Los Angeles and Las Vegas


I headed back to Vancouver via bus and ferry to the mainland, making a quick stop for drinks and food at the Samesun Hostel in Vancouver for a few cheeky beers. Rob was kind enough to let me store my bags at the front desk while I stayed in the bar until close, catching up with a few people before a 6am departure to Los Angeles.


Landing in Los Angeles again, I avoided the mistake from last time of taking an expensive taxi and instead caught the bus to Venice Beach for just $1. Navigating the buses was straightforward and soon enough I was back at a place I really enjoyed, spending time on the beach and along the boardwalk. Arriving on the second weekend of Coachella without a hostel booking was not ideal, though after walking around I managed to secure a private room at the Samesun Hostel in Venice Beach. The room overlooked the beach and felt like a luxury.


I messaged the boys, Brody, Conor and Shawn, who had relocated to Santa Monica since Venice was booked out. After settling in, I went for a wander before they picked me up in a taxi to head downtown to see a Los Angeles Clippers game. A dead rubber match, though still exciting to finally see the Staples Centre in person. Drinks followed back in Santa Monica before I returned to Venice Beach for some sleep ahead of the road trip.


Morning came early and the lads picked me up again to collect the rental car, a large SUV for the four of us. Having already driven on the right-hand side of the road in Iceland, I was handed the keys for the first leg from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. The drive was excellent. A few stops at Walmart for camping supplies and an unforgettable purchase of forty chicken nuggets for $10 later, we rolled into Las Vegas.


The valet parked the car at Caesars Palace and we headed up to our suite, complete with two queen beds, a massive bathroom and a view over the pool. A few beers by the pool followed before getting ready to hit the Strip. The night involved hopping from casino to casino, soaking in the chaos and spectacle of a city I had dreamed about seeing since childhood.


The next morning included another wander through the Strip and Caesars Palace itself. Time was set aside to visit Peter Lik’s gallery, something I had long wanted to see in person. Lunch was McDonald’s before getting back in the car and starting the next leg of the journey.


Hoover Dam and Route 66


The drive toward the Hoover Dam felt surreal. I had seen countless photos over the years, including ones my mum took decades earlier, flipping through old photo albums as a kid and imagining what it would be like to see these places myself.


Driving across the dam and stopping at the lookout points offered incredible views on a perfectly clear day. Cameras came out and time slowed down for a while as we took it all in.


From there, the road continued toward the Grand Canyon, passing through sections of the original Route 66. This historic highway once connected the country from east to west, carrying families, workers and dreamers across America for decades. Lunch, postcards and plenty of photos filled the afternoon.


The Grand Canyon


Light was fading as we approached the Grand Canyon, arriving just in time for sunset. Standing at the edge and watching the colours change across the canyon walls was overwhelming in the best possible way. A lifelong dream was realised in that moment, quietly sitting and watching night settle over one of the most extraordinary landscapes on Earth.


An hour later, it was time to leave. The drive back toward Indio was long and exhausting, with nearly twelve hours of driving behind us for the day. Heat lingered in the desert even late at night. Around 3am, we pulled into a McDonald’s near Indio, found a campsite soon after, inflated our mattresses and fell asleep under the stars.


Coachella


Morning came quickly. Packing up around 9am, we drove into the Coachella Valley. Each person was allowed one carton of beer inside the campground, which meant a stop at the local liquor store for four cartons of Budweiser. Arriving a little later than planned worked in our favour, with a campsite at the edge of the grounds and plenty of space behind us. The walk to the stages took about ten minutes.


The following three days were filled with music and long days under the sun. Acts included Muse, Queens of the Stone Age, Outkast, Beck, Courtney Barnett, Pharrell Williams, Lorde, Haim, Fatboy Slim and Arcade Fire. Seeing Lemmy live with Motörhead remains a standout, especially knowing it would be one of the last chances to do so. Muse delivered the best performance I have seen from them.


New friendships formed quickly and learning to play Beersby became a daily ritual. The experience was exhausting, loud, dusty and unforgettable.


After three nights, tents and sleeping bags were packed away and the road called again.


San Diego, Huntington Beach and Hollywood


Morning broke early as we loaded the car and slowly made our way out of the campground. A Starbucks stop provided fuel before the drive south to San Diego. Accommodation was at the USA Hostel on Fifth and G Streets, a colourful and lively place in the heart of downtown.


After settling in, a familiar face appeared while locking up next door. Kaz, a friend I had met in Vancouver, happened to be staying at the same hostel. Plans quickly formed for dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory before exploring the city.


The following morning included a drive north via Huntington Beach, home of The Offspring, before returning the car and heading back to Santa Monica. Exhaustion from the road trip set in, though sunset strolls and final drinks helped mark the end of the journey together. The lads departed early for South America while I stayed behind for one more night.


Hollywood had been on my list for years. A guided tour provided an easy way to see Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Sign and Hollywood Boulevard. Finding Nicolas Cage’s star felt like a personal victory. Sunset on the beach closed out the day and the road trip itself, a spontaneous adventure filled with places I had dreamed about since childhood.


San Francisco


An early shuttle from Santa Monica dropped me into downtown San Francisco. On a recommendation, I stayed at the Adelaide Hostel off Taylor Street, a wonderfully quirky and cosy place that felt central to everything. After settling into my pod-style dorm, I headed out for a wander before joining a pub crawl later that night and experiencing San Francisco nightlife for the first time.


Morning arrived with a slight haze and plans to meet up with a friend I made in New York City, Dan. Breakfast along the waterfront followed, including a famous Irish Coffee, before wandering out to Pier 39. Once Dan headed off to work, clear skies and proximity made a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge an easy decision. Seeing it for the first time felt surreal. Standing there, knowing how far my travels had taken me, was deeply grounding and overwhelming in the best way possible.


After a long day exploring, some time back at the hostel provided a much-needed reset before another night out on a pub crawl through the Tenderloin. Sleep came easily.


The following day included a Wild SF walking tour through The Castro and The Mission, a tour packed with incredible history, stories and food. The final major stop was Alcatraz. After managing to secure a last-minute ticket, the boat ride and visit exceeded expectations. The history of the island and its former inmates made it one of the most compelling sites of the trip.


With San Francisco complete, the original plan had been to continue on to Portland and Seattle. That adventure would wait for another year. Canada was calling again, and it felt right to return and settle for a while in Victoria.

 

selected Images