San Francisco Travel Forum

I am visiting San Francisco the second week of May and I am trying to find the best location based in price and sigth seeing. Where is best to stay by? Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, by the ferry building? It is my first time visiting San Francisco so I have no clue. Intrested in sight seeing, where you can walk, take tours, go out at night for a nice dinner. Any input would be VERY much appreciated.

Union Square is a nice central location, but it all depends on your budget. If you click on the San Francisco label by this posting you will go to the SF forum - there are some recent posts with responses to your question.
The city has excellent public transportation, a car is not advised as it will be an unnecessary expense and the parking rate will be very steep. You can use mapquest or google to get a map. SF is a very small area.

It would depend on your budget and how long you're staying. If you're short on time and don't have a tight budget, the Union Square area is probably the best to stay in.

I suggest looking at the San Francisco pages here and pinpointing what you would like to see, that would make your planning a lot easier.

I would stay in the Embarcadero Area. It's the best area for access to every kind of transportation; BART, Muni, Cable cars, F-Line, even bicycle ricksaw. And it's walking distance to much of what you will want to see.

I always loved to stay around the Union Square area whenever I'm in San Francisco. It's the best place to be as you're right in the heart of all the action and you can easily navigate the city on foot or via public transport from there. Goodluck & do enjoy your visit to beautiful SF!

you may want to consider Orchard Hotel, on nob hill and very closed to Union square. I stayed there once and it was a quite nice. They are doing a promotion in May with $169/night only which is very fair price in SF. Have fun.

It depends on your budget, what atmosphere you like, and if you will have a car.

San Francisco is a popular destination all year round. As a result there are hotels, motels, B&B's all over to accomodate the weary traveler. One of the most desirable and inexpensive spots in the city to find clean, friendly and not overly priced accomodations is out on Lombard Street in the Marina district. There are literally blocks of hotels, motels and inns lining the neighborhood. Here is a sample listing of some nice spots which offer a variety of amenities at lower than the usual rate hotels in San Francisco.

Francisco Bay Inn
1501 Lombard Street
415-474-3030
http://franciscobayinn.com

Buena Vista Motor Inn
1599 Lonbard Street
415-923-9600
http://www.buenavistamotorinn.com

Edward II Hotel and Spa
3155 Scott Street
415-922-3000
http://www.edwardii.com

The Marina Motel
2576 Lombard Street
415-921-9406
http://www.marinamotel.com

Hotel Del Sol
3100 Webster Street
415-921-5520
http://thehoteldelsol.com

Motel Capri
2015 Greenwich Street
415-346-4667
http://motelcaprisfo.com

Chelsea Motor Inn
2095 Lombard Street
415-563-5600
http://www.chelseamotorinn.com

Days Inn Lombard Street
2358 Lombard Street
http://www.daysinn.com/DaysInn/control/index?variant=

These are just a few of many which are located in the Marina District very near the Fisherman's wharf area. This district is perfect for the traveler as it is conducive to our MUNI (municipal railway system) buses which from this area can get you to all the major tourist attractions in a heartbeat. One block down on Chestnut Street is a lively little neighborhood consisting of shops, boutiques and some great little restaurants geared towards making your stay as comfortable and pleasant as possible.

Poetjo is right. Lombard offers great accommodations, particularly those with cars as the parking is free!

Hey thanks. I was planning on staying at the CLUB QUARTERS 1 block from the embarcadero center. Is this a good idea?

Poetjo,

Thanks for the sugestions. I am intrested in central places where I can go everywhere whithin walking distance and that it is safe.

USanfrancisco,

I am also keeping as an option the Andante Hotel in downtown San Francisco? Is this centrally located? or a fair location to stay at?

The location is horrible. It's next to my favorite Thai restaurant in the city, however, it's also right in the tenderloin district (ghetto). I wouldn't recommend staying at this hotel no matter what the price is. I also couldn't find any reviews on tripadvisor, which also makes it quite questionable.

The buses are great for getting everywhere you want to go, make sure you get a map.
I stayed in North Beach recently (at the Green Tortoise Hostel) and had no problems getting to where I wanted to go.

Downtown is probably the best place to stay. The Marina is not a good idea for someone without a car, as it it too far from most places of interest. You'd be better off not having to depend on buses, particularly at night. The King George Hotel on Mason off Geary is a moderately priced hotel a block from Union Square and the cable cars. Hotels near the ferry building (Hyatt Regency and the like) are rather pricey, as are those at the Wharf, which is probably a ghost town at night, Actually, the whole city is very quiet at night.

Ask for restaurant and going out advise at the consierge of any hotel. They'll help you. You don't have to stay at a 4 star hotel to ask for advise. just as long as you look presentable.

The best places for going out at night are SOMA (south of Market (St.)), Fillmore St in the Marina, Polk St.,between Broadway and Union St.

I am staying at the CLub Quarters close to the embarcadero. I hope it's worth the shot. We shall see.......

Im a first time visitor to SF and Im staying in The Grant Hotel, 753 Bush Street.

I cant fault it for price / location

Ok its not the Hilton but if you get a quiet room at the back 217/219/317/319/417/419
you wont here a thing

Its close to all the transport links /eateries /bars /shops

and its reasonably priced