J_Correa

I am doing the preliminary research for a 70th birthday celebration for my mother-in-law in Summer of 2009. I am looking for some suggestions.

Here are the specs:

We want to have a weekend away with the family - someplace scenic with a reasonable amount of activities - biking trails, swimming, hiking, an area to play a little baseball, etc. We haven't spent much time together as a family the last few years and I know my mother-in-law would really enjoy the opportunity to just be together.

Location - it needs to be within a 5 hour drive of Sacramento and San Jose and someplace where we can rent 1 or more cabins, condos, or cottages rather than staying in a hotel/motel situation - so we can have snacks, cook breakfast, barbecue one night, etc.

The family consists of my husband and me, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law's family (2 adults, 17 yo daughter, 10 yo son, and 6 yo son). My niece will likely bring a friend or cousin as well. So 5 adults, 2 teens, and 2 kids. I figure we will need 4 bedrooms or 3 bedrooms and a loft. The boys can camp out on the living room floor.

Budget - my husband and I will host, so budget is a concern. We need to keep lodging below $500/night. I know that isn't a large budget for 9 people, but then no one in the group is used to luxury accomodations.

Lake Tahoe comes to mind immediately, but I would like to consider other options as well.

Any recommendations or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

jamesr3939

At first blush I would have said Lake Tahoe, also. However, a couple of other spots might be the north coast from Bodega Bay north to Cresecent City maybe. Also, Mamouth Mountain might be a place to look also.

dmlove

Consider Brockway Springs "resort" in Kings Beach (North Lake Tahoe, as I'm sure you know). We used to go there in the summers. The condos themselves are fairly plain, but there's a pool that overlooks the lake, and Kings Beach itself is in walking distance (including the beach, restaurants, coffee places, some shops, the best miniature golf course we've ever played). You might need two condos (I'm not sure if they have any 3-bedroom units). The place has a couple of sort-of highrises, but the nice area is the lowrises, as they're lid out in a horseshoe around a grassy area - perfect place for kids to come out and play after dinner, adults to come out with their coffee, etc. Very very low key. It's really a great family resort. Likewise, Tahoe Taverns in Tahoe City, although between them I was always partial to Brockway.

curmudgeon

Wawona would be an option; there are a range of cabins available for rent there. We did something similar for my Mom's 80th a few years ago; we ended up getting two places fairly close together for about 20 of us.

Someplace on the Russian river near Guernville or Monte Rio might be another option.

Pinecrest (off hwy 108) in the Sierras would be quite a bit more low-key than Tahoe, but has a lake and good hiking etc. I haven't stayed there myself.

Bear Valley (off hwy 4) is similar, but I think more upscale than Pinecrest.

janisj

Brockway Springs is the very first place that came to mind. I know they have 3 and 4 bedroom units - I think w/ 3 baths.

dmlove

Janis is right, here's the link (check out the picture of the pool -- it really looks like this!)

http://www.brockwaysprings.com/TheResort.htm

Based on the pictures and rates, it look like they now differentiate between standard and more upscale units (they are individually owned, so I guess its up to the owners when to refurbish and redecorate).

1JAR

Would PT Reyes be close enough? I looked thru my Cabins and Cotages of N California and saw:

Holly Tree Inn & Cottages 3 cottages and 4 guestrooms 120. to 250 a night Pt Reyes 800-286-4655

Murphys Jenner Inn & Cottages 65-225 a night 4 cottages, 3 suites 6 rooms Jenner CA 707-865-2377

White Sulpher Springs 90-245 a night 9 small 1 room cottages
St Helena 800-593-8873

Several others in LAke TAhoe if interested.

kleroux

I'd check out the various vacation rentals in the Healdsburg area. Look at www.sonomacountyvacations.com and see if they have anything that would work for your family.

kimamom

Healdsburg is a gorgeous area to spend time in, I also like the suggestion for the Bodega Bay area. I hope you find the perfect place for your family, sounds like fun! ***kim***

J_Correa

Thanks for the recommendations so far.

We used to go to Brockway with a group of friends - it's been about 10 years since we've been there, but it was always a good place for a group. And as I remember, the prices were reasonable and the north shore casinos aren't terribly far. Is there a beach there? I can't remember.

The north coast might be neat - I don't think my brother-in-law and his family have been up there much (if at all).

Pinecrest sounds good too - I haven't been to that area, but something low key would probably be really good.

I think Sonoma country would be great, but I also think it might be too upscale of any area - or at least perceived that way by my husband's brother and his wife, which would make them uncomfortable.

Thanks again for the recommendations and if anyone has any more ideas, bring em on

dmlove

Brockway itself only has a postage stamp of a beach, but Kings Beach is right down the road (and it's a real beach, with parking, a playground, sandy beach, equipment rentals (jetskis and the like, although I don't know if jetskis are allowed anymore).

janisj

. . . Plus it is just a short drive to the fabulous Sand Harbor . . . . .

TTess

Darn, I immediately thought of Alisal until I saw what you wanted to pay per night. Lake Tahoe would be a good choice. Can your m-i-l handle the elevation, OK? Would she prefer a coastal area such as Mendocino? The http://www.searockinn.com/ sounds perfect for you, except for the swimming. You could always wade in the ocean, though.

TrvlMaven

The city of Concord, CA runs a camp at Lake Tahoe that sounds like it would fit your bill. They can run the program for you, or you can do your own thing. You can sign up for a Family Camp session, or rent it out on your own. Check it out at:
http://www.ci.concord.ca.us/recreation/camp/index.htm