Final Night's stay near San Francisco
 

In October my partner and I will be spending 5 nights in San Francisco before renting a car and driving to Yosemite for 3 nights. We then have 1 night spare before we fly back to the UK the following evening. Can anyone suggest somewhere else to stay which is no more than a 2 hr drive from San Francisco airport?

I would say Monterey, but not sure how long is the drive to the airport.

Monterey is about 1-1/2 hours from SFO in the absence of major traffic/construction. What day of the week and time of day will you be flying out?

We'll be flying home on a Tuesday at 7pm, so I presume as it's a trans-atlantic flight we will need to check in 3 hrs before hand.

And Monterey is only a couple of minutes from Carmel, which is a quaint town with a beach at the end of the main road, and lots of good restaurants.

What time of day will you be getting back from Yosemite? Perhaps you just want to stay on the SF Peninsula (within 15 miles of SFO) and do dinner in one of the towns nearby (I live in one of them, as does StuDudley, and might have a suggestion or two depending on your taste and wallet!)

Well, then you do have plenty of time if you want to arrive in Monterey/Carmel late Monday, have a nice dinner and see those towns in the morning, then drive up to SFO after lunch on Tuesday.

Thanks dmlove. Although nothing is set in stone yet our current plan is to leave Yosemite as soon as we check out of our hotel first thing in the morning. Would it take about 4-4.5 hrs from Yosemite to Carmel? What time would it be best to leave Carmel the following day to get to the airport for 4pm? Thanks!

Monterey area would be my choice too. I think 4 hours is about right for the drive - a little longer when you count breaks.

Since you will have had 2 full days in Yosemite, I would leave first thing to head down to Monterey. You should have most of the afternoon, and of course the evening that way.

To get to SFO by 4, I would leave Monterey by 2.

I agree that leaving Monterey at 2:00 should get you to SFO by 4:00, BUT, I'd probably leave a little earlier just in case there's traffic or construction (seems it's nonstop). SFO's rental car facility is off-airport; you drop the car and take a train to the airport - just a few minutes away.

Thanks for the heads up about the car drop off point not being right at the airport.

Could you recommend a nice place to stay in Monterey?

Hopefully someone else will chime in. I only live 1:20 away, and I've never stayed overnight!

Less touristy than Monterey is Bodega Bay, Stinson Beach. Beautiful spot.

What is your hotel budget?

Was thinking around $150. But if there was a really nice hotel that was worth spending $200-$250 then please suggest it. Thanks.

We stayed a the Seven Gables Inn in Pacific Grove for 3 nights this summer. Pacific Grove is between Monterey and Carmel. We found Pacific Grove to be quaint and much less touristy then Monterey and Carmel. The inn was lovely and right across the street from Lover's Point. We were able to watch the seals in the morning at breakfast. We loved it. The price varies by room. They have a website.

Thanks for the suggestion wallacefl.
Does anybody else have a suggestion as a comparison?

My vote would also be Monterey/Carmel. Easy drive from Yosemite and should not be much of an issue going to the airport. I agree leave by 2:00 PM for the airport and listen to the radio for traffic reports.

Get a decent map so if for some reason Hwy 101 has a major backup you can find a way over to Hwy 280 or some surface streets.

In Monterey I would look at the Portola Plaza or Monterey Plaza. Also look at Pacific Grove, but not Seaside as it is to far away to walk.

Try to find something close to Fisherman's Wharf or Cannery Row, all great spots to walk, eat, and drink.

You can get driving times and highway "incidents" on your cell phone now by pressing 511.

If you stay here in Carmel, you'll find many inns in our downtown area within your price range. The Green Lantern is cute and within walking distance to downtown and the beach. October is wonderful weather time.

When you head to the airport, I'd leave no later than noon. After 2:00, you'll hit commute traffic and since you're traveling back to the UK, you don't want to mess things up.

To get to SFO from here: Take Hwy 1 to 156 Castroville. Then, take 101 N to 85 to 280 to 380 to SFO...it's easy and scenic.

You can take 101N to 85 to 280 to 380, and it is more scenic than the alternative, but 101N (which is ugly/industrial) also goes all the way to the airport.