Gating to the ethereal realm

[RoboEmperor]

Can you gate yourself into the ethereal realm for a permanent ethereal jaunt effect? If so, can you also use arcane eye there? This is mainly for:
1. To attack other ethereal creatures
2. Scout out areas for greater teleportation usage
3. Safe rest spot in a dangerous area. I'm currently relying on Mage's Magnificent Mansion for resting.

[Karmea]

Yes, yes and probably not. Ethereal plane isn't necessarily any more safe than the Prime (less so, in some cases). And you don't really need Gate, regular Plane Shift will do if you don't mind the error margin. Or Greater Plane Shift (Clr 7, Sorc/Wiz 8) from SpC if you do.

[pwykersotz]

I believe that by the time 9th level spells are in play, most Wizards of significant forethought and power will craft a personal demiplane and use cross-planar scrying to scout and rest.

[Chronos]

If you're using Gate to get to a safe place to spend the night, why bother with the ethereal? Sleep in the heights of heaven, or in a sphere of concordance, or in a low-intensity region of the Positive Energy Plane. Or in a custom-made demiplane that combines the best traits of all of them.

[RoboEmperor]

This is for my sorcerer so my spell options are limited. I guess I should have mentioned that. I'm planning a spell build for her and was wondering if gate could replace ethereal jaunt so I can get a different level 7 spell.

[Red Fel]

Let's start from scratch.

Ethereal Jaunt (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/etherealJaunt.htm) is a cute little spell that renders you ethereal. Miss chance, ability to strike ethereal targets directly, very nice. Cute.

Gate (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/gate.htm) lets you summon a Solar (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/angel.htm#angelSolar). The Solar can cast Wish (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/wish.htm). You win the game. Repeatedly.

Does Gate let you go into the Ethereal? Yes. According to its text, it functions like a Plane Shift spell. It forms a portal, however, so things can follow you through. But that's not important.

The important thing is that if you're honestly comparing a spell that gives you temporary Ethereality with one that summons minions who can cast Wish, Resurrection, Imprisonment, and Summon Monster VII, among others, you've got to work on priorities. Gate ends games. Full stop. Gate can give you the benefits of virtually any other spell, and then some, by letting you summon a Solar to do the heavy lifting for you. Yes, you could ask the Solar to Wish an Ethereal Jaunt on you. He'd look at you funny, but he'd do it.

There's no comparison here.

As an aside, and as others have mentioned, there is nothing safe about resting while Ethereal. The Ethereal Plane isn't simply an easy way of having a miss chance, it's a coterminous plane full of stuff, generally angry stuff that doesn't like visitors. Stay with your Magnificent Mansion, or get a demiplane or something like that. Gate can do that for you, too; make friends with powerful Outsiders and receive guaranteed shelter from them. Spend the night in a fine hotel in the City of Brass if you want. Ethereal Jaunt is just not a good idea for what you're describing in #3. And as for #1, if you're a Sorc, what do you care about going Ethereal to attack Ethereals? You have magic. Use that.