Convention on 10/16 (and you're looking at location convenient to Moscone, and October is a peak month for tourists)

http://www.sfcvb.org/convention/calendar.asp

10.12.08 - 10.16.08 American College of Surgeons
94th Annual Clinical Congress
Sunday, 10/12/2008 through Thursday, 10/16/2008
Attendance: 18000
Peak Rooms: 6500

10.13.08 - 10.17.08 Institute of Validation Technology
Lab Compliance and Computer Systems Validation - West
Monday, 10/13/2008 through Friday, 10/17/2008
Attendance: 120
Peak Rooms: 75

10.14.08 - 10.17.08 National Association of Federal Credit Unions
Compliance Seminar
Tuesday, 10/14/2008 through Friday, 10/17/2008
Attendance: 120
Peak Rooms: 125

10.14.08 - 10.17.08 California Municipal Revenue and Tax Association
2008 Annual Meeting
Tuesday, 10/14/2008 through Friday, 10/17/2008
Attendance: 175
Peak Rooms: 140

10.15.08 - 10.17.08 Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc.
Fall Board of Directors & Committee Meetings
Wednesday, 10/15/2008 through Friday, 10/17/2008
Attendance: 120
Peak Rooms: 70

I am reading your post right now from my room at the Columbus Motor Inn. Hubby is taking a short nap. Just spent a week in Monterey and drove up this am to visit nephew. When I first saw CMI I was a little leary, but the inside is great. Wish I could help with trains, but I am also just visiting. Ready to get out and walk around.

fosterag, we've stayed at the "sister property" Cow Hollow Motor Inn a few times, but mainly we've been renting apartments in SF. We'll only be there 5 nights this time and thought we'd not try for an apartment. We are doing a two Queen beds room at the Columbus Motor Inn because he said the rooms are larger and have a sofa as well -- for $10 more. We may get a car for a day or two, so the free parking is a big plus too. Funny you should see this post while sitting there!

Faina, it's probably that scrap metal group that's taking all the rooms. LOL!
It's funny, because I backed up one day at the Embarcadero Hyatt and the senior rate is offered -- for $135 or so less a night -- but still pretty pricey.

Thanks for the convention calendar, Faina. I'm trying to PL, without success, an overnight in SF during September. Guess I'll have to wait until those 16,000 dentists leave town.

Patrick, any chance of a GTG while you're in SF?

Hi Patrick, check out this place, I have it bookmarked. I have to go to an appointment so didn't have time to check the rates but you can do that. Not sure if it would work for you or not. Regards.

http://www.clubquarters.com/faq.aspx

While you are nearby you should know that you can take scenic rides at Northstar for free. If you ever find yourself out looking for something peaceful and scenic to do.

http://www.northstarattahoe.com/info...lift_rides.asp

Loveitaly, thanks for the link, but ClubQuarters is over $300 for my night.

And Suzie, that's a great idea, but it ends on October 5, before we go. Gee, there may be snow by the time we get there! One year we were there for New Year's and went by lift to the top of the mountain for fireworks. That was really spectacular.

Betsy, sure. I'm up for a GTG -- Mon. Oct. 20 through Friday, October 24. And Loveitaly, I'm not seeing a logical stop up in your neck of the woods while we're there -- how about another trip into the city?

Ooops, sorry, I thought you were coming sooner than that. I'm sure the snowboarders would like it to snow as soon as possible.

Yes Patrick, and weekdays are much better for me then the weekends (as far as getting to SF). We will talk. I am still thinking about the puzzle of you and Lee and your getting everything worked out the easiest and least expensive way possible.

And there was an article in the SF Chronicle today regarding the big influx of Europeans visiting SF., the weak dollar versus the strong Euro, so no doubt that has added to the problem of high rates and non availability in hotels also.

NP: &quot;<i>Mon. Oct. 20 through Friday, October 24.</i>&quot;

There is a fairly good chance I'll be at Incline over that period. I usually spend part of the last two weeks of Oct at Tahoe - but haven't decided for sure when/if this year.

A GTG in the works???

Let me clarify. We fly to SFO on Oct. 16. Plan to take the train to Truckee on the 17th. Take the train back to SF on the 20th and stay in SF until the 25th when we fly back to Florida.

I just looked at the weather for that period in Truckee. YIKES. Last year a low of 14 and a high of 33!

Patrick, without looking at the averages, I can tell that's a lot cooler than their usual in October. Although be prepared just in case!

Looks like we'll just miss each other - I think the earliest I'd head up the hill is afternoon of the 19th, more likely a day or two later.

trippinkpj, I've been up to Northstar in October, but looked up the averages. While last year was the coldest, it really isn't that far off.
The average historic low for Oct. 20 is 27 and average high is 63. In the last six years the &quot;highest&quot; low temperature for that date was 26. In 2003, the low was 21, but the high on that date was 78 -- WOW. Otherwise the highs were pretty much in the 60's but twice were only in the 30's.

Those corduroys are coming out of the Florida closet for this trip.

Patrick, we need another thread for GTG. Last time, it took 2 threads with over 200 replied each to find a place :)

October 24 for dinner? we can celebrate United Nations day :) (it's on my work calendar)

What about the Harbor Court? Too downscale? The Vitale might also work but it can be pricey.

http://www.harborcourthotel.com/
http://www.hotelvitale.com/

Very sorry to hear about your brother-in-law.

Too downscale? Heavens no. But the cheapest they show (with discount) is right at $300 a night with tax. Vitale is $350. I also looked at the Griffon which is about $275.

I posted on Bidding for Travel about when to start bidding and mentioned the prices and lack of discounts I'm now finding. Sheryl posted back that due to conventions and if the prices are already that high that Priceline is likely not to have anything.

Faina, dinner on the 24th sounds fine to me.

Patrick, could you fly into Oakland, instead of SFO?

Stay in Emeryville that night and on to Truckee in the morning?

We once stayed at the Marriott Courtyard in Emeryville, and it's fine. There are nice shops and even a Trader Joe's near the hotel.

You can take BART into San Francisco from Oakland quite easily, when you return.

Yes, I could fly into Oakland, but it would take a change of planes instead of a non-stop, require my leaving at 6 AM instead of 2PM, and would cost over $1000 for the two of us instead of $438 total. Don't think I'll be doing that!

But you'll see you've now steered me back to my original thinking -- stay in Emeryville the night before which really does give us an extra hour in the morning and probably save us a lot on the hotel. But with Faina's information about the free bus to Embarcadero or elsewhere direct from the train in Emeryville immediately when we return -- there's certainly NO reason we'd be doing BART from Oakland to SF.