As a matter of fact, I prefer north of San Francisco over south of. Even Mendocino is a fantastic area with many rustic B&B's and towns. It has a relax feeling to it that never leaves you even after you depart the location. My wife and I stayed at Elk Cove Inn some years ago, and I still rememer the comfortable room and surroundings, and the excellent food they served. The Guest Book at the Elk Cove Inn shows visitors from all corners of the world, and they have expressed all positive comments. When you walk down to the beach, their dog will walk down with you, and keep you company. c.i.
I would be up for Mendocino, easy for me to say...but it would be harder for others to get to, being further from SF.
Look at Manka's - I was saying it was too small and expensive, but the prices seem to have gone down since my friends' wedding, or else they had grown in my mind, and it isn't that much more pricey relative to what people often pay for hotels. It is just high for me. The site does explain about group events though. And, damn, the food is good.
I suppose it would be undemocratic to have a two tiered economic get together..people in my financial set could stay at tacky but comfy enough Golden Hinde, and the highendbrigade could stay at Manka's and we could all visit them and their decks in the trees. Manka's is just a few blocks up the hill in the town of Inverness. If people are really watching the bucks, I have stayed at Days Inn in Rohnert Park and Motel 6 or similar in Petaluma, they're at least ok, and position you in between Inverness/Point Reyes and the Big City by the Bay.
I'm going to explore for an area map, back soon.
And people could get to SF fast enough (1 hour usually) together or separately.
And we can keep looking. I just happen to be off today, and had my eyes dilated at the opthamologist's, so I am not out in the sunshine or doing errands.
osso, Thanks for struggling through your blur.
Your assistance is much appreciated. c.i.
I am glad to hear it is supposed to be a blur, I've been beginning to worry that the photos aced out my vision, even though I know better.
Anyway, I didn't find a map or pictures yet...that western area of Marin County is sooooo beautiful. But I did find more places around Point Reyes Station/Inverness...geez.
http://www.bbonline.com/ca/point+reyes+station.html
Hmmm, on that list there is a Holly Tree Inn, and that is the same place that is now Manka's.
I guess I will be quiet for now and see what people envision...city proper or
comfortable nearby.
Um, Manka's is looking cheaper.
SF city prices are not nothing, though. I checked on the Galleria Park link and they are now up to 120 for a single, but I assume that could be bettered, there or elsewhere.
I guess I should explain why I am eyeing Pt. Reyes and Inverness and that area so closely...
Once you go north on highway 101 out of SF, and turn west at Petaluma, housing and towns fall away. The land is under some trust/state park, and so it is just one good drive through land, something like a half hour to get to Pt. Reyes Station/Inverness. You can then turn north, should you wish and go up to Tomales and Dillon Beach, but they are of course further.
To get a real feel for "The City", you should stay at some crack addict hotel in the Mission. Then get up in the morning and shower in a local fountain.
cjh, Is that your idea of emersing yourself totally in the SF Culture? LOL c.i.
Here's a Marin County Planning Guide that lists a large number of possible meeting sites. I like the closeness to San Francisco, and know from past experience that it is a beautiful area. There appears to be a pretty good selection of area hotels, though we might find acceptable accomodations at the central site. There are at least two items that need to be checked: prices and transportation to/from Oakland Airport (29 miles, but closer and probably less expensive to fly into than SFX) and San Francisco.
Marin County Visitors Center
Ashman, I tried the link, and got the home page, but can't seem to access anything else. c.i.
Works for me, just go there and then click on "Marin County Visitors & Meeting Planners Cyber Guide " below the pics.
Here's a link for Pt Reye's where some lodings are available from about $100/nite. The following link shows a map relative to San Francisco and the Napa/Sonoma wine country. What do you folks think about this location?
http://www.ptreyes.com/map.html
c.i.
Re: airports (posting out of nostalgia for NorCal, mainly) -- it's been my experience in recent years that it's easier (and sometimes cheaper) to fly into Oakland than SF, but that rental cars are generally cheaper in SF.
San Jose's a bear to fly in and out of these days, but there's an off-chance that fares or cars will be cheaper than either Bay Area airport.
I used to get deals in both Sacramento and San Jose, but not any more...
Neither here nor there re needs of people getting to our get together, although you never know what tidbit of info may actually help; any sane person who wants to go from my town, Eureka(Arcata) or north (Portland), to a place like Los Angeles, will do it through Sacramento. Waaaaaay less trouble than through San Francisco airport.
Aren't they done with the renovations at SFO now (finally)? My cousin was working on some project there, and he's elsewhere now, so I'd figured they'd finished...
pd, I think they're about 90 percent complete. c.i.
It's been a decade, in my memory...
CI, that was a wonderful link on the Marin County area .... I see going west from Petaluma, while gorgeous, is only one of many choices. I didn't look at the lodgings on that link yet.
The
Marin Suites Hotel in Corte Madera may be a promising site. It's not too expensive, and it's just a ferry ride away from San Francisco. Rates are: $130-$155/night, two night minimum (Fri-Sat), a better deal is $172-204 for two nights with a third night stay on the weekend free.
Marin Suites Hotel
Marin County Meeting Locations
