The Western Addition is changing sf, for better or worse depending on your opinion of gentrification and the attendant decrease in diversity, I recall when Alamo Square was very undesirable, dangerous at night, now it's a tourist must-see. However, there are still blocks where your story would be just as true today. Same is true for the Mission.

Golly, I didn't realise about the area but I guess there did have to be a reason why it was so cheap!! I am a bit anxious about personal safety stuff, so I will make sure I take advice at the hotel and also make sure that I take good precautions. Do you think it would be unsafe to walk back to the hotel in the evening after dinner or wotnot? I could catch a cab from town I suppose just to be safe. I'll ask the hotel anyway when I get there, so hopefully I'll know what not/to do.

Funny story about the couple house-buying. I presume that they didn't in the end. If they did they're braver than I'd be! But then SF real estate must be pretty desirable!

I decided to stay in Cambria on night One @ The Sea Otter Inn. Looks lovely

Other nights yet to be booked but I'll be looking for somewhere around Monterey / Carmel. If I find anything nice I'll post it up for others to see too.

Thanks for all the help everyone.

This place is pricey -- The cheapest 'Garden room' is $180 a night - but they usually book two nights for the price of one if they are weeknights. That works out to $90 a night and it is one block from Carmel beach and one block from Ocean Avenue which is Carmel's main road w/ lots of shops and restaurants. Fireplace, breakfast delivered, beautiful garden w/ outdoor seating. $90 is very cheap for Carmel.

It is a really sweet place - you feel like you are in your own little Carmel cottage.

http://www.sanantoniohouseinn.com/

This is their sister inn - and cheaper w/ the same two nights for the price of one offer. Their standard rooms are only $150 on week nights - so only $75 a night for 2 nts.

http://carmelgardencourtinn.com/

It is fine but the location/surroundings of the San Antonio is just special.

"Do you think it would be unsafe to walk back to the hotel in the evening after dinner or wotnot? "

If you are walking to the hotel from the west (Divisadero area) probably not; from the east (Hayes Valley area/Civic Center) I wouldn't. If you are dining downtown (I assume this is what you mean by 'in town"), take a cab, it's a long walk and there will be a couple of sketchy areas you will need to walk through.

Great, thanks. I'll check out the Carmel Garden Court now. I probably wouldn't stay two nights tho unfortunately cos of needing to keep going, so might not be able to take advantage of that great-sounding deal!

There is a 'Back Way' route from LA to Yosemite NP...listed on this website below as 'the most beautiful route'. Does anyone know anything about it? I'm having trouble finding any info on it! But should probably explore it to see if it's the route I want to take. Here's what the site says about it:

"The Back Way: The most beautiful and interesting way to get from Los Angeles to San Francisco is too long for one day. Take I-405 north to CA 14, connect to US 395 north and follow it up the eastern side of the Sierras to Lee Vining and Mono Lake. When Tioga Pass is open, cross Yosemite National Park and head west to San Francisco. Allow at least two full days."

it's here at:

http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/cac...in-One-Day.htm

Can anyone help with this?

Rosie

Before you get excited about that route (and it IS gorgeous) -- I can't remember if you said when the trip is. That route won't be open until likely mid to late June (there is still 10-12 feet of snow covering Tioga Pass)

Thanks JanisJ: I'm not going til the 2nd week of July so it should be ok by then?

I leave LA on July 6 and have to be in SF by the 11th. So 5 full days in all, plus the morning of the 11th. Do you think I should call in at Kings Canyon / Sequoia?

That route does sound great, and I am quite excited already.

If you have any ideas on where to stop OR where I can find more info about this route (not the one most talked about!!) I'd be grateful.

Should I post a new Question 'The Back Way to Yosemite NP: Highway 395'? Is that good Forum Etiquette..?

I tried to read most of these posts, but I can't determine if you will be traveling alone.

As others mentioned, the price for your hotel in SF seems extremely cheap. I've read both on this board (this thread is just one example), and other places, that one must be careful walking at night in certain areas, especially alone. Be sure to take into account the need for a taxi at a cheaper hotel, when a better location might cost a little more but would allow for walking or public transportation.

I wouldn't stay in Alamo Squeare (Where the Casa Loma is) and I live here and walk around almost everywhere. PLUS recent reviews indicate at least one room was infested with bedbugs, not a surprise for a cheap hostel like place.