Thanks so much! We were waiting to hear about the Chancellor. We are getting excited (but nervous) about this trip- or at least, my 12 year old daughter is. Did any one ever hear of or stay at Sir Francis Drake or The Westin Saint Francis?

Thanks, :-) I love these smileys! :-)
Momma Frog

The St Francis is a very famous old hotel with a modern high rise incorporated, and a great place to stay if it fits in the budget. But parking will cost a LOT.

The Sir Francis Drake is also very nice - not quite up to the St Francis level but still a nice property.

The St Francis sits on the west side of Union Square and is one of the best locations in the city. The Sir Francis Drake is just up Powell Street from Union Square. Both are on the Powel St cable car line.

A couple of thoughts for you - if you cannot get loding in Yosemite National Park itself, the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal, just outside the park gates is a great place to stay. Also, if you are staying in Sacramento the night before your flight, the Embassy Suites is a good place to stay. It's right on the river and right next to Old Sacramento, which would be fun for your 12 year old. Also not far away is Sutters Fort. Have a great time!

Did anybody ever stay at the Renaissance Parc 55 in San Fransico. We might be able to get a good rate there. Is it worth it????

Thanks
MommaFrog

Try to stay at the Fishermans Wharf area of SanFran. You can usually get a deal that includes parking, cable car pass and breakfast at the realtively new Argonaut Hotel. Really the best area for a kid in San Francisco. The Marriot Fishermans WHarf is pretty good, too.

i never stay near the wharf...way too crowded and touristy. i always stay near the aiport where i don't pay for parking and just drive in and park. i use priceline and end up w/ a great deal.

I have stayed at the Renaissance Parc 55 before when I was working a convention. It was a nice hotel, good location but typical for the big, business type hotels.

I would not suggest staying by the airport and driving in. Besides dealing with SF traffic, parking is very expensive.

As far as staying by Fisherman's Wharf, it is true that it is very touristy but kids like it. The Argonaut is very nice but when we went last December we stayed at the Columbus Motor Inn. I am not the type to stay at a Motor Inn but it was perfect. One reason I picked it was because they offer free parking. You can even get a room with two bedrooms so your daughter can have her own space. It is about a 5-10 min walk to Fisherman's Wharf, a 5-10 walk to North Beach (Little Italy) and from there you just keep walking into Chinatown. The bus goes right by the front of the hotel and the cable car stop is around the corner. My DD who is 17, did like the Union Square area a little more but if she had her way, she would live in Nordstrom!!