Archive 2013 · San Francisco Hotel Advice

khurram1
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · San Francisco Hotel Advice

We've finally finalized our summer trip. Plan is to go drive down to Seattle, Ranier NP, San Francisco, Big Sur, Lake Tahoe and then drive back home.

I wanted to get some advice for our San Francisco hotel. I've got a pretty decent rate for a boutique type hotel close to Union Square for around $200/night + offsite parking (trip advisor reviews of the hotel is pretty good, but area is a bit dodgey). THe other option is staying in San Rafael at a bit nicer hotel for around $190/night (no parking costs) which maybe easier for the sunrise/sunset shoots from the Marin Headlands, but is further away from the rest of the attractions.

We do plan on spending most of the time in San Francisco, so the hotel close to Union Square would be easier to come return to. Not sure what the commute with traffic during the day would be if we have to cross the GG everyday to get in the city. Anyway, i'd appreciate some feedback from those more familar with the area.

Aug 07, 2013 at 08:21 PM

platscha
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · San Francisco Hotel Advice

stay in berkley much better rates, days inn very nice, clean and safe on university dr

Aug 07, 2013 at 10:06 PM

dasams
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · San Francisco Hotel Advice

khurram1 wrote:
I wanted to get some advice for our San Francisco hotel. I've got a pretty decent rate for a boutique type hotel close to Union Square for around $200/night + offsite parking (trip advisor reviews of the hotel is pretty good, but area is a bit dodgey). THe other option is staying in San Rafael at a bit nicer hotel for around $190/night (no parking costs) which maybe easier for the sunrise/sunset shoots from the Marin Headlands, but is further away from the rest of the attractions.

I live in Marin and I'd advise against the San Rafael option. Look for a hotel along Lombard Ave (between the Marina and Pacific Heights) as it's easy access to the GG bridge (and the Headlands) and there's plenty of photo ops especially The Presidio including Crissy Field and the waterfront.

khurram1 wrote:
We do plan on spending most of the time in San Francisco, so the hotel close to Union Square would be easier to come return to. Not sure what the commute with traffic during the day would be if we have to cross the GG everyday to get in the city.

The Union Square hotel is a goat f#$% as far as traffic is concerned and avoid at all cost (there's major construction projects including a new subway). The bottom line is stay along the waterfront and avoid the financial district if convenience is important to you

Aug 08, 2013 at 12:04 AM

stanparker
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · San Francisco Hotel Advice

I don't live there, but I've visited numerous times. I've always found one full day in the city provides enough time to see all I'm really interested in. Then I can spend days and days touring Napa, Sonoma, Point Reyes, Mt Tamalpais, etc. I've stayed in Marin and didn't find the commute in to be that bad. There is also Bart to rely on.

Of course, I am not really a city person. If you are, feel free to ignore this advice.

Aug 08, 2013 at 10:13 AM

khurram1
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · San Francisco Hotel Advice

I appreciate the advice from everyone. Ideally, I would have liked to stay along Lombard avenue for easy access to the GG, but the only hotel/motels that are available for 2 adults and 2 kids are either $350/night+ or rated very poorly. The one's I would have liked to stay at only have room for 2 adults.

Appreciate the advice about the traffic/construction around Union Square area. So sounds like the best option sounds like the Marin area is the best option.

Aug 09, 2013 at 02:09 AM

gdanmitchell
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · San Francisco Hotel Advice

khurram1 wrote:
We've finally finalized our summer trip. Plan is to go drive down to Seattle, Ranier NP, San Francisco, Big Sur, Lake Tahoe and then drive back home.

I wanted to get some advice for our San Francisco hotel. I've got a pretty decent rate for a boutique type hotel close to Union Square for around $200/night + offsite parking (trip advisor reviews of the hotel is pretty good, but area is a bit dodgey). THe other option is staying in San Rafael at a bit nicer hotel for around $190/night (no parking costs) which maybe easier for the sunrise/sunset shoots from...Show more →

I'm from the area so, ironically, I'm perhaps the last person to offer local hotel reservation advice. I just drive in to SF or take the train.

However, I have stayed downtown in SF on a few occasions when I was busy up there and I have stayed in other metropolitan areas. If your main goal is to get into the rhythms of the city itself, rather than to look at attractions around the city, there really is something to be said for staying in the middle of the place, even with the added costs of garaging your car and so forth. While I can understand the arguments for saving money (or experiencing other aspects of the Bay Area, if that is your thing) by staying across one or the other of the bridges, this provides a very different experience from being in the City, stepping out the door and walking to many places you want to see, and so forth.

I don't know what hotel you are looking at, but I have stayed in one of the "boutique hotels" in the area not far from Union Square, at it was just fine. You'll be in the City, with all that this implies, but some of these accommodations are really just fine.

As for parking, you might just garage the car while you are there and walk, use a cab, and take public transit - perhaps taking the car out if you really need to go further afield.

San Rafael is not San Francisco. Just sayin'... ;-)

Dan

Edited on Aug 10, 2013 at 01:52 AM · View previous versions

Aug 09, 2013 at 11:24 AM

skibum5
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · San Francisco Hotel Advice

Lombard Motor Inn is convenient. It's started getting a bit pricey for what it is and the parking is reallly tricky inside the garage. It is right next to the famous zig-zaggy street just about. There used to be another one a bit deeper in and that had great rates but something happened and the rates were 3x when I just looked recently as much compared to when I stayed there in just 2003, so forget that one. It says they did a remodel, but man 3x the rates for a basic remodel? Like downtown LA it's all a horrible, horrible value.

Berkeley definitely has better deals. San Jose is far, but I hear they have MUCH better deals there.

It's too far but there is some nice stuff in Salinas now.

Aug 09, 2013 at 06:00 PM

Mark3M
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · San Francisco Hotel Advice

How about Pacifica (we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express.) Or there's Half Moon Bay which is farther out but 1 is a wonderful drive.

Aug 09, 2013 at 06:55 PM

Douglas L
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · San Francisco Hotel Advice

We stayed at the Larkspur Hotel Mill Valley in Marin County last year.
. Very nice rooms and very short drive to Golden Gate bridge.

Aug 09, 2013 at 08:19 PM


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