My husband and I are planning our first trip to San Francisco for 5 nights in early December. We are then driving to wine country for 2 nights.

Any help on medium priced hotels would be appreciated. I am looking at the Argonaut and the Orchard or for any good recommendations.

I have no ideas concerning wine country - probably will go to Napa.

THANK YOU for your help.

Are you gonna have the car with you in San Fran?

We stayed at the Argonaut this last summer. We were happy staying there for the most part. Everything was clean and comfortable-not luxurious about very nice. If you are able to get a view of Alcratraz you would probably love it. We had one room facing a noisy street and one that was suppose to have a view of the Golden Gate, but it barely did. The inner facing courtyard rooms are cheaper but you are looking across to the other rooms. I think they are alike in every other way. The lobby is very nice-afternoon wine reception is fun too. If you don't mind being right next to the Fischerman's Wharf area-I think you will like this hotel. Let me know if you have other questions.

as to Wine Country...keep an open mind. Sonoma is more laid back but very nice. That would be my first choice.

Look at the Kimpton Group's properties in San Francisco. They have 10 - 12 properties, from 5* down to 2*, and they do a great job.

Thank you for your responses - we will pick up a car right before we leave for wine country. I will definitely take a look at Sonama. Which area is more convenient to stay in - Union Square or Fisherman's Wharf?

Union Square is the heart of the city - the shopping hub, just south of it is the Powell Street cable car and transit hub etc etc. Fisherman's Wharf is a fishy-smelling tourist cheese hell. Its streets are lined with the most garish, tacky kitsch shops on earth and it's overflowing with mediocre, overpriced restaurants.
The Union Square area is filled with moderately-priced boutique hotels. The Villa Florence is a nice hotel in a GREAT location on Powell St. next to Union Square. Quite often you can get rooms there and other boutiques for $65-$70 per night on Priceline.

Villa Florence! I agree. Great location, have never had a bad experience even when the room was not the "best". I agree with martytravels regarding Fishermans Wharf.

Yes- the Argonaut is at the edge of the touristy stuff-but you often have to walk through it to go places. It was too close for me. I am not a fan of Fisherman's Wharf-even being on the edge of it. If the tourist stuff doesn't appeal to you-I'd look elsewhere even though the hotel is nice. It's just too close.

Alohaaa,
I stayed a few nights at The Orchard and it was very nice. Good service, nice bar and restaurant. About a 2 block walk up Powell from Un Sq. and a few blocks walk to some really good restaurants on Belden.

The Argonaut looked really cool but too rich for our blood. Like it's location too.

We've stayed at the Villa Florence a few times too. The only thing that is a PITA at the VF is if it's crowded, it's hard to double park to unload you luggage and valet park with a cable car on your tail!

We've had good stays at Galleria Park, Harbor Court and Tuscan Inn too. All moderatley priced and good locations.

OK. I'm ready for another SF trip.

For martytravels -
Thankyou for putting into words everything I've ever felt about Fisherman's Wharf!

I started putting my foot down a long time ago with visitors and guests who wanted me to take them there - I now just hand them carfare and tell them where we can meet afterwards!

Hi. We just got back from the Wine Country and San Francisco last night. We stayed at the Argonaut and were very happy with it. Good location in the middle of everything, great decor, and free wine in the afternoon - what could be better. As for the wine country - I would highly recommend Sonoma over Napa - much less commercial, friendlier, beautiful country. We splurged and stayed at the Grape Leaf Inn at Healdsburg - picture perfect and a short walk to the ultimate wine country town. There are many great wineries but a couple I would recommend are Armida (grab a sandwich and do a picnic there - great views), De La Montanya (across the street), and Bella - great Zins and a tastings in a cave. Enjoy!

LOL dovima,

People warned me before I checked out the Wharf but I was shocked by the reality when I got there. I was ready to get out and push the cable car up Russian Hill to get the hell out of there.

LOL martytravels! It's not that bad! They do have a cool Swatch watch shop there I like. A couple members of our family are headed over to SF on Sunday for THE game! Some of us will be left behind. I'm sure we'll get lots of cool souvenirs, tho!

Still haven't made a decision on where they will have dinner. ***kim***

I think you can get some great buys in downtown San Francisco on Priceline. We stayed at the Renaisance Parc 55 for $76/night in August. Might even be able to get something cheaper now. We did even better on Priceline in Wine Country. Stayed in the Napa Embassy Suties for $65/night. Wonderful place!

As far as wine country, I agree with previous suggestions to go to sonoma vs napa. Napa has great wineries great but can be crowded along highway 29 - not fun to sit in traffic on your vacation in wine country. The wineries in the Sonoma area are more spreadout and the country is more peaceful to drive through. Suggestions on good Sonoma/Healdsburg area wineries that are close enough to hit in one afternoon are "J" (great pinor noirs and sparkling wine); Hop Kiln (less expensive wine in a pretty country setting); Davis Bynum (for serious pinot noir drinkers); Alderbrook (good whites/reds); Chateau Souvereign (a large scale winery but has some great mid-priced wine plus beautiful grounds and restaurant); Murphy Goode (nice people and good all-around wines - especially sauvigon blancs/fume blancs). Healdsburg has a few hotels/B&B's plus good restaurants - If you go closer to the city of Sonoma (there are also good mid-price places to stay in Sonoma such as the Sonoma Hotel on the Plaza). The city of Sonoma is very picturesque and also has great restaurants. Wineries close to city of Sonoma that you might visit are Beuna Vista, Viansa, Chateau St. Jean, and many more!

Thank you for all your responses. I booked the Orchard Hotel but have not had a chance to check out the lodging in Sonoma. Appreciate the help.

Oh come on, Fisherman's Wharf is worth a visit just for the clam chowder in a fresh sourdough bowl! A classic San Fran tourist lunch!

Sonoma Hotel is nicely renovated.

We like the Sonoma Mission Inn when we visit this area. We've also stayed at the BW property there, located right on the square. You may want to check out the Hotel El Dorado, it's right across the street from the girl and the fig and looks nice.

I've also heard good things about the Lodge at Sonoma, but I personally don't care for the location of the property, but I'm sure it's very nice. ***kim*** Don't miss a visit to the Ledson winery!

Hi, I am staying at the hotel palomar next week (have to go to a convention being held at moscone center). i will post trip report when i get back. I have stayed at the hotel nikko, and paid 199 per night for a junior suite on the concierge floor, which included vouchers for full breakfast, as the concierge lounge was closed the week we were there. The hotel was centrally located, and quiet. Right outside the door was great shopping, trolley car stop, bus stops, BART stops, etc, so I did not need a car at all. Went to see Cal-Berkely, Haight Asbury, Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, Modern Art Museum all walking or using public transportation.