California:
A brief survival guide for newcomers
Useful stores and services
  Safeway  Low priced groceries Cranberry juice, polish sausage, rib eye steak, ice cream, watermelon
Trader Joe's
Real food (european) Gruyere cheese, Slovak pickles, dried fruits
Everything for cars Reliable maintenance, all parts and accessories, excellent prices
Flea market Tons of useful stuff Every first weekend of the month (Palo Alto)
ARCO Lowest Gas Prices And cheap smog certificate, too
Pacific Express
Travel Agent Could always beat the others prices
Restaurants
Chinese  Hunan in China Town (SF), The Peking Duck (Palo Alto), Mandarin Gourmet  (Palo Alto)
Japanese  Sushi Bar in Palo Alto
Italian Pizza my heart in Capitola, Frankie Jonnie and Luigi's too in Mountain View
Mexican Chevys in Mountain View and SF
Salads Fresh Choice all-you-can-eat in Palo Alto
Outdoor Activities and Hiking
Half Dome (Yosemite)                      Pinnacles 
 

     Badger Pass (Yosemite)        Stinson Beach

Further favorites: Henry Cowell Redwood National Park, Point Reyes, Big Basin, Big Sur, Santa Cruz Natural Bridges state park, Rio del Mar (beach).
Curiosities: Elephant Seals at Ano Nuevo, Monarch Butterflies in Santa Cruz, Whale Watching in Half Moon Bay, Wine Country
Other fun activities: Pot Luck parties, BBQ's, Rollerblading, Badminton, Biking, Swimming 
For further information read "Culture Shock! USA" or consult Dave Berry
She is driving for a relationship, he is lost in the transmission