Where to stay - San Fransisco

[hannahsaunt]

Hi, we have 5 nights in San Fransisco in the middle of July and know nothing other than we want to spend a night in Yosemite. Where should we stay in SF itself? We want somewhere central so that we can walk/use public transport(where is central?). Also what should we see/do whilst there? Quite excited - haven't been west of Philadelphia.

hi, we went to san francisco a couple of years ago, cant remember where we stayed, but a trip to alcatraz is a must. we also visited muir woods and pier 39(?).

The keyboard has been passed to me as I know SF very well - I hope you ladies can tolerate a message typed by male fingers

A lot of where to stay depends what you like from a holiday - SF has a number of quite distinct districts, each with their own character. I'd not particularly recommend downtown, around Union Square, which is the main shopping area, as you don't get much of the SF character - it's just like being in any other other city.

My 2 favourite areas are North Beach, which is most definitely the Italian district, but it is a walk away from Chinatown, so loads of superb restaurants, including "The Stinking Rose" which is a garlic-only restaurant(!). From there it's pretty easy to get to anywhere, also.

The alternative I'd recommend if you want to be more touristy is on the bay itself - around Ghiradelhi Square. Last time we stayed in a lovely "Boutique Hotel" - The Argonaut - which is quite pricey but superbly situated with views across the bay to GG Bridge and overlooks a cable car turnround.

Have you booked for Yosemite yet? You'll need to do it early, but if you can I'd recommend a cabin. Very rural, and you're likely to be woken by a deer trying to eat your front door, but a superb experience.

I could warble on for hours with all sorts of tips etc so I've been told to say "CAT me" (whatever that means) and I'm happy to advise more.

Well you could try here - it's a contact-owner-direct site - has nightly prices as well as weekly. Just recommended by NotQuiteCockney (who is Canadian) on another US holiday thread and looks good

That was Yosemite - Bay Area here .

Thanks for the tips so far. Had assumed that downtown would be the place to stay so good to know that it's not - we prefer to be a bit more immersed in where somewhere is like rather than where the tourists are (along the lines of never staying anywhere near Times Square in NYC) though wondering if youth hostels are the way to go maybe with the boys??? We know people at home connected with the John Muir Trust so quite excited about being where he was and also seeing Ansel Adams photos in real life (haven't quite told dh yet that I'm planning on buying pics to bring home...).

OOOh San Francisco is brilliant, been there a few times when dh had to work out there for a month.

If you get a chance and fancy a fantastic meal, then go to Sausalito and try Mikayalas . The Sunday brunch is fabulous and the view of the bay are lovely.

The hotel that the restaurant is attached to looks lovely but I've not had the pleasure of staying there: Casa Madrona

HTH
mj

Have stayed in this hostel fishermanswharf was nice, you can reserve a room for the whole family from what I remember, so your not in with others if you like, although 'breakfast' was croissant and coffee!! it was about 6 years ago now, so bound to have only gotten better and it was a very good hostel then! area good for tourism on one side and real san fran on the other!

We went there a few years ago and found the accommodation horrifically expensive. We ended up staying at the end of the tram line at Ocean Beach. The accommodation was basic but clean, there was a fantastic coffee shop nextdoor, beach across the road and tram stop right outside.

I think it was £80 per night (six years ago)

We hired a jeep so we could park at the hotel with no hassle (may be more problematic in central SF?), we drove up the coast road, round the park, over the GG bridge and out to a few other places, but used the tram for central SF

It's a wonderful city, my second favorite after Sydney (it's more atmospheric than Sydney but I just love Australia)

The Hotel Monaco is superb - quite pricey but gorgeous (they're a small boutique company across the States). You even get a goldfish in your room for company, if you want one!!! Beds are the most comfortable I've ever slept in. When we arrived they were having guest drinks in the lounge along with tarot card reading/shoulder massages - what a welcome and all part of the deal.
Have fun!

Don't worry about breakfast - out for breakfast is always much nicer (and cheaper) than in hotel breakfast. Though would hold out for somewhere with an in room kettle for that early morning tea. We've gone for the youth hostel option with two private rooms (one double, one twin) as July prices were sooooo expensive and we have to house us in NYC too. Not Fisherman's Wharf though as even though it looked great we couldn't make any headway with the really unhelpful staff. Enjoy your hols!!

Try the Washington Square Inn here

Fantastic part of town - it's in North Beach and near to China town. Easy walk to Union Square and to Fishermans Wharf. Boyfriend (now husband) lived down the road and this is where my parents stayed when they came to visit. Rooms aren't massive but are nice. My parents went for the smallest (and cheapest room) but it was still nice. You get complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and evening wine and hors d?ouevres which makes the prices very good. Very friendly and the other guests are sociable.

Be careful of locations near Union Square - you might end up in the Tenderloin. It is between Union square and the city hall (north of Market St) - not a nice area quite druggy.

Napa and Calistoga (mud baths - amazing!) make a great day trip and a tour of one of the vineyards is a must.