There are two things that I love to do during the summer: go on a road trip, and host family and friends around town. This summer, Adrian and I get to do both! In a week, we will be hosting his "French family" and then joining them as they go on the "loop."
Many years ago, Adrian's family hosted an exchange student from France. Since then Adrian and Vincent practically became brothers. They would play the same video games, read the same sci-fi books, and of course hop the pond to visit each other. Five years ago, Vincent and Delphine came to Maryland to attend our wedding. Now, they are coming back to the states to do the "loop."
In my mind, the "loop" was just a cool road trip that hit all the major sights of California. Then, I mentioned the trip to another French friend, and she said that this trip is what every French person does when they tour California. So the trip starts in LA, with a drive up the coast, possibly stopping in Monterey or Santa Cruz, then there are a few days in San Francisco (which may include wine country), followed by a visit to Yosemite.
Of course the stay in San Francisco is not complete without the tourist trip to Alcatraz or biking across the Golden Gate Bridge. Hopefully, there will be great weather. Our itinerary also includes many Asian restaurants, since good Asian cuisine is hard to come by in France, Geneva, and Dublin.
Adrian and I are going to tagalong as V&D visit Yosemite and Death Valley. We have never been to Death Valley before, but it sounds awesome, in extra-planetary landscape way. They will continue their trip to the Grand Canyon, and we will detour to San Diego. Where I can introduce Adrian to a real whale and dolphin show. We plan for another stop at Venice Beach, near my aunt's place, and possible a trip to the Griffith Observatory.
All this packed into two weeks! Sea World here we come!