[Mark Chen]

hello everyone
I need some help from this regional forum
I am going to take a trip in SF next week
I am going to be there from 8/9 to 8/13
this is my frist time to visit SF
actually it's my first time to visit CA as well
Any other suggestions on where to go/must go places??
I may rent a car, do I have to rent the car in airport?
or there is other place I can rent a car?
I wonder how long will it take from SF to LA if I drive?
thanks in advance

[stooken]

Rent a car at the airport so when you fly back to NY, you can just drop it off there. It's just convenient.

There's plenty to do in SF. Check out this guide.
http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/

As for driving to LA, that's about 7 hours depending how fast you drive. It's a good ~450 miles.

[CALIF65GM]

For 5-days, I don't recommend going to LA too unless you're already planning to fly out of LA then you need to rent the car 1-way and it's typically 30-$40 more day.

I'd do Sausalito/Napa, Monterey/Carmel, besides the city itself if you have time.

[evoi19]

What do you want to do here? Do you want to see the tourist sites or go out to the night scene?

For 5 days, I don't know if you'll have time to drive to LA. Maybe save that for another trip.

The best thing to do is to explore the bay area, and not just SF. The bay has MUCH more to offer. Napa wine country, Monterey (aquarium, Laguna Seca, Pebble Beach), Berkeley, drive along the coast either south or north.

SF is awesome and the city has alot to offer, but to get a good scope of the Bay Area, try traveling around a bit. If you're eating in the city, try Medjool on a Thursday/Friday/Saturday night. Food is great and it turns into a lounge/bar afterhours. Plus they have a terrace that you can hang out on and look at the entire city.

[BMW F22]

IMO you should spend the time in SF and the surrounding cities, not cities that are far away like LA and SD. Then next time you can make plans to visit SoCal. CA is a huge state so dont try to cover all of it because you wont enjoy it at all.

[Stephii_Rawr]

i wish i could go.. i miss sf =(

[Mark Chen]

thanks for everybody
i was thinking the same thing
stay in SF and the surrounding cities
don't want to be rush

[Mark Chen]

Originally Posted by stooken

Rent a car at the airport so when you fly back to NY, you can just drop it off there. It's just convenient.

There's plenty to do in SF. Check out this guide.
http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/

As for driving to LA, that's about 7 hours depending how fast you drive. It's a good ~450 miles.

thanks for the web
is it possible to rent a at midnight at the airport??
cause my flight will arrive at 12:35 AM

[stooken]

Originally Posted by Mark Chen

thanks for the web
is it possible to rent a at midnight at the airport??
cause my flight will arrive at 12:35 AM

You should be able to. I checked Hertz and it says they're open 24 hours.

Online reservations are much cheaper than doing it in person. You don't even have to put your credit card information on file so it doesn't matter if you pick up the car or not.

[CALIF65GM]

Originally Posted by stooken

You should be able to. I checked Hertz and it says they're open 24 hours.

All of the major airport players are open 24-hrs except for maybe Enterprise, but you don't want to rent from Enterprise anyways.

BTW are you at least 25; otherwise, there would be a per day surcharge for renters under 25.

[SpecC]

i recommend visiting sausalito if you like scenery

[Mark Chen]

Originally Posted by CALIF65GM

All of the major airport players are open 24-hrs except for maybe Enterprise, but you don't want to rent from Enterprise anyways.

BTW are you at least 25; otherwise, there would be a per day surcharge for renters under 25.

thanks for the info
I am 28

[Mark Chen]

Originally Posted by SpecC

i recommend visiting sausalito if you like scenery

OK
I will put them on my list

[Ray]

SF has 49 mile Scenic Drive, which offers a comprehensive tour of the city.

http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/maps/49miledrive.asp

This drive will not only provide scenic views, but will identify several points of interest. I recommend you enjoy this drive on the first day of your trip, then decide how to plan your itinerary (whether to spend more time in the city or outside the city).

Do your rear wheels still rub?

[uberschnell]

SF has 49 mile Scenic Drive, which offers a comprehensive tour of the city.

-They forgot to list 50. Hunters Point

JK!!! really JK!!!


If you are going to drive down to SoCal, then take a couple of days and drive down highway 1.

[longtran]

LA is about 5 hours drive not 7. its 7 hours if you take the 101 down.

[!Xoible]

if he takes 101 down it can take up to 11 hours (i did it 3 times and took 11 hours every time. im lucky!)
but he'd enjoy the scene. if he takes the 5 he'll get there better but the drive is

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Magna3

-They forgot to list 50. Hunters Point

JK!!! really JK!!!

I heard that area's up and coming!

[dejav0o]

After doing your research on that website, and you still want some suggestions (local food, local hangouts, how to narrow down the things to see) let us know and we'll be glad to help out.

I'm betting a few members here would probably be willing to go with you around for the day as well just to show you the sites.

[e92phreak]

yeah... the 101 is unpredictable... could take a long time on the weekends, especially on Sunday... but the view is so much better than the 5.

Do the Monterey scenic view drive if you like scenic views and have a nice camera.

Will you be in the SF area more or the LA area more?

[Mark Chen]

Originally Posted by Ray

SF has 49 mile Scenic Drive, which offers a comprehensive tour of the city.

http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/maps/49miledrive.asp

This drive will not only provide scenic views, but will identify several points of interest. I recommend you enjoy this drive on the first day of your trip, then decide how to plan your itinerary (whether to spend more time in the city or outside the city).

Do your rear wheels still rub?

sounds a good idea
BTW, no rubs on my rear wheels after I change my tires

[Mark Chen]

Originally Posted by e92phreak

yeah... the 101 is unpredictable... could take a long time on the weekends, especially on Sunday... but the view is so much better than the 5.

Do the Monterey scenic view drive if you like scenic views and have a nice camera.

Will you be in the SF area more or the LA area more?

thanks for these info
I think I will be in the SF area more
since my flight will arrive SF at midnight
I probably will spend whole day to explore the SF(8/9)
then rent a car like 3~4 days(from 8/10~8/12, maybe 13)
visit the surrounding cities
BTW, how's the weather in SF recently?
Do I need a jacket or something?