I am currently planning a trip to San Francisco for the first time. Could anyone recommend an area and a hotel?

My wife and I are newlyweds that want to explore San Francisco on our 1st anniversary.
We would like to be in an area where there is much to see and do. Not too far from the action.

We are looking for a good deal for a hotel, not too expensive but not too cheap.

Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks in advance!

Check out the Hotel Rex, Hotel Bijou and King George. All in the Union Square area. South of Market, check the Pickwick and the Hotel Milano.

Columbus Motor Inn is the most recommended budget place in town, the reviews are excellent. Prices have gone up since we started highly recommending the place two years ago but check the rates on your dates. Especially good deal if you're driving in, because other hotels charge $20 to $40 for parking.

If you like Jazz and Swing, LaVay Smith and her red hot skillet lickers are playing again at the Top of the Mark Hopkins hotel on Wed. nights. There are usually a whole flock of swing dancers who come to see them and dance. Its a beautiful room, over looking the city.

We stayed at the Radisson Hotel Fisherman's Wharf
http://www.radisson.com/sanfranciscoca_wharf
In my opinion, it is a great place to base yourself... located pretty much at Pier 39, the Alcatraz tour dock, the Wharf, it's w/in walking distance to a cable car station and Ghirardelli Square. We even walked from our hotel to Union Square, Chinatown, Lombard Street, etc. It's clean and reasonably priced (I think), but not fancy.

Have FUN and Happy Anniversary

I love the Washington Square Inn.

http://www.wsisf.com/

Check out this site http://www.sanfrancisco.com/ for things to see&do and hotels.

book marking for future reference and trip.

Sandy

Thanks guys

Are there any other bed and breakfast hotels in the fisherman's wharf that anyone would recommend?

The Hotel Monaco in the Union Square area is the best hotel my wife and I have ever stayed at in our travels. Outstanding staff and a nice manager's reception with wine and cheese. A nice boutique style hotel.

How about Union Square? Would anyone recommend that are more?

From Union Square you can walk to Chinatown. There are a lot of restaurants in that area. Just a block or two from the Hotel Monaco are some good Thai restaurants. If you are beer drinkers don't forget about checking out the Anchor Steam Brewery. It's an interesting tour and you get to sample their beverages.

Not right at Fisherman's Wharf, yet I have always been intrigued by the Union Street Inn (walked by there, haven't yet stayed): http://www.unionstreetinn.com/
It looks very romantic, and there's lots of dining options on Union Street (not Union Square).

My last post may of not made sense. I meant to say it's on Union Street which isn't in Union Square. I do think Union Square area is still the best choice though.

has anyone ever stayed at the Diva Hotel? If so, please tell me how you liked it.