San Francisco questions

[Cheryl N. WI]

We (DH, DD9 and I) are going to California for the first time this June! We have 2 weeks and are trying to see as much as possible!
We are staying 4 nights at the Disneyland Hotel and then driving up to Yosemite and spending 2 nights at the Apple Tree Inn in Fish Camp near the entrance to the park. Then we are driving over to San Francisco and spending either 3 nights right in that immediate area or 2 nights there and 1 night in Monterey/Carmel area. Then we will head back south, probably spending the night somewhere along the way, and stay 4 nights in San Diego before coming back home. This probably won't be a very relaxing vacation but ours never really are. We try and see and do as much as possible. DH always says we can relax at home LOL.

Would 2 nights in San Francisco be enough or should we not stay in Monterey area and just see what we can of that area on drive back south and stay the third night in San Francisco area?

Right now I have a reservation at a new Homewood Suites in Brisbane. Is this a good (safe) area? I was able to get a good opening special rate here.
It's quite a bit more to stay right in the city and the nightly parking fees are quite high at most hotels in Fishermans Wharf and Union Square areas.

We are Hilton Honors members and some of the other hotels I was looking at are: Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden Inn in South San Francisco, Hilton Garden Inn in Burlingame, Hilton Garden Inn in San Mateo, and Hampton Inn in Daly City. Does anybody know anything about these hotels and the areas that they are in. Someone I work with told me there are alot of high crime and unsafe areas in and around San Francisco and we should watch where we stay. Is this true about any of the areas these hotels are in?

Can anybody recommend some things to do in San Francisco with a 9 year old. I have read about a tour of the city and over the Golden Gate Bridge on a firetruck. Has anybody done this? We would like to see Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown and ride on a cable car. Any other recommendations on things to do would be greatly appreciated!

Cheryl

 

[RUDisney]

We thought Alcatraz was a wonderful tour. We have a picture of me in one of the cells and with my arms stretched out, I could touch each side wall. It is interesting and educational.

Also, drive up to Muir Woods. The park is beautiful and wandering through the giant redwoods is fun.

I can't help you with hotels outside of the wharf area. We stayed at the Holiday Inn at the Wharf and found it to be central to everything and worth the extra money.

We drove down to Monterrey one day so we could go to the aquarium. We liked SF better than that area.

Remember to see the seals at the wharf, too. Get some ice cream at Ghirardelli's, drive down Lombard Street, and eat some great Italian food in North Beach.

You and your family will love SF!

 

[grinningghost]

My DD went there 2 years ago and the one thing that she was surprised about was the weather in SF. Very cloudy, foggy, damp, cool - in mid July. Make sure you take a light jacket while touring SF.

 

[Michelemouse]

We did a 3-week CA trip last Fall and it was terrific! The only change I would make to your itinerary is to stay right in Yosemite, if possible. The ride into and out of the main areas of the park is VERY long. We stayed at the Yosemite Lodge and were so glad we did. It ran a bit more than the outside places but, IMO, was worth it.

As for San Francisco, it is my absolute favorite city! Did you know you can get passes for the Municipal Transit system? They are $10 for 3 days and include all buses, streetcars and even the Cable Cars. We used the transit system (very easy to use!) to get everywhere in the city.

I think you could see the highlights in SF in two days, but three are better, IMO. I also agree that you should head to the Muir Woods (about an hour outside SF...over the Golden Gate Bridge).

And if you get a chance try the Matterhorn Swiss restaurant on Van Ness. It is amazing!

 

[DopeysGal]

I live in the SF area and am familiar with all those hotels. The city itself has crime in some areas (like any big city) but those hotels you listed are outside the immediate area. Do you want to drive to the city everyday (that can be an adventure in itself) or take public transportation? Do you want to do mostly the tourist stuff (which I love and still do) or out of the way stuff? Please feel free to PM me and I will be happy to help you plan your trip (I've also lived in Central and Southern CA so know quite a lot about those areas too).

Deb

 

[mamajoan]

Hey there! Oh you will love SF It is a great city. I live 2 hours south of the city and 45 minutes from Monterey. Monterey is pretty relaxing compared to SF. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is cool. There are tons of shops on charming Cannery Row. The ocean is cold up in these parts but you can always do Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.. your ds would adore it. It is an old fashioned amusement park area set right on the beach.. great funnel cakes!
I love to watch the surfers myself.. wild bunch! a lot of fun kids.

I think the boat trip over to Alcatraz is a great family outing in SF. My kids enjoyed it. It is actually an awsome place filled with history. It is the best walking tour with headphones I have ever experienced. Pier 39 is fun.. food and shopping, also has those cool motion/movie type things. The sealions are great fun to watch. Ghiradelli Square, Lombard Street and Chinatown will all make for a fun day.

As you drive south from SF you will come upon San Jose. Home to Great America theme park. Small by DL comparison.. but has awesome coasters. San Jose also hosts the Childrens Discovery Museum and The Tech Museum.. Kids like both of these. Continuing South on the 101 Freeway you will find Gilroy and you will smell GARLIC.. and a HUGE OUTLET MALL right off the 101.and Bonfante Gardens- Botanical, beautiful with a few kids amusement rides too...
Continuing south on the 101 you will find yourselves in the Salinas Valley_-America's Salad Bowl..next time you get a bag of salad check it out.. it came from here.. Salinas is home to the Steinbeck center. There are plenty of Missions along this route... the one btwn Gilroy and Salinas is amazing.. it is in San Juan Bautista... Historic and cute little town.. great for antiquing.. and only minutes from Mamajoan! LOL However I am not listed on the pamphlets...
You can then take the 156 Hwy west to Monterey Bay.. about 20 minutes from Salinas. Carmel is full of Art, shops, and restaurants but is in my opinion.. great for adults..
If you have other ? about my corner of the country just holler!
Have a great trip!
Joan
btw..Dopeysgal.. so where are you in the Valley?

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

Thanks for all the great tips everyone! Now I'm wondering if maybe we should just splurge and spend the extra money to stay in the city. The Fisherman's Wharf area is very appealing to me but we will have a rental car and the added parking costs is what has kept us away from staying in the city. I'll have to do some more checking on hotels or maybe we should finally just give Priceline a try. Anyone have advice on hotels in the city?

Deb I will PM you soon with more questions if you really don't mind.

Cheryl

 

[DopeysGal]

Joan - your response was great...just what I wanted to say but couldn't have done it so well.
I live in Mountain View, about half way between you and the City. I used to work in So San Francisco by SFO, then across the street from the San Jose airport and now work in San Mateo. Same company, different offices.

Cheryl - don't mind if you PM me at all. I love to help people get the best deal and have the best time in my "adopted" hometown.

Deb