While we're on the subject of offering advice on travelling tips in America, anyone recommend any hostels in either Boston, New York, San Diego or San Francisco?

Hi Gar...stayed in the hostel in Fort Mason in SanFran, it's in a good spot near Fishermans Wharf:http://www.bootsnall.com/namericatravelguides/sanfran/sfaccom2.shtml Worked out pretty cheap and had a really nice atmosphere.

Cheers mate!!!

Hi Gar, Not sure what your budget is but there is outstanding value in San Fran in B&Bs. They are the complete opposite to what we have here - a B&B in Clifornia is self catering appartments. I stayed in one near Alamo Square (about 10 minutes stroll from Haight-Ashbury and Amoeba records, the biggest independent record store in America; Expect to spend a day there). It had kitchen, dining room, 1 bedroom (double bed), 1 sitting room (also with a double bed) and a balcony. $115 for 4 people! http://bbsf.com/InnDB/Content/ShowInn.asp?InnId=41&NumGuests=2 Also, don't get too caught up on getting someplace in the centre of San Fran, it has one of the best bus and tram systems I've ever come across.

My next question was: Does anyone know the website or location or any info on that huge warehouse record shop? Cheers....I'm more than likely going to be in San Fran for over ten days so hopefully I don't blow all my budget buying music. But thanks alot for the B&B tip.

http://www.amoebarecords.com/ I walked in and nearly sh*t myself. Think a warehouse, one half second hand, one half new. I blew a couple of hundred dollars there. The second hand is particularly good for picking up rare and deleted albums. It is at the very west end of Haight-Ashbury.

It's on the cusp of the hippietastic Golden Gate Park too, so when you're finished buying your Dead bootlegs you can bliss out at the scene of the original 60s freakouts. Heaven would be Ameoba Records, but with a little bar in the back corner.

Sorry for hijacking Dromed's original post....if anyone has any info, let's get back to it. Much appreciated though for all the help.

You swines.....!! I'm here stuck in frickin' Reno while you guys talk shop and flick thru well worn copies of Grateful Dead records. Tsch!

I really wouldn't mind being stuck in Reno. Lose a couple of hundred in Harrah's casino and a couple more in the Spice House...the follies of youth. Incidentally, I think there's a case to be made for the Dead being the spiritual founders of the Burning Man festival. The free festivals in Golden Gate Park shared much of the same ethos, as of course did the communities of Deadheads. Maybe their hair was a bit longer though.

Check out the Green Tortise http://www.greentortoise.com/ They do bus trips to the Burning Man festival! Deadly bus trips. Went to Yosemite last year and had the best holiday!!! They're keeping that hippy spirit going! Their hostel is class as well,if a little pricey,but its near the City Lights bookstore and the Hustler Club! Amoeba is mental...bring a suitcase or 3

Thanks for that Eoin...it's not a bad deal there doin' on that site, but we've more in mind renting an RV and doin it DIY. Not too keen on sharing my Burning Man experience with a coach load. You dnn't know who you'll get stuck with!

I also went on the Green Tort. Yosimte trip, absolutely amazing holiday, its really cheap and suprizingly the food was really good. They bring you off the beaten track to some great spots. Was also in that record shop amoeba reords, was like a kid in a candy store! bring lots of $$$s! Have a good one - very jealous

Burning Man - hire a car/van depending on how many of you there are. Hostel in NYC - Chelsea Hostel, or Jazz on the Park.