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The wife and I are heading off to California in two weeks. Bit of a last minute vacation. Staying the first 3 nights in Calistoga, but still trying to figure out where to stay for the second leg of the trip.

Originally thought of heading south and staying in Monterey or Carmel for 3 nights, or perhaps even heading down to Big Sur, but haven't found anything so far that really jumped out at us (that wasn't $500 per night ).

Any suggestions would be welcomed. I guess something preferably within a 3 hour drive of San Fran, either south or north. Preferably looking for something on the water (inn, or a small boutique hotel). And less than $500 per night.

Thanks all,
Keith

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I would totally help you out with recommendations...

if you were in Southern Cali...

Unfortunately I haven't been up North in like twenty something years...

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

Are you staying in San Fran? If you not then Monterey would be my 2nd reccamendation.

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NavitimerNut

My boss was here in the Bay Area a month ago...He used Priceline to get a hotel in Monterey. My recollection is that he got something (3.5 stars) for $120 a night.

If you have some specific cities you're thinking about, PM me and I can do some poking around and maybe make some recommendations.

A great place to check out San Francisco would be the boards at CruiseCritic.com. There's a West Coast Departures section and all sorts of discussions about hotels etc in the Port cities (SF, LA, Seattle etc).

Cheers,
Bruce

Something I should have thought of...if you're interested in heading down the coast...Hearst Castle is something you won't find anywhere else...I think it's about a 2-hour drive south of Monterey. There are hotels nearby and it's a gorgeous drive.

Cheers,
Bruce

I'll second Hearst Castle. Its 100 miles south of Monterey, and like CaptainKlutz says, its a gorgeous drive. I haven't done that drive in years, since its quicker to take I5 from LA to the Bay Area. If you go to Monterey, you can visit the aquarium on Cannery Row and the shops along there. I don't think I would spend 3 days in Monterey, too much other things to see.

If you stay in SF, you can do boat tours of the harbor, they take you out to the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz. There's a lot of different things in SF to do.

There's not a whole lot of stuff up north of Napa Valley to do.

You could go northwest from Calistoga and rent a house at sea ranch for a relaxing time on the northern california coast. We try to get out there at least once a year, it's very relaxing. We rent a small one bedroom house with ocean views for about $250 a night. Google sea ranch rentals. From there you can hit mendocino and see some giant redwoods as well. Sea Ranch is just a few miles south of Gualala where there is a nice store to stock up on provisions. If you go that way, try and have lunch in Jenner at the river's end restaurant. You could also stay a night in Mendocino, there are quite a few bed and breakfasts up there, if that's your thing. Heading North on the coast is mostly about the views and nature. Highway one on the northern california coast is beautiful place.

Another option is Lake Tahoe and the reno area, which is in the three to four hour limit from SF. It's inland but there are lots of things to do and see there, and the lake is awesome. you could even try to spend a day in Yosemite.

Don't forget to go to Dutch Henry winery on Silverado trail when you're here. And if you can try and have lunch or dinner at Bistro Jeanty in Yountville, one of my favorites. I'd also reccomend setting up a tasting at the O'Shaughnessy winery above St Helena on Howell mountain.