Hotels around Union Square
 

Hi all

I am planning to stay in San Francisco in January 2020 with my family (2 kids (14 and 17) and was planning to stay around Post Street, more particularly USA Hostels San Francisco, 711 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA. I like the hostel as it satisfied my stay requirements in terms of it's location and quality accommodation, I notice that the hostel is 700m from Union Square. I dont plan to spend all the 3 days at the square as I plan to visit the Wharf, Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate but would admit that I will spend considerable time around Union Square.

However, I have read mixed reviews regarding the area around this hostel in particular the people around the hotel and it's close proximity to Tenderloin. Someone suggested that I pick one of the motels along Lombard Street or around Russian Hill but I am not sure as I have only 3 full days in SF and dont want to waste time travelling to Union Square 3/4 times during my stay.

Any suggestion would be appreciated. J62 thank you very much for your assistance. I really appreciate it.

I've stayed twice at The Andrews Hotel also on Post Street and did not have any issues. Yes it is not far from the Tenderloin if you walk over in that direction.

I suggest, since you plan to be in that part of the City for some of your stay anyway, that you have a look at the hostel referred to as "HI San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Hostel" but which is actually located in nearby Fort Mason. It's a wonderful location in a park on the bay with views of the Golden Gate, restaurants & a supermarket nearby should you want to cook for yourself in the very large hostel kitchen. I've stayed twice and recommend it. There's a bus stop on the corner which will get you to downtown through Chinatown.

https://www.hiusa.org/hostels/califo...shermans-wharf

Here's more information & photos from one of my stays: https://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/roa...an-francisco-1

I agree I would much rather stay at Ft Mason instead of the Post street hostel -- especially with kids.. Just a much more scenic/fun location and convenient to the Wharf/Alcatraz/Bridge/Presidio. You can take public transport to Union Sq when/if you need to.

Suze, thank you for your comment.

MmePerdu, Initially I, looked at the hostel you mentioned but they do not have a private room with a bath for 4.

janisj, I assume that it would take me around 20 minutes to get to Union Square from Fort Mason.

sf7307, I normally stay around shopping areas in the cities that I visit as we tend to spend more time in those areas. I normally allocate 2 days to visit the sights around a city and another 2 days just browsing the shopping areas. I dont visit designer outlets but do spend time in chain outlets. This is not a shopping trip but as mentioned earlier, we normally spend a day or 2 just browsing the shops.

Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions. I will certainly consider Fort Mason. A friend recommended Columbus Motor Inn, 1075 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94123, United States of America. I am not sure whether that is easily accessible by public transport. Please comment.

Columbus Motor in is very near the Wharf, which is one of the areas others have recommended you stay, and not Union Sq.

Is it easily accessible by public transport ---- From / To where?

Columbus ave is a major diagonal across town route and served by public transportation - but whether or not there is a direct bus depends on destination. I use google maps to look for public bus / tram options.

To/From Union Sq - yes - direct bus stops right near the hotel and runs every 10min or so all day.
That's also only a few city blocks from the waterfront, where there are numerous buses or trams that run along the Embarcadero.

With kids, there is no question in my mind that I'd much prefer to be in the areas janis recommends. They are low rise, lots of open space/park/grass/broad walking paths, waterfront, etc. Tourist friendly, family friendly, and air, sun, sighs of the 2 major bridges around every corner, sea/bay, seals, etc.

The Union Sq is gritty, dense urban high rise buildings - it looks and feels like a big city, because it is. No space for kids to just be kids. You won't smell the ocean breeze, but rather the urban smells of Union Sq. and the denizens who frequent there. You won't see the bay, or the mountains. or the seals, or probably not even the sun due to the tall bldgs (ok, maybe you'll see the sun). Ok to go there for commerce, but not a place to stay for a family vacation. As i noted on your other thread I stay in that area from time to time for business due to the proximity to the major trade show/convention center, but never when I travel for fun.