The Bay Area Hotels

There aren't many hotels in Berkeley or Oakland, but Marin is a destination where hotels package themselves as cozy retreats. Summer is often booked well in advance, despite weather that is often mercurial and sometimes downright chilly. Along the coastal peninsula, accommodations tend to have homegrown character and cater to San Franciscans and weekend visitors here for a romantic getaway. Because of the weekend demand on the coast you'd be wise to make reservations as far in advance as possible. Inland Peninsula and South Bay lodgings generally attract business travelers—most are chain motels and hotels, though a handful of B&Bs have popped up in recent years. During the week, when business conventions are in full swing, many of these hotels are fully booked up two weeks in advance. However, some are nearly empty on weekends—this is when rates plummet and package deals abound.