Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

San Francisco accommodation suggestions for November

San Francisco accommodation suggestions for November

Old May 29th, 2016, 02:53 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
San Francisco accommodation suggestions for November

San Francisco will be sadly our last destination on our trip to the US this year. We will be spending a week in Nov. here and are looking for suggestions of where to stay. There will be my husband and myself only. Looking at a middle of the road, clean, roomy, close to restaurants, attractions or easy feed to transport. Our travel agent has only suggested one for us it being the Holiday Inn Fishermans Wharf which is coming in at approx AU$300 per night. Comments on this hotel and accommodation or any other to suggestions. Also, any hidden treasures which are a must see or do in San F. Thanks in advance.
Travelfootprint is offline  
Old May 29th, 2016, 06:19 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Many visitors like the FW area; I much prefer the Union Sq area.
Easy access to all areas of the city via public transit or walking.

Not sure if the price you list [which seems to be about $215 US] includes tax or not. Tax in SF runs almost 15%, so that is really important to know.

My suggestion is The Mosser hotel. They have great weekly rates and are close to all that you want. It isn't fancy, but it is clean and well priced.

Random dates in November show a weekly rate of less than $100 pr night including tax. That is for a Deluxe Queen, which is their top room level. They do have some rooms that use a hall bath, but the deluxe queen has a private bath.

http://www.themosser.com/

We really love taking "free" walking tours that are run by the public library. They are donation only, with the donations used to support the program. They offer many tours and is a great way to get to know the city! We have done over 3 dozen and highly recommend them - http://www.sfcityguides.org/ We give $10 per person, well worth it.

What interests you? Hard to make suggestions for what to do without that info.
DebitNM is offline  
Old May 29th, 2016, 07:43 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I wouldn't choose FW either (although my cousins stayed at that hotel and liked both it and the destination, but they had their 3 little girls with them at the time). I also like Union Square for adults (It's what you would think of as "downtown" - the main shopping district), but my preference, if you can find a hotel in your price range, would be the Embarcadero area (calmer, but not so calm or quiet that it's boring), on the bay, loads of restaurants).

If you haven't seen it before, do some internet research on the hidden staircases of San Francisco. They're really fun to find and meander.

http://www.sisterbetty.org/stairways/
sf7307 is offline  
Old May 29th, 2016, 07:49 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,786
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would not choose Fisherman's Wharf for a hotel. IMO, it's touristy tacky there.

We have liked the Joie de Vivre property, Hotel Rex, at Union Square.
http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/cali...els/hotel-rex/

Also, we like Kimpton properties. If you join their free guest club, you will get discounts and freebies.
https://www.kimptonhotels.com/boutiq...-san-francisco

There are some well-reviewed hostels in SF, also:
http://www.sfhostels.org

Years ago, we stayed at the Beresford, which is less than $200US per night.
http://www.beresford.com/beresford/

There are many, many choices in San Francisco. Ditch your travel agent.
Tabernash2 is offline  
Old May 29th, 2016, 08:17 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sadly, Kimpton only has 2 properties in SF now. That really limits choices using their brand.
DebitNM is offline  
Old May 29th, 2016, 09:30 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,786
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I saw that, Deb. The Monaco is closed?? That's a shame. Last time we were there, they were remodeling the restaurant.
Tabernash2 is offline  
Old May 29th, 2016, 09:33 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, they were sold just after the remodel. We stayed there Feb 2015 and it was sold not long after.
DebitNM is offline  
Old May 29th, 2016, 09:54 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,786
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the update, Deb.
Tabernash2 is offline  
Old May 29th, 2016, 10:09 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,332
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
It is now called The Marker

https://www.themarkersanfrancisco.com
MichelleY is offline  
Old May 29th, 2016, 01:59 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 42,600
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
I know I'll get slammed by all the "Union Square" people but I still prefer either the Embarcadero Hyatt or hotels near there.

Why? "Feed to transport?" How about BART to and from the airport as well as Muni practically outside the front door?

Or the cable car which really IS "outside the front door."

The Ferry Building across the street

The streetcar along the Embarcadero and on to Fisherman's Wharf.

I realize this isn't for everybody and to the OP: you GET what you pay for.
Dukey1 is offline  
Old May 29th, 2016, 02:18 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,528
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I also don't get the Union Square love, especially the Tenderloin side.
mlgb is offline  
Old May 29th, 2016, 02:26 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The lobby of the Embarcadero Hyatt is pretty impressive too.
curiousgeo is online now  
Old May 29th, 2016, 03:31 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have no issue with Embarcadero area.

The Hyatt can be pricey. Harbor Court [formerly a Kimpton] is less pricey but a bit away from Embarcadero per se {BART station} The Meridien [we stayed there once on a weekend night] was in a fairly deserted area at night.

Did I miss any?
DebitNM is offline  
Old May 29th, 2016, 05:40 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,332
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Vitale is on my wish list. For my 60th next month, I chose prime Giants tickets over the Vitale.
MichelleY is offline  
Old May 30th, 2016, 02:01 AM
  #15  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
omg a lot to consider. I'm leaning to the downtown area now. I will check out the areas you have all mentioned above and see what is on offer for our dates. Thanks for the 15% tip. We may need to increase our nightly budget!! I will check out the hidden staircases of San Francisco on the net and see what is available. I love the Library idea these sort of tours can be very charming and have sole as normally its the locals who get involved and their passion normally shows through. We want to walk the golden gate bridge and hopefully get some great photos. Explore Alcatraz, ride the street car, we both love shopping and a bargain. Hoping to get to an American sport, sporting event. We love the hype of a big city. I love photo taking (no not selfies)city skyline, mountains, sunset/rise, mixing with the locals, people watching, breath taking views. Hidden treasures like underground tunnels, historic building, modern architecture, landscapes, city history, local medium price eating venues
Travelfootprint is offline  
Old May 30th, 2016, 05:19 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"these sort of tours can be very charming and have sole as normally its the locals who get involved and their passion normally shows through. " YES! That is the case with the SF City Guides. They create their own tour routes. They also do a lot of training and have to pay for their training, so you know they are dedicated.

Sports at that time of year will be {American} Football - Oakland Raiders or San Francisco 49ers. Also, ice hockey - San Jose Sharks.


" Hidden treasures like underground tunnels, " not likely a place you'd want to try and find in SF.

Everything else on your list is doable!
DebitNM is offline  
Old May 30th, 2016, 09:10 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,786
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I will say that Union Square can get old, real fast; so many people there. Embarcadero is a very good location to consider.
Tabernash2 is offline  
Old May 30th, 2016, 09:17 AM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You can tell Deb isn't that much of a sports fan LOL. The current NBA champion Golden State Warriors will also be playing in November (pro basketball). Tickets will cost a fortune as they sell out nightly. The Sharks don't, so there will be tickets available, but San Jose is 50 miles from San Francisco, so not that convenient. You could go to a college basketball game instead -- Cal Berkeley, Stanford, University of San Francisco all have teams.

What do you consider "medium price" in terms of eating? We had a great meal the other night at Lolinda (which I'd never heard of until I saw it mentioned on here by someone from Belgium!) - it was about $130 for 3 people. Lemon Rotisserie is excellent and cheap! Hundreds if not thousands of other choices.
sf7307 is offline  
Old May 30th, 2016, 09:20 AM
  #19  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hey, I only missed one pro team!! Not too shabby...
DebitNM is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
laurenjones1919
United States
40
Jan 28th, 2015 07:24 PM
bex1956
United States
23
Jan 14th, 2015 05:50 PM
lunabug
United States
9
Dec 21st, 2010 09:42 PM
tinathetoad
United States
8
Feb 7th, 2006 05:38 PM
Kristen
United States
7
May 9th, 2002 05:57 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -