nelsonian

Will be visiting in April 07 staying 4 nights. Have more or less decided to book one of the Motor Inn's in the Cow Hollow area ie Chelsea Motor Inn, Coventry Motor Inn, Cow Hollow Motor Inn etc, but would like to know whether you are within walking distance to the tourist areas of San Francisco. If not which hotel would be the closest to public transportation or are they not far from each other.

nelsonian

I did a search on Cow Hollow/Marina hotels and came across some old threads asking virtually the same question. Should have done that before I posted I guess. I also found information about Columbus Motor Inn which seems like the best option so far.

NeoPatrick

The Columbus Motor Inn is within walking distance to Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach, so if those are your main goals, then it is a good choice. I favor the Cow Hollow Motor Inn (or Coventry which is just about a block from the Cow Hollow one) as I like that immediate neighborhood more. There are more "locals" type breakfast places, bars, and mid range restaurants. Meanwhile the bus stops just a block away from the Cow Hollow which will take you right past the Columbus Motor Inn and all the main attractions you will probably want to see.

trippinkpj

I stayed at the Coventry Motor Inn a year ago. We walked to Union Street (not union square), which was an easy 3 block walk. We also walked 2 blocks to get to a bus which took us to the Castro. I think Fisherman's Wharf is about a 15 minute walk from there. You may want to do a MapQuest from Coventry Inn to Scoma's, which is on the Wharf.

NeoPatrick

Actually from Coventry Inn, it's a much shorter walk to the corner of Filmore and Chestnut where you pick up the bus that goes directly past Ghiradelli Square, through North Beach and Chinatown, past Union Square and ends up at Market.

trippinkpj

That's a good tip from NeoPatrick, from the Coventry. I'll try that bus the next time I stay there.

maj

I think that bus is the 30 Stockton. We stayed at the Cow Hollow Motor Inn and were extremely pleased with it. I would definitely stay there again. We may try the Columbus Inn the next time though, since we would like to spend more time in the North Beach/Chinatown area. If you have a car, we found it easy to drive to some areas (if you go on weekdays) from the motor inn on Lombard Street (like the crooked part of Lombard Street, Alamo Square, etc.)
Make your reservations as soon as you decide -- those places seem to fill up pretty fast (with good reason).

nelsonian

Thanks for your help. I have booked Columbus Motor Inn at this stage but Coventry and Cow Hollow still sound like good options. I'm wavering. Fisherman's wharf and North Beach is not our main focus although several of the tours do seem to leave from Fishermans Wharf. Would like to go to Union Square and other areas also. We are interested in jazz music and I have read there is an excellent jazz bar/restaurant in North Beach area. There will be lots of other places too I imagine. Also husband is a musician and loves to browse music shops. He plays keyboard/electronic organ. Directions to music shops would be great as well.

NeoPatrick

nelsonian, with the additional information, I'm thinking you might be best to stick with the Columbus Motor Inn. You can also walk to Mama's on Washington Square -- perhaps the BEST breakfast in SF. There is often good jazz at Moose's also on Washington Square, and a few other places in North Beach as well. I'm not sure which you are referring to.