Jo Ann

Plan to lay over in SF a night and day on way to Honolulu from east coast. Would it be better to stay in a hotel near the airport and travel on public transportation to the city for the day or take some hotel bus and stay in the city? Please advise and, if possible , offer names of hotels/motels at either or both locations.

Thanks.
Jo Ann

Terri

SFO isn't very close to San Francisco, so unless you're really strapped for time I'd recommend staying in the city. I recently visited a relative who decided to stay at an airport hotel rather than in town and it's quite a distance away for it to be very convenient. There are probably a ton of posts here with hotel suggestions. Good luck!

Owen O'Neill

I stayed near the airport 5 or 6 years ago on the last night before departing (after a two week trip that had begun with a two night stay in downtown SF). I was surprised to find that hotels prices for mid range or economy properties were just as expensive or more so in that areas than in downtown SF. Definitely stay in SF if you have the time and want to see the city for an evening.

kam

I would take a taxi to the city, not rent a car, check into one of many, many recommended hotels here (depends on your budget) and have a great dinner (book ahead--way ahead) and then taxi back to the airport for your flight. There's very little to recommend near SFO except big chain hotels--OK for business travel, but not really being in SF.

Jo Ann

Thanks so much for your responses. It helped me decide that we should stay in the city. Is there an airport shuttle to and from the city?

Also, please recommend a hotel near the Wharf or Chinatown. The San Remo is mentioned lots here on the Forum, but the lack of private bath might not be so great for "golden oldies". We want a safe area and would love to walk to restaurants, etc. and Fisherman's Wharf area. The Library's Walking Tours sound great.

Again, thanks to all for your time and offerings.

Jo Ann

kam

SF is very expensive! That said, the San Remo is great value, but you do need to share bathrooms. The baths are impeccably clean and neat though. There's also the Tuscan Inn at Fisherman's Wharf, the Wharf Inn, and the Travelodge at Fisherman's Wharf. Farther away from the wharf and not walking distance are all the little places on Lombard Street--inexpensive and quite safe. When you research a hotel, ask if they have transportation into the city from SFO--that might change your mind. Taxis or Super Shuttle are not too much in any case. Good luck.

Jo Ann

Kam,

Thanks so much for your input about SF; it will be a big help to have several possibilities on the Wharf and convenient since our stay is so short. Really appreciate your response and help.
Jo Ann