A Minor Travelling Conundrum

[jamesq]

I've got a four-day weekend coming up at the end of the month (April 22-25th) and I can afford a trip out of the city. At this point I'm looking at either a trip to Vancouver or San Francisco. The latter will cost about 50% more.

Vancouver has the advantage that it's cheaper, closer and more familiar. Familiarity has a flip side and that's me avoiding things that aren't familiar. Which is to say, I shouldn't avoid a trip somewhere simply because it makes me anxious. I'm less worried about this now then I was a few years ago though.

San Francisco is full of new things. The two biggest disadvantages are that 1 weekend is probably not enough time to get more than a taste of what's available. Plus it's the sort of place I'd like to experience with someone. The odds of me convincing anyone to go with me on a trip to either location in less than two weeks is remote. I shouldn't avoid someplace simply because I have no partner (either romantic or just a travel partner) as this would severely restrict where I want to go. The truth is, I the vast amount of my travelling solo and that's not likely to change.

The decision hinges on what I plan on doing. In Vancouver I plan on relaxing and connecting with old friends. Vancouver is easy.

In San Francisco, I'll be playing tourist. Tonight I shall look at my San Francisco travel guide and see if there's too little to do (unlikely), too much to do (which implies that a longer trip sometime in the future would be better) or just enough.

Complicating matters is the fact that it's not just a long weekend - it's the Easter weekend. This might screw up things one way or the other (for example, all of my Vancouver friends might be busy with their families).

Comments

[thekillerb69.livejournal.com]

So put this in the less than 5% chance of happening pile but what's your cost estimate on San Fran? I've always wanted to check it out and like I said there is the smallest chance I could make it work. I should know by the end of the week.

[jamesq]

Sadly, the flight costs have gone skyrocketing in the last two days and the trip is now out of my budget. I was estimating about $1000 on Expedia for the hotel and flights, plus about $500 for expenses.

But hey, if you want to do something like this we can talk offline about other possibilities. For example, Steph and I are going to Vegas the day after AT War.

[thekillerb69.livejournal.com]

It's more the timing of the trip then the expense (though that does enter into it) if some things pan out for me...I should know soon.