elly, parking is San Francisco is extremely expensive. The lot I park in, which is fairly near the Harbor Court, is typical, at $32.00 per day. You might be able to find something slightly less expensive (and slightly farther away from any hotel you choose).

I don't know the Queen Anne, but of the other two, I'd personally pick the Harbor Court because I love the location (near the bay, near the Ferry Building, near lots of restaurants, etc.) as opposed to the Huntington, which is at the top of Nob Hill, which is a beautiful and very posh residential neighborhood, but not really "near" anything (and at the top of a steep hill to boot. It's my personal preference -- I like my hotel to be closer to things like a breakfast spot, a place for a morning walk, etc. when I walk out the front door.

FWIW, there are several motels that people on here recommend that offer free parking -- the Cow Hollow Inn, Columbus Motor Inn and others.

The Queen Anne is in a residential neighborhood near Japantown (although it claims to be in Pacific Heights)--there might be street parking at night, but there is probably residential permit parking during the day i.e. only two hour parking without a permit.

Are you driving a rental or your own car? If a rental, you don't really need a car in the City, although it certainly would be more convenient it you pick the Queen Anne.

You could check into parking outside of the city if you're driving your own car. Google "cheap parking san francisco" and you'll find something reasonable, you'll have to take public transpo into the city.

Thanks guys, things are a little clearer now. I do have a rental and I can't get rid of it because i'm stopping at different spots on the way to SF from LA and than driving back to LA. But I will definitely check out the cheap parking lots. What a mission lol! I'll also check into the motels, thanks sf7307!

Consider turning the car in when you get to SF and then rent another one in SF. The savings from not paying parking may make up any difference in price, if you are getting a weekly rate. Dollar often has city specials in SF. Check it out and see if it makes [dollars and ] cents/sense for you.

The Queen Anne has its own parking lot across the street from the hotel. I'm pretty sure that they don't charge anything for parking - but check with them to make sure.

Stu Dudley

DebitNM- I thought about returning the car in SF, until I realized that my rental price would double. And I have to drive back to LA anyway. It's ok, I ended up booking Harbor Court hotel and found a parking garage www.parkforless.org, they charge $15 a day which I can manage So I am hoping that would work Thank you guys for your help!

So now for food guide. Any recommendations for some nice, but not too extravagant lunch/dinner places? Somewhere SF locals enjoy dining at? I don't care for touristy spots

>>So now for food guide<<

There have been dozens of posts about food in the last month or two - do some research.

Stu Dudley

Not only that, there are enough places for your entire stay within a block or two of your hotel! (There's an American place -- burgers/bar (Perry's), a Japanese restauarant (Ozuma), Mexican (don't remember the name), high-end California Cuisine (Boulevard - worth the splurge), Boulevard's sister restaurant, Prospect, Thai (OSHA Thai), brasserie (Chaya), Italian (Perbacco and Barbacco), small chain microbrew/restaurant that's frequented by locals (Gordon Biersch), Peruvian seafood (La Mar). So many to choose from!

In addition to good burgers and an excellent happy hour, Perry's has great breakfasts. Love their corned beef hash, and they are one of the few bars these days that makes a Ramos Gin Fizz - and, boy, is theirs good!

Perbacco is just about my favorite Italian restaurant in the City, but Barbacco is a bit friendlier on the wallet. Both Boulevard and Prospect are wonderful, for sure, but pretty pricey.

elly--the only really touristy spots i.e. places that most SF residents won't go are at the Wharf (Gary Danko and Ana Madera excepted). Even restaurants in large tourist areas such as Union Square and North Beach, except for the chains, are visited by locals.

oooh lots to try! Can't wait Thanks guys for all your help!!

Don't forget the nearby Epic Roasthouse and/or it's Quiver Bar. Excellent views and good food.

<<<Excellent views and good food>>>

For big $$$

Haha! well you know one splurge could be healthy! So now that I'm pretty set on SF my next questions will be for wine countries (might have to start a new topic). So I hear Sonoma is better than Napa (p.s. I'm clueless about all of this stuff), I was recommended to stay at Healdsburg and take a Frog Leap tour. Basically my boyfriend and I want to walk by the vines, maybe pick grapes and do some tasting. We're not big wine people so nothing too extravagant. Am I on the right path?

sf...bustin' my chops again.

OK...hit the Quiver bar for the BBB special. (Burger, Beer and Brownie).
Or it could be your splurge resto for the view?

And thx, sf, for the tip on La Mar. Looks VERY good and if I had a nickle everytime we walked past it....

Have you hit Pier 23 lately? Still any good?

Ditto hazel on Perry's B'fasts.

Now...I'll stand back when the Sonoma/Napa debate begins.

Kal, I haven't been inside Pier 23 in years -- loved it when we were younger! Nowadays, we just walk by on the way to AT&T Park!