What area of San Francisco to stay in?
Mar 31st, 2004, 04:34 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What area of San Francisco to stay in?
Just back from Rome, thank you Fodor's for all that great advice.
Now San Francisco for Oct/Nov! Just beginning my planning, know virtually nothing about SF. Can anyone advise of what area is best to stay in? Will have 1 week. Would like to do a couple of day trips also. How is weather then?
Thanks in advance!
Now San Francisco for Oct/Nov! Just beginning my planning, know virtually nothing about SF. Can anyone advise of what area is best to stay in? Will have 1 week. Would like to do a couple of day trips also. How is weather then?
Thanks in advance!
Mar 31st, 2004, 05:14 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First of all:
Will you have a car?
What are the things you want to see or do in San Francisco that you know of?
How much do you want to spend?
Are you happy with busses and other public transportation, or will you want your own car or taxi?
Get ready for those who will say that the center or Union Square is dirty, run-down, and unsafe. I don't feel that way, but I do feel it is more of a typical downtown area. For a week or more I generally prefer staying in Cow Hollow area, more of a "neighborhood" with easy bus service to most all of the city. On the other hand, if I'm going in for just a couple days of theatre and dining, I generally would stay in the Union Square area.
Will you have a car?
What are the things you want to see or do in San Francisco that you know of?
How much do you want to spend?
Are you happy with busses and other public transportation, or will you want your own car or taxi?
Get ready for those who will say that the center or Union Square is dirty, run-down, and unsafe. I don't feel that way, but I do feel it is more of a typical downtown area. For a week or more I generally prefer staying in Cow Hollow area, more of a "neighborhood" with easy bus service to most all of the city. On the other hand, if I'm going in for just a couple days of theatre and dining, I generally would stay in the Union Square area.
Mar 31st, 2004, 06:35 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with Patrick. The "Union Square bashing mafia" will be on shortly to ruin your thread.
We visited last May for 4 days and stayed at the Hilton in Union Square. We love the area as it is convenient to the cable cars, walking distance to restaurants and shopping, and there are places nearby to rent a car for a day trip or two.
Can't help you with the weather, but it shouldn't be too bad. I would check with Weather.com to get the average temps for that timeframe.
San Francisco is a fun city. Enjoy!!!
We visited last May for 4 days and stayed at the Hilton in Union Square. We love the area as it is convenient to the cable cars, walking distance to restaurants and shopping, and there are places nearby to rent a car for a day trip or two.
Can't help you with the weather, but it shouldn't be too bad. I would check with Weather.com to get the average temps for that timeframe.
San Francisco is a fun city. Enjoy!!!
Mar 31st, 2004, 06:53 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Because you "know virtually nothing about SF" I highly recommend that you start with this mini-guide:
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr..._francisco@137
And a good guidebook or two from your library or bookstore!
They will help you get a feel for the various neighborhoods, of SF, what type of weather to expect and what daytrips are recommended.
Once you've done that, searching here for "SF" or "San Francisco" can really give you tons of good ideas - I spent a lot of time reading here before our recent trip to SF and was so glad I did.
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr..._francisco@137
And a good guidebook or two from your library or bookstore!
They will help you get a feel for the various neighborhoods, of SF, what type of weather to expect and what daytrips are recommended.
Once you've done that, searching here for "SF" or "San Francisco" can really give you tons of good ideas - I spent a lot of time reading here before our recent trip to SF and was so glad I did.
Mar 31st, 2004, 01:27 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oct/Nov are 2 of our favorite months to be in SF.
We stayed at the FishWharf Sheraton about 2 weekends ago. First time to stay at The Sheraton. Got it for $65/night on P'line.
We prefer The Tuscan Inn if we stay in the FW area. Right near a cable car turnaround...few blocks from Ghirardelli Sq/Aquatic Park and about a 10-15 walk to NoBeach.
Just got the Galleria Park for an upcoming April stay.
It's on Sutter about 2-3 blocks from, dare I say it...Union Square!!!!
If we do stay in the Union Sq area we prefer staying East of Powell because it seems like most of the hotels West of Powell are pains in the you know what to either get valet parking or drop off and park yourself.
Yep. The older I get, the lazier I get.
We actually prefer the Embarcadero Area(Hyatt, Harbor Court, Park Hyatt, Club Qtrs. etc) probably the best since it's the easiet to get to I-80/101.
Parking at Embarc II is a bit cheaper than letting the hotel valet park it.
Can't wait for April!
Wow...IT'S TOMORROW!!!
We stayed at the FishWharf Sheraton about 2 weekends ago. First time to stay at The Sheraton. Got it for $65/night on P'line.
We prefer The Tuscan Inn if we stay in the FW area. Right near a cable car turnaround...few blocks from Ghirardelli Sq/Aquatic Park and about a 10-15 walk to NoBeach.
Just got the Galleria Park for an upcoming April stay.
It's on Sutter about 2-3 blocks from, dare I say it...Union Square!!!!
If we do stay in the Union Sq area we prefer staying East of Powell because it seems like most of the hotels West of Powell are pains in the you know what to either get valet parking or drop off and park yourself.
Yep. The older I get, the lazier I get.
We actually prefer the Embarcadero Area(Hyatt, Harbor Court, Park Hyatt, Club Qtrs. etc) probably the best since it's the easiet to get to I-80/101.
Parking at Embarc II is a bit cheaper than letting the hotel valet park it.
Can't wait for April!
Wow...IT'S TOMORROW!!!
Apr 1st, 2004, 09:22 PM
#6
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,984
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are motels at the end of the N Judah and the L Taraval street car lines. The latter is by the zoo. It would take about 40 minutes to go into town and you would be right on the ocean. The weather could be fine, or the rainy season might have started. But it won't be freezing.
Apr 1st, 2004, 09:54 PM
#7
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Despite all Patrick and Budman's good faith warnings, the Union Square trasher, who posts under multiple names (soon he will be agreeing with himself - under a different name, of course), Abi/Treck/Robinsen/etc. etc. has appeared, pretending not to be what he is.
The truth is that Union Square is greater than it ever was. Here's a viewpoint of the great REJUVENATION of Union Square after its renovation between 2000 and 2002:
"...reopening of Union Square after two years of redesign. The new design is elegant in a fashionable, not-too-avant-garde way that reassures San Franciscans of their sophistication..."
"...more people-friendly..."
"...classic urban space..."
"Union Square has become a true plaza rather than a park..."
Please notice the source
Alan Hess, who writes on architecture, for the San Jose Mercury News, August 11, 2002. Alan Hess praises the blend of square, plants, and buildings in the redesign.
Union Square is where Dior, Armani, and Yves St Laurent have opened boutiques. It is where art galleries display the works of Picasso and Chagall. The Xanadu Gallery on Maiden Lane attract not just art fans but also architecture buffs, because the building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Many great hotels, like the Westin St Francis either face the Square or are located close to it. The St Francis still carries on the wonderful tradition of afternoon tea.
If this is a "steady downhill course", then more urban areas should suffer the same fate.
The truth is that Union Square is greater than it ever was. Here's a viewpoint of the great REJUVENATION of Union Square after its renovation between 2000 and 2002:
"...reopening of Union Square after two years of redesign. The new design is elegant in a fashionable, not-too-avant-garde way that reassures San Franciscans of their sophistication..."
"...more people-friendly..."
"...classic urban space..."
"Union Square has become a true plaza rather than a park..."
Please notice the source
Alan Hess, who writes on architecture, for the San Jose Mercury News, August 11, 2002. Alan Hess praises the blend of square, plants, and buildings in the redesign.
Union Square is where Dior, Armani, and Yves St Laurent have opened boutiques. It is where art galleries display the works of Picasso and Chagall. The Xanadu Gallery on Maiden Lane attract not just art fans but also architecture buffs, because the building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Many great hotels, like the Westin St Francis either face the Square or are located close to it. The St Francis still carries on the wonderful tradition of afternoon tea.
If this is a "steady downhill course", then more urban areas should suffer the same fate.
Apr 2nd, 2004, 05:20 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
While I love staying in Cow HOllow, my last stay in SF was at the Grand Hyatt right on Union Square for three nights just before Christmas last year. It was wonderful. We walked to dinner at Farallon, we shopped in the wonderful stores in the area, we visited the galleries, we ate at Kuleto's, after theatre one night we had pizza and drinks in the bar at Postrio. We had a wonderful time. It is so sad that such a grand and glorius spot would be viewed for its "ugliness" when one would have to be a totally negative person to let a couple of homeless or some other situation overshadow all that is good. But then some people love letting the negative dominate their lives. How sad for them. The area is filled with upscale hotels, restaurants, and world-class shopping and galleries. Many places have gone recent upgrading and major investments. The hotels remain virtually full. I wonder why all that money is being spent and why it remains so busy when it is so horrible??? Duh?
