These are all great ideas - but so far, it's easier and cheaper for me to go from Sacramento to the Getaway for a Mudcat gathering. I still strongly suggest considering San Francisco's Camp Harmony for a gathering. Camp attendance has been down in recent years, and Mudcatters attending could be as helpful to Harmony as it has been to the Getaway. The Mudcatters I've seen at Harmony are DADGBE, Radriano, Chanteyranger, Blessings Barbara, Bev & Jerry Praver, Open Mike, and a whole lot of others who have posted occasionally.
-Joe-