San Luis bay Inn

[fnewman Member Find all posts View Profile Close fnewman]

We are booked for a week at this location the first full week of April, planning to fly into San Luis Obispo then rent a car for the week. What I am seeing for rental car rates is pretty high, so I am wondering what other options there may be for getting to the Inn from the airport (distance?) or other transportation options people have used there. Any help will be appreciated. TIA

[Laurie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Laurie]

Are your flights already booked?

I have family there and make the trip from the east coast regularly. Sometimes to save $$, we fly into Oakland or San Jose or SF, depending on best prices, and rent a car cheaper where there's much more competition, and drive down - it's 3 or 4 hours of not-bad driving, best from San Jose. LA could be another option.

I've also rented a car from some hotel desk in SLO, not at the teeny-eeny airport, and rates were much better - wish I cold recall where.

[Spence Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Spence]

We are booked for a week at this location the first full week of April, planning to fly into San Luis Obispo then rent a car for the week. What I am seeing for rental car rates is pretty high, so I am wondering what other options there may be for getting to the Inn from the airport (distance?) or other transportation options people have used there. Any help will be appreciated. TIA

I would think that between airfare and car rental rates it would be less expensive to fly into LAX or maybe some other LA area airport where prices are less because of LCCs.

[fnewman Member Find all posts View Profile Close fnewman]

Probably true if I were buying the tickets, but the air is already made with "free" certificates, so I guess I am stuck with SBP at this point. I probably shouldn't complain since the air is costing me almost nothing.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I would think that between airfare and car rental rates it would be less expensive to fly into LAX or maybe some other LA area airport where prices are less because of LCCs.

Depending on arrival day & time it can take as long as 6 hours of traffic to reach Avila Beach from LAX. It only took 4.5 back. I really don't ever want to see the Ventura Freeway again. It wasn't worth the savings.


To the OP: Try Priceline. I've been very pleased with the rates I've been getting from them lately. BiddingForTravel.com - The informed Priceline Travel Bidding Forum should give you an idea of what is getting accepted.

[sheilaanthony Member Find all posts View Profile Close sheilaanthony]

Frank and Debbie,
Have you been to SLB before? It is 11 miles from SLB airport which shouldn't be more than $35 for two of you via taxi or shuttle. Once at the resort, do you need a car? If so, look at Enterprise. They're at the airport there and for your week they are $188 compact, $213 Intermediate, and $228 Full size. We have our 3rd vacation booked at SLB for this December. I love that place. Have a wonderful time, and please report back after your trip and let us know how you spent your week.

[fnewman Member Find all posts View Profile Close fnewman]

No, we have never been there before but are looking forward to our first visit. Having learned a little abotu what there is to do in the area, we will definitely need a car for the week. The best prices I have been seeing on the major web sites are about $250+ (including all taxes) for the week, but I will keep looking and probably try Priceline as well.

P.S. - If anyone has any suggestions for things to do on a first visit to the area, please let us know. TIA

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Gotta do the Hearst Estate maybe more than once and go see the elephant seals. Drive up the Coastal Highway to Big Sur & Monterey. Hike in Los Lobos state park...

[sheilaanthony Member Find all posts View Profile Close sheilaanthony]

See the movie "Sideways", then take in some Central Coast wineries. You can book this at SLB so you don't have to drink and drive. Take along some Dark Chocolate; it's superb with the Sherries. The little town of Avila Beach is lovely with nice beaches. There's still a commercial fishing pier walking distance to SLB and a nice restaurant at the end. You can probably get a park on the pier if you go early in the day, otherwise about 1/4 mile walk. You can play golf at SLB and arrange massage/spa treatments on site. There isn't a restaurant in the main building, but there is one at the adjacent club house. We haven't been there. If you're interested in California history, take the mission tour at one of the nearby missions. San Luis Obispo is the closest, and SLO is a compact town with nice shopping and dining. If you want a little more glamor drive 1-1/2 hours north to Carmel-by-the-Sea, and just a little farther north is a wonderful aquarium at Monterrey. You could probably do both those towns in one very long day if you travel on Hwy. 101. If you love scenery take Hwy 1 to Big Sur and Pfeiffer State Park. It doesn't get any prettier than that. Since it's such a long windy road, try to get back during daylight to see the sights. The view from the lobby and/or pool deck at SLB is magnificent at Sunset. If you feel a need to go to the owners update hold out for at least a $100 visa card. The DRI concierge is quite knowledgable and will help you with reservations, suggestions for trips, etc. Have a wonderful trip.

[fnewman Member Find all posts View Profile Close fnewman]

Good information - sounds like there may be more we will want to do than will fit into one week. Oh well, there's always next year !!

[sheilaanthony Member Find all posts View Profile Close sheilaanthony]

Yes, there's much to do, or not, depending on your energy. We like to keep going back, so we take it a little at a time...more relaxing that way. By the way, since your original question was about car-rentals, I believe with DRI you have access to the entertainment book/discounts, and there are discounts with Budget, Avis, Enterprise, Alamo, and Hertz. Let me know if you need a coupon code.