So who's staying at the Ramada Inn?

Originally Posted by Jed Peters

SB Locals....

Can you recommend a hotel that's perhaps a little bit *more* upscale? The ramada doesn't sound attractive to the wife and the 3 other couples we're going with.

Looking in the ~$300/night range-ish.

We were thining the same thing this year. I strongly recomend the Montecito Inn, great restaurants within walking distance too. We'll be there with some other folks. The Fess Parker is also pretty nice and down across from the main beach.

Originally Posted by Jed Peters

SB Locals....

Can you recommend a hotel that's perhaps a little bit *more* upscale? The ramada doesn't sound attractive to the wife and the 3 other couples we're going with.

Looking in the ~$300/night range-ish.

Perhaps the Four Seasons Biltmore or for something a little more contemporary try Bacara.

Thanks for the info, guys.

On recommendations, we booked the harbor view inn, with ocean view rooms.

Dinner at Downey's and Trattoria Mollie.

Yum.

Originally Posted by AB

Teh Jev will be there, that's all you need to know.

Which room should be avoided at all cost?

Originally Posted by Dave 330i

Which room should be avoided at all cost?

119 but I'm not staying at the Ramada. I'm not even sure if I/we are going.

Originally Posted by Dave 330i

Which room should be avoided at all cost?

The entire Ramada, from what I heard.

Still debating on hotels myself. Leaning towards the Ramada so I can say hello to Keith again. I have a group of guys from E60.net coming and trying to see what hotel(s) to recommend them. Any other suggestions guys?

TIA.

Originally Posted by EuroCarFan

Still debating on hotels myself. Leaning towards the Ramada so I can say hello to Keith again. I have a group of guys from E60.net coming and trying to see what hotel(s) to recommend them. Any other suggestions guys?

TIA.

OMG, who's this guy!?!?!? talk about someone that fell off the planet, what gives my Brotha?

Originally Posted by Keith

OMG, who's this guy!?!?!? talk about someone that fell off the planet, what gives my Brotha?

HAHAHAHA! I've been hidin' out.

Any local events coming up before Bimmerfest? I might have a small meet with the exotic guys at Santana Row next Sat.

Originally Posted by EuroCarFan

HAHAHAHA! I've been hidin' out.

Any local events coming up before Bimmerfest? I might have a small meet with the exotic guys at Santana Row next Sat.

Only thing I can speak of is our Detail Day this Saturday.
It's usually at my house, but we're doing it this year at Auto Analyst in Castro Valley, info here: http://www.baybimmerz.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1427


I guess I'll see ya someday.

Ah, I have my son's bday this Sat. Guess I'll see you at Bimmerfest!

How does 1 delete a message...

Originally Posted by LordVodka

How does 1 delete a message...

PM a moderator.

Isn't Ramada pricey for a 2.5 star hotel @ 180?

Originally Posted by Mikebuzzsaw

Isn't Ramada pricey for a 2.5 star hotel @ 180?

All hotels in SB are pricey. The hotel has some nice features and I've paid more and gotten less value in that city. A significant portion of the NorCal, PNW, and AZ crews traditionally stay there. For members of those groups, staying at the Ramada has benefits beyond just the brick and mortar (camaraderie, washing cars in the parking lot, a parking lot loaded with BMW's, etc.). I think the majority of SoCal folks just come up for the day of the event and don't require lodging.

My suggestion is to stay futher south in Ventura, Oxnard (not recommended), Camarillo, or Thousand Oaks (recommended) and have a leasurely drive along the coast to SB the next morning.

Originally Posted by Dave 330i

My suggestion is to stay futher south in Ventura, Oxnard (not recommended), Camarillo, or Thousand Oaks (recommended) and have a leasurely drive along the coast to SB the next morning.

If it's not recommended, why are you suggesting it?

Originally Posted by Dave 330i

My suggestion is to stay futher south in Ventura, Oxnard (not recommended), Camarillo, or Thousand Oaks (recommended) and have a leasurely drive along the coast to SB the next morning.

Dave, the groups I mentioned got their driving yaya's out the prior day. Or two, in the case of the PNW and AZ guys. Our cars are clean and we just want to pop over to the showgrounds from a nearby hotel.

It's all moot for me though, I cancelled my reservation yesterday.

I made my reservations.. i was able to get a king for price of queen... they seemed to only have a few rooms left.

Originally Posted by Cliff

All hotels in SB are pricey. The hotel has some nice features and I've paid more and gotten less value in that city. A significant portion of the NorCal, PNW, and AZ crews traditionally stay there. For members of those groups, staying at the Ramada has benefits beyond just the brick and mortar (camaraderie, washing cars in the parking lot, a parking lot loaded with BMW's, etc.). I think the majority of SoCal folks just come up for the day of the event and don't require lodging.

Cliff hit the nail on the head, if you want to be at a nice hotel (that's rooms have been totally refurbished by the way) with fellow BMW enthusiast's, then this IS the place to be.

I hope everyone has a great time and has a safe trip from wherever you're coming from.
One of our caravan attendees got pulled over last year (well there were more than that)and while signing his ticket he was told by the officer that MANY other people (non BMW & non caravan participants) on the road were calling from their cell phones to complain about all the BMW's on the road and whatever else they had to to say.
SO, cell phones work just about as good as the CHP's radios to each other, so please be careful folks. (geez, after reading that I sound like my Father, but I'm just looking out for everyone )

+1 to Cliff/Keith - you don't come to Bimmerfest for the great food or the wonderful Earl Warren Showgrounds - you come to hang out with fellow enthusiasts. Likewise, I'm not looking for the best deal or the best bed in Santa Barbara - I'm looking for accommodations that are plenty sufficient where I can hang out with everyone!

Originally Posted by Keith

Cliff hit the nail on the head, if you want to be at a nice hotel (that's rooms have been totally refurbished by the way) with fellow BMW enthusiast's, then this IS the place to be.

I hope everyone has a great time and has a safe trip from wherever you're coming from.
One of our caravan attendees got pulled over last year (well there were more than that)and while signing his ticket he was told by the officer that MANY other people (non BMW & non caravan participants) on the road were calling from their cell phones to complain about all the BMW's on the road and whatever else they had to to say.
SO, cell phones work just about as good as the CHP's radios to each other, so please be careful folks. (geez, after reading that I sound like my Father, but I'm just looking out for everyone )

I had organized a Centra Cali meet in San Luis Obispo a month ago. There were 10 of us driving down from the Bay Area and we passed this CHP doing about 80 (he didn't have his radar on and was probably just finished ticketing someone else). We pulled in at the next exit and was standing around taking some pics when he rolled in about 20 minutes later. He also said he received calls from motorists stating that there was a group of nice cars traveling at a high rate of speed. But he was cool about it. Asked us where we were going and stuff and told us to be careful. Then he stopped and noticed that none of our cars had front license plates and says "I can make my quota for the whole day giving you guys tickets!" LOL

Of course he was joking and told us to drive safe. I then gave him one of our E60.net polos and he even posed for a photo.

Originally Posted by EuroCarFan

I then gave him one of our E60.net polos and he even posed for a photo.

Now THAT was classic Tony, I was cracking up when I read that!

I love it, that sounds like something I would do, still laughing!

Here's the pic:

Originally Posted by EuroCarFan

Here's the pic: