sf7307

I personally would not choose to stay on Nob Hill, even though there are some nice hotels at the top. Obviously, the views will be good because they're at the top of the hill. If you haven't been in San Francisco before, understand that these are STEEP hills -- I always say that San Francisco hills would put Texas "hill country" hills to shame. If you don't mind walking very steep hills (the kind that build leg muscles and also make you out of breath, and I'm in pretty good shape), then by all means....

Personally, I'd stick with Union Square or the Embarcadero area and get my views while sightseeing rather than from my room.

PegS

Hotel Vitale for nice bay views, if you get a room with a view. Mandarin Oriental for city views.

brandonmd

We are not that old... will the hills be a problem. Where is hotel vitale located... What do you mean by city views.

sf7307

The Vitale is located on the Embarcadero (which is the road that runs alongside the Bay on the north side of the city -- look at Googlemaps to find it). Very nice hotel (I work a block away) in a very nice location ---- close to many restaurants, the bay, walking distance to Union Square, MOMA, Chinatown, North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf, AT&T Park (no more than 20-25 minutes to any of those, on foot).

As for the hills, well, I don't know what you mean when you ask "will the hills be a problem"? They're not a problem in general, I just wouldn't choose to stay at the top of one (i.e. Nob Hill, which is where the Fairmont, the Mark Hopkins and other hotels are located) because a) you either have to walk up and down very steep hills or take cabs, and b) there's nothing right outside your door. Some people prefer that, but I prefer to walk outside my hotel and have a coffee shop, or window-browsing, public transportation, etc. within a block or two.

City views? Some of the hotels -- the ones on Nob Hill, and the others that are high-rises -- have rooms that have views of the city hills and lights. Others (the Hyatt Regency and Vitale among them), if you're on the right side, have views of the bay.

susanna

And I am the exact opposite of you sf7303...I love the nob hill area because it is like a little oasis on top of the hill in the city. It's just beautiful up there, there is definately public transportation and maybe not a starbucks, but definately nice bars and coffe shops.

Are the hills a problem? I don't think so, but many here do. I live here and walk them almost daily. Sure they are steep, but really only for a block or two, then you get a break and a great view. The cable cars run up there, and I'm not saying to do this, but they will often give you a lift for a block or two...sans fare, one has to just jump on, hold on the outside and jump off quick at the top! You didn't hear that here...from me.

I also love the embarcadero and the hotels down there, which have a nice bay view.,,this is my second favorite area to stay in.

Surfergirl

We used to always stay in the Nob Hill or Embarkadero area until we found the Marina in the mid-80's (when we got married). The Cow Hollow Suites are wonderful, with fireplaces, kitchens, etc., and you're right on Chestnut Street with its wonderful little wine bars and bistros, and a few blocks from Union Street with more of the same -- all with loads of little boutiques. Down the street from the Marina and Chrissy Field, where you can bike, run, and get incredible photos of the Golden Gate Bridge. It's also by the Palace of Fine Arts and the Exploratorium. You can take bus number 30 to Fisherman's Wharf, then take the cable cars from there up Nob Hill.

Surfergirl

As for weather -- whenever you go just remember "layer". Like London, you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes. You need to wear clothes that you can add on or peel off, depending on a sudden wind, the sun going behind a cloud, etc. I'd compare the weather to a pre-menopausal state.