San Francisco Travel Forum

hi VT'rs

I am attempting to plan a 2 week holiday,to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary in August,starting in San Fran and maybe hiring a car and travelling the coast to Los Angeles for a couple of nights and then maybe San Diego.I know I'm asking a lot but any ideas of hotels,even a nice b & b where we could base ourselves,similarly any in LA,or am I being a bit too vague ?
This will be our first visit to the states,travelled extensively in europe so we are not new to travelling but any help,ideas would be welcome.

kind regards

the bear

Be sure to drive down the California coastline between Monterey and Cambria. Stop in Big Sur to see the Redwood Forests and have a meal at Nepenthe, a fantastic restaurant complex with a view south along the coast for 50 miles. If you want a fun place to spend the night there check out Deetjen's Big Sur Inn.

hi Lee

Thanks for your reply.Sounds like an idea ! We really want to make the most of our trip so anything like this is welcome.I have read a few posts about Big Sur,excuse my ignorance,but what or where is it !

the bear

Two weeks is plenty of time to enjoy your holiday. I wouldn't use just one base. You can stay in San Francisco a few days and make day trips to Monterey, Carmel, Napa, Sonoma and/or Lake Tahoe (not sure how far away that is from San Francisco). Then drive to LA. Stay there for a few days. You can drive to San Diego in 2 hours from LA so you it's not necessary to stay in San Diego but it is very nice there. Other side trips to consider - Las Vegas, Nevada (not a day visit) a few days is good, even three is you like to gamble. Santa Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles. August is extremely hot in Palm Springs so I would avoid visiting there. Driving is pretty easy in California. New driving law is in effect July 1, 2008 - no hand held cell phone use while driving. You can use a hands free device.

You may want to consider staying at any one of the California Light Houses that have incorported lodging on the properties. They are located in very beautiful locations, with the accomodations ranging from austere to quite nice. For instance, Point Cabrillo in Mendocino (north of SF), Point Montara Hostel in Montara (25 miles S of SF), Pigeon Point Hostel in Pescadero (50 miles S of SF) with private and shared accomodations, Pt. Arena Light House in Pt. Arena (n of SF)or my favorite, East Brother Light Station in Pt. Richmond (B&B) which is on an island located in SF Bay (20 miles NE of SF). It's something different.

The previous posters have already done some good suggestions ... here's a thought. If you will be driving, San Francisco is definitely not a place you want to try out your "other side of the road" skills. I would suggest taking a bus to the city (usually the call SF "the city") when you arrive, spend a couple of days in SF without a car (will save you big money in hotel parking) - then take Bart back to the airport, and pick up your car to drive South on 101. Just don't get into San Francisco traffic.

I have colleagues that came to the UK. Unfortunately, foolishly, I got in the car with him for his "maiden voyage" to lunch in Boca Raton, Florida. I'll spare you the details, but remember it enough to post this tip. ;=)

A small hotel that I used to enjoy in San Rafael, which is just to the north of San Francisco, is the Panama Hotel: www.panamahotel.com. The hotel sits in a quiet residential area. It has a very good on-site restaurant. They sometimes have music in the evenings there. There is also a walled, shaded, patio area where you can enjoy your meal, or a glass of wine. The Point Reyes National Seashores are located just to the north of San Francisco. You might wish to look at the web site for the Point Reyes Lodging Association: www.ptreyes.com. They list several different types of accomodations there. They also frequently have specials listed. The site also has a link for central California lodging. A very nice bed and breakfast in San Francisco's North Beach area is the Washington Square Inn: www.wsisf.com. Gary

San Francisco also has several elevated roads which offer a unique driving experience to say the least. Gary

Big Sur is the most beautiful section of the California coastline, about 115 miles south of San Francisco. You will be driving along State Highway 1. It's about 25 miles south of the Pacific Grove/Monterey/Carmel area. Take a look at this map: http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/map.html

oops ... I should have said - came "from" the UK. Anyhow, it was a very scary ride until he got used to it by the next day.

hi all

Some great suggestions,thanks.I will look up your various tips on b n b's and places to visit and let you know what we decide.Your country is so big compared to the uk its a job to judge distances etc.I certainly fancy San Francisco,I'm not sure how long we will stay there,I hate packing and unpacking cases,thats why I wanted a central base ,but the travel will obviously not allow this.
Thanks again for your advice,really appreciated

kindest regards

the bear

Hi ... you can use www.mapquest.com to estimate some of your distances.

You might wish to re-post your question in the San Diego forum as well. There are several VT members that have intimate knowledge of that area that don't normally venture into the LA or San Francisco forums. Gary

Gary

Thanks for that,I will try there aswell.

regards


the bear

You are welcome. Gary