Hi,

We're trying to plan an anniversary trip to the San Fran area and are looking for hotel/itinerary suggestions. We've never been to Northern CA and we've been a bit overwhelmed by the possibilities. We like to be in relatively safe areas with clean, modern, and interesting accomodations. Do you have any hotel suggestions? Also, can you recommend an itinerary which might include Monterey/Sausalito and wine country? We're planning to spend a week (or so.)
Thanks for your help.

Spend the money and stay at the ritz cartlton on nobb hill. Great safe location with 2 cable car lines a block away. Amex has promotion going on right now so not as expensive as you may think.

SF requires at least 3 days, possibly 4, so I think you're going to have to choose between Monterey or the wine country. Sausalito can be done as part of the day via the ferry and provides pretty views back across to the city. Even better might be to go to Tiburon on the ferry and have lunch (upscale Mexican) at Guayama's.Loads of information at www.napavalley.com, sfgate.com, sf-visitor.com The Ritz Carlton is a lovely hotel, but not at the top of Nob Hill. If the rates are good, go for it.

Thanks for the advice, any thoughts on a smaller more intimate location in San Fran like a B&B? Or are we stuck with a major chain?

Carolyn,
You're not stuck with a chain - there are lots of smaller boutique hotels in the Union Square area.

Check hoteldiscounts.com - where I always rent the cheapest rooms. You mentioned modern/interesting accomodations - there is one chain that features a number of locations - Metropolis, Bijou, I think some pricier ones... Check the web to figure out what the chain is called, I think something to do with Style Hotels? They are great bargains for good locations and modern decor.

If you are looking for a B&B, you might be better off trying to find that up in Wine Country, I don't think there are many B&B's in SF.