convenient location for hotel in San Francisco?
 

I am considering a couple different hotels for short layover in San Francisco, and would like to know if anyone knows which hotel has a more convenient location, between the Courtyard Fisherman's Wharf, Marriott Fisherman's Wharf, and the Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf. If there is virtually no difference, I'd prefer to stay at the Courtyard, since the price is significantly lower.

Convenient to what? <BR>To the sites at Fisherman's Wharf? <BR>To Union Square? <BR>To BART? <BR>To the better restaurants and shops? <BR>To the ballpark? <BR>Why did you choose FW by the way?

Which of those locations is more convenient to transportation, convenient to walk to local sites,etc. I had been advised by a friend that Fisherman's Wharf would be the best place to stay, since we only have two nights there, and will not have a car [or time]to do road trips. Also, would prefer to stick with Marriott related sites, since we have a reward program with them [in fact, that is how I am going to Hawaii from San Fransisco], all with Marriott points. However, I am open to other options if their locations are not convenient. As for what you asked, John, I mean convenient to the most local attractions I can get in, in such a short visit.

Personally I don't understand why some people recommend Fisherman's Wharf. Much (most) of Fisherman's Wharf is tacky, cheap touristy stuff and it doesn't give you any feel for what is unique about SF IMO. <BR>Riding a cable car, taking in the view from Coit Tower, seeing the Golden Gate Bridge (walking across on a nice day), taking a trip to Alcatraz or Sausalito or Tiburon by ferry (which allows a much better view of SF from a bit of a distance, and these are great side trips), sampling a couple great restaurants....well you get the idea. <BR>Staying in the Union Square area, close to Market Street is the best way to have access to the most things you might want to see/do. But for a REALLY short visit, you'll have to pick and choose and limit your territory, of course. You certainly won't get bored! <BR>But your reasons for wanting to stick with Marriott are understandable. <BR>The Courtyard downtown (on 2nd Street) is closer to more things, things you can walk to, whereas FW is quite a distance from downtown. But the Courtyard downtown is still 4-5 blocks from the prime areas, but not too bad. <BR>

You don't want to have a car in SF so that's a good thing you aren't getting one. It's a very small city, relatively, and a cab ride from one end to the other isn't going to run you much more than 10 bucks. So stay near FW, do some touristy things and then take a cab (or the cable car) to where ever else you want to go. Coit Tower? Haight Street? Union Square? Be sure to get out on the water, maybe a ferry to Alcatraz, and that will be convenient to your FW location. Two days isn't enough but you'll get the flavor of SF. Personally, I wouldn't stay in Union Square for many reasons, one being that the actual square is under construction right now. Have fun!