Best place to stay in San Francisco

[bhodonne]

I will be traveling to San Francisco on business in August. The bulk of my trip my hotel is included. However my wife and I are on our own for 1 night. We have never been to San Francisco and would love suggestions on a great place to stay. I know we can get the Fairmont with our points but I do not plan on using points so we are open to suggestion. Thanks in advance!

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[CarolMN]

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[automaticsoap]

I stayed at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins last August, and I loved the hotel. The service was great, rooms were clean and comfortable, and the Top of the Mark restaurant has an amazing view. The only downside is that it's at the top of a huge hill...

 

[bhodonne]

Thanks I will check it out!

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[Cheshirecatty]

We are booked at the Inn at the Presidio for May--never stayed there, but it has good reviews.

We were booked at the Drisco (#2 on Trip Advisor, after the Fairmont), but changed since we wanted to be a little closer to the Walt Disney Family Museum.

I'm hoping we've chosen well, as we have little experience with San Francisco!

 

[bhodonne]

That sounds interesting as well. I like options! Thanks guys.

 

[wdwmap]

I've been traveling to San Francisco a lot recently on business.

First trip we stayed at a holiday inn down in the tenderloin on 8th street, it's not too far from union square but you have to take a cab everywhere as the neighborhood is sketchy.

Second trip was at the renaissance behind the mark Hopkins intercontinental near mob hill. Location was better but those hills will kill you, the nice thing is that it is on two cable car lines.

Third trip we stayed at the marriott at fisherman's wharf, location was wonderful as we didn't have a car and could walk to some wonderful restaurants in north beach, and by the wharf. Other benefit with the location was the ability to run without the hills. One day ran around to the ferry building(4 miles rt) another day ran across the golden gate (9 miles rt).

Next trip will be near the wharf again! All three hotels had nice clean rooms, so comes down to location.

 

[DisWitt]

I go to SF regularly on business and am not in love with the city. So if your wife is going with you for the trip and you have a night or two on your own, I'd suggest taking the ferry across the bay to sleepy Tiburon. Based on a Sunset Magazine review, we had a wonderful stay at the Waters Edge Hotel overlooking the Bay and sailboats. Awesome getaway and totally different from The City.

 

[bhodonne]

Thank you all. The first couple of days are in San Mateo the last two days in San Francisco. Just want a good location do we can check things out. We will not have a car. Please keep ideas coming I'm checking them all out. Any restaurant recommendations I will gladly appreciate as well. Thanks!

 

[CPT Tripss]

I like Joi de Vivre aka JDV hotels. They are boutique and each is individual, with varying degrees of "luxury." Not one style. There are several in SF.

 

[SMD]

It's not quite the Fairmont, but the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero is very nice and right next to transportation. Tadich Grill is a must eat for us when staying there.

If it's just 1 night, find a neighborhood with a few things you want to see/do/eat and find a hotel nearby. There are lots of areas in the city where you can easily pick any hotel, walk out the door and spend the day touring and eating without needing a car.

I hesitate to really give a recommendation without knowing what kinds of things someone wants to see or what their price range is going to be. In your research, what activities and restaurants have looked interesting to you?

 

[bhodonne]

Still doing the research. Not familiar with the area at all. We like walking and checking out everything shops etc…I will start looking more intently. Pacific Heights was interesting looking. I will post questions back up with specific areas. I really appreciate the info.

 

[ncc1701]

I've been traveling to San Francisco a lot recently on business.

First trip we stayed at a holiday inn down in the tenderloin on 8th street, it's not too far from union square but you have to take a cab everywhere as the neighborhood is sketchy.

Second trip was at the renaissance behind the mark Hopkins intercontinental near mob hill. Location was better but those hills will kill you, the nice thing is that it is on two cable car lines.

Third trip we stayed at the marriott at fisherman's wharf, location was wonderful as we didn't have a car and could walk to some wonderful restaurants in north beach, and by the wharf. Other benefit with the location was the ability to run without the hills. One day ran around to the ferry building(4 miles rt) another day ran across the golden gate (9 miles rt).

Next trip will be near the wharf again! All three hotels had nice clean rooms, so comes down to location.

Another vote for the Wharf area. We stayed at the Hyatt a couple of blocks away from the Marriott. The area is a little touristy but there are some great restaurants, it's near 2 cable car lines & the F-Line that runs up to the Ferry Bldg. Market & downtown .Plus the Ferries that go across to Tiburon and Sausalito are also nearby. As is the Buena Vista which is where Irish Coffee was introduced

 

[Cheshirecatty]

I would LOVE any input from anyone who knows San Francisco!! Our primary reason for coming, is to see the Walt Disney Family Museum, but we'll be at our hotel, Inn at the Presidio, for 5 days. We plan on seeing anything the Presidio has to offer, but are looking for other sites to visit as well. I wouldn't mind touristy things, but also love beautiful beaches, great views, gardens, redwoods, etc. I know we are probably staying away from the "hub" of action, but will this be a hindrance for us? Is it terribly difficult to drive and park downtown? I don't even know where to start--any thoughts?

 

[jmpurcel]

Have you booked a room yet? Not sure of your dates in august but the Louis Vuitton Cup and Defender trials for the Americas Cup will be taking place. This is a huge event and rooms have been booked up early and fast! Just a FYI.

 

[Huff]

We too are looking for hotels in the SF area. Plan to visit SF for a couple days as well as Six Flags in Vallejo. We're budget oriented and cannot afford the prices I'm seeing to stay in SF. I'm used to finding a 2 1/2 - 3* hotel elsewhere (Disneyland area etc.) for under $100 using codes, hotwire etc. Any ideas even if we have to stay in east bay or to the north? Want something nice, comfortable (Holiday Inn, La Quinta etc) but under $100.

 

[bcla]

We too are looking for hotels in the SF area. Plan to visit SF for a couple days as well as Six Flags in Vallejo. We're budget oriented and cannot afford the prices I'm seeing to stay in SF. I'm used to finding a 2 1/2 - 3* hotel elsewhere (Disneyland area etc.) for under $100 using codes, hotwire etc. Any ideas even if we have to stay in east bay or to the north? Want something nice, comfortable (Holiday Inn, La Quinta etc) but under $100.

Under $100 is pretty tough unless you're willing to gamble on location with an opaque booking. $160 might be closer to what you could find, even in the East Bay.

If you want under $100, Vacaville, Fairfield, or American Canyon might be doable. Even though I live around here, I stayed at the Fairfield Inn in Vacaville. Comfortable and there was a complimentary breakfast.

 

[Huff]

Under $100 is pretty tough unless you're willing to gamble on location with an opaque booking. $160 might be closer to what you could find, even in the East Bay.

If you want under $100, Vacaville, Fairfield, or American Canyon might be doable. Even though I live around here, I stayed at the Fairfield Inn in Vacaville. Comfortable and there was a complimentary breakfast.

I'm realizing it is tough for that area even using all the tricks I know! I can get the Fairfield in Napa for $99. Everything in the bay area is so much higher than almost anywhere else in CA! Just got back from Magic Mountain and Palm Springs. Stayed at Holiday Inn and Fairfield for around $60. Hopfully something will turn up.

 

[bcla]

I'm realizing it is tough for that area even using all the tricks I know! I can get the Fairfield in Napa for $99. Everything in the bay area is so much higher than almost anywhere else in CA! Just got back from Magic Mountain and Palm Springs. Stayed at Holiday Inn and Fairfield for around $60. Hopfully something will turn up.

That's the way it is during summer. Napa is also somewhat of a slog to get out. There are no major freeways and you'll spend at least 15 minutes to get to a major freeway.

Maybe try the Courtyard in Vallejo? They're mostly a town with motels but that place is maybe the only "hotel" in town. Another option is around Walnut Creek or Concord. Those are fairly safe areas where you could probably find something on Hotwire or Priceline.

I've stayed nights in the Sacramento area and can typically get decent hotels on Priceline for $40-55. I was actually a bit shocked, especially the places with breakfast included.

If price is really that much of an issue, then a motel might be a decent option. You could probably get fairly close to San Francisco too. The main thing is to choose carefully. I pass by some motels that might come up in a search, but which I would never recommend to anyone based on a location that's sketchy at night. I'd stay away from any of the motels on University Ave in Berkeley. The streets are just a little bit weird at night. The Doubletree at the Berkeley Marina is fine, but that's probably out of your price range. The hotels in Emeryville are probably more to your liking, but the prices this summer won't be.

 

[SMD]

To be fair, under $100 isn't really realistic at Disneyland anymore either, especially since the new DCA.

If you're looking for a known chain, maybe try checking their website for nearby locations. Also decide if you want to drive to the city or use public transportation, since parking/BART/Muni etc will all have added costs.

I have family in 2 areas of the East Bay, and have stayed in Jack London Square and Emeryville and gone into the city from there, but again, those hotels were not near the $100 range.