planning our trip through fodors
 

I'm trying to plan our trip to California between 10/02-20/02.We are from South Europe and it will be our first visit to California.We decided to fly to San Fr. and rent a car and drive till Los A. and fly back home.We'll stay 3 nights in SF.I'll plan through your decisions so I'm reading all posts sent from 2002.But please can you tell me if Vintage Court hotel in SF is in a good area.Has anyone stayed at this hotel?<BR>Thanks for your helps ..<BR>Banu

Banu, do a &quot;text search&quot;. that is, type in &quot;vintage court&quot; and click on California. I just tried it and 20 different threads came up, some with very specific info on vintage court, and every one had strong opinions on SF and whether Union Square is a &quot;good area&quot;. Also, renaming your post &quot;Vintage Court SF&quot; or similar will produce better results.

Go outside of the big cities to check out some of the amazing National Parks in California.<BR><BR><BR>www.nps.gov - parks all listed with good details &amp; driving directions.

Banu, it's in an okay area, a little distance from Union Square. We've stayed there - it's reasonably comfortable, although in much of the US when a hotel calls itself &quot;European&quot; or &quot;Boutique&quot; what they really mean is old and small rooms, served up with flowers and wine in the lobby.

Thank to helper,Syv and John.I checked<BR>Union Square Area in Sf but I'm confused about different thougts..Some people told it is the best area to stay in Sf and some told that the place is very dirty and full of homeless people and fisherman's wharf is a better place to stay at, so I decided to ask the question again.Another question is;Do you think it is a better idea to rent the car in Sf at the airport or after leaving Sf?Is it a better idea to use public tranportation or cabs?<BR>Thank you so much for taking time in order to answer my questions..

Even if you ask the question again you'll still get a difference of opinion.

We stayed at Vintage Court. Location was fine, and very convenient to trolley line, Chinatown, Market Street, several bus routes. I would not recommend this hotel, though. The phone in our room did not work. Not only was this not taken care of during our three night visit (we reported it over and over again), the staff balked at permitting us to use the front desk phone when we needed to make the occasional brief but necessary call. And, for whatever reason, the doorman was unable to assist in getting taxis. Told us to walk over a block and find our own. The room was nicely decorated but quite compact. The pillows were awful. The bathroom was tiny and a bit old fashioned, and not hospital clean.

May I suggest the Hotel Donatello.Very European nice restaurant largest hotel rooms without being a suite--425 sq ft not too far from Union Square area.Rates around but not necessarily $150.Not sure about parking as I dont drive in SF.<BR>BB

banu,<BR><BR>Can't help with the hotels other than to say you will just have to make a decsion on Union Square area or Fisherman's Warf.<BR><BR>You do not want a car while you are in San Francisco. Use taxis and public transporatation. Rent your car when you are ready to leave the city.<BR><BR>Native

Thanks again to all of you!<BR>Sf resident:We plan to stay 2 nights in SF then to drive to Sonoma??? and we plan to visit Monterey,San jose,Big Sur and Hearst Castle then drive to LA.Stay there 3 nigths and drive to Las Vegas for 2 nights then back to LA and fly home.Do you think it is a MUST to visit Sonoma or should we cancel it to 'next time'?<BR>Donna:Thanks for your info .I'll probably have to look forward for another hotel<BR>Beach Boi:I'll check the hotel at expadia.Thanks for your suggestion.<BR>Through your opinions ;We'll rent the car the day we leave SF to Sonoma or Monterey.<BR>

Forget stopping at Monterrey- try Carmel. It's Clint Eastwood's turf. Try the 'Hogs Breath' bar- really cute- Clint frequents the place. There is a whole store that sells Clint Eastwood stuff. Can you tell, that I love Clint?

The drive to Las Vegas is not short. I would spend more time on the drive down or visit Napa &amp; Sonoma. I favor the Union Sq. area though opinions differ on this. Muir Park (I forget the whole name) just north of SF is worth a trip as is the Bodega Bay area north up the coast. You do have the right idea though.

Where is South Europe. I cn't find it on my atlas. Banuu, that's a funny name.

Banu,<BR><BR>Although Sonoma is a nice place to visit, I would not say that it is a must. You could easily save it for a next trip and have lots to see and do in the Sonoma area.

Pacific Grove or Carmel are the place to stay on the Monterey peninsula. They are both 5 minutes by car to Monterey. Do searches to find info on Monterey and vacinity.