shauna820

Hi!

We are a couple looking to plan a week long trip this summer either in June or July to Northern California. We are interested in seeing wineries, beaches, outdoorsy adventures, and seeing San Francisco. We would like to keep the budget under $3000. Any suggestions of what airport to fly to, (we are coming from Boston), where to stay, and what to do would be much appreciated.

StuDudley

Here are some of my ideas

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Fly into SFO - I believe there are some direct flights from Boston.

Stu Dudley

Kal

Sacramento and Oakland might be cheaper airports. From Sac I'm in Napa or Sonoma in about an hour or 90 mins depending on traffic.

Sounds like a trip to Sonoma and Mendocino Counties are in line for your wants?

janisj

I'd consider flying in to SMF and out of SFO (preferably but vice versa could work too)

SMF is an easy airport to navigate and you'd be on the road and in Sonoma/Napa area about the same time you had navigated through SF traffic. Fly in to SMF. Maybe 2 nights in Sonoma or Healdsburg. Then 2 nights in Mendocino/Ft Bragg area, one night say in Bodega Bay, drive to SF and return car, stay 1 or 2 nights in SF. Fly home from SFO

This is a great place near Mendocino: http://www.littleriverinn.com

indyhiker

If you do decide to fly into SFO, you might put your time in the city first, then pick up the car. At least when I last priced it, the car rental was considerably cheaper by picking the car up in the city and dropping it off at the airport than vice versa.

Here's where we stayed just outside Mendocino. We really enjoy the property and the property owners, and it might work well with your budget.

http://redbarnretreat.net/

StuDudley

There are 14 non-stop flights from Boston to SFO and 0 to SMF & OAK. SFO flights are 6 3/4 hrs, others are 9 1/4-11 hrs.

I live 5 mins past SFO, and I can get on the GG bridge in 1 hr or less most times. But I take a route that most people don't even consider. Just did it 2 weeks ago.

Stu Dudley

Kal

I guess Stu wins.

janisj

>> I can get on the GG bridge in 1 hr or less most times.

StuDudley

According to Mapquest:

SMF to Napa 1 hr 8 min

SFO to Napa via Bay Bridge, Berkeley, Vallejo 1 hr 12 mins - but I hate this route

SFO my route 1 hr 22 mins.

I think Mapquest is a little optimistic - but the difference is important. Also, shauna might get started 3-5 hrs earlier from SFO, and with no plane changes.

Stu Dudley

Kal

Give it up, jj...Stu is thee songdoc of NoCal when it comes to end all advice in No Cal.

I apologize for missing the part where the poster wanted non-stops from Boston. Thought they were looking for inexpensive ways to vacation in No Cal.

StuDudley

Good catch, Kal. I didn't notice the non-reference to non-stop flights (that's a triple negative!!). I'm getting old and we never do 2 flights when I can just do 1 - at almost any cost. So I assumed that everyone else does too.

Looking at Travelocity and eliminating flights that get to SMF or SFO after 8pm, or leave Boston earlier than 7:30, and have at least a 1 hr connection:

SFO non-stop
UA lv 8:17am arrive 11:50am $422 pp
Lv 11:11 arrive 3pm $442

SMF
UA lv 7:28am arrive 12:59 $485
lv 9:10 ar 2:49 $485
Cheapest
Lv 2:41 pm ar 8:23pm $385
lv 6:41 am ar 12:23pm $410

Of course, I picked a mid June date and cheaper flights may be sold out then - but available on other dates.

Stu Dudley

janisj

The OP didn't mentions anything about non-stop but did mention a budget.

So the upshot . . . go w/ whichever airport gets you the best fare.

hanayoridango

It all depends on where you want to be based. How far north do you want to go? If you want to be in the Bay Area than as other people have said SFO. Sacramento airport is close to wineries but as someone who lived in that area for a while I can tell you that it is VERY remote. Hard to get to and from unless you are willing to rent a car (which you will probably have to do anyway). Flights are infrequent. Oakland is a good option if you want to be Bay Area based but flights are not as frequent as SFO. SJC in San Jose isn't bad if you want to go to a less busy airport but it is ab it far.

Kal

I hear you, THEE.
I'm tickled pink when I can find an affordable non-stop from SMF anywhere!

janisj

hanayoridango : >>Sacramento airport is close to wineries but as someone who lived in that area for a while I can tell you that it is VERY remote.>Flights are infrequent.

MichelleY

And there are great wineries outside of Sacramento in the Delta, Lodi, and foothills.

november_moon

" But my guess it has been years since you've been to SMF. It isn't remote..."

Yes, it has been a long time since SMF was "Yuba City International"

I've flown into SMF a few times in the past couple years and gone over there to pick people up several more times. It's a great airport, and super easy to navigate. It IS outside of town, which can be a positive or a negative, depending on what you are doing. If you are renting a car and traveling someplace in northern CA, then it's pretty good - no traffic worries or anything like that.

hanayoridango

janisj: for what they want to do it is remote. I lived in the Sacramento area last year. For people living nearby its fine (way less busy than any other options) but it isn't a very convenient airport for where they want to go. Remote is relative and for people who aren't familiar with the area I wouldn't recommend.

november_moon: Yeah, it is a very easy airport and very good for that reason! If you need to be in that area specifically it is great. Took several trips to La to Sac before I moved there.

I redact the word "Very' from my previous comment. But as someone who grew up in Sonoma County I can say that traveling from the Bay Area is easier for new comers. Just my thoughts.

Dukey1

They want non stop and cheap from Boston: JetBlue-no brainer

janisj

Yep -- in summer Jet Blue does non-stops between SMF and Boston . . .