4 Nights in San Francisco - Ready to Enjoy City Life

The Mosser would be perfect for you. Great location and they have rooms with hall baths [which are kept spotless].

www.themosser.com

And for the best way to learn about the city is to take free tours offered by SF public library. There are LOTS of great walks to fill almost any topic you might want to know more about.

http://www.sfcityguides.org/

Here are some trip reports I have done for SF:

http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/living-like-a-local-san-francisco-style.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/rainy-days-fun-in-san-francisco.cfm

Since you mentioned hostel: Hosteling International has 3 of them in SF. http://www.hihostels.com/dba/Hostels-San-Francisco-list.php?lang=E&city=US|0059&linkid=988000&linksubid=Sanfran&gclid=CMP6ybTi6a0CFakbQgodBG4CRQ
I just noticed that Allegiant is now booking flights from 2 cities in Oregon at a great rate to SF. I may try this as well.
The Downtown HI Hostel is only 1 block from Union Square.

Wow, what terrific trip reports! There is a wealth of information that I'm sure will come in handy as we plan meals. Also really excited about the walking tours - that is right up our alley and will be a great way to begin our trip.

Not to sound dumb, but what is Union Square all about? Is this the central area? Is it active late into the night? Reading wikipedia only helps so much

One more question - any local festivals or events happening around the second week of May?

Union Square is just a one-block square with shops around it, but it's in the center of the city, restaurants around, safe, good bus connection.

Do you know, you can get passes for MUNI buses? Don't remember if they sell only 3 and 7, or also 5 days. Google "Muni Passport"

Must be lots of activities in May, it's too early. Check in April - all will be posted then.

Are you flying into SFO? You can take BART - it's like a metro line going to the city.

Oh, I looked up - probably OAK airport? Same BART.

Someone recently posted about a hostel at the Presidio, which looked great.

Yep, flying into OAK & planning to use BART to get into town. Thanks for the link for the passports - I think the 3-day would suit our needs perfectly! Looking at the info reminded me about CityPASS - any opinions on some of the attractions offered? I figured out that if we were to visit only the aquarium, the de Young museum and do the boat tour, those along with the transit pass would save us a few dollars.

Looking into some alternative options for lodging; mainly just want to be sure we're close to public transport and in an area that's okay to stroll around in after dark.

Loving the replies and getting very excited about exploring San Francisco!

Here are my ideas of things to do & see:

http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/san-francisco---stu-dudleys-recommendations.cfm

Stu Dudley

The CityPass attractions worth seeing are everything BUT the aquarium on the Wharf especially since there is a really good aquarium in the California Academy. Even though it is the ultimate tourist attraction a trip to Alcatraz will combine history, photography and the outdoors.

If you want to visit Alcatraz, you really need to buy tickets ahead of time as tours fill up quickly. Use the link below, it is the official site - others are tour companies that mark up the ticket prices which gets you nothing in return. They open sales 90 days in advance of date of visit.

http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/

I would skip City Pass as you most likely will not get your money's worth during a 4 day trip that will most likely [from what you have indicated] will not include many of the sites on the pass.

Stu, I am blown away by your amazingly comprehensive guide! It has the distinction of being the only travelogue I have ever printed off in its entirety - thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! I ordered a copy of Stairway Walks and cannot tell you how excited I am to receive it. We are also definitely going to take advantage of the city guides free tours - I especially love that it allows us some flexibility as we don't need to make reservations.

A question for you SAB, why not the aquarium on the Wharf?

I'm also up in the air about Alcatraz. I'd love to see the city from the island, but I'm not convinced that visiting the prison on THIS trip will be a good use of our time, since we've only got 3 full days. Any thoughts?

One more thing - really interested in a few places we've found on airbnb.com that are located in the Mission District. Any thoughts about staying in this neighborhood - safety, close to public transport, etc?

We've walked around the hostel at Fort Mason, and it seems like it would be "safe." It is on a hill above the water with trails down to the waterfront, Hyde Street Pier, Ghiradelli Square, and Fisherman's Wharf. For a hostel, I think it is in a lovely location.

Glad you will have a copy of Stairway Walks - such a great way to appreciate San Francisco.
Alcatraz is interesting, and you need about 2 1/2 hours to visit it. I don't see it as "must-see," though. Perhaps save it for another trip since you have such limited time.

In the Mission District, it truly depends on what BLOCK you'd be on.

The aquarium at the wharf has a terrible reputation.

Agree with elnap about Alcatraz, it's very much worth doing but perhaps not on this trip.

We used airbnb on our last trip to SF. If the dates work, I highly recommend this apt. It is in The Castro, just a block to the historic F trolley line and will wisk you to Union Sq, easily.

http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/23636

Just on our way home from North Beach - wow, it was hopping, doesn't hurt that it's 64 degrees at 8 pm at the end of January!

Some of those tours look great. Thanks for the links!

>>Just on our way home from North Beach <<

We just returned from dinner in the Noe Valley with friends - wine "flights" at Incanto, followed by dinner at Fattoush. Not quite 64, but still very warm for late January.

On Tuesday, we had dinner at Commonwealth on Mission near 18th St. Both Fattoush & Commonwealth were MUCH better than our recent dinners at Park Tavern - one of Michael Bauer's "top 10 new restaurants in 2011".

Stu Dudley

We lived on Union St for years and it's probably my favorite street to just "hang out" in SF - with Chestnut St - down in the Marina - being second. see: http://www.chestnutshop.com/

And when I lived in beaucolic Sausalito - loved taking the ferry - Golden Gate Ferry - my "commute" into SF - and you might enjoy catching the Ferry at the appropriately named Ferry Bldg - and it's a great view of the Golden Gate, Alcatraz, etc. http://goldengateferry.org/schedules/Sausalito.php

BTW - it's been along time since we lived in SF - but would not suggest staying in the Mission Dist. Too far out - and not always the safest.

There are a number of inexpensive - hotels/motels along Lombard St - which is close to Chestnut and Union Sts, plus near the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts and the Marina Green - another SF favorite. http://www.lombardstreethotels.com/

And there is good bus service from the Lombard St. area.

BTW - I think the Castro is also too far from the main areas and it may not quite have the vibe you like.

And while just about everywhere in SF is fairly safe (use your judgement after dark - just like anyplace) - the Oakland Bart transfer station -from the airport - has a definite "urban" feel - so keep you bag nearby and pay attention to your valuables. I am not one to worry about being on the street - but this might open your eyes a bit.

Uno mas mas: Here is a site for Union St - and one of the fabled "watering holes" - Perry's - reportedly still has good Onion Soup, if you like that. All kinds of other dining options - and for an old SF "pub" - try the Bus Stop.

http://www.unionstreetshop.com/

I think the "vibe" in The Castro is really great, it is lively, fun, hip and we are way past the age to be hip!

While it isn't walk out your door, ride to Union Square is fast and easy. The Castro puts you closer to Golden Gate park, the Presidio and other great spots, so don't discount it. There are lots of places to eat and wander and The Mission is also very lively.

Tom, today is the 39th anniversary of the day I moved to San Francisco. Trust me, the Mission has changed. Many of the city's best restaurants are in the Mission. But, as I said, it's a "block by block" thing.

There are two HI hostels in downtown San Francisco. By far, the better location is the one on Mason Street.

The HI hostel out at "Fisherman's Wharf" is really at Fort Mason. It is the most beautiful and the quietest location, but it's a bit inconvenient for public transportation. Better for people with a car and the parking is free, which is a rarity in San Francisco.

Check out Hostelworld.com and list the hostels by "Highest Rated". Also look at "Security".


Another way to find cheap lodging is to bid on Priceline. Have you ever tried Priceline before? Right now, you could get a 4* or a 3* hotel in choice locations such as the Embarcadero, Union Square East (don't bid Union Square West!), or Fisherman's Wharf for about $75 plus tax and fees. This would be just a tad more than what you would pay for two people at a good hostel, but the accommodations would be so much better.

Check out biddingfortravel.com and betterbidding.com.

Also, if you have never used Priceline before, please come back and ask more questions before placing your bid.

Welcome to California!

We were at Fort Mason today - it's probably not very convenient, but it sure is gorgeous!

So tomsd what exactly is the vibe of the Castro that someone might not like, huh?

Well we booked a room in Alamo Square through Airbnb - it seemed the best option to get a clean, private room for a great price while still having a personal element to the lodging. It was actually cheaper than any hostels I found! I think the location will work out well for lots of on-foot exploration. I've got to thank you, DebitNM, for those links to your travel blogs as I forgot about checking that site until I saw your post!

Any one happen to know of good food that can be had in that area? Also, what dim sum place would you recommend?

City Views for dim sun; we make a point to eat there every trip.662 Commercial Street. If you go on a weekday, get there at about 11:45 am to beat the lunch crowd.

There are lots of restaurants on Fillmore Street (we're having dinner at Dosa tonight) and lots on Hayes Street.

There are lots of restaurants in Hayes Valley which is near Alamo Square, I would not however walk to or from Hayes Valley to Alamo Square at night unless you are familiar with areas to avoid. There are also lots of places on Divisadero Street, which is much closer to Alamo Square than Fillmore Street--places like Nopa, Little Star Pizza, Herbivore, Saffron Grill, Bar Crudo.

Actually, Dosa (Fillmore and Post) and Herbivore (Divisadero and McAlister) are equidistant from Alamo Square.

Correction - equidistant from the NORTH SIDE of Alamo Square -- do we know where the accommodations are?

Ignore me Googlemaps says they're equidistant, but looking at the map, they sure don't look it!

My wife leads a City Guides tour of "Landmark Victorians of Alamo Square". I usually drop her off for the tour, and then go have lunch at a restaurant. We also have Victorian Alliance evening meetings in that area.

Just a few blocks east of Alamo Square at 803 Fillmore (not the area of Fillmore sf7307 is referring to) is Alamo Square Seafood Grill. Very San Francisco-like, casual, good food, and somewhat inexpensive. We've dined there 3-4 times. I think on Wednesday, they do not charge corkage if you bring your own bottle. In Calif, if you don't drink all your wine, you can take it home with you.
www.alamosquareseafoodgrill.com

West on Divisadero there are dozens of "cheap eats". I often have a sandwich at Cafe Abir. There are lots & lots of quite good restaurants (some also inexpensive) in the Hayes Valley on Hayes St between Franklin & Buchannan, and also on some of the streets perpendicular to the south of Hayes. Stay away from the north streets - except for Gough where there are several restaurnats. Like SAB indicated - do not walk to the Hayes Valley from Alamo Sq yourself at night. Lots of "projects" on Grove St. & on some of the other streets. Best bet if you want to walk is to head directly south from your B&B to Hayes St & then east on Hayes St itself. Buses run along Hayes St. Do not walk east of Webster St to the Hayes Valley - except on Hayes St.

Stu Dudley

Thanks for all the great advice everyone! Stu, we got 'Stairway Walks in San Francisco' yesterday - great book and great tip! It's perfect for us, really combines a lot of our interests in one great package. We absolutely cannot wait to get going and finally explore this wonderful city.