geanster

Hi! A friend and I will be in San Francisco June 25-July 2nd.

We've considered hostels as my friend is on a tight budget. I want to make sure there are no other price-comparative options for something wonderful.

The Turks & Caicos Forum led me to a friends and family discount for a resort I could have never afforded otherwise and I was hoping someone may have a fantastic tip for San Francisco and the other areas we're interested in.

Our tentative schedule...
Rent car at SFO and drive directly to Monterey for 2-3 nights. (lodging suggestions??)
We'd like to hike and maybe see BIg Sur. If the highway isn't backed up, san simeon/Hearst Castle are possibilities.
Return to SF and return car.
A day in Sonoma/Napa or a night if there's a great hotel deal/package.

I appreciate any suggestions. This will be our first California experience! Thank you!

Also, the Wharf Pass seems to be a good deal. Anyone familiar with this?
http://www.wharfpass.com/?gclid=CKWF...FRFoKgod1UFXOQ

geanster

Also, I'd consider a hotel special package that included a day of wine tours, etc. as part of a price if it comes out to significant savings or any lodging+activity of interest.

sf7307

For starters, I can't imagine what would be included in a "Wharfpass" that anyone here would recommend individually, let alone an entire booklet full of discount coupons-worth. If you do go to Fisherman's Wharf (and all tourists do), just wander around, and then make your way somewhere else (there's lots of good stuff in walking distance of FW)!

geanster

Thanks, I wondered if it was like the NYC Citypass which pays for itself with the Guggenheim, Circle Line, etc.

Does anyone have any recommendations for lodging? I was checking out the Warwick San Fran... and got really excited about another special I found that had sold out.

The Mark Twain hotel has good prices, but can anyone tell me about the location?

janisj

The location is not somewhere I'd stay. It is on the edge of the Tenderloin and not very nice. You can often get really good deals in much better neighborhoods using Priceline.

But what is your budget? Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Cambria are generally pricey areas but bargains can be found.

geanster

Trying to stay as close to $100 a night as possible (price of private hostel room for 2).

I found a 4th night free at Hotel Vertigo that brings it out to about $115 a night which includes taxes. Any thoughts on that hotel?

Our flight from KY was pretty expensive and then throwing in all of the other things we're wanting to do, can't go much higher.

Thanks for the info about the Mark Twain area.

sf7307

Actually, the location of the Mark Twain, while on the edge of the Tenderloin, is okay (not the best, but not terrible). It's on the same street as the side entrance to the Hilton, and the newish and popular restaurant Fish and Farm. I'd stay there before I'd choose the Vertigo.

Have you checked the Mosser? DebitNM has posted about it on multiple occasions. It's in a very good location.

geanster

I'll check out Mosser now.

The Good Hotel is also very inexpensive. Not great reviews, but not terrible either.
112 7th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

sf7307

Horrible location.

janisj

Everything is relative. I'd stay at the Mark Twain too before the Vertigo. And definitely not the Good.

I've wanted to try the Mosser myself - but usually end up going the priceline route.

sf7307

I completely agree with janisj's post.

DebitNM

The Mosser has rooms with "shared baths" that are in the hall. The bathrooms are very clean and well kept and should help keep price down. We were very pleased with the location of The Mosser and though the rooms are small and modest, they are clean.

themosser.com

november_moon

I've had good luck with Priceline in SF and in Monterey.

tomfuller

Not the best HI hostel I've ever stayed at but adequate for a nights sleep and a good kitchen to cook your own food in Monterey. http://www.montereyhostel.org/
There are two HI lighthouse hostels between Monterey and SFO.
My DW loved the one at Pigeon Point lighthouse.
There are 3 HI hostels in San Francisco and 1 or 2 north of the GG bridge.

geanster

Thanks so much for the feedback.

Oooh, I'm excited about the lighthouse hostels now! Thank you! Availability is a problem but may bend dates to work with them. The Mantara seems pretty close to the city so it's likely. We'd heard the same thing about the Monterey hostel so still looking for a special or package there.

I just booked the Galleria Park Hotel for our San Francisco leg. Hopefully it's okay?

I used jetsetter and paid the same I would have for the hotel mark twain.

Looking into staying in Cambria for Hearst Castle/kayaking if weather allows...

And then Sonoma/Napa... wondering if we should keep the car and drive on up there ourselves or turn it in and pay for a day tour from SF. Suggestions?

sf7307

The Galleria Park is a great choice in a very good location!

clarkgriswold

Check the rates at the Queen Anne, the Abigail, The Carlton, The Chelsea Motor Inn, The Buena Vista Motor Inn, the Lombard Motor Inn, the Marina Motel and even the San Remo.

In Monterey, try HowardJohnsonMonterey.com or the La Quinta Inn Marina Dunes.

cmcfong

I got a very good deal through Monterey2Stay.com operated by the Monterey visitors bureau.

geanster

I couldn't pull up monterey2stay.com

I'm still working on the other reservations, but one last point for debate.

Sonoma OR Napa

I've heard Sonoma is less commercialized and I like authentic, but I'm open. Are there better vineyards in Napa? Hopefully we'll tour about but looking for lodging.

geanster

Actually, I guess I'm wondering which has better stuff within walking distance. We'll drive or tour to see more.