Looking for a weeklong getaway
May 11, 2015 9:05 PM Subscribe
I live near San Francisco and I'm looking to take an impromptu 7 day vacation that I don't have to spend a day getting to and from, is Hawaii my only real option? Snowflake details inside.
I'll be doing something longer and more adventurous later this year but I'd really like to get away for a quick week this summer, criteria as follows:
1) Easy to get to from SFO or thereabouts. It looks like 11-12 hours to get to the Virgin Islands, possibly 16 to get to Manzanillo, I'd like to keep it to 8 or fewer. It's better if I don't have to rent a car. Cabbing to wherever I stay from the airport is a definite plus.
2) Sipping overpriced drinks on the beach at a generic tiki bar steps from my hotel room is probably a good thing. Not looking for anything too serious, the most strenuous thing I'd be looking to do is some light snorkeling. Authenticity is by no means a requirement but there are bonus points for eating with my toes in the sand. Kona is *almost* good for this, but the usual condos are a bit far from downtown for my liking.
3) I'm single but not looking for singles stuff. Not really looking for nightlife but also not looking for anywhere too family oriented. I don't want passing out on the beach to be ruined by preteens running around hitting things with sticks or a bunch of bros blasting Nickelback from a distorted boombox.
4) Maybe not murderously hot, but I recognize anywhere in the tropics during summer is likely to be humid.
So yeah, please help me find (probably) the most boring but (hopefully) most relaxing week ever. I get the feeling the answers are going to be Hawaii, and if so, island/hotel recommendations are appreciated. I've done the big island a few times and I'm looking for somewhere different.
I'll be doing something longer and more adventurous later this year but I'd really like to get away for a quick week this summer, criteria as follows:
1) Easy to get to from SFO or thereabouts. It looks like 11-12 hours to get to the Virgin Islands, possibly 16 to get to Manzanillo, I'd like to keep it to 8 or fewer. It's better if I don't have to rent a car. Cabbing to wherever I stay from the airport is a definite plus.
2) Sipping overpriced drinks on the beach at a generic tiki bar steps from my hotel room is probably a good thing. Not looking for anything too serious, the most strenuous thing I'd be looking to do is some light snorkeling. Authenticity is by no means a requirement but there are bonus points for eating with my toes in the sand. Kona is *almost* good for this, but the usual condos are a bit far from downtown for my liking.
3) I'm single but not looking for singles stuff. Not really looking for nightlife but also not looking for anywhere too family oriented. I don't want passing out on the beach to be ruined by preteens running around hitting things with sticks or a bunch of bros blasting Nickelback from a distorted boombox.
4) Maybe not murderously hot, but I recognize anywhere in the tropics during summer is likely to be humid.
So yeah, please help me find (probably) the most boring but (hopefully) most relaxing week ever. I get the feeling the answers are going to be Hawaii, and if so, island/hotel recommendations are appreciated. I've done the big island a few times and I'm looking for somewhere different.
Isla Mujeres, off Cancún. Delightful in many ways, and if you want to be paralytic on the edge of the Caribbean, you'll get that. Snorkeling, beachside bars with foofy cocktails, lovely restaurants and you can ride all around the island in a couple hours.
If you happen to stay at the Nautibeach condos, get a ground floor one. There is a stock of cats who will guard your room and provide Laps and Purring in exchange for a small consideration of snacks.
posted by jet_silver at 9:16 PM on May 11, 2015 [3 favorites]
If you happen to stay at the Nautibeach condos, get a ground floor one. There is a stock of cats who will guard your room and provide Laps and Purring in exchange for a small consideration of snacks.
posted by jet_silver at 9:16 PM on May 11, 2015 [3 favorites]
This question is exactly what Kayak Explore was made for. From SFO in summer 2015, 8 hours or less total travel time. (Try not to pay too much attention to the prices, which are the lowest booked by any person on Kayak in the last week, and so unrealistically low.)
So, yeah, you're looking at Hawaii, Mexico, or Alaska. Cancún has nonstops and is about as far as Hawaii, and nearly endless stretches of some of the nicest beaches I've seen.
There's also 10-night Alaskan cruises leaving from SF on Princess. Can't get much closer to SF than that.
posted by wnissen at 9:50 PM on May 11, 2015
So, yeah, you're looking at Hawaii, Mexico, or Alaska. Cancún has nonstops and is about as far as Hawaii, and nearly endless stretches of some of the nicest beaches I've seen.
There's also 10-night Alaskan cruises leaving from SF on Princess. Can't get much closer to SF than that.
posted by wnissen at 9:50 PM on May 11, 2015
I almost asked this exact question a week ago; I decided on Los Barriles, Mexico - about an hour up the coast from Cabo. Rented a casa on the beach, am not renting a car since the house caretaker (who's also a taxi driver) will pick me up/take me back to the airport. MeMail me if you want more info!
posted by hapax_legomenon at 10:31 PM on May 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by hapax_legomenon at 10:31 PM on May 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
You should consider Cabo! Easy flight as much or as little to do as you like. There are also all inclusive resorts and traditional options.
posted by saradarlin at 10:49 PM on May 11, 2015
posted by saradarlin at 10:49 PM on May 11, 2015
I should also note that the place I rented is also just a five-minute walk along the beach from the Hotel Buena Vista, where it's possible to buy day passes ($10) in order to use all of their facilities: spa, pool, restaurants, bars, hot spring jacuzzi, wifi, etc. I'm hoping my trip will be the perfect blend of chill-out/disconnect (no internet in the house I rented) and action at the neighboring hotel or other nearby bars/restos when I want it.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 11:35 AM on May 12, 2015
posted by hapax_legomenon at 11:35 AM on May 12, 2015
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posted by Oyéah at 9:15 PM on May 11, 2015