I work for an airline and am going to training in Oakland, CA for two weeks at the end of July. In the middle of the two weeks I have a 3 day weekend (Fri, Sat, Sun) where the airline will send me positive space to another city on the west coast. Where should I go?

Here are my choices (the airline actually gave me this list as the ONLY places I could go):

Los Angeles, CA
San Diego, CA
Seattle, WA
Sacramento, CA
Portland, OR
San Francisco, CA
Denver, CO
Aspen, CO
Phoenix, AZ
Reno, NV
Salt Lake City, UT
Las Vegas, NV
Page/Lake Powell, AZ
Palm Springs, CA
Boise, ID
Jackson Hole, WY
Vail, CO
Colorado Springs, CO
Monterey, CA
Yuma, AZ
St. George, UT
Redmond, OR

or I could just stay in Oakland.


Let me tell you a little about me so maybe that could help with your advice. I am 23, male, just out of college, single and traveling alone. I am not one who likes hot weather (I am from Canada). I like the beach, but I also like the mountains. They are giving me a very small budget for the three days off (around $150 a day) which must include food, transit and hotel. If need be I can always spend a little more out of my own pocket. I like to gamble, but if I get started I can't stop (for LV and Reno purposes). I will also not have a car whereever I go, so I need somewhere with good public transit (preferably a subway or tram not just buses). Since I will be flying in, it would be nice to be able to get to the "downtown" area and the tourist area. I have spent a lot of time on the US East Coast, Canada and Europe. I really love Toronto, Boston, NYC and Orlando. I have never spent any time west of Houston in the US. Just a little bit about me to maybe help you out.

Thanks so much!!!

If you fly somewhere, I'd choose San Diego or Seattle.

Actually, if I were you I'd stay in the area and either do San Francisco or rent a car and head north up the California coast.

I don't know all these places well, but I'd pick San Diego or San Francisco depending on what kind of hotel rate you could get. For what you describe, San Diego has great beach areas, an airport that's very close to downtown and is not (usually) unbearably hot. It also has some nice things to see/do (the zoo, Balboa Park/museums etc.) The only negative might be hotel prices and the fact that a car would make it better/easier but people have certainly done SD without a car. You might want to check using Priceline for a hotel room. Go to biddingfortravel.com or betterbidding.com for more info.

San Francisco is a great city, has reasoable public transport.

One of my closest friends lives in Portland and that's lovely too but I think it might really need a car to see it to best advantage.

If you've got a gambling bug, avoid the gambling places at all cost.

As an airline employee, we get hotel discounts. For example, my airline has an agreement with Hilton where we get 65% off the rack rate at any property in the world. Same with Radisson except we get 75% off. So the hotel is not a problem.

Thanks!!!

Here's the thing: you don't need to fly to SF from Oakland, it's just across the bay, and accessible via public transpo, we're talking maybe 20-30 min tops. So while I would normally suggest SF, for food, sights, weather, walking, etc.etc., if you feel you should take advantage and fly somewhere, I'd suggest Aspen. It's gorgeous weather at that time of year, and you can take public shuttles out to Maroon Bells and hike or just sit and stare for hours; you can walk around town and check out the music tent; ride the skilifts to the tops of tall places. I'm guessing nightlife is limited but not non-existent. Still, it's probably more for a nature-loving type. Good luck choosing!

Hi UmassC, Portland OR is another city you might think about. It is a beautiful city and although you would need a car to get out of the city Portland does have great public transportation. Have fun, no matter what you decide.