Vacay in Cali
 

My boyfriend and I are going to California between August 23rd-Sept 2nd. Our trip begins in San Fran which we would like to spend at least 2 days. We plan on travelling the coast and end up in L.A. I'm trying to plan this trip..but need a bit of advice. I'm trying to look for somewhat cheap deals for hotels & B&b's. We would like to spend under $100/night. ($100 max). Also wondering if there are places to visit that's a "MUST"..Thanks!

What are your interests? There is a wide variety of things to do along the coast.

Lee Ann

Well, we're very open and always willing to try new things..I'd love to go hiking, swimming, visit a vineyard..typical things I suppose a couple would enjoy lol

Have you looked here?
http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...sa/california/

It would save you time here if you narrowed it down a bit.

To research hotels/B&Bs within your price range, try kayak.com.

Here are my ideas of things to do in the San Francisco Bay Area/wine country/Carmel/Big Sur.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

PS - don't call it Cali of Frisco.

Stu Dudley

Or, for that matter, San Fran.

Or, for that matter, "Cali".

should be "or Frisco"

Stu Dudley

Loads of beautiful and fun things to see and do around Santa Cruz area.
Any and all of the California missions are interesting to see.
Winchester Mystery House in San Jose
Hearst Castle in San Simeon

I think the biggest challenage is going to be your nightly budget. Especially in San Francisco or Los Angeles, I'm just not sure that will be possible.

To stay on budget use Airbnb for your accommodations. You should find plenty of nice places all over the state. I'm a user of the site as well as a host in California. Choose carefully and I think you'll be pleased: https://www.airbnb.com/

and don't say Vacay

ah come on now people, please give this newbie a break, and a nicer welcome to these forums. suze

I restrained myself from scolding for the silly nicknames for our beautifully named places. Maybe the best defense is a good offense. Maybe start threads about Flori, NoCar, SoCar, Okla, and Colo.

Keep in mind you will be travelling over Labor Day weekend, which my further limit your accommodation possibilities.

Stu Dudley always has excellent recommendations for San Francisco, so be sure to check out the link he provided.

suze - the newbe should do some research before mangling the state and The City names.

There is NO requirement to so "research" before posting on this forum. People come here to DO their research. That's why they are asking us questions. And I think regular posters could be a little kinder, that's all.

Many people are unaware that locals find certain names for their town/city/state annoying unless someone points it out to them. It never hurts to point it out kindly. We were all newbies once..........

Eh, moving on... :)

Yes, this will be over the Labor Day weekend, so the coast will be busy and lodging may be difficult to come by. Also, many hotels will have a 2 or 3 night minimum over the weekend. So definitely get the itinerary and lodging settled as soon as you can.

The per-night budget for lodging is pretty low, but perhaps workable.

Fifty miles south of San Francisco. Pigeon Point Lighthouse HI Hostel http://norcalhostels.org/pigeon
It is much less than $100/bed. Ask for a lower bunk.
You can't beat the scenery or the price.
There are several other Northern California HI Hostels including 3 in San Francisco

I think the budget could work for the road trip part, it's when she's in San Francisco for 2 days at the beginning that $100/night lodging is going to be hard to come by.

Regarding inexpensive places to stay in San Francisco, I stayed in this hostel once just to see if it was as good as it looks. It was. http://sfhostels.com/fishermans-wharf

But, I repeat, Airbnb.com will be your best bet overall to get the most for your money.

I've stayed in that hostel, MmePerdu, and I loved the view!

We've walked around that hostel and wondered if it would be nice to stay there. Glad to hear from those who have. Love the location.

No availability at Fort Mason Hostel. I agree that the location is PRIME!

Also keep in mind if you want to spend $100 per night, the nightly rate will be significantly less than that, due to tax rate. at 17% tax and per night $.25 tax you are looking at about $85 per night. Perhaps you can cut the trip down a few days and bump up the nightly rate.

People who whine about "Cali" are a lot more annoying than the people who say "Cali".

(And the people who whine about the people who whine about "Cali" are right on.)

What's the car situation, are you driving into San Fran and needing to park a car? If so, Chelsea Motor Inn or Lombard Motor Inn prob your best best since other places charge $40 or more for parking.

Heading south, booking.com has good rates at the Bayside Inn Monterey or Carmel River Lodge , $89 on those weeknights. Further south, the little Shell Beach Inn would be perfect, , $95, short stroll to the ocean.

Just south of Santa Barbara, Coast Village Inn is a good spot in Montecito Village at $129.

Unfortunately $100 per night isn't going to do it, it's the last week of summer........but maybe fodorites can help you save on the car rental or recommend some dining bargains.

To stay within your budget, you might consider staying in outlying towns. Instead of staying in Monterey, there is a Motel 6 in Marina, midweek rate is $55.99/night; it is close to Marina State Beach.

Do you think, she will ever come back?

I'd love to know if megan found places to stay for $100 a night. If so, I'd like to know the names.