Trip to San Francisco in Dec 2017

Old Sep 21st, 2017, 06:15 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Trip to San Francisco in Dec 2017

Planning Dec 2017 visit to family in Roseville but would like to spend the last two days in San Francisco before heading home. We will get a rental car at some point during our trip but don't want the car for the time we will be in San Francisco so looking for hotel suggestions that will allow us to see as much as possible, Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square? Also not sure if it makes more sense for us to fly into Sacramento and get rental car when ready to drive San Francisco or if we should just fly in and out of SF? It is my understanding to do the latter it would then require over 2 hr. drive to family in Roseville. Any help and suggestions are appreciated.
viveiros87 is offline  
Old Sep 21st, 2017, 06:31 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,633
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
Bet is probably fly into SMF and home from SFO. The drive from SFO to Roseville can take well over 2 hours -- sometimes 4+ -- depending on time of day/day of wee.

If it was me I'd drop the car in Roseville or Sacramento and take the Capitol Corridor train (a few a day actually stop in Roseville, most start in Sac.)

It goes to Emeryville and includes a bus across the bay to SF.

What is you hotel budget? If it fits -- I'd take the train/Amtrak bus to the Ferry Bldg stop, and stay across the street at the Hyatt Embarcadero. Great location, great views, and practically on top of a BART station for getting too SFO.
janisj is offline  
Old Sep 21st, 2017, 06:42 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,139
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
Flying into SMF and home from SFO, using the train as above, would seem to me the easiest of all.

Or, reverse the order, go into SFO, have your 2 days there at the beginning, then get the car for the drive to Roseville. Return it in the Roseville area when you're through with it and let your family drive you to SMF airport to go home.
MmePerdu is offline  
Old Sep 21st, 2017, 08:37 AM
  #4  
Kal
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oh my goodness. Why on Earth anyone would want to live in Roseville is beyond me!

Remember that the 2 hr drive depends on when you leave Roseville and what day. When we go on a weekend we try and hit the bricks no later than 7am.
We don't even consider driving down during the week anymore. If we do maybe leave at 10am let the traffic die down in Sac and SF area.

The Amtrak station in Roseville is a very short drive from our house and it's easy peasy.
When we go down for Giants games during the week we catch the 7am train and get into SF by 10:00am. Catch the 6pm home and in bed by 10pm.

If you do take a car to SF I'd rec one of The Columbus Motor Inn hotels. (We've also stayed as sister properties Chelsea Motor Inn and Coventry Motor Inn on Lombard St in Marian/Co Hollow area).
Free parking at all of them.

Columbus Motor Inn is short walks between No Beach/Coit Tower, Fish Wharf, Ghirardelli Square. You can walk it to Un Sq but better doing an Uber or Taxi.

Chelsea and Coventry nice walks to The Presidio, Marina Green plus a lot of very good restaurants.

Ubers are abundant and fairly inexpensive.

We have been looking for an excuse to have a GTG in the Sac area so....hmmmmm
Kal is offline  
Old Sep 21st, 2017, 08:41 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Because we will be saving money by staying with family some of the time we are willing to splurge a little on the hotel for at least a 4 star in a good central location. Hilton SF Union Square and Inn @ Union Square both look good and are within our budget. Didn't think about the train and could be a good option as friend is a train buff.
viveiros87 is offline  
Old Sep 21st, 2017, 08:59 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,919
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do look at the Hyatt Embarcadero, as janisj suggests. The location is ideal for access to the Ferry Building market and ferries (right across the street), walks along the waterfront to museum and Fisherman's Wharf attractions, and to the BART and Muni systems. Plenty of interesting restaurants nearby, too.
k_marie is offline  
Old Sep 21st, 2017, 09:07 AM
  #7  
Kal
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We have had a lot of success with SF Hotels using Priceline and Hotwire. We just stayed at the 4* Sir Francis Drake for $133/nite for The Giants Race.

Sometimes get The Hyatt, Le Meridien, for less than the $133...depends on if there is an event or convention in town.

We love using the train especially on a week day so we can toast our Bloody Marys to the traffic backed up on the Yolo Causeway. Nothing better than a bar car, food and a restroom on the go!

BTW...I live in Roseville but only for 30 yrs.
The Lovely Mrs Kal born/raised here so if I don't know your relatives my bet is she does.
Kal is offline  
Old Sep 21st, 2017, 10:00 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,139
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
Roseville has a Trader Joe's which puts it on the map as far as I'm concerned. I put in a request for a closer one every time I'm forced to make the 45 minute drive down, but better the drive than no Trader Joe's at all.
MmePerdu is offline  
Old Oct 6th, 2017, 05:37 AM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We've decided to do our alone time first by flying into San Francisco. Will be staying at the Hyatt @ Fisherman's Wharf for two nights (Dec 7 & 8). On Dec 9 we'll take the train from SF into Roseville where are family live. They can bring us to Sacramento for our flight home on the 12th. Don't plan on using a rental car at all so looking for a really nice restaurant within walking distance from hotel while in SF for dinner either on the Thurs or Fri night. Suggestions?
viveiros87 is offline  
Old Oct 6th, 2017, 05:52 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,633
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
>> a really nice restaurant within walking distance from hotel
janisj is offline  
Old Oct 6th, 2017, 09:42 AM
  #11  
Kal
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We were just in the Hyatt's Restaurant Sunday to watch the football games after the Bridge to Bridge Run.
Used to be Knuckles or Hy Tops. Now Bricks and Beams. Decent grub for lunch.

We stayed a block away at Hotel Zoe (ex-BW Tuscan Inn). We like their restaurant Cafe Pescatore esp if Marlow is your server.

You can walk up to McCormick and Kuleto's. Great views.

Scoma's still pretty decent even tho we heard they cut the portion sizes down, esp when it comes to the great ciopinno.

The Buena Vista Cafe serves dinner but we've only had b'fasts there...and maybe a few Irish Coffees.

If you're looking for a hole in the wall b'fast place, Pat's Cafe is a "Fodorite Fave".
Kal is offline  
Old Oct 6th, 2017, 09:48 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've never been to Pat's, but I have been to Hollywood Cafe in the same general neighborhood and the breakfasts there are great (and the portions are huge).
sf7307 is offline  
Old Oct 6th, 2017, 10:43 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Two good restaurants that are on that side of town, but maybe not walking distance, are Kokkari and Coqueta. Also, everything (and that includes many restaurants) in Chinatown, the Embarcadero, North Beach, Union Street and Chestnut Street. Again, not necessarily walking distance, but close.
sf7307 is offline  
Old Oct 6th, 2017, 11:11 AM
  #14  
SAB
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you catch the F streetcar which runs in front of the Hyatt all the restaurants on or near the Embarcadero will be accessible to you, including Kokkari, Coqueta, Slanted Door, Boulevard, Fog City, Pier 23 and so on.
SAB is offline  
Old Oct 6th, 2017, 12:15 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Good point! Add La Mar to SAB's list. Also, although the F turns at Market Street, if you get off there or continue around for another few blocks, you're close to other excellent restaurants, such as Boulevard and Perbacco.
sf7307 is offline  
Old Oct 6th, 2017, 01:17 PM
  #16  
Kal
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Still interested their budget amount.
Aren't some of the restos mentioned $$$$ ?

Walked by Le Mar on The B2B and made a mental note (while remembering to breathe and not fall down) to hit it one day.

Love Fog City and Pier 23.

V'87...hope you enjoy your stay in "The 'ville".

@sf7307....be careful with the "huge portions" comments because I've heard reviews of one of my fave restaurants "the portions are huge if you are into that sort of things". LOL

@ MmePerdue Doesn't your area keep some of these "chain/big box stores" zoned out of your area? Love our TJ's but it needs to expand.
Kal is offline  
Old Oct 6th, 2017, 02:46 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,139
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
Kal, I have no idea. It's possible I guess tho I don't think there's much difference between the big Raley's a mile from me (or 2 Safeways in town) and TJ's. In fact I think my Raley's is quite a bit bigger, at least twice, than your TJ's. I'd trade 2 Safeways for 1 of yours any day.
MmePerdu is offline  
Old Oct 6th, 2017, 06:47 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,633
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
Safeway and Raleys are always larger than TJ's -- but they are not substitutes. The supermarkets for everyday 'groceries'. TJs for the 'other'/unusual/special things.

Now, if only the Nugget Market was closer to my home I wouldn't need Raleys/Safeway and would only have to visit TJ's once in a while
janisj is offline  
Old Oct 6th, 2017, 07:25 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,139
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
"The supermarkets for everyday 'groceries'. TJs for the 'other'/unusual/special things."

Well, I guess it depends, but if I had a TJ's nearby it would replace all the others nicely. Just an occasional visit to Raley's for "other". I've been shopping at TJ's since the mid-80s, then in their first store in Pasadena. How things have changed, better & better!
MmePerdu is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
newlyweds13
United States
11
May 7th, 2013 09:31 AM
ritterbride
United States
13
Aug 28th, 2007 07:07 AM
crazy4Hawaii
United States
18
Aug 11th, 2004 02:20 PM
Chele60
United States
6
Nov 19th, 2003 04:09 PM
Maggie
United States
8
Jun 7th, 2002 06:51 AM

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 -