JAKCruiser

My 14 year-old son and I will be arriving at SFO around 10pm on July 21. We plan to spend two nights in San Francisco prior to visiting relatives in the south San Jose area. (They’ll pick us up at our hotel on our last day.) I’ve been reading a lot of posts and tips on Fodors to help plan our trip and have found it wonderfully helpful. And, yes, I did read Stu’s tips.

I have been to San Francisco many times but it will be my son’s first trip. We’ll only have one full day but at least he’ll get to see some of the city. As I’m planning this around his interests, we won’t be visiting any art museums or fine dining restaurants. I’d greatly appreciate advice about the following:

Hotels
I am open to suggestion but these are the ones I’ve narrowed it down to so far. Any comments or advice?

I've been leaning towards the Union Square area. These are the two that I'm currently leaning towards. The InterContinental ($129 night advance purchase) or the Hilton ($124 advance purchase).

The other options are in the Nob Hill area, the Mark Hopkins ($119 night advance purchase) or the Renaissance Stanford Court ($154 includes 2 – 3 day MUNI passes.)

Transportation
Since we’re arriving so late, I figure we’ll need to take a taxi to the hotel. I believe I saw the cost would be around $45 plus tip. Is that the right range?

The other option is BART, but does it run that late at night from SFO? (We travel light – one small roller bag and a backpack.) My main concern would be the safety issue from the BART station to hotel at that time?

As to traveling around the city, we’ll buy a MUNI pass for unlimited travel.

Food
Anyone who has or has had a teenage son knows they can eat huge quantities multiple times a day. My son is no exception. Where are some good options for a hot breakfast in the mornings, near the hotels?

We also hope to get to China Town for either lunch or dinner. Any favorites?

Sightseeing
We’d like to do the Alcatraz Tour but it is currently showing as sold-out on our dates. Do they hold back some tickets for tour companies?

We’re considering taking Mr. Toad’s Tour, in an open vintage car, and trying to get the Alcatraz Tour add-on. A tour would give my son a good overview of the city and I like the idea of not being with a big group.


I know this is a long post but I’ve tried to organize our couple of days and this is a summary of my thoughts. Thanks so much for any advice!

DebitNM

I would try The Mosser Hotel, it is a great location and the prices are great. Perfect for your needs.

TheMosser.com

Clean rooms, small but all you need. Some have hall baths, some have private baths. It is on 4th, just a block from Market.

Deb

janisj

W/ a 14 yo boy, I probably wouldn't stay in any of the hotels on your short list. I might consider the Mosser - but I'd really choose either the Hyatt on the Embarcadero or (and I'm probably going to regret this ) somewhere at/near Fisherman's Wharf.

The Wharf isn't usually recommended for various valid reasons -- but for a teenager and being close to Alcatraz cruises, etc - the Wharf could be a good fit.

DebitNM

I thought about that recommending the Wharf, it works for a 14 yr old. We stayed there last trip and it worked for us, though we much prefer Union Sq area.

anna_roz

How about the Chancelor Hotel in Union Square? Could not ask for a better location or better service.

ksucat

I like the St. Francis Hotel right in the heart of Union Square..usually can get great deals on expedia.
Sir Francis Drake is another hotel that would work for you too.

sf7307

As for transportation from the airport, yes, with tip, $45 is a good estimate for the taxi. Although BART is probably still running, I wouldn't recommend it unless it's really close to the BART station at the San Francisco end, and except for the Hyatt Regency, none of the ones you mentioned will be.

mztery

if oyu are in Union Sq, Sears Fine Foods is not super cheap but has HUGE Portions and is a local landmark..

For inexpensive Italian dinner/pizza, go to Uncle Vito's at Bush and Powell, up the hill from Union Sq. Always busy , good food and very reasonably priced.

Also The intercontinental, which I think is the nicest of the 3. is NOT in Union Square. It is just off Market St just south, several long blocks away.

Jill_SF

I would also recommend staying in Fishermans Wharf since you are traveling with your teenager. The restaurants and activities in that area are more family friendly and you'll find a number of things to do that are right outside your door. You can find some hotel recommendations for Fishermans Wharf here: http://www.san-francisco-tourism-tip...rf-hotels.html

I also agree that you should grab a cab. It is tough to find a cab along Market Street late at night in order to get to your hotel. The cost you mentioned is accurate too and the cost to BART/Cab to your hotel would only be a little less, so the hassle is not worth it.

I'd try Dim Sum while you are in Chinatown. You can choose a variety of items to try instead of just ordering one meal. With a growing young boy, you can get a large and filling meal for a decent price. This page has a couple of of the places I really like (toward the bottom of the page): http://www.san-francisco-tourism-tip...francisco.html

Also, you should still be able to find some Alcatraz tickets through the tour agencies. I'd recommend the night tour if you are able to find tickets for it. Call around to a few places and if they don't have tickets, ask them to recommend you to an agency that would still have tickets.

San Francisco is a great place to visit. I really hope you enjoy your trip!

Globalchar

If you do stay in the Union Square area, you can get a good meal at Lefty O'Doul's for around $10.00 or less. 333 Geary Blvd off Powell Street.

random1

Since you're traveling light, I would take BART since the station is inside the airport (Internat'l Terminal). You can easily walk it or take the AirTrain from your terminal.

Once you arrive in SF, you can take a taxi to your hotel in FW or Union Sq. If you're staying at the Hyatt Regency or InterContinental as mentioned above, you only have to walk a block or two from the nearest BART station.

suze

Because of the time of night of arrival I would take a taxi, not public transportation myself (unless you are very familiar with BART already).

I also think Embarcadero or Fisherman's Wharf is more teen friendly than Union Square area.

StuDudley

>>Once you arrive in SF, you can take a taxi to your hotel in FW or Union Sq.

Dayenu

For 2 people a shuttle will work for less $$. Don't make reservations, just go outside, follow the signs, get on the first available. The deliver to the hotel's door.

If you are not familiar with the city, don't take BART. And keep in mind it doesn't go to all areas anyway.

I saw tables selling Alcatraz tix with city tour to make more money, so it is possible you will buy them here.

Is your son interested on fire trucks? There is a fire truck tour that lets you put on their gear for photos, and if I'm not mistaken, takes you over the bridge.

suze

I don't think a BART station is likely outright "dangerous" at 11PM but I DO think it might feel that way to a tourist new to using the system. Plus the ticketing is somewhat confusing (the way you buy one from a machine, insert ticket upon entering turnstile, etc. if you've never done it before.

JAKCruiser

What great responses! Thank you all so much for the valuable advice.

I agree that it would make more sense to take a taxi from the airport, especially since we'll be getting in late at night and will be tired after traveling from Florida.

Now I have to decide which area to stay in. There were lots of good opinions offered. I had originally ruled out Fisherman's Wharf but now I'm considering it again. What would it be like there with arriving late at night?

I checked out all the hotels suggested and also thought to check into Hotwire. (It's been a while since I've used Hotwire and forgot to check at the start.) It looks like I can get a 4-star in Union Square East that seems to be Parc55 for $86 a night or a Fisherman's Wharf story 3-star that may be Holiday Inn Express for $99 a night. Those rates are much better than anything else I've found for a comparable hotel. I have to say $86 for the Parc55 sounds really good.

I am compiling a list of all the restaurants mentioned. All the recommendations sound great. Any more suggestions for breakfast?

Thanks so much!

KTtravel

Sears Fine Food on Powell Street would be a great bet for breakfast -- old "San Francisco" feel and good food at reasonable prices.

JAKCruiser

Although a more luxurious hotel sounds inviting, I'm now thinking that staying near Fisherman's Wharf might make more sense, just as was suggested. We could walk to where the tours begin which means we wouldn't have to get up as early in the morning to arrive on time. (Being able to sleep longer would probably be my son's preference.) I guess I'll sum up the options to him and let him decide.

I thought Mr. Toad's Tours looked a little out of the ordinary with their vintage cars. Has anyone heard anything about them or suggest any other tour?

StuDudley

Mr Toad's tours have been around for quite a while. We belong to Victorian Alliance and the Alliance has a major homes tour in October. We've used Mr Toad several times to shuttle people around. I've seen them at Ft Point too. Don't miss Ft Point - interior open on weekends & Fri - great views and great place for a 14YO to wander through
http://www.nps.gov/fopo/index.htm

Stu Dudley

JAKCruiser

Thanks for the tip about Ft. Point, Stu. I had never heard of it before and it looks like a great place to visit. I also appreciate hearing that Mr. Toad's does have a good reputation. I received a response from them that they do have tickets to Alcatraz available for our dates, so it looks like we'll do their combined tour.

My son and I are going to go over our options this weekend and then decide what area to stay in. Thanks so much for all the help.