The beauty of solo travel heading west - driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles along Highway 1 and Highway 101: the scenery on the road

Itinerary:

San Francisco (two nights) - Stanford University - Silicon Valley - Highway 1 - Highway 101 - Monterey - camel (one night) - Santa Barbara (one night) - Los Angeles

Fisherman's Wharf + Golden Gate Bridge + Jiuquhua Street

I flew to San Francisco at 11pm on March 10th (just because of the ticket price). The flight was not delayed due to rain, and there was no accident that my friend said might be kicked off the plane due to unassigned seats and cheap tickets. Everything went well and we arrived at San Francisco Airport at midnight.

Find a car rental spot booked online in advance at the airport. After checking the price, model, date, insurance and other details, go to the vehicle parking floor to find the car, check again, take photos, and set off.

Car rental matters are all handled by your companions. I don't know how to drive or understand cars, so I'm not involved in pricing or insurance matters. When my friends sent me pictures and prices of luxury cars, I wasn't too impressed yet. Finally, the Ford Mustang sports car rented for 3800 for 5 days was actually 7 days, and the price was twice that of an ordinary car.

In the later experience, it just looked cool, but as a passenger, the space was too small, the site was too low, and the photo effects along the way were extremely poor. Therefore, it is recommended that you rent a car that is mainly safe and reliable, and supplemented by economical and practical. Depending on the number of people traveling with you, you can choose an off-road vehicle or a regular general-purpose vehicle.

Accommodation in San Francisco is at the American International Youth Hostel in the city center, priced at $62/night, including breakfast. One is to save costs, the other is to get to know more people, and the third is to experience American youth hostels. After arriving at the hotel and checking in, we found a dormitory with two bunk beds, simple but very clean. Go to bed after 1 a.m. and get up at 7 a.m. The breakfast at the hotel is very simple, including bread, fruit, milk, and coffee. You can make it yourself and wash the dishes after eating.

I went out after eight o'clock and walked to Fisherman's Wharf alone.

Known as "the most popular city among Americans," this city has the second largest number of Chinese people after New York. Because it is located in Silicon Valley, it has become a gathering place for high-tech industries and talents. The most famous scenic spots are Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge and Jiuquhua Street.

San Francisco in the morning is gloomy and foggy. Along the hilly mountain roads in the urban area, straight up and down, roads running east to west, north to south, converge and extend. At each intersection, you can see the end of each road. Ups and downs, houses built along the slopes, ancient streets, and long-standing buildings tell people the long history and colorful stories of this city.

Passing by Jiuquhua Street, there were many pedestrians stopping to take photos at the intersection. The morning fog is still there. This street, which runs from east to west and is known as the crookedest street in the world, has become one of the must-see attractions in San Francisco with its steep curves and flower beds dotted among them.

There are no colorful roses and colorful chrysanthemums on the Flower Street in March, missing out on the colorful season. A touch of thick green shows the vitality of spring. A car was passing through Jiuqu Flower Street, going down slowly; people wandering on both sides marveled at the design of the flower beds and the ruggedness of the streets, and stopped to take photos from time to time, looking from afar or up close.

Fisherman's Wharf in the morning was sparsely populated. Along the long pier, there are many fishing boats docked, with white hulls and long masts placed one after another. Occasionally, seabirds stop and pace leisurely on the railings of the pier. The morning air was filled with a strong smell of sea.

There are more and more tourists on the pier. Before we had time to go to Pier 39, we met up with the friends who drove there and headed to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Arrive at the Golden Gate Bridge and walk across this famous bridge. Thick morning fog covers the sides and front of the bridge. The orange bridge is looming in the fog. On the wide bridge, vehicles were passing by. Walking through Kinmen in the thick fog is like walking through a fairyland, with an otherworldly sacredness and an ecstatic pleasure.

Drive out of the 1.9km bridge, stop at the parking lot at the end of the bridge, and stop on the rocks on the shore. The fog under the bridge blocked the entire Kinmen Strait. The winding Golden Gate Bridge only reveals the outline of the bridge head. It is as picturesque as a fairyland, standing on the ocean, with the appearance of soaring clouds and mist.

While waiting for nearly two hours, I watched the morning fog dissipate little by little, and the majestic orange bridge piers slowly emerged, until the two towering giant steel towers were fully visible. San Francisco, built on the seaside in the distance, looks like a mirage above the ocean and under the blue sky.

Continue walking up the mountain road to the stopping point on the hillside, where you can see the Golden Gate Bridge from a distance. The steel tower standing more than 300 meters above the bridge is much smaller. Occasionally ships pass under the bridge, sailing on the strait surrounded by two peninsulas. The blue sea, the orange bridge, the dark green mountains, the dotted buildings...

On the way back, we drove on the Golden Gate Bridge again. Under the blue sky and white clouds, the sun was shining, and the entire bridge appeared in front of us. Curved slings lined up on both sides, majestic and towering bridge towers, fleeting vehicles, pedestrians riding bicycles...two experiences, two states of mind!

Return to the city center from the Golden Gate Bridge and head to Jiuquhua Street to experience the thrill of driving down. From the top of the hillside, down the flower street, turning, turning again, and driving slowly is definitely a test of driving skills and a thrilling challenge. Definitely not to be missed.

Park your car next to the road in front of the hotel and go to Times Square to experience the Dangdang Car. $7/person, one way from Times Square to Fisherman's Wharf. The car is open all around, so you can stand outside the car, take pictures, and watch. All the way uphill and downhill, weaving through the dedicated lanes of urban streets and alleys. There are stops in the middle, like buses. But very stable.

Came to Fisherman's Wharf again, the sunshine was very good. There is an endless stream of tourists on the pier, either basking in the sun on the lawn or on the beach, or walking and walking on the pier... The long pier and the scattered huts on the pier reflect beautiful reflections on the sea. Quiet and peaceful.

As the sun sets, take a cruise to the sea and go to the Golden Gate Bridge to watch the sunset on the sea. 15 dollars/person, 1 hour. On the sea in the evening, the sea breeze blew, making me shiver. Huddle up on the bow and listen to the captain introduce the buildings passing by and the scenery in the distance. I just don’t understand it well. The tall buildings along the shore and the buildings close to the mountains and the sea are clearly visible. The calm sea is deep and mysterious. The extremely long pier stretches out to the sea, showing a golden color in the sun. The Golden Gate Bridge is moving closer and closer. Crossing the bridge, looking up at this ingenious work suspended above the strait, you will be amazed.

As the sun sets in the west, the long and narrow bridge body and the giant bridge tower look exquisite in the golden sunset. Until the sun reaches the sea level, it is like a burning cloud, red and dazzling, and radiant...

The 1.9-mile road from Fisherman's Wharf to the hotel was a laborious hike up and down the mountain alone in San Francisco at night, and I was out of breath. When I arrived at the hostel at nearly nine o'clock in the evening, my roommate who traveled alone from New York was already checking in. As his exhausted body gradually fell into drowsiness, he vaguely heard that the other two roommates were staying, but they soon fell asleep again.

Tips: 1. Self-driving on the Golden Gate Bridge, pay the ticket on the official website

http://goldengate.org/tolls/chinese.php. Payment will be deducted within 48 hours. However, it often happens that the deduction is unsuccessful. The customer service phone number is in English and I can’t quite understand it. So it’s best to do some planning before going. It is said that excess fees will be incurred if the time limit is exceeded.

You can also have the car rental company pay on your behalf. Charge a certain fee. Communicate well with the car rental company when renting a car.

2. When renting a car, pay attention to relevant insurance and car replacement matters in other places. Be sure to read the specific deduction fees in the contract carefully. Overcharges may occur.

On March 12th, after breakfast, we checked out and set off. Head to Silicon Valley. The sky is blue and the sun is shining brightly.

As the kingdom of the electronics and computer industries, home to the headquarters of high-tech companies such as Google, Apple, and Facebook, as well as a high-tech industry gathering area and the birthplace of technology tycoons, Silicon Valley is famous. There are not many high-rise buildings here, and there is no fast-paced sense of urgency when walking here. Instead, it is relaxed and pleasant. In an exhibition center, the atmosphere of humanity is felt.

While visiting Stanford University, I got lost in the campus under construction and did not stop there. Fortunately, I have already been to UCLA, so I have less regrets.

Continue to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, CA, less than 8 miles from Camel. The California mainland extends into the corner of the Pacific Ocean. There are many ancient and strange-shaped trees here. If you are lucky, you can see many sea lions and seals.

Hiking on the trail, you can see many scenic coastlines, strange-shaped rocks, succulent plants all over the mountains, white soft sand beaches, emerald-green sea water, swarms of seabirds on the cliffs, and stone mountains on the coast. Covered with seaweed, "treasures" can be found everywhere in Repulse Bay...

Heading to 17-miles from Point Robles State Park, the weather was gloomy and raindrops came from time to time. The 17-miles, which is said to be breathtakingly beautiful, felt a little shallow.

Stayed in camel town at night, a place highly recommended by friends. It is said to be a gathering place of humanity, a place where artists gather, a bohemian flavor, and the essence of 17miles. It is very close to 17miles. Follow the main street ocean avenue to the west and go to the end of 17miles' unique Carmel Beach. Regret did not go.

It was rainy in camel in the morning, and the peculiar buildings and charming town features were like a fairy tale.

Tips: Accommodation in Camel is relatively expensive, with the cheapest one costing over 100 knives. But it is highly recommended. If you have time, you can stay longer. The town is beautiful and you can watch the sunrise and sunset at Camel Beach.

The state reserve is also worth recommending. The ticket is 10 dollars and parking is available inside.

The Monterey Aquarium is suitable for children, but it closes at 5 p.m. Tickets are $50/person.

On the morning of March 13, we headed to Highway 1 from camel. God is not good at it. It's raining and foggy.

When driving to Big Sur, the road was still closed. I had to turn around and return.

After a long detour, we returned to Monterey and turned to Highway 101. Although you can't see the sea, the scenery on Highway 101 is still good. The road is wide and the view is wide. You can see the farmland of the United States. Fortunately, the rain stopped halfway and the sky cleared up and a rainbow hung high.

It was almost evening when we arrived in Santa Ballara. It's sunny after the rain, but the sun hasn't set yet. Stop at Stearns Wharf.

Stay overnight at the wayfarer hiker hostel, a great youth hostel. About $60, including breakfast. After checking in, check in. The same two bunk beds are fully occupied. They are all foreign travel companions.

I got up very early on the morning of March 14th, and in order to live up to my last moments, I hiked to Alameda park alone. The property is 1.9 miles away.

The sun shines, and the sky is like a mirror, clear and translucent. Follow the street according to Google Maps.

There are three parks in the city, adjacent to each other. I asked several people, but I still didn’t know which one it was. The three parks are all large, with green grass, scattered tropical trees, and occasional citizens. Comfortable, quiet and cozy.

On the way back, I entered the Santa Barbara county courthouse. This is known as the most beautiful government building in the United States. Ranked first among all attractions. It was built by Spanish immigrants 160 years ago and has been used for government offices. It was officially changed to the local court in 1926. The interior can be visited free of charge. Standing on the top floor, you can have a bird's eye view of the entire city.

The architecture of Santa Barbara is mainly Spanish and Mexican style, with low-rise buildings, red tiles and white walls, and square buildings built in staggered ways. With the lawn in front of the house and the garden behind the house, it is known as the Garden City, the City in the Forest, and the "Paradise on the Pacific Coast". It ranks fourth among the top 10 ideal places for wealthy Americans to live.

Its mild climate, fresh air, sunny beaches, surrounded by green mountains, extremely high quality of residents, stable social order, and complete entertainment facilities make everyone who comes to travel unforgettable.

Return to the hotel, check out, and prepare to return. My short stay in this city left me with unforgettable memories.

One of the harvests - the details that touch the heart in the United States

1. Humanistic care for special groups

Taking a bus in Los Angeles, I saw for the first time the consideration of special groups in public facilities in the United States. There is a slide that can be raised and lowered at the door of the bus, making it easier for people with assisted walkers or wheelchairs to get on and off the bus.

Almost all parking lots have special parking spaces for disabled people. In Silicon Valley, there is also EXPECTANT MOTHER PARKING.

2. Real cars make people travel civilized

Everywhere you go in the western United States, every time you pass an intersection and a car passes by, and you see a pedestrian, even if the light is green or the car is halfway through, you will still stop and let the pedestrian go first.

During the half-month trip, I never heard the sound of a private car or a bus honking its horn in a hurry wherever I passed.

3. The generally high quality of Americans

There are very few loud people in public places. Whether it is on buses, attractions, restaurants, etc., people talking are always very quiet and will not affect the people around them. For example, I had a loud voice when I first arrived in the United States. I could not control my volume from time to time, and I was reminded by my friends from time to time.

For a road blind person like me, during travel, apart from the map, the most thing I have is a mouth under my nose, asking passers-by for help at every turn. But everyone I asked was sincere and enthusiastic in helping. In Santa Barbara, a handsome guy took out his cell phone to google for me even though he also didn’t know the way.

Harvest 2 - Like-minded friends

During the half-month trip, I was lucky enough to meet two like-minded friends.

Weizi is a self-reliant girl who travels alone. She is courageous, knowledgeable and well-informed. She once studied in the UK and traveled through Europe. She is a woman with strong survival ability. Not only did I have companions in Vegas, but I also gained a lot of unexpected rewards.

ty, in order to learn the language, went to Los Angeles alone, rented an apartment, found a school, and took classes for two months. From the moment we got to know each other, out of mutual trust, they allowed me to stay overnight in Los Angeles late at night. We hit it off immediately. For nearly a week, we accompanied each other and traveled together. Let me have a fulfilling, happy and comfortable week.

So lucky!

Harvest Three - Self-Growth

I am a person with extremely weak survival ability and a very dependent person. Can't read a map, has no sense of direction, is not good at making strategies, and is careless.

On the second day after arriving in Las Vegas, I didn’t know which foot to take when I went out. I didn’t know how to read the traffic lights when crossing the street. I was at a loss what to do, and I was terrified.

When you leave Vegas and arrive in Los Angeles, you can call a car and find the route by yourself. Going to Ty's residence alone at night, which you have never met before, is no longer scary.

Go to Universal Studios Hollywood alone and take a map to visit each theme park by yourself. From pulling the arm of a little boy next to me in fear during the roller coaster, to walking in a group with Japanese friends out of panic during Harry Potter, to later in other theme pavilions, one person gradually overcomes the fear of weightlessness and gradually becomes stronger.

It was almost evening when we came out of Universal Studios. A person goes to a subway station far away to take the subway, buys a ticket with the help of others, and rides on it. When you exit the station, the street lights are on. It took more than half an hour to walk to the accommodation via Google Maps navigation.

On the night of traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco, a person pulled his suitcase and walked through a long dark street with almost no pedestrians on a rainy night to catch a bus.

In San Francisco, with Google Maps, you can travel through unfamiliar streets to the scenic spots you want to visit, as well as walk through the streets at night and return home late alone.

…

The biggest gain from the half-month trip was not the cities I visited, the scenic spots I visited, or the places I visited, but the insights and growth I gained from every moment of the trip.

It turns out that I also have potential. Those things that I once feared, feared, and worried about were just obstacles that I set for myself. And when you overcome these obstacles, you discover another self. That is your own hero.

This is just the beginning