Northern CA Weekend Getaway
 

Hopefully someone here can help. A couple of girlfriends and I are looking to get away from San Francisco for the weekend. Don't want to drive more than 2-3 hours and would preferably like to try a spa (a preference, but not a requirement). We can't do Napa/Sonoma because someone in the group lives there. Any suggestions on a fun place that's not going to break our already meager bank accounts? Thanks!

How about the Russian River area or down to Monterey? Maybe a weekend in Lake Tahoe?

Tahoe is not 2-3 hours from SF especially if travelling on 80 on a Friday afternoon or early evening. Your other requirements are too vague. How can you expect to spend the weekend at a spa with a meager bank account? Maybe a B&B in the foothills?

Occidental or Bodega Bay for lodging and Osmosis for the spa like/relaxation.

My advice would be to head up to Calistoga and have a mud bath at Dr. Wilkinson's, which isn't too pricey. For about $120 you could get pampered pretty nicely -- mud bath, mineral soak and massage. Calistoga is a lovely, quaint town where you can stroll the main street and poke your head in a number of interesting shops. Grab a beer at the Calistoga Inn and watch the people go by.

How about Ojai (spas there as well) or Santa Barbara?

Kam, great suggestion but rheianne wants a 2 or 3 hour drive from SF. Ojai would be quite the drive!

Oops, Suzie, you're right! There's another spa that's up in the Sta. Cruz Mtns near Woodside, but the name escapes me. There's also Chaminade just near Santa Cruz, but don't know current prices.

In Apple Hill near Placerville there is a Spa called Time Out. They allow parties to stay overnight and they have the full range of treatments. The hot tub is outside under a gazebo and has very nice surroundings. I found it to be very nice. They have several rooms nicely decorated and then one big room for a slumber party effect.