nob hill or union square
 

i cannot decide if i should stay on nob hill or in union square- the hotel i love is in union square- but i hear the neighborhood isnt the safest and that the view from nob hill is incredible- suggestions welcome-- thanks

Hi niki, well personally I always stay at Union Square. NobHill has some lovely hotels but the area always seems so far from everything a rather boring.

May I ask where you heard Union Square isn't the safest? There are unsafe areas in SF including The Tenderloin which is west of Union Square.

this *is* in san francisco ;)

online
from two sources
one was a sanfran for dummies book
the other might have been here
not sure
they mentioned the tenderloin nearby
and the vagrant population
not to be out at night alone
and ill be with my almosttwoyearoldgirl
so of course im extra concerned about our safety

Thanks Niki. You were about to get advice about a lot of other cities.

Keith

:p

LOL, there is a poster **here** that thinks Nob Hill is in Portland Oregon.
I would stay in Union Square too...great shopping :)
I used to work there for a short time a long time ago..But then, if I were lucky enough to get reservations, I would stay at the Mark Hopkins.

mark hopkins looked very nice and the fairmont has the *viewofallviews* but 350 a night for starters is steep for me-

the only available and affordable place i found on nob hill is frenchandfloweryandfrilly- not my style

and the union square hotel is really wild and colorful and eclectic

i just was not so sure about the neighborhood--but you all think union square is aok? yes?

Hi niki, I know that a few people here on Fodor's have said that Union Square is not safe. West of Union Square is not somewhere I walk by myself. And yes, Union Square area, Powell St., does have homeless, no denying that. But I just never make eye contact and completely ignore them and have never ever felt threated by them. Annoyed at times but not threated.

I just prefer Union Square area versus NobHill as it is so much more vibrant, so easy to go back to your hotel during the day if you want to etc. NobHill is harder to get to (I do enjoy walking there from Union Square) but if you don't mind taking taxis a lot that wouldn't be a problem.

It sounds from what you have said that it will be just you and your little two year old. Will anyone else be with you? Also, if I may ask, where do you plan to go to when in SF etc. I ask because if you plan on taking public transportation IMO it is much more convenient from Union Square. Anyway, that is my thoughts for what they are worth.

Haven't heard that there was a book for dummies regarding SF, someone should send it to SF City Hall, LOL.

yes i do plan to take the public transportation whereverandwhenever possible-
taxi to and from the airport only
as id have to manage sightseeing with a carseat :o

being from memphis- im familiar with shady neighborhoods- its just that- these are familiar-

i do think ill stay in union square though- and thanks--

Well niki, I hope you are happy at Union Sq. It is so hard suggesting to someone else what would work for them so I just try to explain what works for me.

Since you are from Memphis you no doubt are not intimidated by cities. Some people are, especially those that live in little towns etc. In fact I have a few friends that will not go to SF at all unless I go with them which is to funny. Believe me, I don't look like any kind of a body guard and hate playing Tour Guide!!

One warning, do be careful crossing streets. Am sure your little one is good at holding on to your hand but grasp her hand well..some of the drivers do not pay attention like they should, and that is true of the bus drivers also..so be doubly cautious. Always look both ways even though the light has turned green (don't I sound like a nagging mother, LOL). And have a wonderful time!!

mom? is that you? ;)

thank you so much
i will be eversocareful
and
im sure well have a blast
we are meeting friends
and i have lists and lists of things to do and see

Well have fun BUT be good ;;)

That is what my mother told me every day when I left for school niki. I never did figure out how having fun and being good went hand in hand, LOL.

Union Square is a few blocks east of the Tenderloin, Nob Hill is about the same distance north of the Tenderloin. Nob Hill is up a hill and less tolerant of homeless, or even the middle class. But you do have to watch out for hotels billing themselves as "Union Square" or "Nob Hill" when they are actually on the fringes of the Tenderloin.

why don't you tell us which hotel in the union square area you're looking at - so we can tell if it's OK. For example, there is a huge difference between Ramada and Donatello

I also have to 2nd watching the two year old closely --- San Francisco has one of the highest rate of pedestrian deaths for urban areas. Having said that, a healthy portion may be due to illegal jaywalking. But there must be a case every 3 to 4 months, esp., at dusk, of transit busses hitting pedestrians and red light runners hitting people.

Feels like Boston - narrow streets, not much wiggle room for making mistakes and fast traffic.

Hi mykidssherpa, when my daughter was little I don't remember being so concerned even though there was lots of traffic. But by the time she had her sons and I would take them to SF I was constantly alerting them, holding onto their hand etc. It seems as though the drivers..including Muni drivers..have gotten to be very careless. Now that the grandson's are older they are the ones warning me and grabbing my hand, LOL.

LOL, "mom, is that you" :D

niki, I know what you mean...Love is a love, isn't she ?

A hotel within 3 blocks of Union Square should be fine. Let us know what hotels you are looking at, and we can let you know if they are too close to the Tenderloin.

You've already gotten so much good advice, but I will reitierate that we always enjoy staying in Union Square with our kids. The homeless are present, but they do seem harmless, really.

We did stay in Nob Hill once, and while it was nice, it was not as exciting as being near Union Square.

Have a fabulous trip!
Dina

I know nothing about Union Sq., but we stayed on Nob Hill. We stayed at the Stanford Court. It is a Marriott brand hotel. It is very nice and is located on the corner of California where you pick up the trolley. We could walk to Chinatown (downhill was easy! :)
I always felt safe. It was very quiet there. I did not see homeless in the area.

Keep in mind that Nob Hill and Union Square are only 1/3 mile apart, as the crow flies. Nob Hill has better views, but the Union Square area is the shopping mecca. You likely would encounter more vagrants down the hill. San Francisco is so compact most sites you'd visit are easily reachable by foot, taxi, limosine or bus.

Yes, THAT was where we stayed on Nob Hill-- the Stanford Court. It is very nice, quiet, subdued.

We like the St. Francis (fancy, elegant) and the Hotel Monaco (boutique) in Union Square. We have also stayed at the Petite Auberge--cute B&B, but has thin walls. We also like the W and the Palace, just south of Union Square.

Have fun!!!

Niki,

My husband and I stay the weekend in San Francisco about 8 times a year because we have season tickets to a theatre company. We ALWAYS stay in the Union Square area. PLEASE tell us the name of the hotel(s) you are considering and we can give you good advice....

i didnt remember id posted this post
and started a new one
oops

so far ive had reservations at bijou and nobhillhotel and cancelled both because i was concerned they were soooo inexpensive

also boheme-in north beach- cancelled- wish i hadnt- now they have no room on the 11th- every night but the 11th

also ive had them and cancelled at petite auberge and nob hill lambourne- lambourne also had nothing on the 11th- and petite had a shower room only

now i have reservations at the rex and monaco
but theres an entire rex and monaco post now

yes scarlett i can feel loveitalys kindness through her words

thanks everyone

especially for the pedestrian warnings- oh my- i will watch out

If you can afford the Monaco...do it. You won't be sorry.

i believe i will keep my reservation

thanks for your input