<p>Not sure if you had seen these links yet:</p>
<p>Amador: <a href=“http://www.amadorwine.com/new/pages/home.cgi[/url]”>http://www.amadorwine.com/new/pages/home.cgi</a></p>
<p>Russian River area: <a href=“http://www.wineroad.com/[/url]”>http://www.wineroad.com/</a></p>
<p>The Healdsburg area is most direct on your way back from North Tahoe, to the Bay Area. Amador requires a dip down hwy 49.</p>
<p>Oh please don’t think about chaining up a 4 wheel drive! If the weather were ever that bad you shouldn’t be on the road.</p>
<p>PS: I’ve never seen it that bad.</p>
<p>Thanks, crizello. How long will that drive take from Squaw to Healdsburg?</p>
<p>And I certainly hopenot to chain the rental, limabeans! I just don’t want to break any rules and find that we are not allowed on the road or something. I guess we will check with the rental car place. Will we not bbe required to carry chains in a 4wd/AWD rental?</p>
<p>I think they got a little snow!</p>
<p>Looks like they got a LOT of snow! Squaw’s website shows a foot on the lower mountain and 20" on the upper mountain. And it is still snowing! Yay! Glad I got my lodging finalized (I think its finalized!)</p>
<p>From Squaw to the heart of Amador is about 2 1/2 hours. Take 80 W then S on hwy 49.</p>
<p>From Squaw to Russian River/Healdsburg, it’s about 4 hours. You take 80W then 101N.</p>
<p>Go to Hawaii this winter !</p>
<p>Just curious…FM…where can you ski in Hawaii? And how would the OP to this thread visit her family in CA if she goes to Hawaii? Just saying.</p>
<p>Jym, I think it is required to put on chains. But my daughter has studded snow tires on her car and so doesn’t need the chains. I know they got snow yesterday. </p>
<p>As you know, my daughter has a cast but is able to coach the team but just not free ski until cast comes off. However, my daughter developed an unrelated health problem and it is painful and being treated in Truckee and she called this morning that due to the pain, she is not attending the ski race today as coach but is staying on in Truckee until tomorrow for follow up doctor visit. Hopefully all this will turn around for my daughter soon and she’ll enjoy free skiing and coaching for most of the season after this bout of these two things.</p>
<p>Chain requirement FAQ’s. Per dept of transportation; not sure about the rental rules. I seem to remember having an Audi AWD, that if you put on chains, voided the warranty. </p>
<p>[Chain</a> Requirements](<a href=“http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/ops-guide/chains.html]Chain”>Traffic Operations | Caltrans)</p>
<p>"If I have 4-wheel-drive, do I need to carry chains?</p>
<p>Yes. Even though weather conditions may not warrant the use of chains on 4-wheel-drive vehicles at a particular time, to enter a chain control area, you must have a set of chains (for one drive axle) for your vehicle in your possession. If conditions worsen or you have trouble controlling your vehicle, you must stop and install the chains."</p>
<p>"Is “all-wheel drive” the same as 4-wheel drive?</p>
<p>Yes. Even though all-wheel drive systems may differ mechanically from conventional 4- wheel drive systems, for the purposes of chain control, all-wheel drive is considered the same as 4-wheel drive."</p>
<p>"The manufacturer of my vehicle recommends that chains not be installed on it. Do I still have to put on chains?</p>
<p>Yes. Many vehicles which will not accommodate conventional link-type chains will accommodate cable chains or other devices such as “Spikes Spider.” If your vehicle is not equipped with some type of tire traction device, it is neither safe nor lawful for you to enter a chain control area. If you choose not to install tire traction devices on your vehicle, you may not enter a chain control area."</p>
<p>Page to check up to the minute requirements. Things change RAPIDLY up there. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi[/url]”>http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi</a></p>
<p>Folks around here (okay, we…) buy AWD just to not have tow worry about it. It would be pretty unusual to need chains , ( and still be on the road!), in an AWD.</p>
<p>Thanks for the link, Shrinkrap. I guess we’ll have to call SFO rental car location to find out what the policy is with the car we reserved. It is still somewhat confusing to me as to what the rental requirement will be and if they will have chains at the airport rental place
…</p>
<p>If not, you will likely pass places on the 80 to rent or buy. Are you taking the 80? Wave as you pass The Nutree!</p>
<p>And lots of folk like to stop here</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.yelp.com/biz/pho-lee-hoa-phat-vacaville[/url]”>http://www.yelp.com/biz/pho-lee-hoa-phat-vacaville</a></p>
<p>on the way back for Pho.</p>
<p>OOh thanks for the foodie tip.
I hope we dont have to buy chains. Renting is a novel concept. Where would we rent them?</p>
<p>Jym, you probably will find out that you are not allowed to chain your rental and that you do NOT need chains on a AWD equipped with all-weather tires. If the conditions escalate to R3, you simply stay off the road. </p>
<p>Google is your friend.</p>
<p>Who needs google when I have my cc resources?? :D</p>
<p>True, but what will you DO based on the CC tips? </p>
<p>By the way, you should not do much. Send DS to Walmart, Kragen, or Autozone to buy a set of chains. You will not need them, but he might in the future. They are dirt cheap and all you need is to have them with you in case a zealous officer gives you a hard time. </p>
<p>Onto the next worry.</p>
<p>"…buy a set of chains. You will not need them, but he might in the future. They are dirt cheap and all you need is to have them with you in case a zealous officer gives you a hard time. "</p>
<p>^ I would agree with that.</p>
<p>Google mapped an O’Reily’s Auto Parts store in Millbrae that is 3.4 miles from SFO.
Get your rental call to O’Reily’s and see if they have the chains for your make and model in stock.
Pick them up, keep the receipt and return if you don’t use.</p>
<p>DS will be driving his own car (or his gf’s) as they will be leaving before us. Doubt they have 2 sets of chains.</p>
<p>As for calling the local chains place, interesting idea, but not sure the rental place would know what car they are going to have on the lot for us the day we arrive. We rented a big SUV, but no guarantee of exactly what we’ll get.</p>
<p>The operative word is “carry” w/respect to chains for 4WD vehicles. Have your son buy a set that are large enough for most SUVs and keep the receipt. It’s unlikely you’ll have to use them or even show them at the chain control stations. Your son can return them unused after your trip.</p>
<p>In the unlikely event that chains are required for 4WD vehicles the day you’re driving, there are guys working along the highway turnouts who will put them on for you. Takes about 5 minutes and is well worth the $20 or $25.</p>