If you're planning on sightseeing IN the city, you don't need a car (although there are some areas of the city that are more easily accessed by car, such as Land's End). Since you will only have two days, I'd think it better to ditch the car, and stay where you can walk. You haven't answered what it is you want to do/see while you're here. Ghirardelli Square is Fisherman's Wharf -- that wouldn't be the first choice among people on this forum who live here, but it's very popular among tourists, and not inconvenient. It's just hard to say where you should stay until you tell us your criteria!

Not sure what you mean about SFO -- it's not a very large or inconvenient airport at all -- if you're returning a car, you return it to an off-property car rental center, and then take the airtrain to the terminal.

Oh, and I checked the rates at the Monaco (which is just off Union Square, the prime downtown shopping area), and it's much less expensive for your dates than the Vitale. Again, what kind of neighborhood experience are you looking for?

Although I do usually like to stay in the shopping areas, I think going to there I it would probably be nicer to stay closer to the Bay? I really just want to stay in the a nice neighborhood. It would be nice at night to just walk back to the hotel. Is it not that nice near Fisherman's Wharf? or is it nicer in the Embarcadeo area?
I will probably just sight see around the major areas and not venture too far. Although, we will be going to the Walt Disney Family Museum while we are there.

I'd highly recommend the Embarcadero area (there are other hotels besides the Vitale --- the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero, the Orchard are a couple). Fisherman's Wharf is fine, it's just that it's not a real "working" San Francisco neighborhood, which the Embarcadero, and even Union Square, are. I work a block from the Hotel Vitale, and can tell you it's a really pleasant place to "be" -- the bay, the Ferry Building, loads of restaurants, busy but not nutty.

>>Is it not that nice near Fisherman's Wharf? or is it nicer in the Embarcadeo area? <<

It depends on how you define "nice"

If you have read any of my past posts - you'll know that I am not a fan of Fisherman's Wharf at all. Very touristy/tacky & un-San Francisco.

Here is what the Fodor's '09 guide to San Francisco has to say about the wharf:

page 16
Once part of a thriving fishing industry, Fisherman's Wharf has deteriorated into a giant harpoon aimed straight at your wallet. Throngs from all over the world come to watch the floping, barking, or napping sea lions; buy cheap T-shirts, and chow down on overpriced, mediocre food. It's all an utter mystery to locals, who don't come here. Ever. See the magnificent historic ships at Hyde Street Pier, then take your money and run.

page 96
It may be one of the city's best known attractions, but the wharf is a no-go zone for most locals, who shy away from the difficult parking, overpriced food, and cheesy shops at third-rate shopping centers like the Cannery at del Monte Square. If you just can't resist a visit here, come early to avoid the crowds and get a sense of the wharf's functional role - it's not just an amusement park replica.

Most of the wharf is shlocky and overpriced, with one notable exception: the splendid Musee Mechanique.

End of quotes from Fodor's


Here is something I posted on Fodors several years ago:

I'm not a fan of the Wharf at all. I advise vacationers to visit other spots instead. The Wharf is OK for a place to stay, but IMHO it's the tackiest place I've ever visited (we vacation in Europe & other places 2-3 months each year). I was down there recently for a survey. It's worse than I remember from my last visit (I’m a SF native, and have lived in SF or very close by, for 34 of my 62 years). The storefronts were loaded with bracelets, hair bands, key chains, placards, etc with people’s first names on them. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I claim that more than 50% of the shops are T-shirt stores. On the main “Boardwalk” (on Jefferson between Leavenworth & Taylor) there are the trinket shops, the T-shirt stores, a McDonalds, In-N-Out Burger, Hooters, Wax Museum (featuring a wax statue of Brittany Spears out front), a Ripley’s Believe-It-Or-Not , a place called “Rainforest Café” that looks like a theme restaurant, but when I looked in all I could see was t-shirts. I’m not just “cherry picking” the most “gawd-awful” places and describing them here – what I just mentioned accounts for probably 85% of the stores along the Wharf Boardwalk. I did not make it over to the Ghirardelli Sq – I hopped on a cable car & got away from the Wharf as fast as possible. Also, there seems to be a lot more parking lots right in the middle of the Wharf than I remember – not very scenic at all.

End of past post.

Stay along the Embarcadero near the Ferry Bldg.

Stu Dudley

The Wharf is schlocky -- sure, everyone needs to go there once. But to <i>stay</i> there -- ESPECIALLY w/ a budget like yours is just not on.

The Embarcadero or Union Square would be much better. I personally love the Embarcadero area. I used to always stay around Union Sq. I only live 90 miles from SF and over a 20 year period visited for overnights 6+ times every year. For the last 10 years I haven't spent as much time in the city - over night once or twice a year, but the Embarcadero is now my 1st choice.

ok sounds like I need to stay away from the Wharf except for a quick morning trip. Sounds more like the Seaside Boardwalk in New Jersey with all those T-shirt stands. I will stay in the Embarcadero area. Is the Vitale Hotel in the best location there? I am guessing it's best to get a bay view room over a city view room?

The Vitale is great. The Hyatt is good because it is taller and the views can even be a better than the Vitale.

http://jdvhotels25-px.trvlclick.com/...ale/guestrooms

http://sanfranciscoregency.hyatt.com...=2227&start=11

I'd be happy at either - The Vitale is special, but the Hyatt is very nice too.

The two are within a block of each other so they're essentially in the same location. City views are nice, bay views are beautiful ( I have a bay view from my office, which is right next door to the Hyatt)

Thank you for all your info! Does the Vitale have an area to walk around at night with some nice restaurants? or do I go to another area for that, like Union Square? also, how is the Nob Hill area? is that just a financial area?

>>Does the Vitale have an area to walk around at night with some nice restaurants?<<

Yep - lots of restaurants - too many to name

>> or do I go to another area for that, like Union Square?<<

Nope - no need t go to Union Square. There are probably more restaurants in the Financial District & close to the Vitale.

>> also, how is the Nob Hill area? is that just a financial area?<,

Nob Hill is not a financial area - mainly upscale hotels & some upscale restaurants.

Stu Dudley

Nob Hill does have several upscale hotels, but it is primarily a [very] upscale residential neighborhood.

As Stu said, you won't have to go far from the Vitale to eat, from burgers to very upscale.

ok, so it seems like the Vitale is a great place to stay. Thank you for all your help! I'm sure we will love it.

Now, one more question....where to stay on the way to San Francisco. We will be at Disneyland for 4 nights then Simi Valley (to visit friends) for 2 nights (we will take day trips from there to Hollywood and LA), then we need to pick one place to stay overnight on our trip up to San Francisco.

Is Carmel a good town to stop along the way? I saw a place called the Tickle Pin Inn that looked nice. Would Monterey be better? If so, any hotel suggestions?

Carmel is a great place to stop over and the Tickle Pink is very nice.

I thought it looked very nice. Do you think Carmel is an area that is good to stay a couple of nights? or is one night enough?

W/ only one night you won't have any time in Carmel -- it will take more than 6 hours to drive the 'fast' route and longer if you stick to the scenic route along the coast. So basically an all day drive if you stop at all.Then the next morning you'd leave for SF.

So if you are driving from Simi Valley > Carmel you'd want two nights.

oh, I didn't realize it was that far away from Simi Valley! I might have to rethink this and stop someplace closer.