This is a follow-up to Traveling to ng-conf and visiting the US for the first time
My journey to ng-conf began in San Francisco. Even after three days exploring, I felt I'd only scratched the surface of what the city offers. As an avid cyclist, I thoroughly enjoyed pedaling from downtown across the Golden Gate Bridge. The most fascinating aspect was that the bridge frequently vanished behind a thick layer of fog, completely invisible from the approach. On the return leg, however, the clouds parted and revealed the magnificent structure in full. Riding through those misty patches was both playful and surprising. It's no wonder San Francisco earns its reputation as the city of wind and fog.
It was wonderful to reconnect with friends who live in Silicon Valley, roughly 80 km from downtown. That gave me the chance to see more of the city and take care of some errands.
Visiting the Google office in San Francisco was a highlight. The views from that building are absolutely breathtaking. Yet far more exciting was getting to meet the Angular team in person — Minko Gechev, Emma Twersky, and Mark Techson. Thank you for the lunch and the great conversation! Hoping we cross paths again soon, perhaps in Australia?
Among the Valley's most renowned landmarks is Stanford University, a private research institution where brilliant minds are cultivated and innovative ideas take shape. Walking through campus felt like immersing myself in a wellspring of knowledge. I was genuinely impressed and delighted to add this destination to my travel experiences.
Thank you, San Francisco! I'm certain our paths will cross many more times.
My friends insisted I take California State Route 1, which hugs the Pacific coast from San Francisco all the way to Los Angeles. This stretch is packed with spectacular sights, including the Mojave Mountains, San Simeon, Santa Barbara, and Big Sur. I pulled over at most of them. The ocean panoramas, watching sea lions bask, and exploring the magnificent Hearst Castle atop Enchanted Hill were particular favorites.
I pulled into Los Angeles late in the evening, and the city's night energy immediately signaled this was a place that comes alive after dark. I checked into a hotel right in the center of Hollywood to be near all the famous sights, though it turned out to be one of the worst accommodations I've ever stayed in — despite having a pretty impressive name.
The following day, I made my way to the Petersen Automotive Museum and was thoroughly entertained. The collection spans everything from motorcycles — including electric models — to iconic cars straight out of movies and cartoons. The Hollywood Wax Museum was another fun stop. LA certainly has no shortage of things to keep you busy.
The next morning, en route to Las Vegas, I stopped at Six Flags Magic Mountain to squeeze in a few roller coaster rides. The X-2 ride left a lasting impression and is likely the most thrilling coaster I've ever been on. For the first hour or so, the drive toward Vegas was rather monotonous, but once I cleared the major interchanges, the scenery transformed dramatically. For the next couple of hours, I was treated to mountain vistas unlike anything I'd seen before.
Arriving in Las Vegas right around sunset, I was struck by how many more people filled the streets at night compared to LA. It reminded me of New Year's Eve in Sydney — except nobody here was celebrating anything specific. They were simply strolling around, and I happily joined the crowd. The night was crowded and unforgettable.
The major hotels along Vegas's main strip are linked by walkways, and each one has a casino on the ground floor. Stepping into your hotel, you can't help but wonder whether you've checked into a hotel or a casino that happens to have rooms. It's a one-of-a-kind experience, I'll grant you that.
On the crowded Vegas streets, I ran into my old pals Minnie and Mickey Mouse, plus the main character from my favorite movie, The Hangover!
Those characters are simply irresistible, so I had to snap a picture before stepping into Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel — the filming location for the original Hangover. Also worth mentioning is the Bellagio Water Show, which appears to run every single night and was genuinely awe-inspiring.
The next morning, I decided not to linger in Vegas and set out for my final stop, Salt Lake City. Honestly, I had no idea the Red Rocks could be this spectacular. In hindsight, the drive from Vegas to Salt Lake winding through those rock formations is even more breathtaking than the stretch from LA to Vegas.
Just before Cedar City on the route from Vegas to Salt Lake lies the rocky expanse of Zion Park, and I chose to drive straight through it. The road snakes along the base of the red cliffs, so close that you'll want to pull over every ten or fifteen minutes to take in yet another striking rock formation.
The drive through the park took roughly 3.5 hours, so I opted to overnight in Cedar City, one of the smallest towns on the way to Salt Lake, completely encircled by those red-rock mountains. Cedar City lies just three hours from the ng-conf venue in Salt Lake, meaning I reached my destination the following morning.
Restored and energized by the landscape, I'm ready to dive back into tech at ng-conf.
Follow Angular Rocks on Instagram and see you soon!