23 year old female vacationing alone

Hello everyone!  Earlier this year I requested about a week off to go on a vacation with my boyfriend to California's Big Sur.  I was really excited but since then we have decided to break up.  I still want to go on a vacation with the time off but not to Big Sur because I can't camp by myself.  Any suggestions?  I was thinking Portland.  Would this be safe?  I haven't seen a lot of the US so I am really open to suggestions.  Also, I am from Utah.

I don't really know about safety, but if it was me, I'd probably take a week and go see Mesa Verde again, or go to Yellowstone.  I'm kind of a nature and hiking fan, though, so if you're into cities, I don't really know which direction to point you.  My brother loves NY, and I've heard good things about the cities out west, but I don't really know all that much about them.

I love big cities and have vacationed by myself many times.  Done several weeks in Chicago alone, including going out to late night concerts (park on busy WELL LIT streets even if you have slightly farther to walk) and never felt scared.  Also visited NYC (only during the day), Philly (had a car there) and St Louis (car as well).  My advice, go where there are things you will be interested in, but plan in advance.  Make sure you get a good map and look it over before you leave, so you can get the lay of the land. 

I tend to get a Fodor's Flashmaps and a small thin Lonely Planet travel guide for cities I'll be visiting.  I carry a cute purse large enough to hold both and try not to look at them in public, so as not to scream "tourist".  I've been known to write the address and maybe brief directions to where I want to go on a scrap of paper, that I'll look at in public, as I do the same thing when trying to find a new place in my home town. 

I think it is great that you want to travel by yourself.  I know so many women much older than you that are scared to even eat in a restaurant alone let alone travel.  Solo travel is great as you get to make all the decisions, no feeling like you are wasting your time seeing things that don't interest you.   Have a great vacation!

I backpacked around Australia for 6 weeks alone when I was 18.  including staying in Kings Cross - the "Times Square" of Sydney.  And traveling through the outback.  (nah- I took a bus, no thumbing for me)

The previous poster has good advice.  Where ever you go act confident.  Look people in the eye.  Act like you know where you are and what you are doing.  Thats the very best safety advice you can get.

I'm a 23 year old gal and I've travelled all over the U.S., India, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, South and North Korea, China, Vietnam, and Japan by myself. This summer I'm heading to Europe . . . by myself :P

In my opinion, its the best way to travel.

Read a guidebook, get your bearings, go with a sense of purpose, and use some common sense. Have fun :D

eh I just did London alone in March.....

Best decision I ever made:)