Help me pick a weekend getaway destination (San Francisco, Oakland: rental, how much)

[SunDevil1212]

So I want to get out of the city this weekend, but am not sure where to go. I have a lot of different ideas but there's probably plenty of cool spots I'm not even aware of. Here's what I'm looking for:

1. Natural beauty - could be the ocean, could be the forest...although I don't want to deal with the snow, so not the Sierras.
2. A place I could rent a cottage or a townhome with a kitchen and ideally a patio. I'm looking for somewhere I could hole up, sit on a patio, read a book, BBQ and make dinner. I know there are places like this listed on airbnb and craigslist - the problem is I haven't picked a destination yet.
3. Within 2-3 hour drive from San Francisco. I don't have a car and was planning on renting, but if you have any destinations reachable via public transit, even better. It could be very close to the city for all I care, I just want it to feel relatively secluded and away from town.
4. It needs to be affordable. Ideally $100 or less per night if this is feasible.


By the way, I realize its probably going to rain everywhere this weekend and I'm okay with that.

Places I've considered: Stinson Beach, Point Reyes, Bodega Bay, Monterey/Carmel - although all are a bit pricy. I feel like there has to be some off-the-grid places where you can find what I'm looking for without paying a ton of money. Any ideas??

Much appreciated, thanks!

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by SunDevil1212

I don't have a car and was planning on renting, but if you have any destinations reachable via public transit, even better.

Without a car: take Amtrak to Reno. Very scenic ride going over the Sierras. Sit in the club car with a drink and have lunch in the diner. Stay at a casino (usually $40 or less) stay up all night and eat, drink, gamble, see a show or try out the spa. This is more than a 2 - 3 hour trip, more like 6+ hours.

[thecooler]

Originally Posted by SunDevil1212

So I want to get out of the city this weekend, but am not sure where to go. I have a lot of different ideas but there's probably plenty of cool spots I'm not even aware of. Here's what I'm looking for:

1. Natural beauty - could be the ocean, could be the forest...although I don't want to deal with the snow, so not the Sierras.
2. A place I could rent a cottage or a townhome with a kitchen and ideally a patio. I'm looking for somewhere I could hole up, sit on a patio, read a book, BBQ and make dinner. I know there are places like this listed on airbnb and craigslist - the problem is I haven't picked a destination yet.
3. Within 2-3 hour drive from San Francisco. I don't have a car and was planning on renting, but if you have any destinations reachable via public transit, even better. It could be very close to the city for all I care, I just want it to feel relatively secluded and away from town.
4. It needs to be affordable. Ideally $100 or less per night if this is feasible.


By the way, I realize its probably going to rain everywhere this weekend and I'm okay with that.

Places I've considered: Stinson Beach, Point Reyes, Bodega Bay, Monterey/Carmel - although all are a bit pricy. I feel like there has to be some off-the-grid places where you can find what I'm looking for without paying a ton of money. Any ideas??

Much appreciated, thanks!

not sure about prices, but some other places to consider: Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz area (aptos, scotts valley, ben lomand, etc), pacific grove or carmel valley (dont know if you've checked since they're in monterey area), guerneville, sebastopol, clearlake area (however some parts are iffy).

[mdwstrnkid]

If you are able to raise your budget a bit, I would suggest looking at Mar Vista Cottages at Anchor Bay:

Mar Vista Cottages at Anchor Bay

One of my friends goes there with his family and raves about the place.

[ttocs99]

I stayed at a Sonoma Rennaisance (by Marriot) in Sonoma, and they have hotel rooms that are like small cottages. It was awesome, also, only a few minutes from Sonoma Town square which has some great restaurants.

Here's a pic of the cottages (they have upper or lower cottages).



And this is the inside.


Great views from the upper cottage/suite.

Don't know how much they cost, I got 2 nights for free because I had points through Marriot. But Sonoma is only 45-50 minutes away from SF. Here's the link to the Hotel.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...esort-and-spa/

One of the best two day vacations I ever had. Then again, I love Sonoma and Napa, they are like my versions of Heaven on Earth.

[mayorhaggar]

Big Sur, Mendocino, Santa Cruz, etc. I'd wait a few weeks until winter finally dies out and it stops raining. Lodging is expensive in Northern California pretty much anywhere you go, maybe consider camping, it's always fun and relaxing so long as it isn't raining a lot and there's a ton of campgrounds in California.

[doodledoodle]

I 2nd the vote for Sonoma!! So laid back and more affordable than Napa. Check out tripadvisor or one of those for a rental or B&B with private bath. They tend to be most affordable in the area, as opposed to the massive hotels. I've stayed here about a year ago and it sounds like what you are looking for, but out of the $100 price range:
Rates

Had a really good experience though. Large house-like bungalows, very private and quiet, homemade pastries and granola in the mornings delivered for free, charming courtyard to hang out in, walking distance to town with cute shops and some great restaurants.

[SunDevil1212]

Originally Posted by doodledoodle

I 2nd the vote for Sonoma!! So laid back and more affordable than Napa. Check out tripadvisor or one of those for a rental or B&B with private bath. They tend to be most affordable in the area, as opposed to the massive hotels. I've stayed here about a year ago and it sounds like what you are looking for, but out of the $100 price range:
Rates

Had a really good experience though. Large house-like bungalows, very private and quiet, homemade pastries and granola in the mornings delivered for free, charming courtyard to hang out in, walking distance to town with cute shops and some great restaurants.

Oddly enough, in my one visit to Sonoma I actually stayed in that same exact place. It was awesome.

I thought some more and decided to scrap the trip. After reconsidering I'd rather wait for a weekend its not raining so I can do some hiking. But I appreciate all the suggestions, I'll definitely make use of them in the future.

[ashlandbus]

Check out Serinsea in Gualala. Their cabins on-site (there are 4 of them) are cheap (I think 2 are... about 125 a night). They even accept dogs for no-charge (if applicable). They have kitchens and patios/decks. Some the views are stunning, some are just really nice (still ocean). They have a hot-tub that you can reserve for an hour at a time that sites right on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. simply amazing. Its about 2.5 hours from Oakland. The interiors are tired, but comfortable and mostly clean.

[mini_cute]

Lake Tahoe is a 3 hr drive away.