Cavangal

I got a credit voucher from airline and will use it to visit San Francisco in June. This will be my third visit there. Took the TAUCK tour years ago, then a week there independently later. I am active senior who enjoys hiking and visiting cultural areas. I had considered just spending 3 or 4 nights in San Francisco and going to some other scenic destination for last 3 days. Would a train journey take me on a scenic ride, to say Carmel or some other popular location where I could get accommodation and manage without car? Would love to ride on BIG SUR again if this can be done on day trip. OR should I decide to go North, any ideas? I will be taking late night flight back so should have enough time to enjoy last day there before heading to airport.

Also any suggestions for a nice (affordable) hotel in San Francisco that would be in an area close to transportation. Am looking forward to walking across the Golden Gate and might return to GG State Park and would appreciate some other suggestions that I can consider. Will I have enough time to split my visit between San Francisco and other area?

Thank you.

StuDudley

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

Stu Dudley

tomfuller

The Amtrak bus leaves Fisherman's Wharf at 7:25 every morning. The bus takes you to Jack London Square (Oakland)) to meet the Coast Starlight. The Coast Starlight takes you to Salinas. From Salinas it is a 1.5 hour bus trip to Carmel arriving at 1:10PM.
The return trip is not so good- leaving Carmel @ 4:30 PM and getting back to San Francisco about 10:25PM $26 to $40 each way.
If you don't like the prices on lodging in Stu's list, there are 3 HI hostels in SF which work quite well for a single traveler.

Klgallo

I reside in the bay area. I am not aware of any train that goes to carmel. It is about a 2 1/2 hour trip by car to carmel. It is pretty there but kind of boring unless you are really into art. Many, many art galleries. I suggest that you head to the wine country--Sonoma or Napa valley. You can go on a tour from San Francisco or you can do it on your own by car. Another trip is to go to Muir woods and see the giant redwoods. They are magnificent. Lots of fun things to do in the City too I highly recommend the Chinatown food tours http://www.wokwiz.com/tours/index.html
I just recently went on the Magic Bus tour which was fun. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/112659. Lots of deals on hotels in SF right now. I would suggest staying around Union Square, Nob Hill or Fisherman's wharf.

traveldawg

If you are a veteran check out the MARINES MEMORIAL HOTEL. This is a place to celebrate being a vet. We saw General Petraeus last year and Sec of Defense Gates give a speech. In business since 1946 and near Union Square. $100 to join for 1 year (tax deductible). Google it and you will see it is the best deal in SF.

They have Wine County tours that leave the Ferry Building each morning. Check that out.

Cavangal

Many thanks to all. I have been to the Red Woods, Hearst Castle and the usual tourist stops when I traveled with Tauck. I mentioned taking a train journey as felt I might get a better view, but do any of the bus routes go along scenic areas? I went to Monterrey last time by GH bus but did not consider it best choice. Would like be to ride along the route by the Cliffs on Carmel route and the Big Sur. Is there a bus that might cover these routes? I could spend one night at one location (Carmel or some other town) and have plenty of time getting back for late flight. I am not a veteran so will search the hotel websites and try to find something good. I appreciate all who offered so many ideas for making this a good trip. Kate

Klgallo

You really need a car to do what you want. I would take BART back to SFO and rent a car. Go south on Highway 101 for approximately 5 miles and go West on Highway 92 to the coast. Half Moon Bay is a artsy beach town. Then go south on Highway 1 and you will find beautiful coast lines.

Santa Cruz has a Beach Boardwalk http://www.beachboardwalk.com/

The town of Capitola has great restaurants to stop for lunch.


There are some beautiful places to go in Monterey and south. There is the Monterey Bay Aquarium http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/ 17 mile drive in Pebble Beach http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/; and the grand hotel in carmel --the highlands inn http://www.highlandsinn.hyatt.com/hy...tels/index.jsp.

Hope this helps.

sf7307

Except for two things - one, it's less expensive to rent a car in the city than at the airport, even without considering the cost of the BART ticket. And second, part of Highway 1 south of Carmel is closed due to a landslide, so just be aware - it should certainly be repaired by June, but if a previous landslide at Devil's Slide is any indication, it could take months.