California - Marin/SanRafel vs. ScottsValley/SantaCruz

Howdy all,

Just wrapping up some final details on an upcoming trip to SFO area. Have no real plan (free ticket about to expire-just needed to go somewhere), but I've decided to stay "near" SF, since that's where my flight will ultimately land. Several questions linger before I feel I can make an "informed" decision on my final destination...

I have narrowed lodging options down to Embassy Suites Marin/San Rafael or Hilton Santa Cruz. Any thoughts on properties? (Must use GLON about to expire as well.)

Location - Marin vs SantaCruz... My ideal locale would include good mountain biking & other outdoor exploring opportunities combined with good dining/nightlife/social atmosphere nearby. Either seem like good options, but would LOVE any input!

I'm going to be working from my hotel while there also, and would appreciate a nice view from the room when cooped up.

Just really hoping to make this "working vacation" feel a little more like a "vacation" than just working somewhere other than home.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I've got to get the hotel finalized soon.

Thanks!

FYI - This trip is happening in a couple of weeks.


[This message has been edited by Mileage Maniac (edited Mar 16, 2004).]

It's a tough call but I'd vote for Marin County, based on your parameters.

In Marin County there are plenty of outdoor options for exploration. Some of my favorites include:

Marin Headlands http://www.nps.gov/goga/mahe/
Whenever you see pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge with San Francisco in the background, this is where the pictures are taken. Here you can explore ruins of artillery battery sites used to protect the entrance of S.F. Bay. The Nike Missle Site is an interesting cold war relic that is open limited hours, see http://www.nps.gov/goga/nike/index.htm Don't miss the Pt.Bonita lighthouse, check hours here http://www.nps.gov/goga/mahe/pobo/index.htm

Pt. Reyes National Seashore http://www.nps.gov/pore/ offers great hiking/biking, superb scenery, and interesting small towns. Along Tomales Bay you can stop and eat barbecued oysters - a regional specialty.

Muir Woods National Monument http://www.nps.gov/muwo/ is renowned for its old growth redwood trees - plenty of hiking trails here too. But I'd avoid weekends where it gets way too crowded for my taste - go during the week instead.

Angel Island State Park http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=468 is located in San Francisco Bay. It can only be reached by ferry, is a great place to ride bicycles or hike.

Mt.Tamalpais State Park http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=471 is popular with mountain bikers as there are a lot of trails for them. I always see groups of bikers huffing their way up the summit road as I drive by in my air conditioned piggymobile.

The City of Sausalito http://www.ci.sausalito.ca.us/vis-info/index.htm is a pleasant small city with a Mediterranean feel along S.F.Bay - it can be overrun with tourists during the weekend though. On nice days it is fun to grab lunch from one of the many delis and just sit on the waterfront watching the incredible view.

From Sausalito you can take a passenger ferry to San Francisco's Ferry Building (frequent departures).

Enjoy your trip!



[This message has been edited by El Cochinito (edited Mar 17, 2004).]

I agree with Conchito (I'm more familiar with Marin County). If you're interested in a little off-the-beaten-path lodging, check out the Panama Hotel in San Rafael. Close to the downtown area. Funky, clean, and apparently a very good restaurant. I found links to them by searching google (Panama Hotel San Rafael). Some good restaurants for San Rafael are: Las Camellias (415.472.7101), Royal Thai (415.485.1074), and there's a tapas restaurant that has flamenco dancing on the weekends across the freeway from the Embassy Suites (concierge should be able to help on the name of that one).and Il Davide for Italian. Continued.

And if you're into a good workout, check out the Dipsea trail in Mill Valley, heads over the hills to Stinson Beach at the coast. Not for the faint of heart! wwww.durt.org/runs/dipsea.html. If you stay at the Embassy Suites, you have to check out the amazing architecture of the amazingly designed Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center, a walk away from the hotel. Can't miss it, they call it "The Big Blue Roof". Very good farmers market there in the parking lot on the weekends (not sure which days). Also nearby is the Marin Auditorium where there is usually something going on, live performance-wise. During some parts of the year they offer nighttime tours of the old prison at Alcatraz island. Drive to to SF and get on the ferry there, as opposed to taking the ferry from Larkspur to SF and then getting on another ferry to Alcatraz. It is very cold and windy though! If you choose Marin, hope you enjoy the stay!

I am not too familar with Santa Cruz. For Marin, the Embassy Suite will be a slow drive into SF during morning (and posibly evening) rush hour.

Also check out the 3 Joie de Vivre Marin properties for specials at www.jdvhospitality.com. (http://www.jdvhospitality.com.) I've only stayed at the Mill Valley Inn, but it was excellent (and included breakfast). They are all closer to SF. The one in Tiburon (on the bay) I believe is walking distance to the ferry to SF.

In general, I would recommend Mill Valley or Tiburon over San Rafael. From Mill Valley, you can bike into the hills and National Recreation areas. Downtown Mill Valley and Tiburon have a number of good restaurants and bars in walking distance. Sausalito also would be a good base of operations for hotels, restaurants, and access to SF and rec areas.

If you decide to go to the Wine Country, it will be less crowded on a non-holiday weekday. Time to get there on a week day will be about the same (within 20 minutes probably) from any of these Marin locations mentioned.