SFO to Tahoe/Reno to SFO 5 days, am I crazy?
Sep 2nd, 2003, 12:17 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
SFO to Tahoe/Reno to SFO 5 days, am I crazy?
Going to a wedding in Napa on Columbus Day weekend. Will Spend Friday and Saturday in Napa.
After the wedding have Sunday Monday and Tuesday free. We're leaving Wednesday am from SFO to go back to Boston.
Is Lake Tahoe too far to go for that short amt of time?
Have done SF and Big Sur coast before, don't need to do it again.
I was thinking we would leave Napa early Sunday morning go to Tahoe (maybe one nite in reno?) and then drive back Tuesday afternoon to spend nite in SF before leaving early wed morning.
advice?
Thanks in advance!
After the wedding have Sunday Monday and Tuesday free. We're leaving Wednesday am from SFO to go back to Boston.
Is Lake Tahoe too far to go for that short amt of time?
Have done SF and Big Sur coast before, don't need to do it again.
I was thinking we would leave Napa early Sunday morning go to Tahoe (maybe one nite in reno?) and then drive back Tuesday afternoon to spend nite in SF before leaving early wed morning.
advice?
Thanks in advance!
Sep 2nd, 2003, 12:26 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,637
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's about a 3 hour drive so you decide what's too far to drive for you. I would pick Lake Tahoe over Reno in a heartbeat. If you want to gamble go to South Shore and you'll have the lake and the fast life. Reno is only the fast life, and it's not nearly as nice (in my opinion(. If you want more scenery than fast life, Incline Village provides a good amount of both.
Sep 2nd, 2003, 12:31 PM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lots of people in the bay area do Tahoe weekends; you are looking at a similar length of time, but without the mob of people and traffic - just do it.
It's about an hour down to Reno from the lake area, you don't really need to change hotels unless you want. You can make a decent loop by heading down to Carson City - the museum in the old mint is good, then heading over to Virginia City - semi ghost town, and on to Reno. The auto museum in Reno is pretty good. The downtown casinos with their interconnecting skyway are a good stop.
A lot of the Reno casinos have very cheap room rates for weekday off-season.
It's about an hour down to Reno from the lake area, you don't really need to change hotels unless you want. You can make a decent loop by heading down to Carson City - the museum in the old mint is good, then heading over to Virginia City - semi ghost town, and on to Reno. The auto museum in Reno is pretty good. The downtown casinos with their interconnecting skyway are a good stop.
A lot of the Reno casinos have very cheap room rates for weekday off-season.
Sep 2nd, 2003, 12:40 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
wow. you guys are fast. thanks for the advice. i've been to reno before so there's really no need to go there, esp becuase there are casinos on the south side of tahoe.
so the drive to tahoe from napa is about 4.5-5 hours.
is it the same distance back to sfo or is it a little shorter?
thanks for the tip about leaving after 3pm. will be sure to do that.
now to find a hotel in tahoe that isn't booked already!
so the drive to tahoe from napa is about 4.5-5 hours.
is it the same distance back to sfo or is it a little shorter?
thanks for the tip about leaving after 3pm. will be sure to do that.
now to find a hotel in tahoe that isn't booked already!
Sep 2nd, 2003, 12:59 PM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
well i'm just estimating the drive time based on what people are saying on this website.
i just looked up the hyatt regency and got a rate of 139/nite. that seems so cheap! is there something i don't know?
other suggestions of a place ot stay for those two nites or is the hyatt one of the best?
we are a young couple, no kids, and we usually like what hyatt hotels have to offer.
gambling is not a priority. we would choose scenery and really nice rooms over casinos any day.
i just looked up the hyatt regency and got a rate of 139/nite. that seems so cheap! is there something i don't know?
other suggestions of a place ot stay for those two nites or is the hyatt one of the best?
we are a young couple, no kids, and we usually like what hyatt hotels have to offer.
gambling is not a priority. we would choose scenery and really nice rooms over casinos any day.
Sep 2nd, 2003, 01:02 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd definitely go. We've taken weekend trips from the bay area up to Lake Tahoe many times - leave friday morning, come home sunday. It's definitely doable.
I think the recommendation to leave Lake Tahoe after 3 on tuesday is a good one. I'd stay at a hotel near the airport tuesday night, so even if you get in to the hotel late, you'll already be there Wed morning, so no worries about making your flight.
I think the recommendation to leave Lake Tahoe after 3 on tuesday is a good one. I'd stay at a hotel near the airport tuesday night, so even if you get in to the hotel late, you'll already be there Wed morning, so no worries about making your flight.
Sep 2nd, 2003, 01:12 PM
#10
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Napa to Tahoe is not 4.5 hours. Its alot shorter. I used to do south of SF to Tahoe in 4 hours or less alot. Depends on when you hit bay area traffic. your plan of Sunday to Tahoe and leaving there Tues pm will avoid all traffic -- I say leave around 4 (then you have more time to try to get even) and you will miss both SAC and bay area traffic. Stop in SAC area for dinner (half way point) then you will be at SF or SFO about 9.
DO go to South Shore and no where else. You've been to Reno and it sucks compared to SS Lake Tahoe. Large casinos, great restaurants. Get a Lake view room. Enjoy and win some of my money back!!
DO go to South Shore and no where else. You've been to Reno and it sucks compared to SS Lake Tahoe. Large casinos, great restaurants. Get a Lake view room. Enjoy and win some of my money back!!
Sep 2nd, 2003, 04:09 PM
#11
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Roscoe --
One more thing. i see where you are talking Hyatt -- i believe that is in North Shore (Incline Villiage) which is a great place in the winter for skiing (stayed there several times) but as I recall it is the only casino in that general area, whereas South Shore has all the big names and alot more action for a young couple. Stay at Harrahs or Caesars and all the others are walkable nothing like Vegas for set-backs from the road etc.
As far as that great deal of $139 a nite at the Hyatt -- I went to Harrahs.com (have it bookmarked for some strange reason) and Tahoe on Oct 12 and 13 is $49 a nite or $69 if you want tbe "spectacular views"!! Can't beat that! This is a slow time of year for them as summer crush is gone and snow ain't come yet for the skiiers.
One more thing. i see where you are talking Hyatt -- i believe that is in North Shore (Incline Villiage) which is a great place in the winter for skiing (stayed there several times) but as I recall it is the only casino in that general area, whereas South Shore has all the big names and alot more action for a young couple. Stay at Harrahs or Caesars and all the others are walkable nothing like Vegas for set-backs from the road etc.
As far as that great deal of $139 a nite at the Hyatt -- I went to Harrahs.com (have it bookmarked for some strange reason) and Tahoe on Oct 12 and 13 is $49 a nite or $69 if you want tbe "spectacular views"!! Can't beat that! This is a slow time of year for them as summer crush is gone and snow ain't come yet for the skiiers.
Sep 2nd, 2003, 05:12 PM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,873
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Hyatt is great and there are two other small Casinos at North shore. Cal Neva is the one Frank Sinatra owned (or fronted) back in the 60's it is the only casino at lake Tahoe where you can actually see the lake from the casino floor.
If you are not big gamblers I'd recommend the Hyatt - it is near Sand Harbor and convenient for trips over the hill into Truckee, Reno or over to Virginia City. The drive from Napa to Incline Village should take a little over 3 hours - maybe a little more because that is a 3 day weekend and traffic will be heavier than usual. But you are Lucky to be doing the drives on Sunday and Tuesday - likely lighter traffic than on the other day that weekend.
I would definitely NOT leave Tahoe at 3 PM om Tuesday. That would put you in Sacramento in the worst of rush hour and really lengthen the drive. Either leave Tahoe before 1PM or wait and leave after 5PM. That way you'll avoid the worst traffin in both Sacramento and SF.
If you are not big gamblers I'd recommend the Hyatt - it is near Sand Harbor and convenient for trips over the hill into Truckee, Reno or over to Virginia City. The drive from Napa to Incline Village should take a little over 3 hours - maybe a little more because that is a 3 day weekend and traffic will be heavier than usual. But you are Lucky to be doing the drives on Sunday and Tuesday - likely lighter traffic than on the other day that weekend.
I would definitely NOT leave Tahoe at 3 PM om Tuesday. That would put you in Sacramento in the worst of rush hour and really lengthen the drive. Either leave Tahoe before 1PM or wait and leave after 5PM. That way you'll avoid the worst traffin in both Sacramento and SF.
Sep 2nd, 2003, 05:45 PM
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
OK so it looks like the hyatt wasn't so cheap after all! oops. i guess i'm thinking hyatt = $300/nite. maybe in kauai, not in lake tahoe 
bigdog50:
I went to Harrah's website and I'm getting $69 and $89 for rates. Are you signed up for their rewards program or something? hm.
so have you stayed at harrah's? is it kinda cheesy like the one in vegas? or is it nice? Am i better off at Caesars? (I'm seeing a rate of $89/nite there also).
Are either of these hotels right on the lake? or set back a bit?
Thanks Janis for the tip on traffic. i will definitely take your advice!
bigdog50:
I went to Harrah's website and I'm getting $69 and $89 for rates. Are you signed up for their rewards program or something? hm.
so have you stayed at harrah's? is it kinda cheesy like the one in vegas? or is it nice? Am i better off at Caesars? (I'm seeing a rate of $89/nite there also).
Are either of these hotels right on the lake? or set back a bit?
Thanks Janis for the tip on traffic. i will definitely take your advice!
Sep 2nd, 2003, 09:50 PM
#14
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Harrahs in Vegas IS cheesy, I stayed there my first time 6 months ago and was disappointed. I always liked the LT one.
As far as rates -- yes, I have a Rewards card so try signing up for one and see if you get the rate. They key is get a Lake View room up high to make the best of the location.
Also, Harveys across the street is now owned by Harrahs. I checked room rates for the same dates there and got a rate of ------ free!
Maybe I need to plan a trip there too.....
As far as rates -- yes, I have a Rewards card so try signing up for one and see if you get the rate. They key is get a Lake View room up high to make the best of the location.
Also, Harveys across the street is now owned by Harrahs. I checked room rates for the same dates there and got a rate of ------ free!
Maybe I need to plan a trip there too.....
Sep 2nd, 2003, 10:27 PM
#15
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 738
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For $89 a night stay at Caesars. Be sure to ask for a room with the round tub. The tub is fantastic!!! That is my favorite place to stay there but the prices are often too much $$$ so usually I stay at Harveys (always free!) which is nice also--big bathrooms!!
**On weekdays at Caesars, a mere $25 minimum blackjack table will put you in the special "high rollers" room. Very nice. Not to sound obsessed with bathrooms, but the high rollers section has its own bathroom with real towels, lotion, etc. Gotta love it!**
**On weekdays at Caesars, a mere $25 minimum blackjack table will put you in the special "high rollers" room. Very nice. Not to sound obsessed with bathrooms, but the high rollers section has its own bathroom with real towels, lotion, etc. Gotta love it!**
Sep 3rd, 2003, 04:53 AM
#16
Guest
Posts: n/a
OK sorry to be a pain and thank you all for hotel advice.
i was up late last nite going over every single hotel in the area (i'm so anal about planning trips!) and i called them all to see what was available.
in the end, i went to bed thinking i wanted to stay at the embassy suites ($134/nite with AAA discount) including big breakfast and 2 hours of free cocktails and snacks in the afternoon, indoor pool, nice big rooms etc. The tub rooms at Caesar's are $99/nite so then i started thinking well for an addl $35/nite we could have a breakfast and cocktails.....plus the rooms seem nicer online at the embassy -although no big roman tub in the room
but now i'm back to reconsidering harrah's and harvey's!
harvey's is free? that is crazy. but do you get what you pay for? i will check it out.
i was up late last nite going over every single hotel in the area (i'm so anal about planning trips!) and i called them all to see what was available.
in the end, i went to bed thinking i wanted to stay at the embassy suites ($134/nite with AAA discount) including big breakfast and 2 hours of free cocktails and snacks in the afternoon, indoor pool, nice big rooms etc. The tub rooms at Caesar's are $99/nite so then i started thinking well for an addl $35/nite we could have a breakfast and cocktails.....plus the rooms seem nicer online at the embassy -although no big roman tub in the room
but now i'm back to reconsidering harrah's and harvey's!
harvey's is free? that is crazy. but do you get what you pay for? i will check it out.
Sep 3rd, 2003, 07:44 AM
#17
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,854
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Love the Embassy. Have stayed there many times. If you aren't going to be gambling the whole time it's great to be away from that atmosphere.
For dinner make reservations at Evans or Cafe Fiore. Both fabulous places. Went to Evans again in July and took new diners with us and they can't stop raving about it.
For dinner make reservations at Evans or Cafe Fiore. Both fabulous places. Went to Evans again in July and took new diners with us and they can't stop raving about it.
Sep 3rd, 2003, 09:07 AM
#18
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,481
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Napa to South Shore Lake Tahoe via highway 50--
(50 peels off 80 at Sacramento) takes about 3 1/2 to 4 hours...
have traveled this route for 20 years and the time has not varried much, EXCEPT during commute hours---Sacramento: 4:30 to 6:30 PM
The adviced from "janis" is right on...
You will really love Lake Tahoe anywhere you stay!!!!
(50 peels off 80 at Sacramento) takes about 3 1/2 to 4 hours...
have traveled this route for 20 years and the time has not varried much, EXCEPT during commute hours---Sacramento: 4:30 to 6:30 PM
The adviced from "janis" is right on...
You will really love Lake Tahoe anywhere you stay!!!!
Sep 3rd, 2003, 09:18 AM
#19
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,854
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't experience traffic problems driving I 80 west around 5:00 pm from east of Sacramento to downtown. I do this frequently and I am always glad that I am westbound when looking to the eastbound lanes at a standstill.
If on the other hand you try to drive on 50 you will be up to your eyeballs in traffic in both directions due to commuters returning home from the offices along the corridor.
Beyond Sacramento on 80 you will get stuck in the downtown traffic going to Davis so maybe a you'll want to stop for a bite to eat in downtown sacto or along the freeway.
If on the other hand you try to drive on 50 you will be up to your eyeballs in traffic in both directions due to commuters returning home from the offices along the corridor.
Beyond Sacramento on 80 you will get stuck in the downtown traffic going to Davis so maybe a you'll want to stop for a bite to eat in downtown sacto or along the freeway.
