Hello -
Still planning my trip and I am not sure what neighborhood in SF I should be looking in to find accomodations. We will be in the city from Dec 30 - Jan 3rd. Would love if breakfast was included. We will be 4 - My husband, my boys 5 & 8, and me. We wont have a car.
TIA

Without a car, I like Union Square the best. Then maybe Embarcadero or Soma (South of Market, near the Metreon). What's your preice range?

On New Years Eve, the Marina area will be the most active with lots of young people out celebrating. Downtown might be quite dead New Years day. Sundays are a little dead downtown, but quite alive in the Marina/Cow Hollow area. Never been to Fisherman's Wharf around New Year.

Here is a post on hotel areas I did a few years back.


It seems that about once every week, there is a discussion about “where to stay” while visiting San Francisco – especially for first timers. Most people ask about either the Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, or the Marina hotel areas. Here are some thoughts, with a little of my bias thrown in:

1. Union Square - This is downtown’s fashionable shopping/dining/hotel area. The “Grand” hotels are here, and a few blocks north on Nob Hill (very steep to walk there, however). The big department stores are close by, along with many smaller shops and “boutique” hotels. It is also next to the theater district. Perhaps our most “elegant” restaurants are in this area (Fleur de Lys, Farallon, Masa’s, Ritz Carlton, Postrio, etc). There are fewer “simple”, “Mom-n-Pop”, or ethnic restaurants than you will find in other parts of the City – except a little west in the Tenderloin, which might scare a few first timers at night. The Cable Cars run by Union Square, so you can get to the Wharf area quickly. You can get off the Hyde St C.C. line at Union St for a walk downhill to Union St/Chestnut St (Cow Hollow/Marina). The major drawback is it’s proximity to the gritty Tenderloin, which is immediately west & south of Union Square. I don’t know if crime rates are higher, but you will feel a little more threatened than you will in the other two districts I’ll describe. There are many high-rise buildings, so there’s a little less sunlight than you will find elsewhere. Union Sq. is perhaps not as “family oriented” as the other two hotel areas. It gets more business travelers, and people who want a little more “luxury” in their hotel. Union Square is a bit “dead” on Sundays, and not as lively as the other places in the evening. I don’t enjoy strolling after dinner in this area as much as I do on Union St/Chestnut St. If you have a car, you will regret it. Parking is very expensive ($50 per night or so), and driving is difficult.

On the Embarcadero east of Union Square, there are several nice hotels. The Ferry Building is there which has recently been refurbished and has a “food oriented” theme. There is a Saturday Farmers market at the Ferry building. This area is quite active on a work week. Many people prefer this location to Union Square because of it’s proximity to the Bay and the views. You can catch a ferry from the Embarcadero, and it’s somewhat of a short walk to ATT park, where you can take a tour if the Giants are not playing.

2. Fisherman’s Wharf. The Wharf is mostly inhabited by tourists. Plenty of souvenir shops selling T-shirts & other things to remind you of your visit to SF. Local entertainment includes a wax museum, Ripley’s Believe-it-or-Not, and now a Hooters – things kids might enjoy (except for the Hooters). You won’t find many locals in this area (and if you did – they wouldn’t admit it). Most restaurants are tourist oriented, and most locals feel they are mediocre at best. Good proximity to the Cable Cars, which is a plus. Nice views out into the Bay. It’s also within walking distance of North Beach, which should be on everyone’s agenda for at least one Italian dinner and “people watching” evening. With the Cable Cars, it’s quick to get downtown, but you might have to wait in line for 30 mins or so at peak times. It’s about a 30 min walk to the Union St/Chestnut St areas (see 3rd option for description). The Wharf is a perfectly safe area (from crime, vagrants, etc). Hotels usually charge $25-$40 per day for parking. Lively (with tourists) every day. If you want to stay in a typical non-San Francisco environment, this is a good choice.

3. Marina. There are many motels along Lombard St, which are (in general) cheaper and much more simple than the ones you will find in the other two districts. The main advantage to this area, in my opinion, is that it has more typical SF “flavor” than the other spots. Lombard St is one block from Chestnut St, and three blocks from Union St. Both these streets are loaded with boutiques, restaurants, and buildings with unique architecture (Victorians on Union, Art Deco on Chestnut). When we first moved to San Francisco almost 33 years ago, I remember a poster that said “If you left your heart in San Francisco, you will probably find it on Union St”. This is a residential area and you will find many locals doing their daily “stuff.” On a Sunday morning (especially if it’s sunny) you will see many folks going to the exercise studio, having breakfast at one of the many outdoor café’s, and standing on the street with their “lattes” and chatting with friends. There are no “elegant” restaurants in this area, but many of the type that locals enjoy (Isa, Betelnut, PlumpJack, Balboa Café, A16). This is a good area for strolling during the day, before dinner, and after dinner – it is quite lively, especially on weekends. It’s about a 30 min walk to the Wharf, where you can catch a Cable Car (or walk up Union St to catch the CC). East of the Union St shopping area, (just past Van Ness) is Polk St, where there are more nice shops & restaurants. Also on Polk St is La Folie, which is one of my favorite restaurants (if someone else is buying) and also one of the highest “rated” in the City. This is a perfectly safe area. One of it’s best advantages, is that you can park a car free at many of the Motels. Also, it is an easy area to drive in (although there are steep hills just south), and it’s a quick trip across the Golden Gate bridge to my favorite view in all the Bay Area (GGNRA, just north and to the west of the Bridge).

Stu Dudley

So Stu,
with that said, I dont want the Wharf or Union Square. Do you have any hotel recs in the Marina area (not a motel though.) Also I found a great rate on Hyatt's website for The Hyatt Embarcadero - 139 a night including breakfast on New Year's Day. It got decent reviews on Tripadvisor. But it sounds like we may not be happy there as it will be a ghost town (which is a little freaky in an unfamiliar city.) Any thoughts??

As far as I remember there are cute little street cars that run along the waterfront from the Hyatt to Fisherman's wharf... there is also the BART station right there, and the farmer's market. I agree that New Year's eve & New Year's day, might be a bit dead... but that's going to be true where ever you stay. Maybe you can just rent a car for the day and take a drive out of the city on the 1st.

SOMA may be fun being near the Metreon and Yueba Buena Gardens, if your boys are into High tech/ video games, etc.. Check out the Pickwick, the Mosser, the Milano, the Palace and the Hotel Palomar.

I love the Union Square area..
Always get great rates at the stunning St. Francis on Expedia for under $200 or try priceline..
Latest rate I got was $75 in September..
I take the cable car that is right out front to take me anywhere in the city..
I have stayed at the Hyatt and for the price of $139..good deal.
Have fun in SF..

I would take the Hyatt Embacardero for that great rate including breakfast. It's right on the California St. cable car line which connects with the Hyde/Powell to Union Square and the Wharf. And there is rarely a line at the terminus of the California St. line.

We stayed at the St. Francis in August 06 with kids ages 10 and 12 at the time. It was a great location but I think San Francisco is an easy city to get around so go for a nice hotel with the best rate.

My husband and I were just in SF last week for a business conference (stayed at the Ritz which was great). I bought a 3 day Muni pass and hopped on and off public transportation whenever I wanted to. YOu can even take BART (just outside the Hyatt) two stops to the Union Square area.

Have fun!

I don't have any hotel recs - I live here & have a large enough house so that friends/relatives stay with us.

Stu Dudley

I live in the city but have had occasion to be in/stay in (usually for fundraisers) some hotels here. I like the Embarcadero for your group. You can get on BART and be at Union Square in 4 minutes--darling, I'm on BART everyday. It is SO easy and quick compared to Muni. You can also do some pleasant walking down there. We are often blessed with crisp-but-sunny weather in late December, so walks aren't necessarily out of the question.

Family has stayed at Hotel Vitale and liked it. But at $139, I'd just take the Hyatt. That is a great rate. The Embarcadero isn't scary. You are not going to be out at three in the morning with a 5 year old and an 8 year old anyway.

Some friends and I were having tacos at Mijita in the Ferry Building two weeks ago. Faye Dunaway was there, sitting on a bench, drinking a beer and enjoying the view. Then she and her teeny-tiny entourage hopped on a ferry.

I'm not a fan of the Marina, so can't comment on staying there.

Have a great trip!

When in the Marina, we generally stay at the Cow Hollow Motor Inn or one of its sister properties. Knowing that a motel is not interesting to you, and with your family of 4, you might consider the 2 bedroom suite at Cow Hollow. My parents stay there when in SF and we were lucky enough to visit them at their suite on a recent trip to visit my son at Cal. The suites are like a home -- amazing! 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, dining room, full kitchen, very classy, like a nice upscale condo. It looks out over Chestnut Street and you can either nip downstairs with a few steps walk to Noah's or the donut/coffee shop, or you can make your own breakfast in the fully equipped kitchen.

I know I'm going against the trend here on this boards, but Fisherman's Wharf isn't that bad a place. Most on this board are adults with adult recommendations, except for trippinkpj.

At Fisherman's Wharf is the Argonaut Hotel with a nautical theme that children will like. There's also a Rainforest Cafe with a jungle animal theme.

Then there's the Hyde Street Pier with all those wonderful ships and boats for little kids to run around in.

Ghirardelli Square is becoming a bit quiet, but I still go there as often as possible for ice cream at the Chocolate Factory.

A little down the street is Pier 39 with all sorts of things for little kids to do, even the shops are interesting for them.

There's a good reason why Fisherman's Wharf is the number one tourist hotel destination for travelers to SF. Don't write it off just because some adults don't like it.

Besides which some of the best restaurants and art galleries are in the greater Fisherman's Wharf area.

OTOH, Union Square will still have all the Christmas decorations up.

Children would like Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf.

That is a very nice rate for the Hyatt and you really can't go wrong staying there.

I agree - w/ young children, I'd stay in the Wharf/Pier 39/Embarcadero area. Easier for getting on the cable cars, better scenery and more "kid stuff".

It wouldn't be my first choice in some other circumstances, but w/ kids that part of the city is best

The Embarcadero will be a great location that time of year. There is always a New Years Eve celebration at the Embarcadero and it is a good location for the ferries, cable cars and public transportation. There is great food at the Ferry Building too.

Thanks everyone - I booked the Hyatt. We are excited - now on to the rest of the trip . . .