San Franciscans-Help Rescue a Honeymoon that Got Volcanoed!
Apr 19th, 2010, 10:23 AM
#21
They could Priceline a hotel in SF -- they might have to priceline a couple of different bid periods to get enough days. They might end up having to move hotels in the middle of their stay.
Buses are not a viable alternative for getting to remote scenic areas -- plus once they eventually got to wherever they'd be totally stuck.
And if they have enough $$ to rent a car -- have you checked the prices for cars? If they forget about a car and spend the time in SF they could afford a bit more on the accommodations. But PL will usually get nice places for under $100 a night.
Another option -- fly into Reno and take a shuttle to Lake Tahoe. There is bus service around the lake and they could get a decent motel for a low rate during this shoulder season.
I doubt they could get a tent cabin in Yosemite except for fragmented periods or last minute cancellations. But if they lucked out, once they got to Yosemite they would not need a car. There is train/bus transport from the SF Bay area to YNP.
Realistically, $100 is too low for a B&B or resort area or a straight booking of a nice hotel in SF.
Buses are not a viable alternative for getting to remote scenic areas -- plus once they eventually got to wherever they'd be totally stuck.
And if they have enough $$ to rent a car -- have you checked the prices for cars? If they forget about a car and spend the time in SF they could afford a bit more on the accommodations. But PL will usually get nice places for under $100 a night.
Another option -- fly into Reno and take a shuttle to Lake Tahoe. There is bus service around the lake and they could get a decent motel for a low rate during this shoulder season.
I doubt they could get a tent cabin in Yosemite except for fragmented periods or last minute cancellations. But if they lucked out, once they got to Yosemite they would not need a car. There is train/bus transport from the SF Bay area to YNP.
Realistically, $100 is too low for a B&B or resort area or a straight booking of a nice hotel in SF.
Apr 19th, 2010, 01:00 PM
#22
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I'm so sorry to hear about the plight of these newlyweds! Will they have e-mail access while they are in town? If so, they've got to sign up for Groupons...every day they'll get a great deal (like half off) on something fun to do in the SF Bay Area. They offer lots of restaurant deals and fun tourist stuff too! http://www.groupon.com/r/uu92561
Another idea is to "friend" the "Joie de Vivre" chain of boutique hotels on Facebook and tell them of your plight...they have lots of cute hotels in the area and they might be able to help! http://www.facebook.com/#!/jdvhotels
You might also try contacting them directly...you never know!
http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/sanfrancisco/
Another alternative you could try is the vrbo website...vacation rentals by owner...you never know what might be available... http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/california
I have used all of these businesses/options at one time or another with great success and would highly recommend all of them!
Best of luck and happiness to the newlyweds!
Another idea is to "friend" the "Joie de Vivre" chain of boutique hotels on Facebook and tell them of your plight...they have lots of cute hotels in the area and they might be able to help! http://www.facebook.com/#!/jdvhotels
You might also try contacting them directly...you never know!
http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/sanfrancisco/
Another alternative you could try is the vrbo website...vacation rentals by owner...you never know what might be available... http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/california
I have used all of these businesses/options at one time or another with great success and would highly recommend all of them!
Best of luck and happiness to the newlyweds!
Apr 19th, 2010, 01:30 PM
#23
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They will indeed have internet access and s/b arriving in town roundabout now, so I will contact them and direct them to this thread.
Thank you all SO much for your kindness--we live in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, so if there is ANYTHING any of you great Fodorites ever need to know about vacationing on the East Coast just address a thread to me...I still check in at least once a week!
Thank you all SO much for your kindness--we live in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, so if there is ANYTHING any of you great Fodorites ever need to know about vacationing on the East Coast just address a thread to me...I still check in at least once a week!
Apr 19th, 2010, 02:37 PM
#24
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There is a great Hostel that has been converted form old Military base Fort Mason.
They have private rooms: I'd explain the circumstances & see if you can get some help. The area is like a park & has great transport connectons. I have statyed here:way better than most hostels.
http://sfhostels.com/fishermans-wharf/
They have private rooms: I'd explain the circumstances & see if you can get some help. The area is like a park & has great transport connectons. I have statyed here:way better than most hostels.
http://sfhostels.com/fishermans-wharf/
Apr 19th, 2010, 02:59 PM
#25
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I agree with janisj.. priceline or perhaps hotwire will most likely get them very nice accommodations.
www.hotwire.com
www.betterbidding.com to help decipher hotwire hotels .
Also see their great calendar of wins to see what bids are coming in at for your dates/cities.
www.hotwire.com
www.betterbidding.com to help decipher hotwire hotels .
Also see their great calendar of wins to see what bids are coming in at for your dates/cities.
Apr 19th, 2010, 03:07 PM
#26
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http://www.bayareaonthecheap.com/deals/cheeps/
This is a great site to the "surf" for free SF things.
Don't forget the 1/2 off ticket booth in UNion Square has some great bargains: they could have a ver nice "evening out".
Thye could also do their own walk thru China Toen: that is so magical to me...
This is a great site to the "surf" for free SF things.
Don't forget the 1/2 off ticket booth in UNion Square has some great bargains: they could have a ver nice "evening out".
Thye could also do their own walk thru China Toen: that is so magical to me...
Apr 19th, 2010, 04:15 PM
#27
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Check out www.travelzoo.com They have last minute deals on hotel rooms. Also for cheap tickets to plays, etc. go to www.goldstar.com.
Apr 20th, 2010, 08:08 AM
#28
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Hello All, thanks for your helpful suggestions. We stayed in a hostel last night after getting in pretty late and are now scouring the internet to create and itinerary and make arrangements. We are looking at properties to rent on www.homeaway.com, anyone have any recommendations about that site? We are thinking that we will stay in SF for a few days, finding bargains and using transit and then find a week-long (or more) rental somewhere in southern california and rent a car for that period. We want a kitchen to cook in and proximity to farmer's markets. Then we will probably come back to SF before we fly home.
Thanks for all your help and suggestions. We are working away at creating a great honeymoon and your advice has been invaluable!
Thanks for all your help and suggestions. We are working away at creating a great honeymoon and your advice has been invaluable!
Apr 20th, 2010, 08:35 AM
#29
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Why Southern Calif? You'll need to drive quite a bit while you are there, more concrete & congestion, fewer "get away" options, and much less diversity. A beach comunity like Laguna Beach would be nice - but it may not be "beach season" yet and Laguna can be pricy.
I think most/all the people who responded to your mom's posts are San Francisco Bay Area people.
We're supposed to get some really nice weather starting on Thursday.
I lived in Southern Calif from year 1 to 28, and in the San Francisco area for years 28 to now (62). We REALLY like the San Francisco area more than Southern Calif. The "driving everywhere" is the thing I hated the most when we lived there. From San Francisco you can get to the San Mateo Coast (beautiful) in 45 mins, Carmel in 2 1/4 hrs, Big Sur in 2 3/4 hrs, Wine Country in 1 hr, Marin/Sonoma Coast in 3/4 hr - plus Yosemite, Tahoe, redwoods, & remote Mendicino coast. When we lived in Laguna Beach, access to "something different" took hours and lots of freeway driving - plus there is nothing like San Francisco in the Southern Calif region.
Stu Dudley
registered San Francisco fan.
I think most/all the people who responded to your mom's posts are San Francisco Bay Area people.
We're supposed to get some really nice weather starting on Thursday.
I lived in Southern Calif from year 1 to 28, and in the San Francisco area for years 28 to now (62). We REALLY like the San Francisco area more than Southern Calif. The "driving everywhere" is the thing I hated the most when we lived there. From San Francisco you can get to the San Mateo Coast (beautiful) in 45 mins, Carmel in 2 1/4 hrs, Big Sur in 2 3/4 hrs, Wine Country in 1 hr, Marin/Sonoma Coast in 3/4 hr - plus Yosemite, Tahoe, redwoods, & remote Mendicino coast. When we lived in Laguna Beach, access to "something different" took hours and lots of freeway driving - plus there is nothing like San Francisco in the Southern Calif region.
Stu Dudley
registered San Francisco fan.
Apr 20th, 2010, 10:33 AM
#31
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"Southern California" is a big place, and in looking at the site briefly their geography is not as factual as you might think.For ex where they consider "central coast" is no where near what I would consider Central Coast.
Also you are dealing with owners, not a site where there's a management team ready to help. And deposits, etc etc.....
You may find a nice owner willing to help esp since oyu are from Canada and relatively stranded. But if i had just lost $$ On airfare and lodging somewhere else I don't know that I'd go w/ an owner -run listing.
One q. tho - your mom said you are "mid 20's" if that is over 25, not a big deal but if you are under 25 it will be very difficult and expensive to rent a a car.
In SF there are farmers markets all over the place - big ones at Civic Center and the Ferry Building- but as SF is relatively small you don't need to be near one to get to one easily. Here's a comprehensive list.
http://www.sfgate.com/food/farmersmarkets/
As people here have given a lot of good advice you don't seem to be interested in - you're young, you're on your honeymoon, you'll figure it out - so have a great trip!!!!
Also you are dealing with owners, not a site where there's a management team ready to help. And deposits, etc etc.....
You may find a nice owner willing to help esp since oyu are from Canada and relatively stranded. But if i had just lost $$ On airfare and lodging somewhere else I don't know that I'd go w/ an owner -run listing.
One q. tho - your mom said you are "mid 20's" if that is over 25, not a big deal but if you are under 25 it will be very difficult and expensive to rent a a car.
In SF there are farmers markets all over the place - big ones at Civic Center and the Ferry Building- but as SF is relatively small you don't need to be near one to get to one easily. Here's a comprehensive list.
http://www.sfgate.com/food/farmersmarkets/
As people here have given a lot of good advice you don't seem to be interested in - you're young, you're on your honeymoon, you'll figure it out - so have a great trip!!!!
Apr 20th, 2010, 11:17 AM
#32
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Hello, I am from San Diego and have lived in thw Bay area too.
The 1 difference is that SD has really nice ocean beaches.
Right now we have a Gray whale in the Bay too!!!
I can't help w/homeaway as I have not used them..except location.
My 1st choice would be Coronado. Cute walk able town(need a car to get there tho for convienence across BAy bridge) SD famous Hotel Del (you can have affordable drinks) great Pacific ocean sandy beaches. They have their own Farmers Market
no market in SD is comporable to San Fran tho)
2nd would be Point Loma, Ocean Beach. Mission Beach (is where the College kids hang out and there is a little more drinking and crime)
LA Jolla would be expensive so I would not stay there but do a day trip.
Here are some links:
http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/ (has a cheap eats column)
http://www.sandiego.org/nav/Visitors (maps, coupons etc)
http://www.thebigbay.com/
(lots of san diego stuff: Shelter island 1/2 off dinner specials)
I live here on Shelter Is and if you could get a good rate at The BAy Club or Best Western Island Palms Hotels you would like it here. It is in a boating area, lots of restaurants, like being in a tropical park setting w/green grass and palm trees and great views of the big boats of the Bay and downtown ...w/ a jogging/walking path. Ask for SD BAyside view tho. Free street parking.
http://kyxy.radio.com/ (has a half off link, left side)
The 1 difference is that SD has really nice ocean beaches.
Right now we have a Gray whale in the Bay too!!!
I can't help w/homeaway as I have not used them..except location.
My 1st choice would be Coronado. Cute walk able town(need a car to get there tho for convienence across BAy bridge) SD famous Hotel Del (you can have affordable drinks) great Pacific ocean sandy beaches. They have their own Farmers Market
no market in SD is comporable to San Fran tho) 2nd would be Point Loma, Ocean Beach. Mission Beach (is where the College kids hang out and there is a little more drinking and crime)
LA Jolla would be expensive so I would not stay there but do a day trip.
Here are some links:
http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/ (has a cheap eats column)
http://www.sandiego.org/nav/Visitors (maps, coupons etc)
http://www.thebigbay.com/
(lots of san diego stuff: Shelter island 1/2 off dinner specials)
I live here on Shelter Is and if you could get a good rate at The BAy Club or Best Western Island Palms Hotels you would like it here. It is in a boating area, lots of restaurants, like being in a tropical park setting w/green grass and palm trees and great views of the big boats of the Bay and downtown ...w/ a jogging/walking path. Ask for SD BAyside view tho. Free street parking.
http://kyxy.radio.com/ (has a half off link, left side)
Apr 20th, 2010, 12:06 PM
#33
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Are you at all interested in Yosemite? Not sure of transportation from San Francisco but if I'm looking at the website correctly, they have Housekeeping Camp Units available during the week for $60.00 a night. And non-heated tents at Curry Village for $63.00 a night. You could use the park buses to see the park. It will be chilly but the waterfalls should be nice this time of year. http://www.yosemitepark.com/Accommodations.aspx
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Apr 22nd, 2010, 02:49 PM
#34
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Just got off the phone with the Happy Honeymooners...through the reccos on this thread they found a cabin on the ocean for 2 weeks that fit their budget, rented an inexpensive car, visited the Farmers Market for provisions, picked up some California wine and are now happily tucked in on a porch overlooking the sea.
When she called, DD was preparing lunch and they were going hiking this afternoon before dinner on the beach this evening.
For the last few days another tip led to a place right in San Francisco where they will get a chance to check out all the other ideas you so kindly passed along.
This is all they ever wanted and all they need and I thank you all for your unfailing Fodorite kindness.
LJ
When she called, DD was preparing lunch and they were going hiking this afternoon before dinner on the beach this evening.
For the last few days another tip led to a place right in San Francisco where they will get a chance to check out all the other ideas you so kindly passed along.
This is all they ever wanted and all they need and I thank you all for your unfailing Fodorite kindness.
LJ
