| When you're planning to spend some time in or near a | | | | That night, you could even end up dining at one of the |
| place like Boston, Zurich, London, or San Francisco, you | | | | many fabulous San Francisco restaurants using money |
| can save by not staying in the same hotel every night. | | | | you'd saved on hotels! You'd be staying in San |
| And, even if you're just spending a couple of nights, | | | | Francisco two nights. |
| you can sometimes save as much as 50--70% by | | | | After your last night in San Francisco, you wouldn't |
| choosing the right hotel location, as explained below. | | | | need to head out right away. You could still spend |
| Let's say you're a couple planning a trip to the San | | | | most of the day exploring the city. |
| Francisco Bay Area for a special occasion. | | | | Then, timing your drive before or after any rush hour |
| You would like to spend the week: | | | | traffic, you could take scenic southbound Interstate |
| -visiting wineries, | | | | 280, which runs in a greenbelt along a ridge, giving you |
| -hiking in Point Reyes National Seashore and Muir | | | | views of San Francisco Bay. Near San Jose, you'd |
| Woods, | | | | switch to State Highway 85 and then U.S. 101, and |
| -exploring Big Sur, Carmel and Monterey, and | | | | continue toward Carmel and Monterey. |
| -experiencing the highlights of San Francisco. | | | | In the Carmel and Monterey area, you would have a |
| It would be simple for you to book seven nights in a | | | | choice: 1) You could either use some of your hotel |
| San Francisco hotel. After all, you would be within an | | | | savings to stay in a fantastically romantic place, such |
| easy day's drive of everything you want to see. | | | | as the Tickle Pink Inn along the shore, or 2) continue to |
| However, seven nights in a San Francisco hotel would | | | | save by booking a quality place inland. |
| be expensive--and even more so as you probably | | | | For the latter, the ultimate hotel money saver in the |
| want an especially nice place for this trip. And, on top | | | | Carmel and Monterey area is the nearby town of |
| of that, you would have to pay about $30--45 a day | | | | Salinas. |
| for parking in a safe area. | | | | The Grapes of Wrath no longer haunt John |
| Instead, why not spend the first three nights closer to | | | | Steinbeck's Salinas. It's become a pleasant |
| the Wine Country and the national seashore? | | | | working-class town with a center city that people |
| You could book a very nice resort-style hotel in or | | | | enjoy in the evening. |
| near Santa Rosa for a fraction of the cost of a similar | | | | Salinas puts you a mere 25 minutes from Carmel, but |
| hotel in San Francisco. | | | | in a different price range altogether. |
| You would end up really close to many of the finest | | | | So, what have you done here? You've had three |
| Napa Valley wineries, the Calistoga hot springs spas, | | | | nights in Santa Rosa, two in San Francisco, and two in |
| and even the exceptional restaurant of the Culinary | | | | the Monterey area. |
| Institute of America. Moreover, you'd be just a few | | | | Not only have you saved a lot on hotels--even if you |
| minutes from beautiful Point Reyes National Seashore. | | | | splurged in Carmel--you've also saved a lot of time |
| Then, after your last night in Santa Rosa, you could | | | | commuting from a San Francisco hotel. This is time |
| enjoy a scenic drive along the Marin County coastline | | | | you've been able to use visiting fun and memorable |
| toward San Francisco, with stops in charming Sausalito | | | | places, rather than on the road. |
| and the redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument | | | | When saving money helps you have a better vacation, |
| before heading over the Golden Gate Bridge. | | | | you have travel savings at its finest. |