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Napa Valley/San Francisco Vacation

xanis

xanis

Lifer
I'm in the preliminary stages of planning a vacation for me and my girlfriend and I'm pricing out some SF/Napa Valley vacations. We're not sure if this is exactly what we'll be doing, but we're pricing out options. FWIW I'd be looking to go in mid to late May.

Any tips for saving money on hotels/rental cars/activities/etc.? My quick search this morning got me $2191 for flight ($796, 2 people round-trip), rental car ($233, 8 days) and hotels ($623 for an AirBNB in SF, and $540 for a B&B in Napa Valley). This *seems* expensive, but I've never looked at California trips so I'm not sure.

As far as activities in SF and Napa go (besides wine tours, obviously) what else is worth doing? I think we'd want to go see the redwoods and spend a day in the park hiking.
 
You won't need a rental in SF, so I'd lower the amount of time you need it if you plan on spending a significant amount of time in the city. Hotels I have very little knowledge of since I live nearby, but I do see Groupons/LivingSocials on Napa/Sonoma B&Bs and hotels pretty often. A couple years ago we stayed at the Beazley House B&B in Napa for about $300 for 2 nights on the weekend through one of the deal sites.

Make reservations to restaurants you want to eat at early. The more popular ones will have people making them the minute they show up on Open Table.

No idea on activities. Maybe a Giants game at AT&T Park if you're into baseball? For wine, Silverado Trail is a little less pretentious than 29. One of my favorites, Lava Vine, is up in Calistoga.
 
Imported said:
You won't need a rental in SF, so I'd lower the amount of time you need it if you plan on spending a significant amount of time in the city. Hotels I have very little knowledge of since I live nearby, but I do see Groupons/LivingSocials on Napa/Sonoma B&Bs and hotels pretty often. A couple years ago we stayed at the Beazley House B&B in Napa for about $300 for 2 nights on the weekend through one of the deal sites.

Make reservations to restaurants you want to eat at early. The more popular ones will have people making them the minute they show up on Open Table.

No idea on activities. Maybe a Giants game at AT&T Park if you're into baseball? For wine, Silverado Trail is a little less pretentious than 29. One of my favorites, Lava Vine, is up in Calistoga.
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I was thinking about the rental car and realized that I wouldn't actually need it for fully half of the trip, so that saves a good amount of money right there.

I didn't think about checking LivingSocial/Groupon, but I'll check them out. Thanks.
 
Hmm, weather is gonna get cold here soon, if not already. I'd dress warm to be sure. Try https://www.airbnb.com/ for a cheaper play to stay as an alternative to hotels. If you haven't done any of the touristy stuff, you can spend an entire weekend doing that in SF, Pier 39, Ferry Building (farmers market on sunday!), trolly, cross the new bay bridge...so much to do.

If you are into food, that's another matter entirely. You don't have to drive to Napa for good food.
 
Imported said:
You won't need a rental in SF, so I'd lower the amount of time you need it if you plan on spending a significant amount of time in the city. Hotels I have very little knowledge of since I live nearby, but I do see Groupons/LivingSocials on Napa/Sonoma B&Bs and hotels pretty often. A couple years ago we stayed at the Beazley House B&B in Napa for about $300 for 2 nights on the weekend through one of the deal sites.

Make reservations to restaurants you want to eat at early. The more popular ones will have people making them the minute they show up on Open Table.

No idea on activities. Maybe a Giants game at AT&T Park if you're into baseball? For wine, Silverado Trail is a little less pretentious than 29. One of my favorites, Lava Vine, is up in Calistoga.
Click to expand...

I really like the Handlery Hotel in SF and deals on it are fairly common - best bang for the buck in the city IMHO.

If you're going to venture outside the city, honestly I'd recommend the Monterey Peninsula over Napa. If you were going to Napa area hoping to snag a table at French Laundry, good luck - it's easier getting an audience with the Pope. Check opentable.com daily however, sometimes a lunch reservation will open up last minute.
 
glenn1 said:
I really like the Handlery Hotel in SF and deals on it are fairly common - best bang for the buck in the city IMHO.

If you're going to venture outside the city, honestly I'd recommend the Monterey Peninsula over Napa. If you were going to Napa area hoping to snag a table at French Laundry, good luck - it's easier getting an audience with the Pope. Check opentable.com daily however, sometimes a lunch reservation will open up last minute.
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I'm okay with eating at less-popular places; it doesn't have to be top-of-the-line.

Thanks for the hotel suggestion, I'll take a look!
 
glenn1 said:
Yep, especially considering the best restaurant in SF is across the bridge in Oakland: Burma Superstar.
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Yup, Boots N Shoes, Pizzaiolo, Hawkers Fare all in Oakland.

Omg, if you want ramen, Ramen Dojo in San Mateo. There's also Kokko's for japanese yakatori. Next door is Usagi's that has bomb ass japanese curry. Then there's Sushi Sams...

Too much to list.
 
Buttzilla said:
Yup, Boots N Shoes, Pizzaiolo, Hawkers Fare all in Oakland.

Omg, if you want ramen, Ramen Dojo in San Mateo. There's also Kokko's for japanese yakatori. Next door is Usagi's that has bomb ass japanese curry. Then there's Sushi Sams...

Too much to list.
Click to expand...

And if OP goes south, hit up Passionfish in Pacific Grove.
 
I went to the Burma Superstar in SF and while it was good, I wouldn't put it at the top of best restaurants in the city/bay area.

Ramen Dojo is awesome though.
 
Buttzilla said:
Hmm, weather is gonna get cold here soon, if not already. I'd dress warm to be sure. Try https://www.airbnb.com/ for a cheaper play to stay as an alternative to hotels. If you haven't done any of the touristy stuff, you can spend an entire weekend doing that in SF, Pier 39, Ferry Building (farmers market on sunday!), trolly, cross the new bay bridge...so much to do.

If you are into food, that's another matter entirely. You don't have to drive to Napa for good food.
Click to expand...

I'm planning on going in mid to late May, so the weather should be a little warmer, right?
 
I don't know what dates you are going but that flight seems very expensive. I looked up a EWR to SF flight on Southwest in May for several dates and it was $350-450 pp round trip. Not all dates were available but its something you may want to look into. They also fly into Oakland and San Jose but I believe SF tends to have the cheaper flights.

Its also not uncommon to see flights slightly less on the carrier's website than through a travel website. I've seen flights on AA, AirTran and US airways be cheaper through their specific website (I think around $50-110pp but I don't remember) but Delta always seems to be the same regardless.

If you have a Visa signature card you get access to the Visa Luxury Hotels which may or may not be a good deal. You get free wifi, breakfast, a $25 food voucher and likely a nice room upgrade. Some hotels are in the $500+ range but I did see the Andaz had some dates in Napa for $200/night for rooms that go for $270 without breakfast, food credit or a room upgrade. Might be out of the range you were looking for but maybe something to consider (esp if you save money on the flights) and Andaz has some really nice properties.

For car rentals do you belong to any programs like AAA or Costco? You may be able to get a discount. Otherwise check here for hertz coupons:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hertz/1107806-few-good-coupon-codes-just-post-codes-here.html
 
Recommending Monterey over Napa really depends on what the OP is looking for. And LOL French Laundry. One plans a trip around the reservation 😉
 
Exterous said:
I don't know what dates you are going but that flight seems very expensive. I looked up a EWR to SF flight on Southwest in May for several dates and it was $350-450 pp round trip. Not all dates were available but its something you may want to look into. They also fly into Oakland and San Jose but I believe SF tends to have the cheaper flights.

Its also not uncommon to see flights slightly less on the carrier's website than through a travel website. I've seen flights on AA, AirTran and US airways be cheaper through their specific website (I think around $50-110pp but I don't remember) but Delta always seems to be the same regardless.

If you have a Visa signature card you get access to the Visa Luxury Hotels which may or may not be a good deal. You get free wifi, breakfast, a $25 food voucher and likely a nice room upgrade. Some hotels are in the $500+ range but I did see the Andaz had some dates in Napa for $200/night for rooms that go for $270 without breakfast, food credit or a room upgrade. Might be out of the range you were looking for but maybe something to consider (esp if you save money on the flights) and Andaz has some really nice properties.

For car rentals do you belong to any programs like AAA or Costco? You may be able to get a discount. Otherwise check here for hertz coupons:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hertz/1107806-few-good-coupon-codes-just-post-codes-here.html
Click to expand...

While SW does fly into all 3 airports, the chances of a delay into SFO is greater due to fog and flight congestion.

I would fly into Oak if I were you. Smaller airport, faster security lines, and also has bart access. I don't know where you're flying from but I'd get a SW cc, wait for the 50k sign up bonus before you get it. You can buy a wanna get away fair for as little as 5k points.

Look up the details on their website. You have until may to get the points and that's plenty of time. This way, if you can save on two plane tickets, that's more money in wallet to spend elsewhere.

I'm a points whore (think Up in the Air with Clooney). I used to fly 4-5x a week for work so i know how the system works 😀
 
Buttzilla said:
While SW does fly into all 3 airports, the chances of a delay into SFO is greater due to fog and flight congestion.

I would fly into Oak if I were you. Smaller airport, faster security lines, and also has bart access.
Click to expand...

Good to know.

I don't know where you're flying from but I'd get a SW cc, wait for the 50k sign up bonus before you get it.
Click to expand...

Last day for the current 50k promotion is today 😛 Might be a bit rushed but getting the Plus and Premier and spending $10k total on the cards* almost certainly gets you the companion pass which is quite nice. Book a flight with points or money and your companion flies free**

*Must spend at least $2k on each card
**Aside from the TSA fee which is $2.50-$10
 
Exterous said:
I don't know what dates you are going but that flight seems very expensive. I looked up a EWR to SF flight on Southwest in May for several dates and it was $350-450 pp round trip. Not all dates were available but its something you may want to look into. They also fly into Oakland and San Jose but I believe SF tends to have the cheaper flights.
Click to expand...

Try JetBlue also. And don't know where OP is starting from, if in the mid-Atlantic region take a flyer on looking up fares on Frontier Airlines out of Wilmington, DE (ILG) since they are sometimes seriously cheap. It's a relatively new airport for them and fares are pretty well priced since they're trying to establish it as somewhere people are willing to plan travel to/from.
 
glenn1 said:
Try JetBlue also. And don't know where OP is starting from, if in the mid-Atlantic region take a flyer on looking up fares on Frontier Airlines out of Wilmington, DE (ILG) since they are sometimes seriously cheap. It's a relatively new airport for them and fares are pretty well priced since they're trying to establish it as somewhere people are willing to plan travel to/from.
Click to expand...

Cheapest flight so far seems to be PHL -> SLC -> OAK on Delta for $394 per person (Google Flights).
 
Exterous said:
Good to know.



Last day for the current 50k promotion is today 😛 Might be a bit rushed but getting the Plus and Premier and spending $10k total on the cards* almost certainly gets you the companion pass which is quite nice. Book a flight with points or money and your companion flies free**

*Must spend at least $2k on each card
**Aside from the TSA fee which is $2.50-$10
Click to expand...

You'd be surprise at how quickly you get to companion status. I've had it for 3 years now it's it's a nice perk. As you gain progression on their tier status you get more points per dollar. They also have promotions where you can double or triple your points every time you fly or purchase products thru their website or with their cc.

For example. With my A+ status along with booking business class, I typically get 6-7k per flight and up to 12k for longer flights. Right now, there's a double points special, I got 50k last week for a quick trip to New Orleans. 😀

You can use those points to buy the Wanna Get Away fares, typically 5k-15k depending on how early you buy. I regularly do day trips to Portland or Seattle to get away for the day, cost about 11k in points.

These points don't include booking hotels or rental cars thru your southwest account, or points you get from your CC or purchases you linked thru their online store (like Fatwallets cashback program).
 
glenn1 said:
if in the mid-Atlantic region take a flyer on looking up fares on Frontier Airlines out of Wilmington, DE (ILG) since they are sometimes seriously cheap.
Click to expand...

I remain very skeptical of Frontier Airlines since Republic Airlines and former Spirit airlines chairman Franke have taken over. There have already been cuts to their FF program and an increase in fees. I expect we'll see more fees and much worse customer service as they turn Frontier into a steaming pile of shit

Buttzilla said:
You'd be surprise at how quickly you get to companion status. I've had it for 3 years now it's it's a nice perk. As you gain progression on their tier status you get more points per dollar. They also have promotions where you can double or triple your points every time you fly or purchase products thru their website or with their cc.

For example. With my A+ status along with booking business class, I typically get 6-7k per flight and up to 12k for longer flights. Right now, there's a double points special, I got 50k last week for a quick trip to New Orleans. 😀

You can use those points to buy the Wanna Get Away fares, typically 5k-15k depending on how early you buy. I regularly do day trips to Portland or Seattle to get away for the day, cost about 11k in points.

These points don't include booking hotels or rental cars thru your southwest account, or points you get from your CC or purchases you linked thru their online store (like Fatwallets cashback program).
Click to expand...

I agree (and currently have the CP) but a lot of that depends on your airport options. When I travel for work I much prefer non-stop flights which means my options are pretty much limited to Delta. I'd love to fly SW (or really anyone with a decent FF program) but DTW is a major Delta hub so I am stuck unless I want to make 2 or 3 connections
 
On activities: Is Muir Woods worth the trip? We wanted to see some redwoods and probably spend a day or two outside. Open to other suggestions for parks that are a reasonable distance from the city.
 
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