Jennifer

We are going to Hawaii on our honeymoon and will have a 3 night layover in San Fran at the end of April. We mainly want to hang out in the hotel, except for going to a Giants game and a day-trip to Napa and possible an outing to Muir woods. A few questions:

1. Do we need a car? We've heard of renting a limo to go to Napa. Does anyone have any info regarding $$$ or companies that do this?

2.Also, are there cheap ways to get to Muir woods (bus?)? How long will it take?

3. We think we'd like to stay on Nob Hill. Any recommendations for honeymooners? We want to stay around $200 per night. How far is Nob Hill from the Wharf or Ghiardelli Square?

Dick

Jennifer,

At the end of April, the Giants are only home on the 29th and 30th. They have 2 night games with the Cubs.

Dick

Jennifer

Thanks for the info! That works out perfectly. We'll be there for the nights of the 28, 29, and 30th. I didn't realize that the schedules were out already for next year. (I'm a Phillies fan)

gail

If you plan to go to Pac-Bell Park in April, bring warm clothes (which you may not have planned for if you are going to Hawaii). We were there for a July game and half froze to death although we had layers of long-sleeves and wind-breakers.

Faina

There is one bus going to Stinson Beach passing Muir Woods, I believe #63, Golden Gate transit. You will need to take another bus from SF to get to this one. The stop is far from the woods, and you'll be lucky if the driver will point in the right direction.

There are tour buses which take you to Muir Woods, perhaps Gray Line is one of them. You can check their tours on the website.

If you don't join a tour then definitely rent a car to go to Muir.

kam

Don't rent a car on arrival but just for the day you want to go to Napa and/or Muir Woods. Nob Hill hotels are the Mark Hopkins, the Fairmont at the very top of the hill and then there are others who claim to be in the Nob Hill area. A thousand years ago we spent our honeymoon in the Sir Francis Drake on Powell, but not at the top of Nob Hill. Most recently, we have spent nice weekends at the St. Francis (Union Square) and the Fairmont. The Ritz Carlton is also closeby and lovely, but I think I might choose the classic old Fairmont (renovated just about 2 years ago so beautiful) It's at California and Powell about as far up Nob Hill as you can get. From Nob Hill to Ghirardelli via cable car is about 15 minutes. Same for the Wharf, but different cable car. The new Pac Bell Park is a delight. FRom Nob Hill you can walk down California to the subway which will take you directly to the park. Great fun, but as someone above says, you won't believe how cold it can be in April. Great park though and good food as well. Congrats and happy honeymoon.

Jennifer

Thanks for the advice and good wishes! We actually may look into the Fairmont because we just joined their Club membership (it's free) because we are staying at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Hawaii and wanted to try for an upgrade. You also get other perks with it like a free newspaper. Also, thanks for letting us know about the weather. We will now be prepared!

Lexma90

Jennifer - We justed stayed at the Fairmont, for a special birthday celebration. The location is great in terms of the views, the lobby is gorgeous and the rooms are pretty nice (but not gorgeous), but remember that the top of Nob Hill means that any time you do want to leave the hotel, you're walking (steeply) downhill, and to get back to the hotel, you'll have to walk back up that steep street (unless you take a cab everywhere). This may not be an issue, since you won't be leaving the hotel.

Re renting a car, there's a Hertz pickup location right in the hotel, which is certainly convenient. It's not a dropoff location, though.

Jennifer

Thanks for the Fairmont details. We'll have to consider that Nob Hill issue, but we'll probably only leave when we go to the Giants game or for the day to Napa.

Susan

Jennifer, the cable car also goes right by the Fairmont so you can take that to Fisherman's Wharf, etc., if you like. Don't fret too much about the hills. If you are young and fit it won't kill you. There are people who live in Nob Hill and walk those streets every day.

Be sure to visit the Tonga Room in the Fairmont -- a fabulous tiki bar! It will get you in the tropical mood for Hawaii. Congratulations!