CMK10

Hmm that's a thought. Though my flight out of LAX isn't until 11:10 PM though so that won't bother me too much. I'm planning to stay Saturday at the Embassy Suites in Lompoc and then head to Santa Barabra for lunch and hanging out. The traffic won't bother me as long as I'm in LA in time for dinner. Appreciate the warning though ^

Doc Savage

I know what hotel prices are like on weekends, so I think I know why Lompoc. When I'm in that area, I usually stay at the Radisson in Santa Maria. There are some rooms available that day for $80 using the Friends and Family rate code carlsonf if that's better than what you're getting in Lompoc, and less out of the way. Cool thing is that the hotel is right on the airport runway. Suggest you spend a few hours and get dinner in San Luis Obispo, a great town. Santa Maria, and especially Lompoc are best to drive to late and leave early.

CMK10

My current plan is a late lunch in SLO and to check out the campus and a few other sights. One of the other reasons I picked Lompoc (besides the price ) was that one of my favorite movies is Sideways which was filmed in nearby Buellton and Solvang. So I'm going to have dinner at one of the restaurants featured in the movie.

We'll have to talk at dinner so you can give me more pointers, sounds like you know this area really well.

boxo

I will definitely be up for lunch. Possibly 1:00 or 1:30?

Has there been a "Sideways" DO? If not, why not?! I'm not a drinker, would hate to take that planning on for extreme fear of disappointing.

boxo

Okay, I'm done with all of my late-summer travel and am on the ground till February at this point.

Attention all fence-sitters: are you hot, cold or somewhere in the middle?

centxwx
mersk862
JerryFF
karung99+1
f0zzyNUE
HansGolden
HPN-HRL (x Oct 3-5)
penegal
ptownca
Sykes
emyh
stellertony

In the next 1-2 weeks, I'll be asking for some commitment.

Firstly, I need to submit a firmer number than "around 15" by the end of the month (Sep 30) to the State Parks Dept for the Sunday walking tour.

Please record your intentions for each event in the wiki above. If anyone has good reason to be waffling on confirming weekend attendance, send me a PM. (I'll clear out some Inbox space just for you!)

PV_Premier

I would be 100% on board with this idea!!! ^^^

Majuki

Count me in... I was looking at the Marriott, but the rates seem high. I'll figure something out though.. Would it be possible to confirm Friday Dinner through Saturday dinner? I think I will drive home Saturday evening.

GrjApp

Unfortunately I have to bow out. I did however move up my visit to two weeks earlier and will be using the very splendid activities list as a cheat sheet! Happy to do some "dress rehearsal" the weekend of the 11th, if anybody is around.

boxo

That is absolutely fine. Add yourself to the wiki at the top of the page.

The Marriott is always expensive. When I was a MR Platinum, I had designs on a staycation, but no way was I going to spend $$$ for a hotel that doesn't even have a lounge.

Oh, yikes. That's Mazda race weekend. Did you find an affordable hotel within a 50-mile radius? I'll be around. Let's coordinate a meet in a couple weeks.

CMK10

That's a good idea, I'd be interested too on one condition, I am not drinking any F-ING Merlot!

boxo

A reminder that I need a headcount for Sunday's State Parks walking tour. Please sign up on the wiki if you haven't already done so. Thanks.

CMK10

Anyone interested in being roommates Friday night? I need stays to make Hilton Diamond but the HGI Monterey is still a bit steep, especially for what's going to be an expensive trip. Anyone want to share a room and split costs? It would be $90 each but I'm Gold so we get...FREE BREAKFAST!

Let me know.

Majuki

I see on-site parking is $10/day. The Marriott's rate was even crazier at $300+. I don't need anymore Marriott nights this year, so I'm open to staying here.

boxo

OMG, I feel like the worst DO planner ever! I'm still working things out.

For Saturday, I originally planned an afternoon at Point Lobos, but it was suggested by (IIRC) frontrangeFF that we go in the morning when it's less apt to be crowded. The Parks only allow 150 cars in at one time, so if the park is full, people wait on the side of the road. One car out, one car in. And a ranger said the angle of afternoon sun can be bothersome. Sooo, our Point Lobos trip will be flipped to the morning.

I have also looked into Downtown Carmel walking tours, but only one outfit has gotten back to me.

Last week, the State Parks guy emailed to say they CANNOT offer us a private tour due to staff shortage. So, on Sunday, I went down there to talk to some rangers and five separately told me a few rangers had quit. I didn't ask why, but anyway, we will be joining the public tour at 10:30 am... which is on a first come-first served basis. The rangers said typically only a few people show up to tour. But, the last Sunday of every month is FREE, so there's a possibility for more people. The meeting place is inside the Pacific House Museum. I suggest we be there when they open at 10 am.

I am considering moving our Sunday lunch spot (Sticks in Pebble Beach) to somewhere closer/in town, either Monterey or Pacific Grove considering people's flight departures. I'd rather have a relaxed lunch with everyone rather than a hurried lunch with people needing to dash out for the airports.

I will update the wiki to reflect these new developments.

CMK10

Don't sweat it, we got a few weeks to go and I for one think you're doing a great job ^