susielynn

My husband and I are flying in to San Francisco and will be staying there one night before we drive to Sequoia and Yosemite. We would like to visit Alcatraz and the Golden Gate area. We plan to rent a car at the airport. Would it be better to stay at a hotel near the airport, or stay in the main part of San Francisco? If we stay in the main part of San Francisco, what would the parking situation be if we have a rental car?

starrs

My favorite is the Hotel Monaco.
Valet park or park in a nearby parking garage.
You could even save money and rent the car in town vs. the airport and save the added airport fees. All the major rental companies have in-town rental counters, including one in a garage near the Monaco.

DebitNM

If you rent the car at airport; expect to pay dearly to park overnight in San Francisco. $30 - 50 and up for a night. Save airport surcharges and overnight parking fees by taking BART from Airport into San Francisco and then pick up car as you leave SF for Sequioa and Yosemite. Along with Union Square rental locations, Fisherman's Wharf area also has many rental locations.

IF you still want to get a car at airport, stay at a place that has free parking. http://www.columbusmotorinn.com/ and it's sister hotels, http://www.columbusmotorinn.com/sister_properties.html

I would NOT stay at airport hotel; no benefit to that unless very late or early arrival into SF.

What are you willing to pay for the 1 night in San Francisco? Prices vary greatly and it will help people recommend hotels in your budget. When you list an amount, indicate if that is before or after taxes - which is approximately 15%

susielynn

I'd like to spend no more than $300.00 for the night

DebitNM

Ah, forgot the other important question -- when? Can make a big difference.

janisj

How soon are you traveling -- Alcatraz often books up weeks in advance.

What time are you arriving? Are you are flying long haul? Also, are you returning to the city/SFO to fly home? These questions could make a big difference re what is the best option.

susielynn

We are travelling the 1st week of October and are arriving late morning, so we figured we'd have most of the day on Saturday and 1/2 the day on Sunday before we drive to Sequoia. We are flying home from SFO too. We plan to visit Napa Valley or Sonoma for a day or so after we leave Yosemite. We are definitely staying by the airport our last night because of our flight in the am.

starrs

October can be expensive.

Cost out the options. Check to see how much your rental car will be for the period of time picking it up at the airport vs picking it up in the city. It will probably be cheaper to pick it up in town and as easy as walking across the street to an Avis counter (or Hertz, etc.) in the city and picking up the car. Lower rate for the entire rental period PLUS saving on parking in the city. If not, just pick up the car and valet it for one night - or park in a nearby garage.

Use kayak.com to check for rates on hotels or the app at TripAdvisor for your dates. The Harbor Court hotel is another Kimpton hotel but close to what you want to see. Be sure to save time to visit the restaurants and shops in the Ferry Building.

Enjoy your trip!

NewbE

Be aware, too, that not all rental agencies charge a drop off for picking up in the city and dropping off the airport--some do, some don't.

janisj

>> . . . 1/2 the day on Sunday before we drive to Sequoia.

clarkgriswold

Columbus Motor Inn. Great location, check the reviews. Parking is included w/the room.

DebitNM

I would use priceline or hotwire an airport hotel with free shuttle given the new information IF the car rental prices for the entire time aren't substantially different.

You really have to price things out for each option:

janisj has a good plan if the airport hotel and car rental plus the BART tickets are less expensive.

Otherwise you can get car at airport and stay at Columbus or sister hotels

Or take BART, stay in the city and pick up car next morning. More hotel options.

starrs

clark's post reminds me of another motel with free parking that gets good reviews -
http://www.cowhollowmotorinn.com/accomodations.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...alifornia.html

janisj

What ever you do/wherever you stay, you need to 1) pre-book Alcatraz and 2) leave for Sequoia by 10AM - 11AM at the latest. Sunset is approx 6:30 and in the mountains it gets dusky earlier due to the canyons/ridges.

voyager61

We just stayed at the Union Street Inn, which is a bed and breakfast, and it was great and in a good location. Parking was only $20 a day in a garage down the street. It gets good reviews on TripAdvisor, which is why we chose it. It's a traditional B and B, but good beds and breakfast and a nice wine and cheese happy hour.

susielynn

thanks for all the suggestions!!

tomfuller

Why not take BART into the city and then rent the car downtown in the morning after Alcatraz?
Downtown rentals are generally cheaper than airport rentals.

socialworker

We have rented downtown in SF before and while it sounds like a perfect solution, we found the inventory to be woefully inadequate. We at least got a car b/c we were Hertz Gold. Others WITH reservations were told to come back later and see if there were any cars….