Expert: Stephen Tanenbaum - 3/14/2005

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hi im an archaeologist from the UK and i have recently found out that i may be getting a sum for compensation after an accident a couple of years ago, its not a huge a mount but i want to visit the US with it. Id like to start in Sanfrancisco and end in New York but id like to visit Mesa Verde on the way. I want to take my girlfriend with me as well so how can i achieve this on the cheap? Thanks for your time,
Robert Simm.
Answer -
Hi Robert:

I just picked up your question as I am dashing out the door for downtown San Francisco (we live in a nearby 'bedroom' village 23 miles from SF).

Thought I'd ask these necessary questions. How much time will you be spending on this marvelous journey? How about a ballpark on your average daily budget for lodging?

Any interest in DRIVING cross country? Or did you plan on flying point to point?

Oh, about how long of a stay in SF and NY?

Later...Steve T.






Ok im thinking of spending roughly 3 weeks in the states, i can probably afford about a maximum of $100 a day ( im not sure what ill get yet ), I like the idea of driving but how long do i need to have had my licence for before i can rent a car in the states? and finally id like to spend the best part of a week in SF but probably a little less in NY. i have to see Mesa Verde on the way but im not sure how much of a detour it is.
Thanks again for your time and help,
Robert Simm

Answer
Thanks for the additional input.

I am pleased to offer some suggestions/tips etc.  

Whenever we are planning our bi-annual 2-3 month trips we immerse ourselves in necessary  web research for best ‘bargain' hotels, apartments, car rentals and sightseeing discounts.  You should do likewise.  Since we usually fly free air fares are not a problem.

Comments/Tips:

If at all possible purchase the San Francisco Entertainment edition. This assumes the Entertainment company will ship their book to the UK.  Go to www.entertainment.com to view this wonderful ‘discount'  book.  These handy books, available for major US cities plus Australia, offer hundreds of ONE DINES FREE coupons at lunch and dinner spots so that your dining costs may be reduced by 50%. Very often the savings on just one meal pays for the book.  This book sells for $25 and is NOW discounted on their web site by $10 so the bargain price is just $15 plus s/h. You may mention their email offer, which I received, for 50% off. I can always forward that email to you and this additional savings may cover extra postage.

The book also offers a 20 page hotel discount section covering both SF and NYC and which may be helpful though a thorough web search should match any discount prices the Entertainment book offers. Aside from FREE meals is the one goes FREE sightseeing coupons, such as a free sailing on SF Bay. You can preview virtually the entire book on the web site.  

SF HOTELS: You will need to avoid 'bad' neighborhoods like Hunters Point and the 'Tenderloin.' Get the number or e-mail address for the SF tourist bureau or email me for info on any specific neighborhood. When it comes to downtown SF some hotels are on the edge of SEEDYTOWN, vis a vis hookers, druggies etc. So several blocks on either side of popular hotel area UNION SQUARE (not to be confused with the totally upscale Union Street neighborhood)  may make a major difference.

Some totally fine areas of SF for hotel locations are: Fisherman's Wharf, Lombard Street (motel row) Marina and Van Ness Avenue. Use www.tripadvisor.com which is great for hotels with its many 'USER' reviews regarding the hotel's comfort, convenience, safety, location etc.  I love this site and RELY greatly on the prior guest reviews. Whenever I find a great sounding hotel on a web site I next run its name through TRIP ADVISOR for a final assessment.


In SF street parking is awful and parking fees are very high, $15-$25 per day.  Public transit including awesome cable cars is the way to go so long as you are confined to the city.  A car rental getaway to Muir Woods (an hour away, giant redwoods) or Carmel/Monetary (2 hours) or Napa wine country (2 hours) is another option from SF. There are bus tours such as Greyline which often run a very long one day visit to YOSEMITE VALLEY. This is world class scenery and should not be missed. About four hours one way, then 3-4 hours in the park and the return. WORTH ANY EFFORT.

MESA VERDE AND U.S. TRAVEL TO AND FROM NYC TO SF:
America West Air flys from Durango (about 35 miles from Mesa Verde) to NYC for about $206, not bad for crossing about 2/3 of the U.S. You could visit NYC, fly to Durango and then if your homework pays off rent a car in Durango that permits a one way drop in San Frnacisco. IF you wish to drive the 1260 super scenic miles from Durango to SF. Should take no more than 2.5- 3 days.

Seems to me that any valid UK license will be accepted. But an email or two to Alamo Car Rental, National Car Rental and /or Dollar Car rental will answer that one. All these three have agencies/rental desks at the Durango airport. Or they may let you take their car on a one way to SF for a drop fee? If not a preferential free one  way rental.

I imagine a flight from SF to Durango would be in the range of $150 or so per person. Another option you can check out. Again, try America West Airline and also try Southwest Airlines at www.southwest.com, I think.

Of course, there is also a NYC Entertainment book and I imagine you might check its contents on the sightseeing / restaurant side of the equation. Might be an option even for a short visit. In October we purchased a discounted $10 Entertainment book for our 4 day visit to Toronto and easily saved $50 over the cost of the book.

Hope you find some of these comments helpful and hope you have a marvelous visit to the U.S. Let me know if you have any follow-up questions.

Note: Lost my notes but recall that Travelodge Central San Francisco came up as a reasonable choice at about $84.  Enter the name in Trip Advisor and you will see the many varied, helpful prior guest comments, mostly positive for such a low end SF hotel. Especially the LOCATION, as I recall, on Polk Street which is a colorful, safe (if you don't stray east of Polk) and largely gay neighborhood very close to everything and blocks from city hall. mega shops, restaurants, boutiques etc.

NOTE: Just thought to mention one of the absolute best sightseeing experiences in NYC is the Circle Line boat trip around Manhattan Island.