Tips for Planning a Girlfriend Getaway to San Francisco

Fabulous dining, gateway to wine country and bohemian attitude make San Francisco a fun girlfriend getaway. A friend recently asked for my advice in helping her and another friend plan a three-day girlfriend getaway to celebrate their 40th birthdays. They want to stay in the Fisherman's Wharf area and see the San Francisco Bridge and Alcatraz Island.

Rather than suggesting where to stay and what to see and do, following are my smart tips for planning a memorable girl vacation to San Francisco.

When to Book Flights to San Francisco from the East Coast for Thanksgiving Week?

Every traveler wishes they had a crystal ball to project when to purchase lowest priced airfare but when traveling over a holiday time period, booking sooner than later is a smart thing to do. In addition to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), also check airfares into Oakland International Airport (OAK). A fare in the $400s is a good fare, something is the $300s is a great fare.

There are multiple online resources to book airfare such as Kayak.com, Expedia.com and Travelocity.com along with airline websites. If you do not have the time to research airfares, check with a local travel agent and also ask if they are aware of discounted flights and San Francisco hotel packages. Travel agencies will most likely charge a fee to book the airfare but compared to the convenience, paying this fee is usually worth it.

Speaking of hotel packages, if you are an AAA member, stop by their office to speak with their travel agency to see if there are any specials or discounts.

Do You Know Any Reputable Tour Companies in San Francisco?

During my 2007 vacation to San Francisco I booked a day trip with Extranomical Tours to Sonoma Wine Country and Muir Woods National Monument (here's the review http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/276903/hugging_trees_and_sipping_wine_with.html?cat=16). The excursion was excellent on my budget, tour guide was personable and entertaining and I had a terrific time. The tour also stopped at the San Francisco Bridge, and gave a little tour of downtown San Francisco, too.

What are the Best San Francisco Travel Guidebooks?

When planning a vacation to San Francisco, visit the official tourism website for the destination, Only in San Francisco (www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com). Receive updates when registering for the free enewsletter, order the free Visitor Information Kit to have information mailed and check out the section for vacation packages.

The Web is full of additional San Francisco planning resources including AAA's free travel information (http://bit.ly/AAA_SanFran) Girlfriend Getaways (www.girlgetaways.com), Oyster Blog (http://blog.oyster.com/girlfriend-getaway-san-francisco-8908/) and TripAdvisor.

As for a San Francisco travel guidebook, there are many resourceful guides. When choosing a guidebook, I prefer visiting the local book store and reviewing what's in stock. Eyewitness Travel Guides publishes a highly rated San Francisco travel guidebook (4.5 stars on Amazon) and Frommer's Day by Day series has a San Francisco edition.

Additional Smart Tips for a Fun San Francisco Girlfriend Getaway

If planning on experiencing multiple San Francisco attractions, consider purchasing a San Francisco CityPASS to see five sights at a discounted price. Another option is the Custom Explorer Pass to San Francisco by Smart Destinations. Travelers can select which attractions and tours they want and receive discounted admission. Be sure to do the math and plan your itinerary before making a purchase to determine if worth it.

Utilize Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to save on ground transportation costs, especially to and from the airport.

I recall a lack of public restrooms and limited pay toilets. When you have the opportunity to go, do it.

Associated Content Contributor Jo Frances offers tips in her article, "What NOT to Pack for a Trip to San Francisco"( http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/70533/what_not_to_pack_for_a_trip_to_san.html?cat=16)

San Francisco is a fantastic vacation destination, take it all in and enjoy.

Sources:

May 2007 Visit to San Francisco
AAA's San Francisco's Travel Guide, http://bit.ly/AAA_SanFran
Girlfriend Getaways, www.girlgetaways.com
Oyster Blog, http://blog.oyster.com/girlfriend-getaway-san-francisco-8908/
San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com