Second Strongest Hurricane On Record In Eastern Pacific Aims for Cabo

Officials at the National Hurricane Center are now calling Hurricane Rick the second strongest hurricane on record in the Eastern Pacific. As of 8pm Pacific time, Rick was located 295 miles South-Southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, moving West-Northwest near 14 mph. The storm is expected to make a turn to the North by Monday. Maximum sustained winds are now up to 180 mph, with stronger gusts -making Rick an extremely dangerous Category Five Hurricane. Additional strengthening is possible overnight, before a slow gradual weakening commences.

Most forecast models show a weakened version of Hurricane Rick hitting southern tip of Baja by the middle part of next week. Anyone planning travel to this region should keep turned to changing weather conditions, and possible air travel disruptions.

Pictured above: Infrared image of Hurricane Rick with a most impressive stadium-like eye wall surrounding a beautiful 10-nautical mile wide eye.

State Department Issues Travel Alert for Mexico

Due to recent violence, the U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert for American citizens heading to Mexico. Over the past couple months, violent attacks have occurred, particularly around U.S/Mexico border towns such as Tijuana, Chihuahua and Ciudad Juarez.

The report states Mexican drug cartels have engaged in increasing violent conflict throughout Northern Mexico, which have included shootouts during daylight hours in shopping centers and other public places. Although tourists are not the intended target for much of the violence, the State Department reports U.S. Citizens traveling in and around border towns have been harassed and the uncertain security situation poses serious risks for U.S. Citizens as well.

Full report

San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta $228 "All In"

HOT FARE! (as of 8pm Wednesday)
U.S Airways has flights between San Francisco and Puerto Vallarta for $124 roundtrip + fees, for a total cost of $228. The fare is valid now (no advance ticketing required) through February 26, 2009. Fare basis is RX0XF. Some flights are operated by United.

Plenty of availability. For example, January 9-14 is available at this price, with a connection in Phoenix.

Be sure to click on "flexible dates" option when searching for flight availability.

Mexico Sale!
Take a break from Winter in Mexico
& Save up to 40%!
Book by December 8th for travel from November 3rd to December 8th.

Acapulco Hotels! (Save up to 30%)
Cancun Hotels! (Save up to 40%)
Cozumel Hotels! (Save up to 40%)
Guadalajara Hotels! (Save up to 35%)
Ixtapa Hotels! (Save up to 30%)
Los Cabos Hotels! (Save up to 35%)
Mazatlan Hotels! (Save up to 40%)
Mexico City Hotels! (Save up to 35%)

Oakland to Tijuana Flights Coming Soon?

Low-cost-carrier Avolar Airlines has applied to the U.S Government to operate flights between Oakland Airport and it's base in Tijuana, Mexico. In their application, the airline asks to operate flights 3 times a day between the two cities - as soon as possible, utilizing Boeing 737 aircraft.

Avolar has operated within Mexico since 2005. In the past several months however, the airline has earned some rather unfavorable publicity after having routes temporarily suspended for financial reasons. This left some passengers stranded in Tijuana.

We'll keep you posted on the progress of Avolar coming to the Bay Area.

National Geographic Vacation Of A Lifetime Sweepstakes

Discover the natural wonders of the Sea of Cortez on an 8 day expedition aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird from 1/24/09 - 1/31/09. Follow naturalists on hikes amid giant barrel cactuses, and kayak among playful sea lions. Witness the migration of gray whales through the inlets of Bahía Magdalena, one of their main breeding grounds.

Grand prize includes round trip coach airfare to La Paz Mexico, 8 day expedition (1/24/09 - 1/31/09) for two in Category 2, upper-deck, double occupancy cabin accommodations, meals and ground transportation in Mexico. Click here to enter. Entries must be received by October 15th.

Frontier Airlines connects Bay Area to Puerto Vallarta

Frontier Airlines continues to expand their Mexico service from the Bay Area. In a press release this week, the airline announced flights from Sacramento and San Jose to Puerto Vallarta will commence on December 15th - just in time to plan a winter escape out of state.

To ignite some interest, the airline is offering double EarlyReturns miles and tickets as low as $119 each way. See new routes page. Tickets are available for purchase on the Frontier Airlines website now.

Sacramento - Puerto Vallarta
Departs 3:15 p.m. Arrvies 8:45 p.m.
Monday, Thursday, and Saturday

Departs 7:00 a.m. Arrives 12:30 p.m.
Sunday

San Jose CA - Puerto Vallarta
Departs 7:00 a.m. Arrives 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday and Friday

Departs 10:55 a.m. Arrvies 4:10pm
Saturday

San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose - Coastal Mexico (Puerto Vallarta, Cabo, Ixtapa/Zihuantanejo/Cancun) $300 taxes included
Valid on Delta Airlines & Mexicana depending on airports you fly to/from
Through December 18th. Farecompare

Alaska Airlines HOT Summer & Fall Award Redemptions

Hot! Alaska Airlines has expanded their already generous award redemption opportunities.
Travel roundtrip to select California destinations in August by redeeming 15,000 Alaska Miles.
For example: San Francisco/Santa Rosa or Oakland to Southern California.

Hotter! Travel roundtrip to select Mexico destinations in September and October by redeeming 20,000 Alaska Miles.
For example: San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta/Mexico City/Los Cabos/La Paz

A lack of "Sun" at San Francisco Airport (soon to change)

Have you seen this plane hanging around at San Francisco Airport?
(probably not)

Sun Country Airlines, recently named top 5 on the list of Top Domestic Airlines in Travel+Leisure’s 2007 World’s Best Service Awards has daily service out of SFO. So where are their planes?
Well according to its schedule, the planes are on the ground at SFO for a mere 50 minutes - a quick drop off and reload of passengers, hardly time to gatch a glipse of their fairly new & crisp planes.

So who are they? The privatly owned company initiated its first flight in 1999 and today has over 1200 employees on staff. Based in Minneapolis, Sun Country offers year round service from San Francisco to destinations in the U.S such as New York's JFK, Washington Dulles and Dallas via its Minneapolis hub. Sun Country is really known however for its flights to Sunny destinations including Miami, St.Petersburg/Tampa, South Padre Island, Puerto Vallarta, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Acapulco, Montego Bay and San Juan.

The airline just announced a "UFLY" frequent flyer program in attempt to attract new business. For coach passengers this means 10 round-trip flights=1 free flight with no blackout dates or restrictions.

Beginning later this month, Sun Country will add to its existing 1240am "red eye" service to include a 605pm departure to its Minneapolis hub (arriving at almost midnight). The airline's entire 737 fleet is young, averaging less than 5 years old. Each plane has leather seats in both first and coach class, along with high fidelity audio programming.

With this added 2nd plane you may be seeing more "Sun" at SFO.
More information about the airline can be found here.

Santa Rosa Airport expands commercial air service

Santa Rosa - Sonoma County Airport which in 2006 reintroduced commercial air service is about to expand even further. Currently Horizon Airlines, the only commercial air carrier at SRA airport, provides twice daily service direct to Los Angeles, and one flight daily to Seattle. Starting October 28th, Horizon will introduce a flight direct to Portland Oregon, and an additional flight to L.A, all on Q-400 turbo prop planes.

Horizon Airlines is known for their complimentary wines and microbrews and great onboard customer service. Horizon is affiliated with Alaska Airlines who combined offer service to destinations across North America.

SUNDAY MORNING AIRFARES
No heart-stopping airfare deals the past couple weeks. But, if history repeats itself, expect some hot Europe airfares to come out later this Summer valid for travel dates after October.

SAN FRANCISCO - SAN DIEGO $78+tax round trip ($98 all in) Alaska Airlines
SAN FRANCISCO - LAS VEGAS $88+tax round trip United and US Air
SAN JOSE - CABO SAN LUCAS $178+tax round trip ($286 all in) American Airlines
Be sure to check rules & terms of each airfare. Las Vegas deal for example is valid for travel August 27-October 31st on non-peak travel days only.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.