My upcoming lone adventure to California!

Last year I planned the LA leg of our family holiday to USA but it had to be cancelled. But the thought of going to the Getty and to be surrounded by Monet and Degas still lingered in my mind. Then I thought, why not just go by myself?

I booked my flights three months ago during American Airlines sale. It was around $1.3k NZD to LA and SF including return. Which is a very good deal. Because of my choleric-melancholy personality, I booked my accomodation and planned my 3 week itinerary all in the same week. Then I waited impatiently for the next 3 months for my flight.

Why I'm going by myself I have travelled by myself to Thailand, in between the conference schedules during my spare time I found my way around the city and I loved it. I thrive in lone adventures, finding my own way, taking my time to capture the perfect shot in one spot... Doing a lot of things that I feel would be a hassle to someone if they were with me. That's why I want to travel by myself.

How long I'll be there for I originally wanted to spend a week in LA, but because San Francisco is known for its efficient public transport and solution to urban intensification (my kind of thing) I added the fog city to the journey. Then I searched for all the good art galleries in LA and it looked like I'll be needing to extend my stay to two weeks! So, three weeks in total.

Accommodation I opted for a tiny AirBnB room, a bed in the lounge and a top bunk bed (my accomodation is split into three locations between the two cities).

Contacts I don't know anyone in LA or SF. But my relatives who live in California will meet me on the last day. They are going to take me to Silicon Valley and Monterey, where there is a permanent Dali collection because he used to reside there.

How I'll be getting around the cities I want to prove that LA is doable by public transport. I have heard a lot about LA being a car-only city but I feel the experience will be beneficial in my transport engineering career. SF is known for its efficient public transport and it is common knowledge to not drive there. So I am excited to see how efficient ground public transport is in a city that is densely populated with steep roads!

The places I'll be visiting I will be checking out all the major art galleries, the science centres and museums.

On my shopping list A pair of Skechers because they look so comfortable. I want to go to Michaels and buy some arts and crafts supplies for my cardmaking kit. And Wholefoods for snacks. Aside from those, nothing in particular, surprisingly!

What I'm excited for in LA (Aside from art) They have recently opened Skyspace on the 70th floor of the US Bank Tower in downtown LA. It is an observatory deck, with a GLASS SLIDE to one floor below. I am planning on getting the Sun & Stars ticket, which will grant me entry twice in one day, allowing me to take photos of the city both day and dusk. I took an evening photography course just for this. I'm not sure about the glass slide though, I have a fear of heights!!

And I will be taking a bike ride along the Santa Monica boardwalk. Because you know what else is in Santa Monica? A pier!!

What I'm excited for in San Francisco I am most excited to bike accross the Golden Gate bridge to Sausalito. This is why I've been riding a lot the past month; to get fit! Because it might take 3 hours.

I have also bought a ticket to Alcatraz, the historical prison that was known to be inescapable because of its location on an island. My only chance to go to prison (hopefully).

I will turn 24 in LA. I bought a ticket to see an LA Philharmonic concert (Ravel & Stravinsky) at the famous Walt Disney Concert Hall. It is an iconic building designed by Frank Gehry, whom I studied in Graphics class in high school. I'm mostly there for the architecture and to check out the acoustics though... I can't say I know the music very well but I do love classical music.

Celebrity spotting What would be amazing is if I get to see a celebrity, but I doubt I'll recognise them in real life. I will go to Hollywood to see the Walk of Fame.

Yes, I will be vlogging!  You can subscribe to my YouTube channel for all the videos of my trip. I will also be blogging here, for those of you who prefer reading and photos, and you can subscribe by email on the panel on the right hand side.

Safety I am well aware that NZ is a very safe and friendly place, unlike a lot of other countries. If you are concerned, I am afraid it is too late; if you're reading this it means I have already returned to NZ! My Snapchats are the only 'live' photos because I can control who sees those. Those are my safety pre-cautions; I don't want anyone to track me down and know I have valuables!

Nervous about where am I going to find flat white and lattes like they do them in New Zealand?? And don't say Starbucks.

My 12 hour flight is coming up. I don't know what I'm more nervous about- the long haul flight or the airport security when I land!

Signed,

Elisa

ps. For safety reasons my travel blog and vlogs will be posted after I return.