garysir

Traveling to San Francisco in mid April. Will be staying for 5 nights. Looking for hotels to stay at. Umion Square or Fisherman's Wharf ?

LoveItaly

Hello garysir, my choice is always Union Sq. versus Fisherman's Wharf.
BTW, public transportation from Union Sq. is quite varied as you have the Cable Cars ($5.00p/p unfortunately), the F Line that runs on Market St., and around to Fisherman's Wharf, BART Union Sq. station right at Powell and Market, taxies, bus service and best of all IMO is that walking to so many places from Union Sq. is enjoyable assuming you like to walk. The best way to enjoy the city.

trippinkpj

There is a $15.- one week pass, then you pay $1.- for each cable car ride. There is a 3 day passport for $18.- which includes Cable Cars.
http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mfares/fareinfo.htm#passes

trippinkpj

Oh, and what is your budget for hotels? agree with LoveItaly and staying in Union Square.

garysir

Budget for hotels is around $150 / night

trippinkpj

I'm not sure current rates, but you can check the Hotel Bijou, Hotel Diva, King George Hotel, Beresford Arms and Hotel Beresford to start. Either relatives, friends or myself have stayed at all of these and have been very satisfied.

nma

I just booked the King George Hotel off Union Square in mid-April for $100/night on kayak.com.

Grassshopper

Don't overlook the Embarcadero area. Unless your trip is all about shopping, Union Square isn't exactly the epicenter of what you might want to see and do. The Embarcadero is a great area for access to all kinds of transportation; cable cars, ferries, BART, Muni, the F Line, which runs from ATT Park to Fisherman's Wharf. The Ferry Building has lots of shops and restaurants and Bay View dining. You can walk to Chinatown, NorthBeach and even Union Square.

There are several hotel options, some of which you can get for great rates on Priceline; Hyatt Embarcadero, Omni, Vitale. Check out www.biddingfortravel.com to see what others have gotten as recent rates.

LoveItaly

I agree, the Emcarcadaro area is another fine area. And walks along the Emcarcadaro is so lovely while enjoying the SF Bay. I didn't mention it as garysir only mentioned Union Sq. or Fisherman's Wharf. I don't agree with your thoughts exactly Grasshopper as walking to all the places you mentioned is quite easy from Union Sq. I never use Priceline..but many people do. Let us know what works out for you garysir.

Karina1

I usually use www.priceline.com and ask for a 4 star hotel in the Embarcadero area. I always get the Hyatt Regency which is a very nice hotel with a great atrium lobby and a rooftop restaurant that turns 360degrees in 45 mns. Don't eat there, it's too expensive but it's worth getting a drink just for the view.
Last time I went, I payed $84 including tax. I bid $70 on Priceline and it was accepted.
Of course, you cannot cancel on priceline, so you need to make sure your travel plans do not change.
Good luck!
Karina

kleroux

Well if you are going for a drink with a view, I'd go to the Top of the Mark Hopkins hotel...esp. on Wed. night when LaVay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet lickers jazz/swing band is playing. Swing dancers in period dress and a great atmosphere...

nelsonian

This may sound like a dumb question but advice appreciated. We have the Columbus Motor Inn booked for 4 nights beginning of April, but just read Karina1's post where she was able to get the Hyatt Regency in Embarcadero on Priceline for $ 70.00 which is cheaper than Columbus by $ 10.00 or so a night. Makes sense to me to have a go for it but DH says to be satisfied with what we have got. What do other Fodorites think?

kleroux

Personally I'd rather stay at the Hyatt. Why not try to see what rate you can get? You can always cancel the one you don't want.

Karina1

Nelsonian,
Forgot to mention that parking at the Hyatt is $48 per night, so if you have a car, you need to take that into consideration.
Without a car and if you are sure that you won't cancel, try the HYatt. I got the $84 last July, in full season. The Hyatt is located right across from the Ferry building. It's a great location and a very nice hotel for this price
Karina

Kal

If you stay at the Hyatt there is a bit cheaper self parking at the Embarcdero Center.

Short walk to the Hyatt.
Got the Hyatt for an end of April visit for $75/night.

Union Sq East/Embarc is my P'line Zone of choice.

Stayed at the FishWharf Sheraton last weekend.
Nice place good location. Right near cable car and street car lines. Pier 39, FishWharf etc.

nelsonian

No luck on priceline. Started at
$ 70.00 added 4 rebid zones got to
$ 85.00, have to go back to work now, will try again in 24 hours.

Karina1

Nelsonian
Sorry to hear that.
Make sure you check www.biddingfortravel.com before you try again. It has lots of tips on what to do and what prices people have obtained on various hotel bids. Keep in mind that just about any hotel in San Francisco that you can get for less than $100 per night is a bargain
Karina
Good luck!

Karina1

Kal,
The $48 was what I paid for the self parking at the Embarcadero Center!
San Francisco is more and more like NYC when it comes to transportation. People take cabs everywhere
Karina

SAB

"San Francisco is more and more like NYC when it comes to transportation. People take cabs everywhere"

I wish there were as many cabs in SF as there are in NYC. It may seem like it is easy to get a cab to those of you staying in downtown hotels, but away from downtown it is murder. I also wish they were as cheap as NYC!!!

FainaAgain

"San Francisco is more and more like NYC when it comes to transportation. People take cabs everywhere" - thank you for letting me know! I live in the city for 17 years, 15 of them without a car, and my fingers would be enough to count how many times I've taken a cab.