jandee

I am looking for reasonable accommodation for a family of 4 in Aug. Both Coventry Motor Inn and Lombard Motor Inn have availability for $135. Which would you recommend? We will have a car but would prefer not to drive in SF. So location is important. Thanks!

Magellan_5

Hi jandee:

Both of these places are on my way to work in the morning - they are only about two city blocks apart.

There's not a huge difference in location really. But I would say that the Coventry Motor Inn is in a nicer area. At either location, however, you will be close enough to catch the 30 bus on Chestnut Street (one block over) which takes you to major sights (see below).

Coventry Motor Inn is closer to the Marina and Union Street where there's a lot of shopping, boutiques, and restaurants. It is also closer to Crissy Field. On Lombard Street, you can catch the 28 going to the Golden Gate Bridge, or the 43 which will take you to Haight Ashbury. Again, if you walk one block over to Chestnut, you can take the 30 to several sites (see below). You will also be closer to the 22 bus line, which will take you up Fillmore Street.

Lombard Inn is a bit closer to Van Ness, which is a major thoroughfare for traffic. Sometimes parts of Van Ness can feel a little seedy, especially later at night. (Overall, it's a safe enough area, but not quite as nice as where Coventry Inn is located - that's just my opinion though).

Lombard Inn might be more convenient with regard to bus lines if you're going to be taking the 47 or 49 (which go to the Mission and other places further away). And as with the Coventry Inn, you can also catch the 30 close by. If you walk to Chestnut & Van Ness, you can catch the 30 to Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach, Chinatown, and 4th & Market for shopping. Going the other way, you can take the 30 to the Marina and the Palace of Fine Arts. You can also transfer from the 30 at Chestnut & Laguna to the 28 bus and go to the Golden Gate Bridge.

With regard to either location, know that Lombard and Van Ness are loud streets with regard to traffic. You probably won't do a lot of walking on those particular streets, but you'll probably cross over to quieter streets (e.g. Union & Chestnut) a block or so over.

It's really a toss-up, as they are so close. If you think you'll spend more time in Fisherman's Wharf/North Beach/ Chinatown, then the Lombard Motor Inn might be better. But if you want to be a slightly nicer area, closer to Crissy Field & the Marina, then Coventry might be better.

Hope that helps!

P.S. - Heres' the link to the bus system - you can use the "trip planner" to see the bus routes to various locations in the city.

http://transit.511.org/tripplanner/index.aspx

StuDudley

I can't advise you on a specific hotel - but a car would be a great asset if you're staying in Lombard St. Union St & Chestnut st (two lively areas with lots of restaurants, bars, cafes, shops etc) is a short walk away, but if you want to see other areas directly north - Pacific Heights, Fillmore St shops/restaurants/cafes, Alamo Sq (Postcard row), Golden Gate Park, view from Twin Peaks, Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, Chrissy field, Presidio, Fort Point, Noe Valley, Haight/Ashbury, views from El Camino del mar & Lincoln blvd, and the spectacular views from GGNRA directly across the Golden Gate Bridge & to the west - a car would be the best way to get there. For sites east of Lombard, driving is more difficult & public transportation is better.

Stu Dudley

Magellan_5

Sorry! I meant to say they're only about four blocks apart, not two. Still not too far apart from one another though. Cheers - M.

jandee

Magellan_5, thanks so much! That was exactly the information I was looking for.

StuDudley

>>but if you want to see other areas directly north - Pacific Heights,<<

I must be upside down today. All the sites I mentioned are south of Lombard - not north (except for the GG bridge, Crissy field, Ft Point)

Dudley Stu

Magellan_5

Great! Glad it was helpful. - M

sheri_lp

I stayed at a very reasonable place in April that I liked alot. The Cow Hollow Hotel on Steiner and Lombard. I liked it because of the wonderful location (which was a perfect jumping off place for StuDudley's driving tour of SF - thanks Stu!), the free covered parking, and the price - it was under $125. Also a great restaurant up the street the Maritime Cafe with excellent seafood and nice staff.

trippinkpj

I enjoyed staying at the Coventry, it's been a couple years now. A pleasant 3 block walk (slightly up hill) to Union Street.