applejack

I posted this earlier and guess it got lost -Planning a trip to San Francisco for our 50th anniversary next Feb - wondering where to stay - looking at Fisherman's Wharf, looking at Union Square, looked at the Marriott at Fisherman' Wharf and also the Mark Hopkins. I don't have a clue the best and safest area and that is the most important to us. also am wondering about weather in Feb?? We lived in Lompoc many years ago but don't know if weather wise would be the same - Lompoc is more in the valley. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated - thanks to each of you that will respond.

FainaAgain

For those of you who, like myself, never heard of Lompoc - it's Santa Barbara area, so weather wise it can't be the same.

Patrick

applejack, you keep posting the same question and saying it must have gotten lost. It hasn't, but your message will not stay at the top very long with a lot of activity here. Next time you come to the US forum, just click on your name in the upper left hand corner where it says "welcome" and then your name. It will bring up all your posts.

Meanwhile all the areas you mention are totally safe, so I can't imagine how to say one is more safe than another. I personally am not that crazy about staying at Fisherman's Wharf -- an hour or so of the touristy restaurants and shops and seeing all the sea lions is enough of that.
The nicest hotels are in the Union Square area, and some of SF's best restaurants are there too, as well as the best shopping.

deniseredeker

Typically Feb. is pretty cold here. Rainy, etc. Tho' also typically we have 1 week in either Jan. or Feb. that it really warms up for a few days. As far as where to stay - it really depends on what you want to do Union Square really is better for shopping, closer to theatres, good restaurants, etc. Fisherman's Wharf is very touristy, but hey, if you've not been here before, that's what you might want to see. Happy Anniversary and let us know what you are looking to do.

Shar

I live in the Bay Area and stay in the City a lot with my husband. We prefer smaller hotels so we stay at the Harbour COurt or the Griffon which are right off the embarcadero close to the Hyatt Regency and Ferry Building. They are Small European style hotels. First Class but small. We have also have stayed at the Julianna which is close to China Town, and Business district. Also a smaller hotel. The Savoy near the theatre district has lovely rooms and Our most recent weekend was at the Argonaut down at the Wharf next to the Cannery. Wonderful new hotel that once was a warehouse but you would never know it. It is also close to Ghiradelli Square and the cable car turnaround. Nautical theme to this hotel. February can be lovely or rainy but plan on rain and cool weather.
Have a great time in our City by the bay. If you like walking, there are some great books on walking in San Francisco which introduce you to various neighborhoods. There is a Victorian House walking tour which originates at the St. Francis HOtel I believe which is right on Union Square. We have taken the Chinatown walking tour which was very interesting. Even though we live here we love to play tourist. Enjoy

applejack

Thanks Patrick for your help on finding my Post. Guess I am not to savvy on using this forum. Thanks to all for your help. Can you recommend some good places to eat in both of the areas Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf? I am very excited about this trip and want to plan it as best we can in advance. We will not have a car - will use Grayline or some other tour company to sightsee to the areas far away. Thanks again for all of your help.

dcespedes

We have been there twice and will go back a third time in May--this time to the Marriot Moscone Center for a meeting (Union Square area). Also stayed at the Fairmont on Nob Hill--very convenient to a trolley stop and just a couple of blocks from China Town. Less than two years ago we were at the Hyatt Embarcadero Center which has fantastic views of the Bay and we were fortunate enough to have a room with a balcony--we were able to walk / trolley to all the sites we wanted to see. A friend of mine recently stayed at the Best Western Fisherman's Wharf and loved it--said it felt more like a boutique hotel than a chain. In each case we felt safe walking around--every city seems to have an "unsafe" area but I haven't felt that in San Fran and think you'll be just fine with the areas you're looking at. For weather, I would search on line--www.weather.com or check a Fodors guide book for the average yearly highs/lows page. I hope this helps. Happy Anniversary--enjoy!

Michael

For places to eat, try the Bay Area Chowhound board. For theater, try Tix-by-Mail. Here's next month's listings:

The May issue is now available (and some April dates remain):

http://www.theatrebayarea.org/tix/tixbymailpg2.jsp

Zoe19

Fisherman's Wharf is very touristy but the views are great. The views from the balcony rooms at the Radisson are amazing. Hotel is just typical but the location is very convenient.

Union Square area is fairly safe but the type of neighborhood varies greatly street to street. It's pretty easy to end up in the red light district/drug dealing section if you don't know your way around.

Hotel Huntington is a great one on Nob Hill (nice area near Grace Cathedral) but is pricey.

Suzie

Hi, Stayed at the Mark Hopkins in January. We had OUTSTANDING weather and a terrific time.

Loved the location, the room and did I say the location? Though we had a car, as we drove in from nearby, we used it only 1 evening and could have taken a taxi if we wanted to. Parking is $35 per day so it'll be nice not to have a car.

We walked down california street to Powell and then down to Union Square where we hate lunch at the terrific Kuletos. Took the Cable Car from there to near Fisherman's Warf. Walked down to the Blue and Gold Ferry but discovered that we missed the boat to Sausolito we wanted so we walked to North Beach and then China Town and back to Nob Hill. We had drinks at both the Top of the Mark (no cover before 9:00 but after that it's $10 per person, even if you are seated already) and the Tonga Room across the street at teh Fairmont. Was great fun. We had Dinner near Fisherman's Warf at a place called Cafe Pescatore which was really good with a pretty good menu.

Don't know if you'd want to do that much walking. Powell is sooooo steep, going down was a challenge (though very comical). China Town is down California to Grant so it's only a couple of blocks but it too is steep.

Zoe19

My favorite neighborhood in SF is North Beach. There's a very nice B&B - Washington Square Inn- in an excellent location. Very walkable and fantastic Italian restaurants. Moose's restaurant next door is great!

sunvalley

We stayed at the Fisherman's Wharf - Holiday Inn. Nice hotel, good location. Can pick up cable cars and buses easy. We got a pass that you buy at the cable car booth which let you ride cable cars, the bus, etc. It was a great trip.