<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>I will be going to SCU for the Sunday preview day (April 13) and will be spending the night of April 13 in Santa Clara, to prepare to drive out to SF the following day. I will have a rental car with me to get from the airport to SCU, so I was wondering if anyone has any experience / knowhow with where to stay? I know that Candlewood Suites is across the street from SCU.. how is it and what other accommodations are there? I know that SCU has a hotel portion of their site, but I do not have a good gauge of where anything is (I am unfamiliar with the area).</p>
<p>Also, how far is the drive from SCU to SF? </p>
<p>Thanks :-)</p>
<p>I live in the San Jose area, but you might want to call the Admissions Office at SCU to ask about hotels - they will know the quality and which ones are closest. </p>
<p>It is about a one hour drive to San Francisco - depending on traffic. On a Sunday morning, there should not be too much. I think it is much easier to drive (and much more beautiful) on Highway 280, then take 380 East over to 101 North, versus taking 101 North all the way from SCU, but that is just my opinion. </p>
<p>You might want to consider going up to SF on Sat afternoon and staying there on Sat night to have more time to enjoy the city. There is not a lot immediately around SCU, but if you stay there Sat, you might enjoy going to Santana Row for shopping, eating, it is a great spot, and about 15-20 minutes from SCU. </p>
<p>And, you might want to think about getting a GPS system in your rental car. I just did that on 2 out of state college visits last week and it was very helpful and nice to have.</p>
<p>Good luck, wish my D had gotten into SCU so we could attend, too! :(</p>
<p>I stayed in a Days Inn (I'm pretty sure that's what it was) on El Camino Real, about a mile or two from Santa Clara when I was there. It was fine. </p>
<p>Truthfully, next time, (if you can) fly into San Jose. The airport is only 10 minutes from the school, and there is a free shuttle bus that goes to the transportation center which is next to the Candlewood Suites right across from the main entrance of SCU. For a quick trip, this saves even needing a car.</p>
<p>if you are headed to San Francisco strictly to get to the airport, then the drive is a bit shorter, as the airport is south of SF. </p>
<p>It would be about 45-50 minutes from SCU, and you would want to take 101 North, not 280, as I suggested in my previous post. Sorry about that, thought you were going to SF to tour, not to the airport. </p>
<p>And yes, San Jose airport is really close to SCU.</p>
<p>Sorry if I was being confusing-- we will be flying into SJC but driving to SF after the admitted student preview day. I have been to Santana Row the last time I was in Santa Clara with my mom, and since my brother and dad will be with me we want to show them Santana Row, as well. I'm not sure if it would be wiser to drive to SF after the preview day and going around Santana Row, and staying at a hotel in SF, or staying at one in SC and then driving there.</p>
<p>We are going to SF to visit relatives, and then driving back to SJC since our return flight is there, too.</p>
<p>Also, when I was in SC I was looking for a bakery, preferably one that either does cakes and cupcakes really well or one that does flaky pastries.</p>
<p>Candlewood suties seems fine! It seems like one of those places where you can get a comfortable bed and a clean room. It's convenient and there's a starbucks across the parking lot. There aren't a lot of upscale hotel choices in the immediate vicinity to SCU. I stayed at the Doubletree in Santa Clara about 5 minutes away last time I was in town. Santana row is really cool. No advice on bakeries.</p>
<p>As far as the drive to SF it sounds like you would be going in the early afternoon?? and so the commute won'tlikely be too heavy. It will probably take under an hour to get to the city but, not knowing where in SF you are trying to get to I don't know how long it would take to get to your destination. Hotel stays in SF will cost you you and there will be parking fees as well but it is beautiful and if you are looking for ambiance and quality I'd stay in SF and drive to SJC the next day. If peace of mind and not stressing about making your flight due to traffic are going to be major concerns then drive back to Santa Clara. It all depends on your preference and your time frame.</p>