The San Francisco Chronicle’s Carolyn Said turned her sights on Napa’s luxury private residence club, the Orchard at Carneros Inn in Sunday’s front page of the real estate section. Helium Report’s lead analyst, Jamie Cheng, gave sound advice to second or third-home seekers:

Fractional ownership “is often an alternative to a second home, but it also can be an addition to a second home,” Cheng said. “You see people who have a pied-a-terre in San Francisco, a cabin in Tahoe; they’re looking for ways to supplement their vacation travel. Fractional presents an alternative. Rather than own a whole unit, make smarter use of your money: Buy a fraction and get five-star service.”

There’s no shortage of fractional ownership options in the Bay Area either.

Napa and San Francisco Fractionals

• Mayacama (Napa)
• Calistoga Ranch (Napa)
• The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences
• Resort Equities Odeon Penthouse
• St. Regis Residence Club
• Fairmont Heritage Place

Don’t be tempted to lump these in with the timeshare crowd though; fractionals get you well over a week (typically four or more), and five-star service comes part-and-parcel.

“All-cash purchases are common for the types of folks who can afford fractional ownership—and that’s just as well, because few banks offer financing options for them, according to Jamie Cheng, co-founder of San Francisco’s Helium Report …an online resource for people interested in fractional ownership.”

The Chronicle omitted, however, an important option for second or third-home seekers; destination clubs. If the multiple locations and multi-million dollar homes of a destination club make more sense for your family, some of the top names have acquired or planned residences in Napa and San Francisco, too:

Destination Club Homes in Napa and San Francisco

• Solstice
• Quintess
• Ultimate Resort
• Portofino Club
• Exclusive Resorts
• Private Escapes Platinum

Read Helium Report’s independent assessment of fractional ownership and destination clubs. Download a PDF guide here:

• Decision Guide to Private Residence Clubs
• Decision Guide to Destination Clubs