| Author | Message | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2672 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi, I'm likely to be travelling to San Francisco sometime soon for a mothership connection to collect my new ( to me) series II bass directly from Alembic. It will only be a short trip of a few days but I need to find a decent inexpensive and secure hotel that I can stay in for a few days and know my bass would be safe there also whilst I'm being a tourist and taking in the highlights. I know some of you guys live or travel through that area so where better to get advice. Also car rental is another thing I'll need too. I don't know where Alembic is in relation to the airport so i would prefer something close to both places if possible. cheers Jazzyvee | ||
| rustyg61
Advanced Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 355 Registered: 2-2011 |
Hey Jazzyvee, I stayed at the Embassy Suites in San Rafael last summer when I toured the Mothership. It is a very nice hotel & I'm sure they could lock your bass up at the main desk if you don't want to leave it in your room. San Rafael is between San Francisco & Santa Rosa, less than an hour drive to each. Here's the link - http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/SFORFES/index.do;jsessionid=FBB5A55B6B99A60D45A23C50E59BDAD0.etc53?xch=1165955832,KhqwPG3FjBpvkqhPJgnT49jctnRlvLrd8f37kGn4cGfw52pQGRQM!-399307077!1325709157351& | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 1323 Registered: 12-2004 |
Delano, Santa Rosa is an hour (not accounting for traffic, which can *triple* that) from San Francisco by car. I've had decent luck with the Courtyard at Fisherman's Wharf: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sfocf-courtyard-san-francisco-fishermans-wharf/ I think parking might be expensive however. Bradley | ||
| rustyg61
Advanced Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 356 Registered: 2-2011 |
(Message edited by rustyg61 on January 04, 2012) | ||
| redcloud
Member Username: redcloud Post Number: 95 Registered: 5-2011 |
I was just out there a couple of months ago. Santa Rosa is about an hour fifteen from San Fran or Oakland or Sacramento. It is a nice drive and I liked being in Santa Rosa. I and my Wife stayed at the Rosa Inn which was close to some nice restaurnts (esp. an excellent and moderately priced French one) and also close to Alembic. | ||
| xlrogue6
Intermediate Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 197 Registered: 8-2002 |
First off, if you haven't booked your flight already, you should consider flying into Oakland rather than SFO. Slightly closer to Santa Rosa, but more importantly traffic is generally significantly better than from SFO because you don't have to drive through SF. Since I live here I don't really have any hotel recommendations--depends on what you want to see and do while you're here. I've played at the Embassy Suites, and it seems like a nice place, and is well located as mentioned. You could be in SF or SR in 30 minutes unless you go during commute hours in commute direction (south in the AM, north in the PM). | ||
| xlrogue6
Intermediate Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 198 Registered: 8-2002 |
P.S.: If you're going to stay in Sonoma County, you can probably get a great deal (midweek and off-season!) at one of the many B&Bs up here in the Wine Country. | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1439 Registered: 11-2004 |
Congrats on the SII acquisition, Jazzy! Which bass is it? | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 5026 Registered: 7-2004 |
Jazzyvee: Far F-ing out! I live 5 minutes from Oakland airport which is about 1 hour south of Santa Rosa - 1 1/2 hours with typical traffic, depending on time of day. If the timing is right, I've got a spare bedroom and a studio downstairs full of instruments that could keep your baby company while you trip around the Bay Area. As far as a car rental, you should rent at whichever airport you fly into (probably San Francisco). Use priceline.com and try the "name your own price" option. I usually get a car for 1/2 to 2/3 the published rate, sometimes even less. Bill, tgo | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1748 Registered: 11-2004 |
That is what is great about being in this club..there will always be someone who can help out in more ways than is expected. | ||
| serialnumber12
Senior Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 934 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hey Jazzy ive got Great deals here at my travel site http://www.ytbtravel.com/Home.aspx?wa=windnwatertravel take a look around & tell me what you think.....infact i'll be coming to san francisco next month for a few days & a party. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2236 Registered: 5-2009 |
Jazzyvee, I would agree with previous posts in this thread that flying in to Oakland rather then San Francisco is a good idea . I find that the Oakland International Airport is less of a "Rat Race" scenario from personal experiance. As far as vehicle rentals I like "Enterprise" for various reasons,http://www.enterprise.com/car_rental/deeplinkmap.do?bid=1175&xparm=sanfrancisco-car-rental Congratulations on the Series II . Perhaps when you are here locally I will be able to say hello to you at some point in your travels. | ||
| briant
Senior Member Username: briant Post Number: 605 Registered: 12-2004 |
The wife and I fancy the Fairmont in Sonoma. http://www.fairmont.com/sonoma You should be able to score a great rate since it is off-season (as mentioned above). The Fairmont is ~35 minutes from The Mothership, right in the heart of wine country, and an easy drive into San Francisco. | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 1018 Registered: 1-2005 |
Not sure how many international flights come in to Oakland Airport, but it is definitely more convenient than SFO (San Francisco International). Heck, I'll even come pick you up myself if you're going to stay at Bill's! I live and work about 10 minutes away. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2677 Registered: 6-2002 |
Wow I'm touched by the generosity and kindness shown by you guys, ( even though I'm taking yet another gem from your shores). :-) Once Mica has the bass and knows what the time period will be to get the little jobs done I will certainly contact you guys privately regarding your generous offers of assistance. I don't know where else on the net you would get this kind of generosity. Thank you Jazzyvee | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 5028 Registered: 7-2004 |
Jazzyvee: How could I not offer as we are almost guitar brothers, having both purchased "Dragon Magic". Unfortunately I merely had the winning bid on a fraudulent eBay auction back in 2004. As they say though, every cloud has a silver lining. I first met Mica when she emailed me right after the auction closed to advise me it was a scam (back then you could see who was bidding). No problem with you taking a bass back across the pond, but if you grab a guitar we just might have a problem! - lol Bill, tgo | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2678 Registered: 6-2002 |
wow that's shocking I didn't realise you had bid on the guitar in the past. I suppose I was fortunate it was being sold at a bonafide guitar store. I hope you didn't lose out financially. jazzyvee (Message edited by jazzyvee on January 05, 2012) | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 5029 Registered: 7-2004 |
Not a dime, thanks to Mica. She emailed me within minutes of the auction closing to let me know the auction was a scam and the guitar was still with its original owner who had commissioned it for his 50th b-day and not for sale. That's what got me thinking of a custom for my own then upcoming 50th, which eventually resulted in Woody, my custom Further. All's well that ends well! Bill, tgo | ||
| wishbass
Member Username: wishbass Post Number: 91 Registered: 5-2011 |
Hey Jazzy, you bought my wallpaper! Supercool.I still get to drool over yet another of your basses..... | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 228 Registered: 11-2009 |
http://www.cafepress.com/alembicstuff.8184865 | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2683 Registered: 6-2002 |
Shame it's not listed on the UK Site. Jazzyvee | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 1107 Registered: 3-2004 |
"I don't know where else on the net you would get this kind of generosity." What a great group of folks. Kudos to Bill, Jazzy, and all the decent folks who I feel privileged to share electronic space with. | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1798 Registered: 9-2002 |
Well, if you ever get to Nashville . . . . ! BTW, you Bay Area guys be SURE and tell our friend to dress warm ! It's always surprising how many new to the SFO area don't realize it's NOT like Los Angeles, weather-wise. The UK isn't exactly Miami either, but JZV, it's almost always sweater weather ! J o e y | ||
| oddmetersam
Intermediate Member Username: oddmetersam Post Number: 170 Registered: 7-2008 |
Yeah, I grew up in Altadena down in So. Cal. Weather was almost perfect. Moved to Berkeley in '72 and was frozen and waterlogged with chilling rain upon arrival. But when it's beautiful -- which really is most of the time -- it's breathtaking around the SF Bay Area. The micro climates around here also keep things interesting. We're currently in a drought; at least we're really lagging in annual rainfall figures so far this year. No matter what, Jazzyvee, there will be plenty of warmth from the good folks you'll meet. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 5035 Registered: 7-2004 |
As the locals know, the secret to dealing with Bay Area weather is layers. Like a coat over a light sweater over a flannel shirt over a T-shirt. Remove or add as needed and you can comfortably travel throughout the region. It really is amazing how much variety there is to the weather around here. It is not unusual that, on my way back to Oakland from Santa Rosa, I can get on bridge in San Rafael and come off the bridge in Richmond a few minutes later with more than a 10 degree drop in temperature! Keeps us on our toes! Bill, tgo | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3075 Registered: 10-2002 |
Good timing jazzy. My better half and I will be travelling around the west coast for a week or so mid september next year so any advice you get will be stored away for future use. How's the rail service between LA, SF and vegas? Graeme | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2246 Registered: 5-2009 |
HI , That would be AMTRAK http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer/Page/1237405732511/1237405732511 |
