Introduction
After exploring Miami and Orlando’s Disney parks on a previous trip, my sister and I decided to expand our adventure across the USA, this time focusing on the West Coast. Our journey was much bigger and more ambitious, starting with a landing in Los Angeles. From there, we hit the road and visited iconic cities like Fresno, San Francisco, San José, and Lake Tahoe, taking in the beauty of California’s diverse landscapes.
Our trip took us beyond California as we ventured into the vast deserts of Death Valley, and into Arizona, stopping in Page and Nevada, where we experienced the thrill of Las Vegas and the awe of the Grand Canyon.
Although we made it to Antelope Canyon, we didn’t quite get around to visiting it—maybe next time! We even found ourselves in Lake Havasu and drove down to the Mexican border for some shopping.
This road trip was packed with more stops and new adventures than any of our previous trips. From the mountains to the desert, and from major cities to hidden gems, it was a whirlwind of exploration and discovery that deepened our love for the American West.
But first, take a look at this video. This reflects my current mindset.
For this occasion, I created my own playlist. As you can see, it’s heavily influenced by hip-hop and Dr. Dre.
Here’s the map that we were supposed to do 😛
Los Angeles
The first thing we did was head to Hollywood Boulevard. From there, we took one of the most interesting bus tours in the world, exploring the iconic sites of Hollywood. We passed famous landmarks like the Hollywood Sign, celebrity homes, legendary studios, and learned about the history of this glamorous area.
Next, we went shopping in East Los Angeles, soaking up the local vibe and finding some great deals. Afterward, we headed to Santa Monica Beach, which was nice but reminded me a lot of Grand Theft Auto V, with its familiar scenery.
We dedicated an entire day to exploring Beverly Hills, and I have to say, I was blown away. The place is so beautiful, elegant, and fancy—just wow! After that, it was time for more shopping at the Camarillo Premium Outlets, a must-visit for fashion lovers.
My sister exaggerates with shopping.
Finally, we wrapped up our beach hopping with stops at Malibu Beach and Venice Beach, each offering its own unique vibe and stunning coastal views.
Fresno
We visited Sequoia National Park and also explored Big Stump Grove, which was an incredible experience. Unfortunately, we couldn’t see Yosemite because we hadn’t made a reservation in advance, and it turned out to be an incredibly busy day. We should have guessed from the long line of cars waiting to get in.
However, driving through the mountains was a wonderful experience. The views were absolutely breathtaking, with towering trees and rugged mountains creating a stunning backdrop. The landscape between the giant sequoias and the majestic peaks was serene and awe-inspiring, making the journey just as memorable as the destination.
Let me tell you about our time in Fresno—it was quite the adventure. My sister had booked a motel in the city, but when we arrived, it wasn’t even the same name as what we had on the reservation. And this is where things got a bit funny—and honestly, a little unsettling. The people hanging around, both inside and outside the motel, didn’t exactly make us feel “reassured.” I was ready to tough it out, but then we saw cockroaches. That was the final straw for my sister. She completely lost it and refused to stay another minute. Feeling unsafe, she immediately booked a proper hotel, and we were out of there!
San Jose + San Francisco
San José and San Francisco were honestly pretty boring. We visited Apple Park, which was fine, and the Apple Store, which was just okay. The highlight for me was going to the NVIDIA headquarters, even though I didn’t see anything particularly exciting. Still, it felt like a privilege to be near the company behind one of the best-performing stocks in the S&P 500.
Visiting Silicon Valley was one of the strangest experiences of my life. So many of the companies here—Oracle, Snowflake, and others—are tools I use daily for work. It felt odd to be here on vacation, surrounded by the tech that’s part of my professional world. It was a vacation, but it almost didn’t feel like one!
We also checked out the Golden Gate Bridge and wandered around Chinatown, where—ironically—we ended up eating Japanese food. I even spotted a Waymo autonomous car, which was kind of cool. Despite visiting most of the city’s main sights, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was living inside a scene from the movie Hulk.
But honestly, we didn’t do anything that stood out—nothing relevant or memorable for me. #boring
Lac Tahoe
Lake Tahoe, nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, is by far one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited during my travels in the West. The charm of its crystal-clear waters, surrounded by majestic mountains, completely captivated me. The vibrant blue hues, combined with the perfect summer temperature, made me fall in love with this place instantly.
You just need pictures not word.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas, often called the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” is a vibrant city in the heart of the Nevada desert. Known for its iconic Strip, dazzling lights, world-class casinos, and endless nightlife, it offers something for everyone. From luxury resorts to renowned shows and fine dining, Las Vegas is a city that never sleeps, making it a must-visit destination for thrill-seekers and travelers looking for excitement.
No more blabla from chatgpt Las Vegas for me is :
CASINO, CASINO, CASINO, seriously what’s this place?
ME
Before all that, we found ourselves driving through the desert, which got a bit nerve-wracking when we realized we were running on reserve gas.
I wasn’t up to anything special—mostly just babysitting my sister’s child during our time in Vegas. I didn’t touch anything in the casinos, but as the saying goes, what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas.
What I did do, though, was shoot an M16, which was quite an experience. Oh, and I also checked out The Sphere in Las Vegas, and let me just say—wow.
Now, I have to talk about The Sphere because it’s not just visually stunning; it’s a technical masterpiece. The displays are powered by 150 NVIDIA RTX A6000 GPUs (and yes, I wish I had just one). Each GPU boasts 10,752 cores, 48 GB of memory, and a 300 W TDP. Multiply that by 150 and you get a mind-blowing 1.6 million cores, 7,200 GB of GDDR6 memory, and a whopping 45,000 W power draw.
The Sphere also has 16 internal displays with a jaw-dropping 16K resolution, and its exterior features 1.2 million programmable LED pucks. It cost a staggering $2.3 billion to build, and the power draw alone is 28 megawatts—enough to power 21,000 homes! If you’re a tech geek like me, this place is a dream come true.
I came to Vegas just to see this technological marvel. Let’s dive into the details! Sphere Las Vegas Blog
Page – Arizona
Antelope Canyon is a mesmerizing slot canyon famous for its narrow passageways and swirling sandstone formations. As sunlight filters through the crevices, it creates a stunning play of light and shadow, painting the canyon walls in vibrant shades of orange, red, and purple. It’s a dream destination for photographers and nature lovers alike, offering a surreal experience in the heart of Arizona’s desert landscape.
We did not do it we arrive, you won’t believe it but we had thunderstorm, heavy rain every escursion was cancel… my sister was mad.
Not far from Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend offers a dramatic view of the Colorado River as it curves sharply around towering cliffs. This iconic viewpoint is perfect for capturing the river’s striking contrast against the surrounding red rock. Whether at sunrise or sunset, the panoramic beauty of Horseshoe Bend is a must-see for anyone visiting the region.
Next time will come but I have ideas of what I would to do here…
Further south, the Grand Canyon stands as one of the most breathtaking natural wonders on Earth. Carved over millions of years by the Colorado River, its immense size and layered rock formations leave visitors in awe. With endless hiking trails and jaw-dropping viewpoints, the Grand Canyon offers an unforgettable experience of nature’s grandeur and power.
San Diego
Before heading to San Diego, we spent the night in the charming city of Lake Havasu. How best to describe it? Well, we had some trouble with our tire, and we were probably the only four Black people there. I can’t say for sure that everyone in the town votes for Trump, but I will say everyone we met was very nice. It was a strange experience, to say the least, but there’s something special about that place. I still plan on coming back, despite the odd vibe—there’s just something about it!
San Diego, on the other hand, is beautiful but honestly a bit boring. While we were there, my sister insisted we go shopping at Las Americas Premium Outlets (which, to me, seemed totally unnecessary—nonsense even!). We visited Sand Dollar Beach, which is right by the Mexican border, and then stopped at the Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center. From there, we had an amazing view of the Naval Air Station North Island and the Marine Protected Area North Boundary.
We also took a walk along the coast, from Graham Street Beach Access to Fanuel Street Park at Sail Bay. By this point, the trip felt over for me, even though we still had to head back to Los Angeles. Everything I had seen up until then was more than enough to wrap up the adventure.
Conclusion
Reflecting on this trip, I’ve come to realize just how much I love nature. The American West is truly outstanding, and now I understand why there was such a push to explore and colonize this vast land. While cities like New York don’t quite appeal to me, the natural landscapes of the U.S. are where I truly feel at home.
Driving through the diverse scenery was one of the highlights of the journey, even if some roads were less than ideal. The desert’s temperature was surprisingly pleasant, adding to the unique experience of traversing these beautiful landscapes.
However, I must admit that the food in this part of the USA was a major disappointment. We ended up spending a lot of money on junk food, and it was often quite unappetizing. The exception was the Mexican food, which was a welcome highlight. It’s the only aspect of the trip that didn’t live up to expectations.
There are definitely places I want to revisit—like Page in Arizona, Lake Tahoe, and the areas around Death Valley National Park. I missed out on Monument Valley, but it’s now on my list. Overall, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the states of the American West, and I look forward to exploring more of what they have to offer.
For now, I have no reason to return to the U.S. From Florida to California and Arizona, I’ve seen what I wanted. The rest doesn’t really interest me—well, maybe Atlanta 😀
I want to write an article about the fact that the USA is in a recession, but it’s taken me a month to get started. I’m not sure if I’ll find the courage to finish it.
I love Geopolitics, I am also interested in Finance, especially CryptoCurrency.
And I'm also a photographer.
And welcome to my imaginary world
- Driving Innovation: How Tech Partnerships Power Formula 1 Success - 9 December 2024
- Netflix Faces Technical Knockout During Highly Anticipated Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul Fight - 17 November 2024
- Is the U.S. in a Recession? - 1 October 2024
