Staying 2 nights in San Francisco before boarding Princess in January. Hotels in Fisherman's Wharf look either too expensive or reasonable but scary. We are a young couple in our 70's. Can anyone suggest a good area hotel? What can we expect as to the weather?

Stay around Union Square area; try The Mosser hotel. Or Columbus Motor Inn.
I personally wouldn't stay in FW area.

Weather, could be cold and rainy. Could be nice, but cool. It's not southern Calif. so it won't be warm.

What is your budget?

And what do you mean by "reasonable but scary"?

Yeah -- I was curious which FW hotels the OP found 'scary'.

Example, Columbus Inn, "the carpets are worn and spotted, bordering on shabby. Our room overlooked the street, which was quite noisy (even though we had requested a quiet room). The room's heater/AC system was even noisier!
Caution: Some neighboring streets seem safer at night than others. For example, when walking to Fisherman's Wharf, walk on Jones Street, not Francisco."

>>Example, Columbus Inn, "the carpets are worn and spotted, bordering on shabby. Our room overlooked the street, which was quite noisy (even though we had requested a quiet room). The room's heater/AC system was even noisier!

Caution: Some neighboring streets seem safer at night than others. For example, when walking to Fisherman's Wharf, walk on Jones Street, not Francisco."

Thank you so much for your help janisj After looking at the Columbus Motor Inn and comparing it with the Sir Francis Drake in Union Squire It looks like the Sir Francis Drake at $5 per night more would be the better value, even though we will need public transport to the Fishermen's Wharf.

Wow, that is a steal! You can take Muni #30 -- a stop is close by and it will take you to just about everywhere, from Chinatown, to North Beach, to Fisherman's Wharf, to the Marina/Cow Hollow area (Chestnut Street; walk to trendy Union Street). Senior fare now $1.00/ride. Cable cars up to $7.00. If you're going to be doing a lot of bus/cable car riding, get the day visitor pass for $17.00.

The Columbus Motor Inn and its various sister properties are the main go-to's for when one has a car. Staying there saves a fortune in parking charges. But since yo aren't driving, the Sir Francis is the better choice for sure.

I agree with JanisJ.

Yes, Janisj, so true. In fact, we're driving up to SF over the New Year and staying at sister hotel, Cow Hollow Motor Inn. Been staying there for 30 years!

Join Kimptons free rewards program for special perks and sales. A sale is starting this week, you might get a better price.

Also, check their AAA price and their Senior price, might be better than you got IF the sale doesn't work for your dates.

Kimpton is a great hotel group though they got rid of most of their SF properties. We stayed at SFD earlier this year and it was great.

You're in your 70s, will be in The City for only 1 full day, and you are going to Fisherman's Wharf???

Why?

There are more interesting places in The City to visit than the Wharf, IMO. Here are a couple hundred alternatives to spending time at the Wharf.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley

I think OP needs to get to FW for cruise; not necessarily as activity.

The cruise terminal is at pier 35 - I guess that's "near" the Wharf. "Public transportation" to the terminal is probably going to be a taxi from the Union Square area. Pier 35 is also walkable from the Ferry Bldg hotel area - where I would choose to stay.

Stu Dudley

Listen to Stu.

Since the OP is not likely to be walking from any hotel to the ship, I'd also recommend the Embarcadero (Ferry Bldg. area) or Union Square. Call an Uber for a ride to the ship. There's no need to stay at FW.

(I was only suggesting the OPs reason for staying at FW. I already suggested Union Sq. )

Deb, I know - I was really responding to Stu's remark that Pier 35 is walking distance from the Ferry Bldg. hotel area.