There are lots and lots of airports in CA. Where are you staying? Is somewhere close important or would you prefer to drive a ways to rent a cheaper a/c. Rental prices drop dramatically with distance from San Francisco Bay Area.
You can rent out of OAK from Oakland Flyers. Good prices.
You can take an aerobatic joyride in a Pitt Special with Lou Fields out of OAK also... lots of fun.
You can rent at HWD (hayward CA).
Petaluma CA (north bay)has lots of planes to rent.
For a more scenic place to fly out of try Half Moon Bay, or Watsonville airports down by Santa Cruz! Watsonvile has a great little mexican food place where your wife can hang out.
If you would like to save the cost of a rental checkout and just want to go with a CFI send me an email... I have lots of friends who fly in CA and could probably set you up with a joyride.
Weasil
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