below_gravity

@bluestar, thanks a bunch for turning me onto San Bruno. Car rentals are a good price, and EASY there! And, there are several hotels there that are close by the airport for the night before our return flight.

Question: October 3rd (specifically) in downtown SF is almost totally booked (for reasonable rates). Not a big dea, we don't staying outside downtown but what the heck is going on???

we are considering staying near Sausalito and taking the ferry over - thoughts?

tomfuller

Another option - not involving Amtrak: Fly to Sacramento SMF and rent your car there. I love the easy access to I-5 and I-80 from that airport.
I've had enough trouble with Fox that I will not suggest them for anyone.

1JAR

Songdoc...just for the record I was addressing the OP who seems interested in low cost options....

"We are not opposed to traveling a little to get a good deal.."

Shar

I seriously doubt if you could find anything for $150 in sauslito and not sure what you mean by NEAR SAUSALITO. there really isn't anythng near sausalito. One would have to have a car to get to sausalito or to the city to take the ferry to sausalito..Also wonder why JAPANTOWN. It isn't a destination unless you are Japanese and perhaps that is the case and even if that is the case, there isn't anything there really.

StuDudley

below

STAY IN SAN FRANCISCO - PERIOD - NO DEBATE. NOTHING COMPARES TO THE CITY. SF IS SMALL - NOT LIKE NYC.

Stu Dudley

220volt

I must be the only person in the world who has a soft spot for Japantown. I don't recommend going there, but the whole reason it exists is an interesting part of San Francisco history, a throwback to the days when Little Italy, Chinatown and other ethnic neighborhoods were really very distinct and different in SF. It used to be that most of the restaurants in Japantown served yakitori because Americans had yet to hear of sushi and probably would have been scared to try it.

Lots of things in San Francisco that are now popular tourist destinations are places where they actually did plow under the existing history to create something more trendy. I kind of like pokey old ridiculous Japantown for not being cool.

MichelleY

I agree with Stu. SF is not like NYC, so you may want to spend some more time there at the end of your trip.

bluestar

b_g - Glad the car rental place will work for you - yes it's easy and will save you hundreds of dollars (up to $700 by my calculations) for a 2 week rental.

>

Fleet Week is Oct 4-8 and draws about a million people. http://www.facebook.com/FleetWeek There are probably some conferences happening too. The Mosser Hotel http://www.themosser.com/ (mentioned above, nice place, great location downtown) still has a queen/shared bath room avail. on the 3rd & 4th for $149/nt -- w/tx total would be about $344 for 2 nights. I don't know about their parking arrangement but there is the 5th & Mission garage 5th and Mission garage www.fifthandmission.com/ just a block away. I don't think you can do much better than this if you want to stay in a good location in the city (or even someplace in Marin County, where Sausalito is located). If nothing else pans out, I'd jump on it now while there is still availability.

DebitNM

Dollar has $234 a week for a compact for Oct 3 -17th. Pick up at O'Farrell St and return to SFO. It is far less to rent for the full 2 weeks, than to wait a day or 2 to get the car. Even with having to pay parking, it is less.

Personally, I would grab that Queen room at the Mosser and the rental from Dollar - NOW. Neither will last.

bluestar

DebitNM, the Avis location I suggested prices-out at $422 (inclusive of taxes/fees) for a compact during the OP's two-week period. It's super close and convienient to SFO and they plan to stay near the airport upon returning from their journey anyway.

DebitNM

Just presenting another option.

clarkgriswold

Rates at the Hertz locations on 10th street or on outer Geary Street start at about $300 for the 14 days. Not sure how close they'll be to your hotel but they do offer a pickup service if needed, or they'll pay for your taxi usually. Use 62455 as your CDP discount code if you don't have AAA. It's a frequent flyer discount code, no I.D. needed since anyone can join any airline's FF club for free online.

www.columbusmotorinn.com

Michael

See the highlights you mention, but stay in a neighborhood, of which you'll have a taste as you come and go. You can try to see if B&Bs in Noe Valley (easy transportation to downtown)are within your price range.

DebitNM

Columbus Motor Inn is well over $225 on the nights needed.

bluestar

The Hertz quote clarkgriswold suggested is extremely good. You could walk to the 10th/Folsom location from Civic Center Bart.

1JAR

Agree totally with Stu, our esteemed Fodrite SF expert: however I have been living/traveling to/fr SF/Oakland for years now and Oakland-Waterfront-Hotel- Ferry to SF as a back up when costs get too high/availability too low...

Hope OP appreciates the significant volunteer Foderite effort to assist with low cost options & has a great time in SF.

220volt

I think "Fodorites" make this "effort" for their own pleasure -- or at least their own reasons, They may get more out of it, night after night, than travelers, but so be it.

bluestar

The Mosser is showing sold-out now for the 3rd, so you can scratch that. (They still show availability for the 4th though.)

I guess if you you were interested in staying there on the 3rd it wouldn't hurt to call them to verify that there are no rooms.

below_gravity

Thank you so much for all your suggestions! I have LOTS of homework to do!!!

tracys2cents

Actually Columbus Motor Inn has no availability that night. I would book their sister hotel The Chelsea Motor Inn. Not as great a location as the Columbus but perfectly fine, especially on a night where everything is booking up FAST. Reserve the Chelsea, you can always continue to browse around for something a bit better but won't have to worry that you won't find anything. Just cancel the Chelsea if you find something else, but don't wait much longer. $185 includes parking