To Eric Miller: flight following was suggested, not required. I agree it
might have helped.

I went on my first solo XC last sunday. I was on flight following with
Norcal and Oakland Center. I ran unintentionally after also getting
a lost due to mixing up the 2 nav/comms. into some decreased visibilty
(probably around 3-5 mile visibilty). I asked for
a vector to the nearest airport. They knew where I was (you get
a unique squawk), my
altitude and I was a solo student pilot just by saying "request
vector to nearest airport due to weather." Within seconds
they gave me a vector. Literally maybe 20 seconds total between
the beginning of my radio call and the end of theirs.
Fortunately by the time they finished their read, I was through
the weather and I figured out my error and knew the right
way to STS. I reported "negative. I'm through the weather and just
figured out where I am. Will go direct to STS." From then on,
they spoke to me every 2 minutes babying me. No problem. That
is what I pay my tax dollars for.....basically a sort of insurance.
No need to identify myself, no wasted time trying to have them guess
where I was, no hogging up the radio when they are trying to deal
with United and American Airline heavies, etc. They point
out traffic to me almost all the time. They are literally
a second set of eyes. I'm literally afraid to fly around the
bay area without them. I don't understand why people would fly
around when it is available. Even for short hops, use them.

In your case, you could have said, "solo student pilot, unfamiliar,
am I X miles in this direction of the airport?" They would give you
vectors, would probably contact that tower and notify them of the problem.

Use them. They are your friend. Don't be afraid to talk to them
on the radio. You aren't the first student either. Only way to
learn is doing it. At first I was lost. Now I fly through
Class B (I got signed off on that), Norcal, Oakland Center, whatever
and I rarely have a problem with radio communications.

Gerald