Southwest USA & The West Coast (California, Arizona etc) - General Thread

jackieblack

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

We're within a few miles of there in July -- maybe we'll buy some more cake from Cambria and mossie along there !

The big males should be there to molt July/August - they are HUGE! If they're there you can't miss them!
The seals and beach are easily visible from the road and there is also parking so you can stop for a better look.

colinw

Dirk_Gently wrote: »

Indeed I can - it was the Big Sur River Inn http://bigsurriverinn.com/

These are right on Highway 1, though, so may not strictly be "log cabins." If you want peace and tranquilly deep in the woods they're not for you - there are some like that closer to the beach, but we wanted to be just a stroll away from the Inn and restaurant, where the food was outstanding, there was a great atmosphere, and in the morning we could breakfast with our feet literally dangling in the River.

So I'd say much better as a base for Big Sur rather than a "back to nature" type of log cabin.

EDIT : Looking at the website again it looks like they might have gone a bit up-market since I was there. Not sure what prices will be like now.

We did that road from San Francisco to LA last August and I agree it is an amazing drive. We did hit some fog but it seems hard to avoid around August time. Some of the roads are just stunning and right next to the beach.

Dirk_Gently_2

Does anyone have any recommendations for restaurants in Sausalito?

As it'll our last full day before flying back I fancy somewhere nice as an "occasion" meal and we're likely to be in Sausalito that day, but don't really know the town that well.

Ideally somewhere close to the shore with a view across the bay to SF?

sapphire7

I am visiting the US from Scotland in Sept with my fiance, we are staying 4 nights in San Francisco (24th-28th Sept) and I am keen to know if people think it is best to book the hotel now or is it likely that the prices will drop between now and then? It is looking quite expensive at the moment (compared to what has been paid by relatives recently)! The rest of our trip is not as much of a concern as the prices are as we were expecting.

I appreciate any help and as a 'newbie' will be trying to help others with my own knowledge.

Dirk_Gently_2

sapphire7 wrote: »

I am visiting the US from Scotland in Sept with my fiance, we are staying 4 nights in San Francisco (24th-28th Sept) and I am keen to know if people think it is best to book the hotel now or is it likely that the prices will drop between now and then? It is looking quite expensive at the moment (compared to what has been paid by relatives recently)! The rest of our trip is not as much of a concern as the prices are as we were expecting.

I appreciate any help and as a 'newbie' will be trying to help others with my own knowledge.

I'd book as soon as you possibly can, because he problem isn't as much price as availability then - and even more so with the Americas Cup in SF in late September. I'm there a week before you and had troubles finding space in quite a few hotels.

You can always find and book somewhere ASAP, and then keep looking and cancel it if you find somewhere cheaper/better. Just check the cancellation terms before you make a booking - most places will allow you to cancel at 24/48 hours' notice, unless you get one of the "pay in advance" cheap deals.

northwest1965

sapphire7 wrote: »

I am visiting the US from Scotland in Sept with my fiance, we are staying 4 nights in San Francisco (24th-28th Sept) and I am keen to know if people think it is best to book the hotel now or is it likely that the prices will drop between now and then? It is looking quite expensive at the moment (compared to what has been paid by relatives recently)! The rest of our trip is not as much of a concern as the prices are as we were expecting.

I appreciate any help and as a 'newbie' will be trying to help others with my own knowledge.

I would say book it now. What sites are you using? Do you want to stay in a certain area?

sapphire7

northwest1965 wrote: »

I would say book it now. What sites are you using? Do you want to stay in a certain area?

Thanks for the help guys.
We are using compare sites such as lastminute and ebookers. Possibly thinking about using priceline for this particular accommodation to keep the cost down.

We are the typical tourist wishing to stay at Fishermans Wharf, would consider other options but we would prefer to be in walking distance of FW.

Dirk_Gently_2

sapphire7 wrote: »

Thanks for the help guys.
We are using compare sites such as lastminute and ebookers. Possibly thinking about using priceline for this particular accommodation to keep the cost down.

We are the typical tourist wishing to stay at Fishermans Wharf, would consider other options but we would prefer to be in walking distance of FW.

The Argonaut is the best located hotel for Fisherman's Wharf - but it's *extremely* expensive and they have no need to do good deals because they're just about always full.

There's the chain type of hotel a few blocks from the coat (Sheraton, Hilton etc) and a variety of cheaper ones - but I've found I just spend one day around the FW area when I go these days, and most of my time around North Beach, so I'm staying there instead.

Hotels away from the real tourist areas are at least $50 a night cheaper, which I reckon means if I pay two $10 cab fares I'm still $30+ up on the deal each night.

northwest1965

sapphire7 wrote: »

Thanks for the help guys.
We are using compare sites such as lastminute and ebookers. Possibly thinking about using priceline for this particular accommodation to keep the cost down.

We are the typical tourist wishing to stay at Fishermans Wharf, would consider other options but we would prefer to be in walking distance of FW.

Union Square is a good area. We liked it anyway:)

laughingsheep

sapphire7, I visited San Francisco around that time last year, IIRC there is also a massive tech conference on at that time which also limited hotel availability - Oracle Open World 22–26 Sept 2013. I stayed in the Financial District and thought it was good. I found it to be a safe area - it's beside Chinatown, a short walk to the ferry building and the tram network was good to get to Fisherman's Wharf, although tbh, we didn't really like Fisherman's Wharf, found it way too touristy.