hello everybody.
I'm planning a trip up to San Fran towards the end of Aug. Places of interest that i would like to visit are alcatraz, fisherman's wharf,pier 39 and possibly a giants game. In terms of hotel location, is Union Square or Fisherman's Wharf the place to shop? This will be our first time out there.
it'll be myself and my two boys, ages 10 and 12.
Thanks for all your help.

Here is a re-post of hotel areas in SF

San Francisco Hotel Areas
It seems that about once every week, there is a discussion about “where to stay” while visiting San Francisco – especially for first timers. Most people ask about either the Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, or the Marina hotel areas. Here are some thoughts, with a little of my bias thrown in:

1. Union Square - This is downtown’s fashionable shopping/dining/hotel area. The “Grand” hotels are here, and a few blocks north on Nob Hill (very steep to walk there, however) The big department stores are close by, along with many smaller shops and “boutique” hotels. It is also next to the theater district. Perhaps our most “elegant” restaurants are in this area (Fleur de Lys, Farallon, Masa’s, Ritz Carlton, Postrio, etc). There are fewer “simple”, “Mom-n-Pop”, or ethnic restaurants than you will find in other parts of the City. The Cable Cars run by Union Square, so you can get to the Wharf area quickly. You can get off the Hyde St C.C. line at Union St for a walk downhill to Union St/Chestnut St (Cow Hollow/Marina). The major drawback is it’s proximity to the gritty Tenderloin, which is immediately west & south of Union Square. I don’t know if crime rates are higher, but you will feel a little more threatened than you will in the other two districts I’ll describe. There are many high-rise buildings, so there’s a little less sunlight than you will find elsewhere. Union Sq. is perhaps not as “family oriented” as the other two hotel areas. It gets more business travelers, and people who want a little more “luxury” in their hotel. Union Square is a bit “dead” on Sundays, and not as lively as the other places in the evening. I don’t enjoy strolling after dinner in this area as much as I do on Union St/Chestnut St. If you have a car, you will regret it. Parking is very expensive ($50 per night or so), and driving is difficult.

2. Fisherman’s Wharf. The Wharf is mostly inhabited by tourists. Plenty of souvenir shops selling T-shirts & other things to remind you of your visit to SF. Local entertainment includes a wax museum, Ripley’s Believe-it-or-Not, and now a Hooters – things kids might enjoy (except for the Hooters). You won’t find many locals in this area (and if you did – they wouldn’t admit it). Most restaurants are tourist oriented, and most locals feel they are mediocre at best. Good proximity to the Cable Cars, which is a plus. Nice views out into the Bay. It’s also within walking distance of North Beach, which should be on everyone’s agenda for at least one Italian dinner and “people watching” evening. With the Cable Cars, it’s quick to get downtown, but you might have to wait in line for 30 mins or so at peak times. It’s about a 30 min walk to the Union St/Chestnut St areas (see 3rd option for description). The Wharf is a perfectly safe area (from crime, vagrants, etc). Hotels usually charge $25-$40 per day for parking. Lively (with tourists) every day. If you want to stay in a typical non-San Francisco environment, this is a good choice.

3. Marina. There are many motels along Lombard St, which are (in general) cheaper and much more simple than the ones you will find in the other two districts. The main advantage to this area, in my opinion, is that it has more typical SF “flavor” than the other spots. Lombard St is one block from Chestnut St, and three blocks from Union St. Both these streets are loaded with boutiques, restaurants, and buildings with unique architecture (Victorians on Union, Art Deco on Chestnut). When we first moved to San Francisco almost 30 years ago, I remember a poster that said “If you left your heart in San Francisco, you will probably find it on Union St”. This is a residential area and you will find many locals doing their daily “stuff.” On a Sunday morning (especially if it’s sunny) you will see many folks going to the exercise studio, having breakfast at one of the many outdoor café’s, and standing on the street with their “lattes” and chatting with friends. There are no “elegant” restaurants in this area, but many of the type that locals enjoy (Isa, Betelnut, Pane e Vino, PlumpJack, Balboa Caf&eacute. This is a good area for strolling during the day, before dinner, and after dinner – it is quite lively, especially on weekends. It’s about a 30 min walk to the Wharf, where you can catch a Cable Car (or walk up Union St to catch the CC). East of the Union St shopping area, (just past Van Ness) is Polk St, where there are more nice shops & restaurants. Also on Polk St is La Folie, which is one of my favorite restaurants (if someone else is buying) and also one of the highest “rated” in the City. This is a perfectly safe area. One of it’s best advantages, is that you can park a car free at many of the Motels. Also, it is an easy area to drive in (although there are steep hills just south), and it’s a quick trip across the Golden Gate bridge to my favorite view in all the Bay Area (GGNRA, just north and to the west of the Bridge).

Stu Dudley

I'll put in a plug here for Farallon. We had a really nice dinner here last month and really enjoyed walking around Union Square. Highly recommend. We hope to spend more time in SF later in the Fall.

A few of our kids stayed at the Pickwick last weekend and really enjoyed the Ben Harper concert at the Warwick Theater. They even got to meet him which was cool! I would definitely choose Union Square over the wharf area for the shopping, but being down by water is nice also. Have heard great things about the Hotel Vitale there on the Embarcadero. Enjoy SF! ***kim***

The bar/restaurant at Vitale is very nice.

***kim*** will you ever tell us where you stayed in SF or was this just a Clovis/San Jose/SF, one day drive by? ><

Who is Ben Harper?

MTrejo,
Harbor Court along the Embarcadero is always a nice stay.
Hyatt Regency at FoMa is a good location too and is on P'lne and Hotwire from time to time for anywhere from $90-$125/night.
All right there near street/cable car lines into UnSq, over to the FW or SBC Park.

Stu, A HOOTERS at FW?!?!?! Now I know where can have the Post Nike Marathon GTG in Oct!!! :-"

>>Hyatt Regency at FoMa <<

I'm guessing that these first timers to SF will have no idea what FoMa is !!!!

Stu Dudley

Lo siento, Amigo.

La Piedra del Mercado. O

MT, whatever you do, don't take your young children to Warwick, ***K**** is the only one who sends her children to this kind of seedy places.

LOL...You're right Stu, what is FOMA?

>>LOL...You're right Stu, what is FOMA?<<

FOot of MArket Street, where the Hyatt is located. I've lived here 30 years (worked 2 years within 2 blocks of the Hyatt), and never heard that abbreviation before.

Stu Dudley

Perfect. Thank you all very much for the suggestions. I'm inclinging towards the Hyatt at Fisherman's Wharf, the rates are not that bad.
Thanks again.

My girlfriend and I used to stay at a little motel on the corner of Lombard and Gough. It's been about three years since I've been back there so can't totally vouch for it at this time. Things change as we all know. It had a european flavor and the staff were really nice. It's called the Buenavista. We used to just take a cab to the Wharf..my friend had Polio as a child so the walk was not for her but if you're in great shape and have the time, it's a nice walk. I was able to get a AAA rate at the hotel when I was staying there..I think the last year I stayed there it was about 89.00 for the night. Just up the street, toward Van Ness, on the bay side of the street was a terrific coffee shop for breakfast. Really good. Be sure to go to the Ferry Building when on the Embarcadero. Was there last Friday, and it's really neat. I smelled the coffee the minute I walked into the building so a Latte was in my immediate future. Oh, the motel had free parking, if you need. Don't know if that's changed. The garage is under the building and a bit of a challenge but workable.

thank you crefloors.

What do you all think of B&B's vs. the hotels in San Fran, any suggestions?

Stu Dee,
I've lived in Nor Cal/SF area since '62
and have never heard of it either.
Foot of Market indeed! It screamed out so I invented it.
Just call me Kal Caen "..."

Now, where's Strange de Faina?

Speaking of Strange de Jim, did you know he didn't eat snails because he preferred fast food....he also told his waiter "this mushroom soup tastes like shitake."

Mtrej,
Would your boys like B&Bs? Sorry to sound chauvinistic but the big lobby at the Hyatt regency or the sports bar, Knuckles or Hytopps, at the FW Hyatt may be more suited for young boys.

The Tuscan Inn at FW is also nice. (I can use FW can't I?):-?
Close to Pier 39, too.
Good luck.

Kal, I am here:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34650811

Just returned from a visit to San Francisco and we stayed at the Argonaut Hotel near Fisherman's Wharf. It's next to the cable car turnaround and across the street from Ghirardelli Square. We absolutely loved the hotel and would not hesitate to recommend it. It has a nautical theme and great location if you are visiting with kids.

Better find out if any B & B you call accepts children, many don't. I find that children prefer hotels - bigger rooms. Have stayed at a couple of B & B's on Union Street (not to be confused with Union Square - they are miles apart) and know of others. FOr kids, I'd stay at the Wharf.

Thank you all for your suggestions, you've been very helpful.