Either one of the apartments look great. Nothing is very far from La Concha Beach and the walking is also great. Emyrent.com is closer to the beach which is lovely and there is another beach further up on the other side of the river which is a surfer beach. there is no where you cannot walk. If you are renting a car you should find out about parking which can be a bug bear. Authenitic will surround you where you light. SS is an awesome place..Food is a highly competitive sport mostly dealt with by the men. Pinxchos are wonderful, inexpensive , and abundant. You will have a wonderful time. What time of year is the wedding? We were there in Oct. and the weather was great. You have my sincere envy...

Amer_can we will be there in the first week of September. Really looking forward to it...

Hi PSGMARTINO
My sister and I were in SS in June'12 and if I were to choose between your choices I would go for Emyrent. It is much closer to beach and if you walk to the right ,following the beach, into the old town you will find fantastic Tapas bars. Your first choice is in the new part of the city around modern shops etc.The walk to the beach from there would be approx 10 minutes.We had a great time in SS and will happily recommend some Tapas bar to you if you are interested.

Both are excellent options and close to everything. Emyrent is 50 meters from the beautiful La Concha beach promenade and as authentic as you get it, and friendlyrentals is just behind the Cathedral some three-four hundred meters away, in very local feel and wonderful Calle Prim close to the city river Urumea. Lots of great bars and restaurants also in this area, and both apts are 5-10 mins walking to the pintxos bars in the Parte vieja/Old town.

All about going for the world famous pintxos in San Sebastián, with suggested routes etc: http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

You'll be up for an affordable gourmet experience and lots of fun (each pintxo would be some 2-3€). Also try out some of the places in the Gros district across the city river Urumea. Here you'll find some of the finest and most atmospheric pintxos bars. Bar Bergara is an institution in town. The owner, Patxi Bergrara, started the Basque food revolution back in the 80's with, among others, Juan Mari Arzak, one of the most famous chefs since those days and owner of much and rightfully praised Arzak.

Had the meal of my life in one of the seafood restaurants down in the harbour in close by Getaria. Something like this: http://thepauperedchef.com/2007/12/elkano-in-getar.html

I can also highly recommend San Juan/Donibane for a great seafood lunch in a local atmosphere. Several great waterfront restaurants with bargain offers for the menu del día. I use to take first time visitors to the area here for lunch. Also possible to walk to San Juan/Donibane from San Sebastián/Donostia along the stunning coastline in some two-three hours:
http://www.euroresidentes.com/euroresiuk/Spanish_villages/san-juan.htm

You should also note that Euskal Jaiak, a week long festivities celebrating Basque culture, is going on in San Sebastián in early September. Could be great fun, but be prepared: http://www.lacunza.com/events/euskal-jaiak.php

The week starts with cider day on the first Saturday in the month when free cider and food are handed out in the atmospheric Plaza de la Constitución in the middle of the Parte vieja/Old town.

Revulgo posted this earlier about this week of festivities:

"Sagardo Eguna, or cider day --free samples of cider are given in the plaza-- will be celebrated on the first Saturday of September marking the start of a week dedicated to Basque culture known as Euskal Jaiak. Throughout the week there will be various activities organized to showcase the traditions this ancient civilization. There will be local sport exhibitions such as the row boat races, stone lifting and tree trunk cutting. Open air concerts featuring Basque music, traditional dance troupes, local craftsmen demonstrating their time tested techniques and the famous "bersolaris" (oral poets who improvise) are all part of the week long festivities".

Have a great stay in my favourite city on the planet, and - according to the world's leading chef the past decade or so, Ferran Adria - the best place to eat in the world "in terms of the average quality of the food, in terms of what you can get at any place you happen to walk into". http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2005/mar/13/foodanddrink.shopping2

Thanks Travelnut...and Kimhe what a great source of information. Now I am really getting excited for SS - can't wait to try all the great food.

Still not sure which apartment I'll choose but it's reassuring to know they are both in great locations. The one by the beach is $700 more for the week, but it's in the same building as my the apartment that my sister is renting, so a plus there. So, I just need to decide if being that close to the beach is worth the extra cost!

You can't make a bad decision with these 2 choices. There is only about 5-10 minutes distance between the two. I'd be tempted to save the $700 and choose the Gernika. It looks very bright with alot od space and a great terrace. You're just minutes from beaches and slightly closer to Gros and the beaches over there too. But it is probably a little more convenient to stay in the same building as your sister.

I guess $700 would be the deal maker for me..Lots of tapas from $700 left over and the apt. looks great!!! BUT do check on parking and since the festival is on about that time don't wait too long to reserve. (and please excuse my phonic spelling of pintxos..I got carried away with wonderful memories of this awesome place!!!0

Choosing solely on the basis on location for one week, I'd opt for the emyrent as it is near the area where there is more action in the evening - the promenade down the boardwalk, Parte Viejo, etc. Gernika is in a very good area but it's not as active in the evening. More good shopping but not as many restaurants. Gernika does have the advantage of being closer to Gros which also has very good pintxos, but a little less active than Parte Viejo.

Interestingly, If I were leasing for 6 months, I'd probbly opt for Gernika because I can't hit the streets every night for 6 months.

<Gernika is in a very good area but it's not as active in the evening>

Well, actually it is. There are several nice restaurants and pintxos bars on the Gernika apt doorstep, and two blocks away - and just behind the cathedral - there are several laid-back music bars that probably are the best bet in San Sebastián for a really late night out when you are over the disco age (thirty +). The Reyes Católicos area thus is one of the very the best area for nightlife in San Sebastián (Udaberri, Pokhara, Splash etc etc).

Traditional Bar Restaurante Casa Vallés from 1942 is one of my absolute favourites in the city and 70 meters from the Gernika apartment: http://www.barvalles.com/
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/sansebastian/D51870.html

Thanks Kimhe - I think we are going with Gernika. Combination of the cost and I really like the look of the apartment. I would be interested in suggestions for the laid-back music bars... sounds perfect for us! The kids are young and can walk to the action near the beach, but this area seems better suited for my husband and me... and since we're paying

Great choice!

The music bars are all within some 50-100 meters from Restaurante Casa Vallés. The area is called Reyes Católicos (Catholic monarchs, i.e. Isabella and Ferdinand) after the street leading up from behind the cathedral. Udaberri Berri, Splash, El Nido, Pokhara are those which come into mind, but there are also some others and some dance clubs. In general, more upscale and laid-back than other parts of the city.

Several subterranean/basement discos and nightclubs close to the beachfront, but I suspect that also your kids might end up in some of the Reyes Católicos music bars late at night...

Beside the bars close to the Gernika apt, I highly recommend the jazz/blues/funk Bar Be Bop, some 10 mins walk away. The best atmosphere, and often great artists performing here.
http://www.barbebop.com/contacto/

kimhe-
Stop giving away the wonderful secret areas in San Sebastian

I thought the same thing when I read that there weren't alot of good pintxos bars in this area. Actually the area around the Cathedral and market have some great places that aren't filled with tourists.

Casco Viejo is probably the most popular and has the biggest "names" but this is a great spot. Gros used to have some of the best places but my last couple of trips I've noticed some slippage....and I've never been able to warm to Bar Bergara like so many others.

Well, I ended up booking the emyrent apartment. Turns out the Friendly Rentals apartment only had one shower, and for five of us that would be difficult. But I am very excited with all the recommendations on areas we should plan to visit!! Thanks to all who contributed!