Weird question re: long term parking

[gethane]

We are going (driving) to Disneyland Dec 18-22. We also are hoping to fly to visit family for Christmas. If we drive back to the Bay area to fly to the midwest, tickets are about 2k. If we fly from SNA near Disneyland, they are 1600. For us its little difference except when we make that 7 hour drive back to the bay area. However, where the heck would we park long term like that and how much would it cost? If it eats up the savings, there is no point other than getting out to family a day earlier.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[pixiewings71]

Where exactly in the Bay Area? For $400 it might not be worth it...are you staying with family? At a hotel? Renting a car for the drive?

 

[daniele_ut]

So you are saying that you want to fly from Santa Ana airport back to the midwest for Christmas, leaving your car there while you are gone?

Here are the rates for parking at Santa Ana airport. The least expensive option is $14 a day. I'm not sure how long you'll be gone, but doubt you'll spend $400!

 

[gethane]

Yes Daniele, that was it. Sorry it wasn't clear.

We live in the bay area. Family in the midwest. We want to sneak in a DL trip before we fly to the midwest and I noticed it's actually cheaper for us to just fly from SNA rather than to drive back up to the bay area to fly out from there.

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh I see, I totally mis-read, sorry about that.

I'd try to park at the airport lot, or see if there's a hotel close to the airport that will let you leave your car in their lot. When my ex and I went to Hawaii we stayed overnight at a hotel in SF, the hotel then gave us a free shuttle ride to and from the airport and they let us leave our car in their lot for free the week we were gone. That was pretty much awesome. lol

 

[skiingfast]

Yes Daniele, that was it. Sorry it wasn't clear.

We live in the bay area. Family in the midwest. We want to sneak in a DL trip before we fly to the midwest and I noticed it's actually cheaper for us to just fly from SNA rather than to drive back up to the bay area to fly out from there.

How far are you from a Bart Station? I'm not suggesting leaving you car at a bart station but could you take a cab to one and take it to OAK or SFO? You could do likewise with Amtrak to Oakland.

 

[bumbershoot]

Are there offsite parking lots near that airport? Up here in WA we have tons of secure, gated, attended long-term parking lots off of airport property. Maybe there are some at SNA?

... I noticed it's actually cheaper for us to just fly from SNA rather than to drive back up to the bay area to fly out from there.

YOu might take up all that extra money plus more just being *so close* to Disneyland TWO times during your trip (vs just the one planned trip)... Then again, money well spent!

 

[Eeee-va]

http://www.ifly.com/john-wayne-airport/parking-map says there are a couple off-site options at hotels, and claims one of them is "only" $12/night. That wouldn't eat up all your savings.

It also mentions that some hotels will let you park for up to 2 weeks if you stay there a night--though that sounds more like generic advice than something that is applicable to SNA.

Have a great trip!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

We do park, stay and fly at LAX a couple of times a year, but have never flown SNA. Although we usually book directly for the Four Points at LAX, you might start at parksleepfly.com to get an idea of rates for SNA. It looks like for 12/22 with 7 nights parking, the Crowne Plaza will cost $144. Other airports hotels may have similar deals. Good luck -- Suzanne

 

[jenniferrose]

How far are you from a Bart Station? I'm not suggesting leaving you car at a bart station but could you take a cab to one and take it to OAK or SFO? You could do likewise with Amtrak to Oakland.

This is opposite of what she wants to do. She wants to fly out of Santa Ana.

 

[ConnieB]

We did something like this...drove to one state for a week, flew to a the other coast for a couple weeks, then flew back to where our car was and drove home. We did it for time not money, but same difference really.

We parked our car in an RV park and took a cab to the airport and back.....it was cheap because we didn't need any of the hookups....and it was safe because there was security around, unlike at some of those parking lots near the airport.

This was years ago, so you'll want to do some research into whether it's still cost effective, and probably best to find one closest to the airport to save on the cab fare.