San Francisco?

[minnie56]

Anyone know if reservations are required for Alcatraz and Hearst Castle/Mansion?

Also, need a great place to stay in Carmel!

Thanks!

 

[LisaNJ25]

yes, the alcatraz tours can sell out. Unfortunatly the day we went they stopped running the boats due to bad weather.

I am not sure about hearst castle

 

[plutotek]

Actually, Hearst Castle is in San Simeon, not handily located near San Francisco.

 

[minnie56]

Actually, Hearst Castle is in San Simeon, not handily located near San Francisco.

Yes, I should have specified that...will be in the whole area for a week ...
Thanks

 

[NCRedding]

Depending upon when you are going to S.F., you may need reservations. We went Easter week a couple of years ago and weren't able to see Alcatraz (actually go onto the island). We ended up doing a harbor cruise which went around the island.

I don't believe you have to have reservations for Hearst Castle.

 

[LisaNJ25]

ok very odd.. what is with the posts going out of order

 

[XYSRUS]

You need reservations for both. They're both very popular. We went on the night tour of Alcatraz-very cool-highly recommended! Hearst Castle I could live in/tour all the days of my life-just unbelievable. If this is your first time visiting, pick a tour that goes over the general property, then if you ever get back, pick the in depth ones...LOVE IT!

Make reservations now-they sell out quicker than you think.

Don't know about a hotel...we stayed around my sister in Pleasanton and drove. San Simeon is nowhere near SF just so you know.

 

[shortbun]

I've been to Hearst Castle twice. The first time, I didn't get to take the tours I wanted so I made reservations the second time. You can read all about the tours and prebook on line. I would do it because it's a very neat place-would be a shame to miss what you want to see.

www.hearstcastle.org

 

[minnie56]

ok very odd.. what is with the posts going out of order

I thought my eyes were going!!!

 

[tar heel]

Absolutely for Alcatraz. We were there in November and did not get in.

 

[mamacatnv]

Both sell out quickly - get tickets in advance to be sure you get them.

The Alcatraz night tour can sell out months in advance. We went to Alcatraz last spring and bought our tickets as soon as we knew our dates.

Can't help with Carmel but we like the Monterey Bay Lodge in Monterey.

 

[LeslieLou]

We spent 10 days in the S.F. area and went to both Alcatraz and Hearst Castle. We didn't have prior reservations for the Castle, but did buy the day before on Alcatraz...but, it was also late January!

We stayed at the following locations and enjoyed them all!:
The Westin St. Francis (San Fran - on sheraton points)
Sea Otter Inn (San Simeon) - just stayed one night so that we could drive HWY 1 in a relaxing manner
The Seven Gables Inn (Fabulous, would go back in a heart beat!! near Carmel-by-the-Sea...in Pacific Grove - I think this is the closest locale to your Carmel request?)
Lavender (Yountville) - Yountville and Napa Valley was one of our favorite (most relaxing) parts of the trip.

 

[tvguy]

I'm looking at going to Alcatraz next week, and so far the whole week is still open.