Hurray For Hollywood by Steve Wraith

After shaking the confetti from what little hair I have the wife and I were off on our honeymoon. We had thought long and hard about our destination and had agreed on the United States. We wanted to visit a country where there were lots of things to do and have a holiday that we would always remember. I’m glad to say that we got both.

We opted for a two week break in San Francisco, Los Angeles and finally San Diego. Our first night of wedded bliss was in a hotel adjacent to Teeside Airport. The next morning we flew to Heathrow where we bumped into magician Paul Daniels, and then onto San Francisco. A fifteen hour journey. After collecting our cases we flagged down our first yellow cab and journeyed through the streets of San Francisco. It was quite breathtaking as we passed the Baseball and Football Stadiums on the Freeway and headed downtown to our hotel. The first thing that becomes apparent about the City is the homeless people. There are huge communities of trolley pushing vagrants which can be quite un-nerving, especially late at night. You can’t walk more than a few steps without being asked if ‘ you can spare a dime?’ Our four days here were action packed. We pre-booked a trip to ‘Alcatraz’ Prison which was awesome. The whole island is so atmospheric and your guides are former inmates and wardens which just adds to the experience. ‘Pier 39’ is also a great day out for all the family. With hundreds of bars , fast food outlets, gift shops, amusement arcades, and of course the hundreds of sea lions which have made the Bay there home since the early Seventies. What is quite surprising is the climate. It is quite cold , so we were always well wrapped up. As neither of us drive we made full use of the infamous trams and cable cars and of course the odd yellow taxi. Other highlights were Chinatown , a driven tour around the city which included a trip over the Golden Gate Bridge, and a trip to the ‘Stinking Rose’ restaurant , which serves garlic with everything , yes even the wine and ice cream!

Our next stop was Los Angeles. We were told that we would spend a fortune in LA and bump into a lot of stars. I wasn’t bothered I’d already met Paul Daniels! Our accommodation was fantastic. Our view looked out onto Hollywood. Something you can only dream of. We went for a walk around and you would be amazed at how clean and tidy the streets and suburbs were. Gateshead Council could learn a few things from our American counterparts. Not a recycling box in site! Universal Studios is somewhere Dawn and I had always wanted to go and once again we booked up the trip prior to arriving in the country. Something I’d advise any of you to do to avoid disappointment. We arrived at nine in the morning and were picked back up at seven in the evening. What a day! We went ‘Back To The Future’ , battled with ‘The Terminator’, were in the middle of a ‘Backdraft’ , terrorised by ‘Hong Kong’, and soaked by ‘Jaws’. Magical. We chose to relax in the fabulous sunshine the following day, and we baked in temperatures topping the hundreds before our next trip to Hollywood. ‘Venice Beach’ , ‘Santa Monica Beach’, and ‘Muscle Beach’ are certainly worth a visit for any sun worshippers amongst you. If you get bored you can always work on your physique by doing a few weights, or by having another burger at one of the many cafes on the sea front. We chose to visit Hollywood by night. We walked hand in hand along the famous boulevard and stopped to look at all of the famous handprints and footprints. Steve McQueen whom my mother named me after Harold Lloyd one of my favourite comedians, and all round entertainer Bob Hope which was quite sad as he had just passed away on that day.

Our final destination was San Diego. Unlike San Francisco and LA we were staying outside of the City Centre so had to take a cab wherever we wanted to go to. The Zoo at San Diego is one of the largest in the world and is very impressive. We were given a guided tour by a very kind pensioner who had taken a shine to us at the entrance. As a result we didn’t have to pay to get in as she was allowed two guests on her permit. The highlights were the giant pandas which had been bred in captivity, and a rather strange cross between a horse and a zebra which survive no where else in the world. Amazing creatures. After our final day of relaxation around the pool we travelled to Sea World . Here trainers rear and train a whole host of animals to perform for large audiences. The animals are very well looked after and obviously enjoy what they do. The sight of huge killer whales jumping in and out of the water with a trainer balanced on the tip of its mouth will stay with me for a very long time. All in all a honeymoon which we will never forget and as they say in the musicals ‘Hurray For Hollywood!’