Getting to Napa
Aug 27th, 2003, 06:30 AM
#1
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Getting to Napa
I live in LA and plan to visit to Napa in Oct. With cheap flights into Oakland or Sacramento, which airport is the better choice? I will use a rental car to drive to Napa. Thanks!
Aug 27th, 2003, 08:07 AM
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Oakland is more like John Wayne Airport whereas Sacramento is better than Long Beach Airport, but not quite like Burbank.
The other consideration is road traffic. You didn't say when you plan to arrive. If it is during peak traffic hours, then Sacramento would offer a better commute.
Oakland, especially on a Friday afternoon, puts you into the horrible traffic pattern of going N on 880 then onto 80. This would be just a tad better than driving the Golden State or the San Diego Freeways during peak traffic hours.
Hope this helps!
The other consideration is road traffic. You didn't say when you plan to arrive. If it is during peak traffic hours, then Sacramento would offer a better commute.
Oakland, especially on a Friday afternoon, puts you into the horrible traffic pattern of going N on 880 then onto 80. This would be just a tad better than driving the Golden State or the San Diego Freeways during peak traffic hours.
Hope this helps!
Aug 27th, 2003, 10:37 AM
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Distance-wise they are about the same distance. Sacramento airport is northwest of the city about 8 -10 miles from the city center. Oakland airport is in the heart of the city, located very close to the Oakland Coliseum (home of the A's and Warriors, also a venue used for major concerts, etc.)
We live near Napa and have used both airports. jason8888 is correct in stating that your decision should be based upon your arrival and departure times. Realize that going towards Napa from either Sacramento or Oakland during the afternoon/evening commute times would be difficult. Likewise, the return to Sacramento anytime after noon on a Friday could put you in with the Lake Tahoe weekend travelers and that can be one huge traffic jam. Return to Oakland will probably be easier.
Do not take 880 to 80 from Oakland at any time! That is not the best way IMHO. Instead take 880 to Hwy 24 through Orinda, Lafayette, then onto Hwy 680 through Walnut Creek and Concord. Then depending upon traffic you can either take 680 on to Hwy 12 going west to Napa or take 780 to link with Hwy 80 in Vallejo, take hwy 37 to hwy 29 into Napa. I know a shortcut through Vallejo to connect 80 and hwy 29, if you need more complete directions post again.
We live near Napa and have used both airports. jason8888 is correct in stating that your decision should be based upon your arrival and departure times. Realize that going towards Napa from either Sacramento or Oakland during the afternoon/evening commute times would be difficult. Likewise, the return to Sacramento anytime after noon on a Friday could put you in with the Lake Tahoe weekend travelers and that can be one huge traffic jam. Return to Oakland will probably be easier.
Do not take 880 to 80 from Oakland at any time! That is not the best way IMHO. Instead take 880 to Hwy 24 through Orinda, Lafayette, then onto Hwy 680 through Walnut Creek and Concord. Then depending upon traffic you can either take 680 on to Hwy 12 going west to Napa or take 780 to link with Hwy 80 in Vallejo, take hwy 37 to hwy 29 into Napa. I know a shortcut through Vallejo to connect 80 and hwy 29, if you need more complete directions post again.
Aug 27th, 2003, 10:55 AM
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On a Friday morning in February I picked up my sister at the Sacto airport and headed out to Sonoma. Imagine my surprise when we arrived in under 1 hour. (no speeding) I expected it to take much longer (don't know why, guess it seemed further away). The drive back on Sunday was the same.
It will depend on what day of the week and time of day you will arrive. That Friday afternoon thing on 80 in Sacramento is brutal but in October the traffic is waaaayyyy down going from the bay area to Tahoe.
It will depend on what day of the week and time of day you will arrive. That Friday afternoon thing on 80 in Sacramento is brutal but in October the traffic is waaaayyyy down going from the bay area to Tahoe.
Aug 27th, 2003, 11:05 AM
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Suzie,
The traffic can be horrendous getting from either Hwy 80 or the Hwy 680-80 connection through Fairfield. It's that way year round. We know first-hand! If carbogilligan is traveling on a Friday afternoon/evening, the Sacramento airport is best. As Suzie experienced, you will be traveling opposite the commute. It won't be an easy drive though if you're on the road during the true Friday commute, say 3 pm through 7 pm. Suzie, you planned your arrival on a Friday morning which is how you were able to make such good time traveling to Sonoma.
The traffic can be horrendous getting from either Hwy 80 or the Hwy 680-80 connection through Fairfield. It's that way year round. We know first-hand! If carbogilligan is traveling on a Friday afternoon/evening, the Sacramento airport is best. As Suzie experienced, you will be traveling opposite the commute. It won't be an easy drive though if you're on the road during the true Friday commute, say 3 pm through 7 pm. Suzie, you planned your arrival on a Friday morning which is how you were able to make such good time traveling to Sonoma.
Aug 27th, 2003, 11:19 AM
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Deedee,
I believe there is no more brutal drive than the 680 to 80 interchange near Cordelia Junction. It is getting harder and harder to escape that any day of the week. My poor sis ( not the airport one) must navigate that area any time she wishes to visit those of us who live east of Sacto. Has taken to driving the backroads and coming out in Dixon. When we visit her it's not so bad driving that direction from the east and then we return later at night.
I believe there is no more brutal drive than the 680 to 80 interchange near Cordelia Junction. It is getting harder and harder to escape that any day of the week. My poor sis ( not the airport one) must navigate that area any time she wishes to visit those of us who live east of Sacto. Has taken to driving the backroads and coming out in Dixon. When we visit her it's not so bad driving that direction from the east and then we return later at night.
Aug 27th, 2003, 11:24 AM
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I would go with Sacramento in this scenario. Oakland airport is really getting to be very busy and congested.
Long lines and waits IME from a trip 2 weeks ago. In addition they have temporarily relocated all the rental cars to the hitherlands,(now you take a shuttle) yet left many of the check-in trailers and signage across the street (as it used to be)
from the terminal. we saw a few frustrated renters. Someone else may want to update the situation for OAK.
Oct is a great time to visit Napa-Have fun!
R5
Long lines and waits IME from a trip 2 weeks ago. In addition they have temporarily relocated all the rental cars to the hitherlands,(now you take a shuttle) yet left many of the check-in trailers and signage across the street (as it used to be)
from the terminal. we saw a few frustrated renters. Someone else may want to update the situation for OAK.
Oct is a great time to visit Napa-Have fun!
R5
Aug 27th, 2003, 01:45 PM
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Thank you all for the good advice. We are arriving late Friday night and will stay at a hotel near the airport (most likely Sacramento), then drive to Napa Saturday morning. On the return, we plan to catch a flight around 4 p.m. (again most likely Sacramento). I will certainly use all the good info provided when navigating myself around the area.
Aug 27th, 2003, 11:08 PM
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There's one motel located on the grounds of the Sacramento airport, like right across the street from the terminal. Don't know if that's for flight personnel or what. Otherwise, there is nothing in that immediate area. You'll have to travel toward town to find accomodations.
Suzie, I hear you on the Cordelia Junction mess!! It's awful and worse each year. I have to drive that way tomorrow and I just told my DH tonight that I would be hitting the road early in the am so I wouldn't hit the early Labor Day traffic on that highway!! Plan to get going before 9 am, that should mean no traffic clog. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Suzie, I hear you on the Cordelia Junction mess!! It's awful and worse each year. I have to drive that way tomorrow and I just told my DH tonight that I would be hitting the road early in the am so I wouldn't hit the early Labor Day traffic on that highway!! Plan to get going before 9 am, that should mean no traffic clog. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Aug 28th, 2003, 12:31 AM
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Hi, Carbogilligan!
Glad you are going to go through Sacramento!
If you want to stay near Sacramento, try Davis. It's a university town and has numerous hotels and motels right along 80.
Otherwise, you could drive to Napa, since a 5pm arrival allows you plenty of remaining daylight to get to Napa.
Another choice would be to stop off in Vallejo near Marineworld, which would be on the way to Napa. There are a few of the chain hotels: Days Inn, Ramada, Holiday Inn, Best Western.
Enjoy!
Glad you are going to go through Sacramento!
If you want to stay near Sacramento, try Davis. It's a university town and has numerous hotels and motels right along 80.
Otherwise, you could drive to Napa, since a 5pm arrival allows you plenty of remaining daylight to get to Napa.
Another choice would be to stop off in Vallejo near Marineworld, which would be on the way to Napa. There are a few of the chain hotels: Days Inn, Ramada, Holiday Inn, Best Western.
Enjoy!
Aug 28th, 2003, 08:17 AM
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Just a headsup on lodging in Sacto. It's a business town so you can get good deals on weekend nights for great hotels like the newish Sheraton Grand and the Hyatt from priceline. Other regular poster Kal gets great deals. Also an Embassy Suites just opened along I 5 near old sac.
