San Francisco Travel

[matdave]

Hi,

Just after some advice. Me and a colleague are going to San Francisco with work for a week - someones got to do it. Anyway we have the Friday free and as I may never get the chance to do this again we plan to hire bikes to travel to Monteray and back. The trouble is the hire company has a $2500 excess charge in case of theft or damage. Do you know of a travel company that I may be able to offset this against. Many Thanks


Terry

 

[Schtum]

Hi,

Just after some advice. Me and a colleague are going to San Francisco with work for a week - someones got to do it. Anyway we have the Friday free and as I may never get the chance to do this again we plan to hire bikes to travel to Monteray and back. The trouble is the hire company has a $2500 excess charge in case of theft or damage. Do you know of a travel company that I may be able to offset this against. Many Thanks


Terry

Who are you planning on renting a bike from? I rented a GS from Dubbelju in San Francisco last year. I don't remember there being a $2500 excess on the insurance. I do remember it wasn't exactly cheap to rent the bike and I think I took out the highest level of insurance that was on offer.

As for going to Monterey, I guess if you haven't been before it's worth seeing but if you just want to ride I can think of better ways to spend a day in the San Francisco Bay Area than bimbling down Hwy 1 to Monterey. In that respect, www.pashnit.com is your friend.

 

[boxer]

Who are you planning on renting a bike from? I rented a GS from Dubbelju in San Francisco last year. I don't remember there being a $2500 excess on the insurance. I do remember it wasn't exactly cheap to rent the bike and I think I took out the highest level of insurance that was on offer.

As for going to Monterey, I guess if you haven't been before it's worth seeing but if you just want to ride I can think of better ways to spend a day in the San Francisco Bay Area than bimbling down Hwy 1 to Monterey. In that respect, www.pashnit.com is your friend.

i rented from Easyrider and don't remember an excess of that size at all. Again it wasn't cheap but it was well worth it.

Once again I'd agree with Schtum concerning Monterey and advise you head north over Golden Gate Bridge, stopping for photos at the viewing point north bound side. Make sure you visit the other viewing point on your return.

Join HWY 1 about 5 miles after the bridge and it just gets perfect. Ride up to
Point Reyes Station and visit the lighthouse in Point Reyes National Seashore. Not the longest ride you'll do, but for sure, one you'll remember.

If you do see a go that way and you do see a sign advising of sand on the road - believe it.

Make sure you have real clear instructions for returning the bike or GPS as SF ain't that easy to navigate, what with one-way systems and such.

You'll have a great tie whatever you decide.

Russ.

 

[Rushy]

+1 for not going south.

Highway 1 gets really great the further south of Monterey that you go BUT you might end up not having enough time to pick up the bikes, do the distance , stop and take pictures & return the bikes all in the same day.

There are better roads just North of the City. Or stay in town Ride Lombard street just to say you've done it, pop up to Coit Tower to see the view, do the GG Bridge, and then maybe do some nice roads and drop into the Napa Valley area too if you have time .

 

[freeloader]

+1 for not going south.

Highway 1 gets really great the further south of Monterey that you go BUT you might end up not having enough time to pick up the bikes, do the distance , stop and take pictures & return the bikes all in the same day.

There are better roads just North of the City. Or stay in town Ride Lombard street just to say you've done it, pop up to Coit Tower to see the view, do the GG Bridge, and then maybe do some nice roads and drop into the Napa Valley area too if you have time .

Good way to find out that the cousin who's showing you the sights of SF has vertigo.

DAMHIK.

 

[matdave]

San Fran

Thanks for getting back so quickly - i will look at other options that you mention. We are renting from US MOTORCYCLE RENTALS (http://www.thethunderroad.com/). The main reason is that they are only one block away from the hotel. I recjecked the web site and $2500 is the figure for vip insurance.

I would welcome any way to offset this.

Many Thanks

 

[jopos]

We did travel around SF and did make some small movies and short story. You can find it on www.LifeIsJoy.nl

Enjoy!

 

[ChasMill]

We did travel around SF and did make some small movies and short story. You can find it on www.LifeIsJoy.nl

Enjoy!

Dutch home movies - NSFW?

 

[jopos]

Dutch home movies - NSFW?

 

[JPR]

Guess you must have more money than sense.
For less than a 250 mile round trip.?
Crazy.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Thanks for getting back so quickly - i will look at other options that you mention. We are renting from US MOTORCYCLE RENTALS (http://www.thethunderroad.com/). The main reason is that they are only one block away from the hotel. I recjecked the web site and $2500 is the figure for vip insurance.

I would welcome any way to offset this.

Many Thanks

Both Dubbelju and eagle rider are in the city so I would advise either of them because their excess is nowhere near $2500. Dubbelju have a few 1200GS's

If you must go south, take Route 1 along the coast to Santa Cruz. As you approach Santa Cruz take a left along Empire Grade which winds back north. Take a left on the 236 to the Redwoods State Park which is a stunning ride amongst the giant trees. Keep on the 236 to the 35 and turn left on the Skyline Blvd and anjoy some luncvh at Alices Restaurant Monterey is pretty dull to be honest and Route 1 from Santa Cruz is dual track.

If you go north, follow Route 1 along the coast past Point Reyes Station and you can go as far as you like along the beautiful coastline. This is the real Highway 1 I always go as far as Stewart Point and turn right. This takes you along to Skaggs Springs rd which is a blast to ride before heading over to Napa

 

[Schtum]

I always go as far as Stewart Point and turn right. This takes you along to Skaggs Springs rd which is a blast to ride before heading over to Napa

Now you're talking - that road's a hoot and I've only ever driven it in a RAV4....

Even better are roads (!?!?!?) like China Grade, Tunitas Creek and the Fairfax to Bolinas Road.

Oh and Stage Road......I nearly forgot Stage Road.....

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Now you're talking - that road's a hoot and I've only ever driven it in a RAV4....

Even better are roads (!?!?!?) like China Grade, Tunitas Creek and the Fairfax to Bolinas Road.

Oh and Stage Road......I nearly forgot Stage Road.....

FFS Schtum stop it, I won't sleep tonight

 

[Schtum]

FFS Schtum stop it, I won't sleep tonight

I've got City Navigator North America open and I'm drooling. I'm just off to e-mail my buddy in San Jose to ask him the name of the road I crashed on last year....

 

[Sgt Bilco]

A couple of views of the area