Using Cable Cars, Busses and Bart in San Francisco
Jeanie and I always try to use public transportation whenever it is available. Anyone can rent a car or take a taxi. We have found that public transportation is always cheaper, many times faster and you can always strike up a conversation with the locals. Why not find out about good restaurants, sites to see and current venues from the people that know them the best – “the locals”!! To make a long story short, here is the scoop on our recent trip to SFO using both a rental car and public transportation. (SFO is airline slang for San Francisco)
Parking in SFO costs way too much for us. Renting a car cost us the car rental price plus $36.00 per day at our hotel garage, $3.00 per hour at a parking meter and various rates at different parking garages. And we still found it necessary to use public transportation. A 24 hour pass on the cable car and bus system costs less than $12.00 per person per day. Discounts are given for multiday passes, seniors and children. We found ourselves in a bit of a predicament when we were leaving SFO. Our flight to Seattle was canceled and the only way to get to Seattle was to leave out of Oakland. Here’s how to do it the fast and cheap way. We walked to the International Terminal (you can take a tram but we like to walk) went up the escalator and followed the signs to the BART station. We bought a ticket to Oakland for $6.05 each. You can pay by credit/debit card or cash. We boarded Bart at the airport and got off at the Balboa Park Transfer Station. You take a few steps off the train, just to get out of the way, and wait for the train going to Fremont. When it arrives, in about 4 minutes, get on, sit down and enjoy the ride to the Coliseum / Oakland Airport station. When you get off, go down the escalator, out the door and get on the Airport Bus. The Airport Bus is clearly labeled “airport bus” and costs $3.00 per person – exact change. We left the SFO airport at 11:58 am and we strolled into the Oakland airport in less than an hour! $9.05 per person for a one hour adventure! Again, seniors and children get substantial discounts.
Good luck – and give the Bart and a day pass for public transportation in SFO a try. Next time we will only rent a car on the days we see the wine country and visit the National Parks.
Oh! One more important thing – if you are planning on going to Alcatraz Island, which in my opinion is a must see event, buy your tickets on line before you go. The tours fill up fast and in the summer they are sometimes filled weeks in advance. You go over on a ferry, leaving at an assigned time. But you can come back at any time. Figure on spending at least 4 hours with the ferry rides for this event – longer if you like to read and see everything. The last ferry returns around 6:30pm. Be sure to get the audio headset.
Happy Vacationing! - Brian
Moon Palace Resort Review (9 out of 10)
The Moon Palace is located just a few kilometers south of the Cancun airport on the shores of the Mayan Riviera. The Moon Palace consists of 3 different areas, all in one beautiful setting. Rooms slightly vary based on the floor and location in the building. But, for the most part it doesn’t matter whether you are staying at the Sunrise, the Nizuc or the Moon Grand; all three resort areas have the same rooms, with different motifs. This is a MEGA resort that doesn’t feel like one! All rooms have a beautiful Jacuzzi located in the bedroom. The bathroom and shower are located in a separate area next to the bedroom. Calls to Mexico, the USA and Canada are free, and so is unlimited internet access. Water, sodas, juices, cervesas (that’s beer for you 1st timers), and liquor is continuously stocked in every room. A television and, DVD player is also included. Rooms have two double beds or one king size bed. All non-motorized water sports are included. Handicapped rooms and handicap access swimming pools are available.
Please note, when you reserve your room, a particular area can be requested - but not guaranteed! Rooms and restaurants at the Moon Palace are first come, first serve. But there are so many rooms and restaurants; I can guarantee you will always be pleased. All areas can be used by everyone – no snobs here! There is bus service between the Sunrise and Nizuc lobbies, and cart service between the Nizuc lobby and the Moon Grand Lobby. This is always available for those that don’t care to make their way through the complex. If you take a few minutes to look at the deluxe map each guest is given at check in, you will soon see the facility is large but easily maneuvered. Security is tight at the gates, so don’t forget your ID. We arrived at the appointed time for our hotel site inspection with our printed confirmation, and we were still detained for 15 minutes while they checked us out!
Renewing your vows or planning the Wedding of a lifetime, are the specialties of the professional Wedding Planners at Moon Palace. The backdrop of the turquoise Caribbean is the most beautiful and romantic setting for the elegantly decorated gazebo or pergola you chose to get married under. You simply decide whether you would like a simple civil or religious service, an elegant banquet, or private dinner for two on the beach and then the rest is easy with the help of your wedding planners. Truly, Moon Palace is one of the most romantic resorts on the Caribbean.
Relaxing, and regenerating oneself while visiting Moon Palace’s World Class Spa is a holistic treat everyone should indulge in. Be ready to transport your body and mind to a place of pure bliss. The Spa offers one of the widest spectrums of treatments we have found. Luxuriant seaside full-body massages, “temazcal” steam baths, whirlpools, Hydrotherapy, and Marine Mud scrubs are just a few.
The Sunrise resort is smartly designed for the crowd that might go to Mardi Gras in the New Orleans uptown area. They want to be a part of it all, in an elegant setting. Patrons of all ages frequent the Sunrise. If you love the grand feeling of “being in the midst of all that’s happening”’ please request the Sunrise resort area. The Sunrise area sports 8 restaurants and bars, shops, beauty salon, 24 hour physicians services, one of the grandest lobbies you will every experience and interconnected pools, pools and more pools!
If you are bringing the whole family; kids, mom, dad, uncles, aunts, etc., the Nizuc resort is the one for you. That’s Nizuc pronounced “nee- suk”. This area is where everyone, and especially the kids, can have a great time. The Moon Palace Kid’s Club is located in the Nizuc area, and sports a team of professionals that are waiting and willing to make sure the kids have a great time. We popped in unannounced and we were immediately given the low-down on the Kid’s Club security. Activities are everyday, 9:30am – 4:30pm and 6:30pm – 9:30pm for children 4 to 12. Activities vary throughout the week and some kids never want to leave the area. Just be aware, security is tight at the Kid’s Club – and don’t even think about trying to leave the resort for a couple of hours of shopping while your kids are at the club. You will be stopped at the security gate and politely turned around. Ahh … the great age of computers! There are plenty of areas for kids – and plenty of areas not for kids. The Nizuc is a great area for adults – just a fantastic area for the kids. The Nizuc includes 9 restaurants and bars, beauty salon, the Kid’s Club, medical services and more.
The final resort area is called The Moon Grand. Jeanie fell in love with this area and didn’t want to leave. This Moon Grand is for romantics that just want to be pampered in their own serene area. Remember the room size and layouts are similar, and to us, the Moon Grand seemed to be decorated with a European flair. You arrive by golf cart from the Nizuc and enter a small intimate lobby. Immediately, the quietness of the area envelops your senses. One cannot help but feel relaxed as you walk about the meticulously manicured grounds, listening to the classical music that softly fills the background. You can spend your entire vacation here in quiet solitude. Or you can jet off to the Sunrise or Nizuc for dinner and a show and return to the quiet area to recharge you’re your batteries in quiet solitude. A lazy afternoon by the pool is a definite “YES” at the Moon Grand no matter where you stay. The Moon Grand has a total of 5 restaurants and bars.
If you are planning to go to Cancun, the resort has very nice, air-conditioned shuttle busses leaving and returning 3 times a day. The busses stop at the two other Palace Resorts in the Cancun Hotel Zone. Oh, by the way, if you stay at the Moon Palace, you have full use of the facilities at the other two resorts. This means you can go to one of the other two resorts, have lunch, swim a little, shop at the malls, and return to the Moon Palace all for free. Well, the shopping is not free, but everything else is included in your stay! If you would like a more scenic trip to Cancun, jump aboard the Moon Palace boat to Cancun. It is a beautiful ride passing all the beautiful resorts. All excursions to attractions can be arranged at the resort. If you are thinking about renting a car, by all means do so. I wouldn’t go to the Mayan Riviera without a “poke around shopping trip” on 5th street in Playa de Carmen. Just remember that rental cars are easy to spot and the Police are waiting - everywhere. Obey the laws, and when the speed limit drops from 100km to 40km, put on the breaks or you will get a ticket! The locals may honk at you for reducing your speed, but for some unknown reason, rental cars seem to get more tickets.
The Moon Palace is home to the only Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course in Cancun. Challenging fairways, very distinct curves and gentle hills are all surrounded by either the tropical vegetation or wetlands. An abundance of nature’s wildlife, iguanas, raccoons, herons, and red macaws, watch as you play this course which meets the highest standard set for professional tournaments. Golf packages are available that include a round of golf each day of your stay. The course consists of three, nine hole courses.
Jeanie and I were both impressed with the facilities at the Moon Palace. We are in an industry that should always be improving and finding better ways to serve their customers. So we are always in search of the perfect “10”. The Moon Palace comes pretty darn close to a ten. The staff was pleasant, the rooms and grounds are beautiful and the 24 plus restaurants and bars looked fantastic. We easily rate this facility a nine out of ten.
Keep those suitcases packed
Wow, With all the incentives that the travel companies are offering on a daily basis You had better keep your suitcases packed and be ready to jet off quickly. It is sometimes cheaper to vacation than to stay at home.
Every Thursday I receive specials from vendors with vacation packages that are from a week to three months out. From free flights, upgrades in room accomodations, kids travel free, discounted initial down payment, to actual nights free. Even with the downturn in the economy we are able to still able to make your Dream Vacations come true.
Even though I just got back from Niagara Falls this week I’ve already choosen a flight and a Royal Resort in Cancun for the last week of January. I can’t resist a good fare.
Keep tuned in though I will be back in time to help those of you interested in the Crazy and Unforgettable 3-4 day getaway trips to New Orleans for “Mardi Gras” or the Fanatical about Jazz “ Jazz Fest “ shortly following Mardi Gras.
Being from New Orleans I get especially excited designing custom vacations for clients that share the same love for Cajun, music, cusine, and culture struggling to stay alive. New Orleans is definitely back and ready to receive their friends from around the world.
World Wide Journeys’ New Orlean’s specialist are able to share the uniqueness of the city that a large travel company can’t offer their client. “Our Passion for the “Big Easy” allows you to Celebrate the city as a guest, not a tourist. Call for reservations dates and schedules of performers for this years Carnival parades and Jazz Fest Tickets. 770-652-4242
Niagara Falls for those in LOVE
Jeanie & I just returned from 3 days in Niagara Falls Canada - in the icy cold month of January!! WOW what a great place to recharge your batteries, or just relax in your complimentary robe while enjoying the view of the falls from your sitting room in a first class hotel! The area is covered with a frozen mist that glistens like diamonds. We had a 3 day, 2 night special which included a huge suite with a sitting room, a two person jacuzzi, four complimentary breakfasts, and a $75.00 voucher towards an exquisite dinner overlooking the falls. All for approximately $400.00 USD. If you would like to truly impress your significant other - give us a call an we will help you with a “can’t miss” romantic rendezvous!
Canadian Horseshoe Falls
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World Wide Journeys 
World Wide Journeys embarks on their newest adventure, blogging!
Welcome to World Wide Journey’s Brand Spankin’ New Blog. This is our first post of what soon will be your one stop solution to what is happening in the vacation, cruise, travel, hosted tour and Luxury vacation industries! We at World Wide Journeys would like you to know that very soon our home office will be posting a plethora of vacation related content to this little corner of the web.
Upcoming posts will include:
- Words from WWJ’s President about how to get the most out of your vacations, cruises and hosted tours.
- Detailed descriptions of both upcoming and past “Jeanie’s Journeys” from your gracious host, Jeanie Blowers.
- News on the hottest vacations and cruise destinations around the globe
- And lastly look out for those smokin’ deals that are so good that they take your breath away!
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Ciao for now!
World Wide Journeys :-)