and wonderful things. It's probably one of your best bets for finding ultra-liberals to hang with.

[Mom of 1]

Be sure and check city websites for festivals and other events. For example, here's some of the fun stuff I found for Portland, Oregon for July and August. The first item seems made to order for 3 Brits in their 20s who appreciate a good pint:

Oregon Brewer's Festival, 7/26 - 7/30. 80,000 people attend one of the finest craft beer festivals in the nation.

Bite of Oregon: Bite of Portland, 8/11 - 8/13. State's largest food, beverage and music event.

Bastille Day Celebration, 7/14. Alliance Francaise in Portland hosts this bash in honor of Bastille Day.

Festival of Cheese, 7/22. Sample from 700 artisan cheeses.

Google the cities you want to visit and find an events calendar. The things you will find are amazing, many are free or inexpensive, and are some of the best ways to people-watch in the U.S.

As an example, I am working on plans for an Atlanta to N.J. trip and have found through city websites that Virgina Beach is having an Elvis festival, including a race where people push Elvis impersonators on recliners, and that Wildwood NJ is having a Polka Spree including, get this, a "Polka Mass". (A Polka Mass????)

Happy net-surfing.

[mcgowske]

Alright mate,
i'm a brummie on a university placement been living in san diego for 8 months and now in san francisco till july.
i know what your looking for...birds!! right then....
san diego-get yourself to pacific beach...this is where its all happening....the amount of women is unreal and you'll never look at another english tart in the sameway...check out garnet avenue..this is where all the bars are.....places to go are p.b bar and grille, typhoons, plum crazy....etc they're all mint to be fair!!
you gotta get yourself a night in tijuana-right sh*thole but cheap as you like....go to a club called safari's on revolution street....$15 all you can drink-enough said!! that said...keep your wits about you in tj...the pigs will lock you up for been drunk and disordly and rob all your money...personal experience...adn watch out for the filthy sl*gs in the strip clubs!!
huntington beach, not far from L.A, is worth a night out..head to main street!
L.A-plenty of places!
san fran-watch out for the castro!! marina area, mission area, north beach, polk street!
seems like you've got a bit of time....i'd definetely reccommend goin vegas-about 5hrs from san diego-no other place like it!
right...best get back to work..slacking off!!