Author Topic: Travelling to San Francisco (Read 330 times)

jazzyvee · « **on:** January 04, 2012, 12:01:40 PM »

Hi, I'm likely to be travelling to San Francisco sometime soon for a mothership connection to collect my new ( to me) series II bass directly from Alembic. It will only be a short trip of a few days but I need to find a decent inexpensive and secure hotel that I can stay in for a few days and know my bass would be safe there also whilst I'm being a tourist and taking in the highlights. I know some of you guys live or travel through that area so where better to get advice. Also car rental is another thing I'll need too.

I don't know where Alembic is in relation to the airport so i would prefer something close to both places if possible.

cheers
Jazzyvee

rustyg61 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2012, 12:38:13 PM »

Hey Jazzyvee, I stayed at the Embassy Suites in San Rafael last summer when I toured the Mothership. It is a very nice hotel & I'm sure they could lock your bass up at the main desk if you don't want to leave it in your room. San Rafael is between San Francisco & Santa Rosa, less than an hour drive to each. Here's the link - http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/SFORFES/index.do;jsessionid=FBB5A55B6B99A60D45A23C50E59BDAD0.etc53?xch=1165955832,KhqwPG3FjBpvkqhPJgnT49jctnRlvLrd8f37kGn4cGfw52pQGRQM!-399307077!1325709157351&

Bradley Young · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2012, 12:39:46 PM »

Delano,

Santa Rosa is an hour (not accounting for traffic, which can *triple* that) from San Francisco by car.

I've had decent luck with the Courtyard at Fisherman's Wharf:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sfocf-courtyard-san-francisco-fishermans-wharf/

I think parking might be expensive however.

Bradley

rustyg61 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2012, 12:42:11 PM »

(Message edited by rustyg61 on January 04, 2012)

redcloud · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2012, 12:49:34 PM »

I was just out there a couple of months ago. Santa Rosa is about an hour fifteen from San Fran or Oakland or Sacramento. It is a nice drive and I liked being in Santa Rosa. I and my Wife stayed at the Rosa Inn which was close to some nice restaurnts (esp. an excellent and moderately priced French one) and also close to Alembic.

xlrogue6 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2012, 01:01:10 PM »

First off, if you haven't booked your flight already, you should consider flying into Oakland rather than SFO. Slightly closer to Santa Rosa, but more importantly traffic is generally significantly better than from SFO because you don't have to drive through SF.
Since I live here I don't really have any hotel recommendations--depends on what you want to see and do while you're here. I've played at the Embassy Suites, and it seems like a nice place, and is well located as mentioned. You could be in SF or SR in 30 minutes unless you go during commute hours in commute direction (south in the AM, north in the PM).

xlrogue6 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2012, 01:04:47 PM »

P.S.: If you're going to stay in Sonoma County, you can probably get a great deal (midweek and off-season!) at one of the many B&Bs up here in the Wine Country.

tbrannon · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2012, 06:07:33 PM »

Congrats on the SII acquisition, Jazzy! Which bass is it?

lbpesq · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2012, 11:46:55 PM »

Jazzyvee:

Far F-ing out! I live 5 minutes from Oakland airport which is about 1 hour south of Santa Rosa - 1 1/2 hours with typical traffic, depending on time of day. If the timing is right, I've got a spare bedroom and a studio downstairs full of instruments that could keep your baby company while you trip around the Bay Area. As far as a car rental, you should rent at whichever airport you fly into (probably San Francisco). Use priceline.com and try the name your own price option. I usually get a car for 1/2 to 2/3 the published rate, sometimes even less.

Bill, tgo

terryc · « **Reply #9 on:** January 05, 2012, 03:29:51 AM »

That is what is great about being in this club..there will always be someone who can help out in more ways than is expected.

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 05, 2012, 05:38:20 AM »

Hey Jazzy ive got Great deals here at my travel site http://www.ytbtravel.com/Home.aspx?wa=windnwatertravel take a look around & tell me what you think.....infact i'll be coming to san francisco next month for a few days & a party.

sonicus · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2012, 08:11:16 AM »

Jazzyvee,
I would agree with previous posts in this thread that flying in to Oakland rather then San Francisco is a good idea . I find that the Oakland International Airport is less of a Rat Race scenario from personal experiance. As far as vehicle rentals I like Enterprise for various reasons,http://www.enterprise.com/car_rental/deeplinkmap.do?bid=1175&xparm=sanfrancisco-car-rental
Congratulations on the Series II . Perhaps when you are here locally I will be able to say hello to you at some point in your travels.

briant · « **Reply #12 on:** January 05, 2012, 11:27:07 AM »

The wife and I fancy the Fairmont in Sonoma. http://www.fairmont.com/sonoma

You should be able to score a great rate since it is off-season (as mentioned above). The Fairmont is ~35 minutes from The Mothership, right in the heart of wine country, and an easy drive into San Francisco.

hieronymous · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2012, 12:56:12 PM »

Not sure how many international flights come in to Oakland Airport, but it is definitely more convenient than SFO (San Francisco International). Heck, I'll even come pick you up myself if you're going to stay at Bill's! I live and work about 10 minutes away.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2012, 02:07:50 PM »

Wow I'm touched by the generosity and kindness shown by you guys, ( even though I'm taking yet another gem from your shores). :-)

Once Mica has the bass and knows what the time period will be to get the little jobs done I will certainly contact you guys privately regarding your generous offers of assistance.

I don't know where else on the net you would get this kind of generosity.

Thank you

Jazzyvee