San Francisco or Sacramento?

[kathy387]

We'll be flying out there sometime in February to check out Sierra Nevada College for my daughter . We're trying to decide on which airport to fly into...Vegas is not an option because of the drive to North Lake Tahoe being 8 hours. If we fly into SF, we'll probably take an extra day or so to see some sights but we're more concerned about the traffic and how easy it is to access either airport.

 

[woody73]

If you have the time, fly into San Francisco or Oakland and spend a day sightseeing.

If not, the Sacramento airport is smaller and very convenient.

Woody

 

[honeymom]

Wouldn't Reno be closest?

 

[kathy387]

Reno is closer but enough of an additional expense {airfare wise} to fly into one of the other 2. Either way we'd need a rental car and with 3 of us flying out, we'd save enoug by flying into SF or Sacramento. When she comes home by herself, say for next Christmas, we'll just fly her out of Reno.

 

[honeymom]

I used to take Alaska Air and America West into Reno pretty cheap. But, that was years ago. Maybe it is a more costly route now.

Sacramento is definitely closer, but there isn't much to do there. If you don't mind the drive and want to spend some time in SF, then do SF. I personally would fly into Sacramento though and spend time playing by the lake. But, then again, I'm in SF nearly every year visiting family and get more than enough SF time.

 

[barkley]

if it's strictly a consideration of which airport is less of a hassle-use sacramento. sfo is a nightmare with parking and crowds, sacramento is much smaller and easier to deal with. generaly there is no issue with traffic and it's easy to get in and out of it. it's not a very long drive from the airport to incline village (a little over 2 hours if theres no weather issues)-so it's not like you would have to stay in sacramento.

 

[kathy387]

Thanks for the input! Is anyone familiar with Incline Village and the surounding area? Is it a good place to send your daughter for college?! Is the cost of living for a college student reasonable?

 

[honeymom]

I don't know about the cost of living - I've never stayed in Incline Village. I have been to Lake Tahoe and visited the Incline Village area. I would think that it is very safe at least. There are probably a number of rentals, but they may kick up rates seasonably.

There is a large Hyatt in the area that has a casino and there are several smaller casinos in Stateline which is close by. I am only mentioning that because I do not know if having casinos nearby would bother you.

 

[kathy387]

Thanks for the info Honeymom. No, casinos don't bother me....it's just that she's my daughter and she's moving 5 states away....it's a Mom thing! We're not familiar with the area but have been checking it out as much as possible on the internet.

 

[honeymom]

Thanks for the info Honeymom. No, casinos don't bother me....it's just that she's my daughter and she's moving 5 states away....it's a Mom thing! We're not familiar with the area but have been checking it out as much as possible on the internet.

It is a very beautiful area - I can tell you that. You will love to visit her there.

 

[barkley]

Thanks for the input! Is anyone familiar with Incline Village and the surounding area? Is it a good place to send your daughter for college?! Is the cost of living for a college student reasonable?

it's def. slower paced and quieter than the stateline area (in tahoe where the casinos and all the motels/hotels/tourist things are). not sure what the rent is like up there-but that whole area is generaly pretty pricey. the area has realy built up so there's all the stores you'de need to get by-but allot of people in the tahoe area head to reno or carson to take advantage of walmart and costco to stretch their dollars.

you can get allot of good info. by going to the north lake tahoe chamber of commerce website.

 

[kathy387]

Thank you barkley. We're trying to dig up as much info as possible . It does look like a beautiful place!

 

[disneylandkids]

Thanks for the input! Is anyone familiar with Incline Village and the surounding area? Is it a good place to send your daughter for college?! Is the cost of living for a college student reasonable?

Is your daughter a skier? Incline is close to some of the larger California ski areas, which could be a distraction in the winter...or a source of income for a job, depending....

 

[tiff13]

Is your daughter a skier? Incline is close to some of the larger California ski areas, which could be a distraction in the winter...or a source of income for a job, depending....

Yes I am. Lets put it as a source of income .

 

[barbarabee]

I'd recommend flying in to Sacramento, it's much more convenient than SFO, and far less traffic to deal with. It's a beautiful drive up to Incline, you'll really enjoy your visit. And hey, there are some great sightseeing stops in Sacramento, too! The Capitol, the Railroad Museum, the Leland Stanford Mansion, the Historic Governor's Mansion...then while you're headed up the hill you could check out Donner Memorial State Park...I work for California State Parks, so I have a special place in my heart for all the great places you can visit!

 

[disneylandkids]

Yes I am. Lets put it as a source of income .

LOL...maybe check out Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs, then...there's bus service from the campus to the mountain! And well, there's just no comparison between the quality of champagne powder in Colorado and Sierra cement.

 

[birkner]

We'll be flying out there sometime in February to check out Sierra Nevada College for my daughter . We're trying to decide on which airport to fly into...Vegas is not an option because of the drive to North Lake Tahoe being 8 hours. If we fly into SF, we'll probably take an extra day or so to see some sights but we're more concerned about the traffic and how easy it is to access either airport.

My SIL and DH lived in Incline Village for many years on Martis Peak Drive. Incline is not an inexpensive place to live. Since I read on Sierra Neva College website that freshman and sophmores are required to live on campus you will have plenty of time to figure out housing.

If there is a snow storm when you drive to Tahoe, be prepared for a long drive. I-80 can get closed at Applegate and you may be stuck for hours. If I were you, I would fly into San Jose, sightsee for a few days around the SF Bay area.

Afterward, I would take a SWA flight to Reno. Flight is less than an hour. I fly this route several times a month and can be as cheap as $108 for two round trip. You can then rent a car and drive 80 to 89, check out Squaw Valley and drive on into Incline Village.

Website about Squaw Valley:
http://www.squaw.com/

Directions from Reno Airport to Squaw Valley:
1960 Squaw Valley Rd.
Olympic Valley, CA 96146
Squaw Valley USA is just 42 miles from Reno, NV and it generally takes about 1 hour to drive.
Take Interstate 80 WEST into California and on to Truckee.
Take the Highway 89 SOUTH Exit towards Lake Tahoe/Tahoe City/Squaw Valley.
Follow Highway 89 SOUTH 8 miles to the Squaw Valley Rd. Exit. Turn RIGHT and follow Squaw Valley Rd. to the base of the mountain.

Here are a couple of websites with info about Incline Village:

http://www.gotahoe.com/
http://www.laketahoechamber.com/

Google Map Directions from Squaw Valley To Sierra Nevada College:
http://www.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&tab=wl&q=

If you have any more questions, send me a pm. Since I have lived in SF Bay area since 1959, been going to Squaw Valley since the 1960's and go to Reno several times a month, I know a great deal about the areas you are planning to visit.

 

[tiff13]

LOL...maybe check out Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs, then...there's bus service from the campus to the mountain! And well, there's just no comparison between the quality of champagne powder in Colorado and Sierra cement.

Haha I did check them out after they called me twice. Actually a kid from my school just moved out there.

 

[disneylandkids]

Haha I did check them out after they called me twice. Actually a kid from my school just moved out there.

Tell your friend at Steamboat to check out the Tap House. They have the *BEST* wings on the planet...and cheap too!

If your heart is set on Incline, though, there are *other* places to ski besides Squaw, all pretty much within the same vicinity. Alpine is a pretty popular place but without Squaw's upscale attitude. A longer drive gets you to Heavenly, which is a huge place and some of the most sublime views you can ever experience skiing.