(And, as a sidenote, if you happen to looking at a map and are looking at Highway 128 below Lake Ber

We have the option of flying direct to either of these airports (probably will arrive and leave on a Saturday). It looks like SMF is further driving distance, but seems like it would be an easier airport to get into and out of and especially vacation rentals in the caribbean if we are renting a car. What would you guys recommend? If there is not a big difference, I'm leaning towards SMF because I can get a good deal with miles. vacation rentals in the caribbean How is traffic to/fro both airports on the weekends?
I've flown into SFO many times and have rented cars there, so I know it's time consuming (but not unexpected for such a large airport) but I've never been to SMF so I have no idea what that's like. I would swap a few extra minutes of drive time for a low hassle travel vacation rentals in the caribbean experience.
It has been my experience that car rental is easier at SMF and slightly cheaper. If you wait in line at SFO for 35 minutes, any time advantage is lost. SFO to Healdsburg=80 miles-1:35 on a good day with no traffic jam.
I think SMF is less stressful - it's small and manageable - there is a bus shuttle to the car rental facility. A new terminal is currently being built - so more construction at the moment - but no big deal.
It's an easy drive from Sacramento provided you are not arriving/leaving on a Friday late afternoon. Currently the major traffic jams on Friday late afternoon are headed to Tahoe - so you would be going in the opposite direction. Once you exit Highway 80 the drive is pretty - first stop Domain Carneros for a glass of champagne and a beautiful view.
Last time we did something similar (to Napa, which is closer to SMF than Sonoma) the flights to SFO, Oakland and SMF were about the same but the car rental was cheaper at SMF. Car rental at SMF was pretty simple, as others mentioned there's a shuttle to the facility and easy freeway access.
Quesstion for you, davispeets: if we are going to Healdsburg for the first part of our stay would I still follow your general directions? After our long flight, it would be a nice break to stop off somewhere on the way to the hotel and take in some scenery and stretch our legs.
Just want to say that when I drove to Sonoma from SMF after pciking up my sister, I was amazed how short the drive was. I was expecting it to take much longer but from SMF to the town of Sonoma it was just over an hour. 80 is a pretty fast road - people drive crazy fast. We budgeted more time than that so we arrived there earlier vacation rentals in the caribbean than we expected.
Another vote for SMF. I live in the area and really like flying in and out of SMF. Traffic can sometimes be bad between Sacramento and Sonoma, but you shouldn't have a problem on a Saturday. And, yes, if given the opportunity, a lot of drivers will be zooming down 80.
On the way back to SMF - if 80 East seems not to be moving thru Vacaville/Dixon (it seems so unpredictable lately and it is crazy on Fridays) then as a "Backup Plan" you could take 113 North to Woodland -- this is just before you reach Davis on 80 - and then in Woodland pick up I-5 South to the airport -- you approach the airport from the opposite direction doing this. There is little traffic this way and you avoid the causeway between Davis and Sacramento. This area can be backed up if there is an accident or if everyone is headed to Tahoe for the weekend.
And, the Arco station vacation rentals in the caribbean once you enter the airport is perfect for filling up. That is so stressful as a traveler deciding when to fill up on the way back to an unfamiliar airport. vacation rentals in the caribbean If you are landing at Terminal A - enjoy the suitcase art at the baggage claim area.
(And, as a sidenote, if you happen to looking at a map and are looking at Highway 128 below Lake Berryessa - I'll just say this - I did it once and refuse vacation rentals in the caribbean to ever do it again. When returning from Sonoma, someone in the car will often joke let's take the Berryessa way home and the rest of us scream NO!
" And, as a sidenote, if you happen to looking at a map and are looking at Highway 128 below Lake Berryessa - I'll just say this - I did it once and refuse to ever do it again. When returning from Sonoma, someone in the car will often joke let's take the Berryessa way home and the rest of us scream NO "
davispeets gives good info. Taking 12 via Napa and popping out on 101 takes longer than taking 116 to Petaluma. There is also another short cut. When Stage Gulch Road (Hwy 116) intersects with Old Adobe Road (signs tell you to make a left turn to continue on Hwy 116), keep going straight. You will be on Old Adobe Road. It will eventually curve to the left and become Frates Road. Frates Road will take you back to Hwy 116. This route saves time, usually has less cars and is less curvy. I make the trip often to visit my brother who lives near Santa Rosa (I live near Sacramento). He was the one who told me about this short cut.
For a more scenic route to Healdsburg, consider driving Hwy 29 through the Napa Valley and taking 128 from Calistoga to Healdsburg. You could stretch your legs and/or get a bite to eat in Yountville.
We are getting married in the Bahamas last year and want to honeymoon somewhere different. We went from Sacramento to Napa area and there was no traffic on 80 west bound unless like the bay area, Ca. She loved wine tasting during our stay, and I would like to do it again. My choice will be from Sacramento Airport to Napa we used for 1.20 min ride www.LimoServiceSacramento.com toal payment wS $165
If recollection serves vacation rentals in the caribbean (I used to drive all over those country roads), I'd agree with davispeets...unless you enjoy driving on what seems to be an endless winding road. Going via Napa and onto the 116 is easier.
Well this is hilarious. This is a thread from 2011. Topped in June so someone could advertise their limo service now topped in August for the next advertisment. Does this mean that there really are no new threads regarding this issue so people vacation rentals in the caribbean have to dig up old ones?