Where to vacation in the Bay Area?

August 19, 2005 1:48 PM

BayArea/LaborDayWeekend/WhatToDoFilter...My wife and I, and three of our friends, want to get away labor day weekend, somewhere within a couple hours of San Francisco. Where should we go?

Our initial plan was to go camping, but the dearth of available campsites mocks our late planning. So instead, we started looking at a nice suite somewhere. Maybe overlooking the water, or in the Redwoods. So with just two weeks to go, we are looking for recommendations for a nice suite where we can go relax (three of the people going are teachers and we want to celebrate the start of a good year of teaching), within about 2 hours of the City. Thanks in advance!

posted by xorowo to travel & transportation (12 comments total)

Oooo!! This is easy!

To the south... Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel? To the east, Lake Tahoe. Or to the north Mendocino. In Mendo, the Little River Inn is awesome. Nice large rooms with sitting areas, fireplaces and baconies just perfect for watching the sea. The on-site bar & restaurant are excellent!

Santa Cruz is a fun "beachy" town with loads of places to stay. Lots to do there, also.
posted by SoftSummerBreeze at 1:53 PM on August 19, 2005

Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel - absolutely, stunningly beautiful part of our country. Big Sur takes my breath away!
posted by ericb at 2:01 PM on August 19, 2005

I'm unclear - are you and your friends intending to stay in just the one suite - or are you looking for a hotel where you could all get rooms?

Another option would be renting a house. I like Big Sur to the south - ericb is right - its stunning - but also likely booked for labor day. There aren't many hotels or houses there. I'm most partial to going north - Stinson Beach, the Russian River, Bodega Bay, Napa, Sea Ranch or the like. Looks like there is a lot here
posted by Wolfie at 2:04 PM on August 19, 2005

Wolfie -- good point. I would like to get a cottage or a large suite with two bedrooms. Multiple rooms in a hotel is a possibility, but I think I am looking for something to really celebrate in. Cities and areas are fine, but I think I am looking for specific hotels, cottages, etc., that we might be able to do.

The Craigslist idea is great. I'll look over there. I don't know why that didn't occur to me earlier. Thanks!
posted by xorowo at 2:09 PM on August 19, 2005

To the east, Lake Tahoe. Or to the north Mendocino.

Both very nice, though definitely not "within about 2 hours of the City".
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 2:10 PM on August 19, 2005

If you can't get a reservation for Point Reyes camping or the Point Reyes hostel, there are plenty of neighboring B&Bs and Inns that apparently still have rooms available for Labor Day weekend. Easy access to beaches, hiking, kayaking (either on Tomales Bay or the Russian River), Wine Country, Bodega Bay, Stinson Beach, Mt Tamalpais, SF...
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 2:25 PM on August 19, 2005

More camping possibilies (Santa Cruz area) if you haven't already checked these: Big Basin, Henry Cowell Redwoods, and Coe Park.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 2:38 PM on August 19, 2005

Screw the outdoors. Head up to Sacramento for the California State Fair. It's really a lot of fun, in a quaint kind of way. And Sacramento's a nice town for a couple of days.
posted by Nelson at 2:54 PM on August 19, 2005

It might be a tiny bit further than 2 hours, but the Baretta Gardens Bed and Breakfast in Sonora is gorgeous. It's small and quaint. It would be separate rooms, but they have several large central living room areas you could congregate in. The host and hostest are really nice, and he's a former cook from Paris, so the breakfast is to die for.
posted by robhuddles at 3:32 PM on August 19, 2005

I would recommend VRBO to find good vacation rentals around the area. Have used it a couple of times myself never been disappointed.
posted by Papa Mango at 5:58 PM on August 19, 2005

Lost Coast! Lost Coast! Lost Coast!
posted by dersins at 10:15 PM on August 19, 2005

You can rent a house at Dillon Beach for pretty cheap, also camp there. If you go up 101 it's probably about two hours. Santa Cruz would be perfect that time of year, just heating up to beach temperatures. (in your head, just hum to yourself, on the boardwalk, with my baby...). Nevada City is lovely, but about three hours. You can camp, swim in the river, there's good food there. If you're interested, give me an email and I can hook you up with all the insider info.
posted by slimslowslider at 12:34 AM on August 20, 2005