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I'm trying to plan a getaway for my husband and I and I'm having trouble finding a place for just one night. I am looking for some place close (1 hour drive). So far every place I found has a 2 night min. stay. Does anyone know of a place that does not have this restriction. I would rather stay in a cottage/house than a hotel. need to get away
Also, we have done one-nighters on weekends at some of the bigger hotels in San Francisco. Most recently, it was the W. We have also stayed at the St. Regis. Both of these are nice because they are near good restaurants and the museum. We did one night at the St. Francis on Union Square before, too.
Wow. Sounds like we have a lot of one-night stands, but that isn't the case. This is over a 20 year period.
My husband will be 50 this summer and I would like to take him somewhere to celebrate. His family will probably be with us as well. We both love outdoors and would enjoy a bit of luxury for this occasion. I have never been to Montana or Wyoming and have always wanted to go. I have done a quick search online to look for cabins or resorts but either I didn't get a good sense or they were too expensive (like $3000/weekend!). Any ideas about nice places to go to spend a weekend with family? I would also appreciate any weekend trip ideas in CA as well. Thank you Elif
I am planning an overnight trip with my partner, the first time
both of us will be away from our toddlers. I want it to be very
close, SF or possibly Marin, a nice hotel in a fun location,
possibly with restaurants and/or movies that we can walk to. My
partner doesn't like B&B's too much -- I think they feel too much
like being at Grandma's house, and not enough privacy -- so a
hotel might be better. I don't know SF neighborhoods well enough
to know where to stay. I checked the postings but there were only
a couple of recs. Any suggestions much appreciated!
Looking forward to a night away!
Recommended:
For a getaway in SF, it depends in part how much you enjoy being
in the midst of urban hustle and bustle. There are any number of
hotels (from just nice to super fancy) around Union Square, from
which you could explore shops, museums (around Yerba Buena
Gardens), restaurants and bars. There are movie theaters at the
Embarcadero or Metreon, or you could even go see live theater at
ACT or a few other venues. Another option is to stay in one of
the hotels in Japantown, from which you can explore not only
J-Town but the upscale Fillmore neighborhood to the north, also
home to many nice restaurants and fancy boutiques. (Note:
Fillmore to the south gets a little more gritty.) Japantown also
houses the AMC Kabuki movie theater, and I believe there may be
another theater nearby, as well as a few jazz clubs. You can
also check out the baths at the Kabuki Springs & Spa.
Auntie M
My husband and I will be celebrating our 10th anniversary next May and we want it to be something special. Grandma has offered to watch the kids for a week, so wahoo! We were thinking of going on a Backroads biking/backpack trip, or a chartered sailing cruise (that's more my idea than his...) Has anyone used Backroads before? We were considering an independent backpacking trip but we find we can only go for about 4 days before we start jonesing for a shower and a soft bed. We really want to take advantage of Grandma's generosity and go for the whole week. Having Backroads staff cook our meals for us sounds very appealing as well. Backroads is very pricey -- is it worth it? Thanks for any tips! laurel
I researched a whole bunch of different companies before we took our trip. The prices really varied depending upon the style of the trip. The cheapest were the ones where you camped each night and everone pitched in to cook, clean and set up camp. The most expensive was Backroads, where you stay in nicer places and all your food is included. Bicycle Adventures was just a smidge cheaper than Backroads. There were a few priced in the middle where your lodging wasn't quite as nice (can't remember the companies).
There was one company that was seriously hardcore in that you were riding 100 miles a day for a week. Our trip averaged about 40 miles/day. Pick a trip that matches the miles you want to ride.
Surprisingly, there was not a whole lot of free time each day (and I'm not saying that was a bad thing, more of an observation). Basically a day was like this: have breakfast, get packed and take your stuff to the van, ride some, have lunch, ride some more, arrive at the hotel, have about an hour to clean up and relax, and get dinner. Then you have some time. Some people went out exploring or sitting in the jacuzzi if the hotel had one. We were pretty tired at the end of the day, so we ended up going to bed early. What was nice about the trip being a bit more expensive was that we didn't have to deal with setting up camp or cooking at the end of the day when we were beat and just wanted to relax.
Long answer to a short question. Hope it helps.
My husband and I are going to celebrate our 10th anniversary on December 30. We would hope to have a 2 night getaway Dec 29 and 30. We want to go somewhere very romantic and special. We prefer privacy (cabin over hotel) but don't want to be so isolated that there is nothing else to do but be romantic. We love Indian Springs in Calistoga but want something a bit nicer. We do ski and would consider a snowy retreat, but prefer not to have snow. We are willing to fly but not far as we only have 2 nights. As this a very special occasion, we want to splurge. Lisa
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Hello,
I have a friend getting married this summer. As a surprise, a
group of us want to treat her and her husband to a romantic
first wedding night at a hotel or bed and breakfast in the East
Bay or S.F. I've read the past postings but most deal with
other accommodation needs. We're looking for a romantic place
appropriate for a wedding night! Any suggestions? Thanks in
advance.
Friend of the Bride
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More advice
One of the best wedding presents we received was a gift certificate from an organization called something like North American Association of Bed and Breakfasts and it was good at many, many B&B's so we got to chose where we wanted to go. If you are interested and can't find the association, email me and I'll ask my friend who organized the gift. roxanne
My husband and I are going to go away by ourselves for the first time since our daughter was born for our anniversary. We don't want to be gone two nights from our daughter, so we're trying to find a place where we can stay just for Saturday night. Can anyone recommend an inn/hotel that allows one night stays on a weekend close to the Bay Area? We thought of the Hostel at Pigeon Point, but want something with a little more ''ambiance''. We're more of the artsy/outdoorsy type, so someplace situated near hiking spots is ideal. Golf courses and the like are out (not my husband's cup of tea). This would be within the month, so during the beginning of off-season. Any recommendations would be most appreciated.
My partner and I want to get away for one night (without our
son) somewhere on the Marin/Sonoma Coast. Any recommendations?
Needs a Break
Recommended
Other advice:
Have you checked www.vrbo.com??? This is the ''vacation rentals by owner'' website and it has a wide selection of available properties listed by area. You can generally see several photos of each place you are considering as well as prices, amenities, etc. Hilary
I'm looking for a place to get away from everything for two days.
I have looked into Wilbur Hot Springs, and it looks great. But I
want to go somewhere where I won't have to talk to anyone and no
one will talk to me. I envision some sort of retreat in the woods
where I can go on a hike, read a book, sit by the river, and be
alone for a while. It would have to be a weekend because my
husband will need to be available to watch the kids, and I'm
worried that popular retreats will be too busy. I'm yearning for
complete quiet. I'd love to hear your suggestions.
Gotta Get Away
Recommendations received:
Other ideas:
Vacationing alone sounds great! I have a friend who has spent time in Desolation Wilderness by herself (and her dog). It's on the way to South Lake Tahoe past Strawberry, in the mountains before you go into the Tahoe Basin. It's a National Forest. There are places to stay on the way and there is a great river along the road (I can't rememeber the name of it). I don't know if you can camp there, but you can also stay at nearby hotels and go there for day hikes. There is Echo Lake, Lake Aloha and others. It's high desert. I've been there in July and it can be warm to hot in the day and chilly to downright cold at night. I thought it was a great place to be private and alone in nature. You might check with the City of Berkeley as they have a camp at Echo Lake. You can sometimes rent a tent cabin for the night before summer camp actually starts. Have fun! anon
Baby number 3 is due in July, and I'm looking for a solo weekend away while I still can. Does anyone have any great recommendations? I'm looking for a place to stay that's drivable from Berkeley (3 hours max.), where I can enjoy nature and quiet, sleep in a comfortable bed, hike in gorgeous scenery, play my guitar, write in my journal, have a nice meal, and maybe get a massage. Since I'm pregnant, hot-tubs and wine-tasting are irrelevant, and since it'll just be me, romantic B&Bs are also superfluous. I'm not interested in shopping. I don't want to stay at a big corporate hotel. I'm looking for someplace like Wilbur Hot Springs, only not centered around hot springs, if that makes any sense, and with a nice restaurant nearby. Oh yeah, and I'd like some sun! (Maybe a pool or a beach?) I'm sure I'm asking too much. But if you have any ideas, I'd love to hear. Judith
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I am a working mom who gets to take a trip in early September each year after my husband returns from his ''boys'' adventure. Usually it is to a spa or some other tame, expensive location for a few days with a girlfriend. This time, I'm looking for a challenge and some thrills. Any advice on adventure trips not too far from the bay area? Ideally I'd like to be able to drive to this place (so maybe 3-5 hours max) and spend a few nights somewhere. I am athletic and outdoorsy, so seeking a trip that would challenge and invigorate me -- maybe some sort of hiking, rafting, horseback riding combo? Any ideas would be most welcome! Thanks. Jennifer
My husband and I are looking for a close-by (60-90 minutes away max) romantic getaway weekend, either hotel or B&B. I've read the website recs but I am looking for more ideas. Any good recommendations and what did you like about it, as well as its location. Thanks!
Any recommendations on favorite hideaways (places to stay) in Monterey, Napa, or Calistoga? This is for parents-needing-a-break, i.e., w/o kids. Vern
Recommendations received:
Hi, We have finally arranged to have a babysitter come twice a month so that we can go on some badly needed dates! Now, I could use some suggestions on where to go! East Bay and San Francisco are both locations that interest us. I would like recommendations for both Romantic Dates and Fun Dates... (restaurants, music venues etc...) Thank you for any suggestions that you might have, Michelle
if you're spending most of your money on babysitting and not on yourselves, a friend of mine says that taking a walk up albany hill and sitting outside at night up in the little park up there (maybe with a picnic or bottle of wine?) is also very nice and low-key. jessica
About childcare: We have developed a relationship with one of our teen's friends who lives near us. She's willing to work quite long stretches at a time, and our younger daughter loves her (we've joked about moving her in!). Check local high schools, churches, or network with your other friends to see if you can find someone like this. We also do the occasional childcare swap with our other friends with kids. And some of our friends without kids are sometimes willing to watch her, just because they are wonderful people!
About places to go: You didn't say what sort of things you are interested in. Of course, there's always the dinner and/or a movie thing. We often find that one or the other is preferable to both, just because there's not that much time in an evening, and we don't like giving up our potential for SLEEP to stay out late!
Another thing we have been known to do occasionally is go Country Dancing. This type of dance includes some of the well-known Square dancing, and more of the less-well-known Contra dance (from New England; usually in two long lines), English Country Dance (vintage, from Renaissance through 19th C, usually; most often in small sets of 6 or 8 people in two lines), and other forms of country dancing. These dances are held periodically around the Bay Area. There's a Berkeley Contra Dance every 2nd Friday night, for instance. For a calendar, and a description of what this stuff is all about, go to the web page for the Bay Area Country Dance Society: http://www.bacds.org/ These dances cost about $6 or $7 per person--less than the price of most movies these days! They hold instruction before some dances, and they always start with easy ones and work up to harder ones. And most of these are "called" dances, so someone is telling you what to do every step of the way. Their motto is "If you can walk, you can dance!" (Golly, I'm getting all excited about it myself--I guess I should arrange to go to a dance again soon!)
This, by the way, is not just for Married Couples--several couples I know met each other at these dances; it's a great place to meet other singles!
Happy dating! Dawn
I have been amazed at the number of people who have thought it is "cute" that my wife and I go out on dates after 4 kids and almost 20 years of marriage. I tell them several different things, some echoed from my parents who have been married for 40! First of all is the fact that, after the children are grown and gone, we (hopefully) will still be together as a couple. This means taking time to keep that part of our life alive. Dates don't need to be fancy. Find a neighbor or someone you trust to watch your child or children for even 20 mins at a time. This time can be spent taking a walk and TALKING. It is the time spent paying attention to JUST your spouse that is important. Don't let the talk focus on bills or children, but on each other, plans and hopes for the future or current events! Dinners out don't need to be fancy, some our best "dates" have been over a "whopper" at the local BK. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't spring for Chez Parisse when you can, but it is more important to take time, with JUST your spouse on a regular basis. Another idea, for anyone in Berkeley, is to stroll around the Marina and out on the Pier. The view is splendid and even among the people you can have intimate conversations.
It is the commitment of time and energy to each other more than the "business" of marriage that keeps the relationship alive.
May God continue to bless you Robert
This has the advantage of being a lot closer--Mountain Home Inn in Mill Valley--but it's not really in Mill Valley, but right on Mt. Tam. Very romantic and great hiking. The cheapest rooms are not cheap and are tiny, but w/o kids, a small room is ok! And the room was charming w/ a lovely view. Great breakfast included.
About 6 years ago, my husband and I stayed at the Old Milano Hotel in Gualala and really loved it. The inn is, actually, on the ocean. One outstanding feature (for us) was an outdoor hot tub overlooking the ocean. You sign up for blocks of time, so you have privacy. As I recall, we paid about $80 a night for a nice room, but with a shared bath.
Our favorite spot for an adult getaway in the Mendocino area, and it works well for families also, is the Sea Ranch community on the border of Sonoma and Mendocino counties near the town of Gualala. Many people at Sea Ranch rent out their homes for a long weekend or for weeks at a time. The places range from fairly basic to quite opulent, with a corresponding range of prices. You have the advantage of more space, a fireplace, deck, kitchen, and you can use all the Sea Ranch facilities such as great beaches and hiking trails, 2 pools, golf, tennis. The town of Gualala has several good restaurants and some casual, funky ones. We have always used Ramshead Realty and Rentals on Annapolis Rd because they have the biggest list of rentals. I don't have their number handy, but you can get it through information or look in Sunset magazine for their ad , and they also have a web site. Our kids loved it also when they were small before they preferred to hang out with their friends instead of their parents. My son loved what he called "the wood house" (all houses are in weather wood), and we loved the bathtub and laundry when the kids had spent all day at the beach. Also, having a kitchen allowed us to make some meals ourselves instead of going out for every meal.
We became B&B converts after our first visit to the Joshua Grindle Inn in Mendocino. We've stayed there twice: once in one of their Cottage rooms, the second time in one of the Water Tower rooms and found both rooms to be "home away from home". Woodburning fireplaces in the rooms contribute to the cozy atmosphere, but the decor is very tasteful and little touches like reading material on the bookcases really make you feel welcome. Their breakfasts are out of this world. We took home their cookbook "Mendocino Mornings" and our vegetarian 13 and 15 year-olds love the quiches. Their Website is http://www.joshgrin.com/ I highly recommend them and can't wait myself to go back. We try to make an annual visit for a couple of days to Joshua Grindle to celebrate our December anniversary while the kids are visiting with their dad.
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