Holiday to San Francisco

kambinky

I have a wedding to go to on 16th June in Santa Cruz CA. We need advice for flight and accomodation for 2 week holiday can travel weds or thurs from 6 June or following week if better deals. Please help find flights or would a package deal whichever is the better option? We want to look around whilst we are there and apart from that 14 - 16 we are free to do so. Any tips welcomed - thanks

wolfehouse

santa cruz is one of my favourite places on earth.
san fransisco is the nearest big city and if you get a guide book or internet site you will see it has lots of touristy things to do. you can spend a few days there alone.
santa cruz is a 2 hour drive south. if you go inland you pass through henry cowell redwoods (state park) on highway 9. there is also a steam train there. beautiful.
the town of santa cruz is compact and groovy. lots of very californian-type shops and as it is a university town they are big on coffee shops and book shops (and there used to be a great sezhwan restauarant)
the beach has a boardwalk (with rides) and there is a marina if you like sailing.
the university is nestled up a hill in the redwoods and is worth a visit. there may be cultural events on (plays etc) there too.
up the coast to the north a bit is the state park called ano nuevo where the elephant seals go to breed and across the way is another park which used to be a 'speak-easy' during prohibition.
around the bay to the south is monterey. you can check here for touristy sites (i don't recommend this tour or company in any way...just their list of attractions)
http://www.affiliate.viator.com/brochure/product_show.jsp?CODE=2660SFOMON&ID=1010&PRODUCTID=1016&AUID=2123
I can't recommend a place to stay since i was a student there so never did use the many many hotels around. it helps to have a car but public transport is not bad and there's always the greyhound bus.
hope this is some help. why not ask on the 'quote on something specific thread re. flights?'
p.s. last time i went it was cheaper to take a package with 3 nights accommodation for a united vacations deal than just a united flight alone.
http://www.unitedvacations.co.uk/