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?

The Wharf is schlocky -- sure, everyone needs to go there once. But to stay 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?> 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?

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.