San Francisco In Dec
 

HI, I am hoping someone will give me some ideas about where to stay in San Francisco for about 3 days. This will be our first time there and want to take my teenagers sightseeing there. We will not have a car but plan on taking either taxi's or the tour bus. Not sure yet at this time but would like to book early since we will be there New Years Eve. Thanks!!

No need for either taxis or tour buses -- the public transport is terrific.

>> I am hoping someone will give me some ideas about where to stay in San Francisco for about 3 days<<

What is your budget? NYE is an expensive time in the city.

250 per night, but hopefully less. Does the public transport go to the tourist destinations?

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

Stu Dudley

Thanks Stu!

Public transportation goes where most tourists want to go -- there is a bus, tram, underground, and trolley system, not to mention the cable cars.

I find it convenient to be around Union Square for transportation options, if you are near Market. The Marriott Marquis on Mission has rooms over NY holiday for only around $200 a night right now, for example. That is very near Market St and a stop for the trolley that runs along the Embarcadero, as well as the Powell St cable car turn-around and the tram.

What specifically is a trolley and a tram??

Stu Dudley

Stu - tsk tsk ;)

Thanks Christina!! And I just have one more question today? Should we see both Pier39 and Fisherman's wharf ?

I would much prefer staying on the Embarcadero. Like the Hyatt w/ its amazing views. Close to BART from the airport and the California Cable Car line which is much easier to board then the Powell street line at Union Square. But it might not be possible in your budget for NYE. Union Square area would also be very busy on NYE so room rates will be high -- especially for a family room.

You might need to look at some of the motels along/near Lombard Street to fit your budget. Like the Columbus Motor Inn or any of its several properties.

http://www.columbusmotorinn.com


>>Should we see both Pier39 and Fisherman's wharf ?<<

Some people would say neither ;) but I understand the appeal. They are walking distance from each other - no need to skip one or the other.

(BTW stu lives in SF)

>>Should we see both Pier39 and Fisherman's wharf ?<<

>Some people would say neither <

If you love your local "State Fair", fast food, T-shirt shops, cheap trinkets, lots of other tourists, no "flavor" of San Francisco, lousy architecture (except for Ghirardelli/Cannery) - spend some time in the FW & Pier 39 areas. If you want to find out why we spend huge amounts of $$$ in housing & "other" costs to live in the Bay Area - visit the sites that I mentioned in the link I provided.

Personally, I would not stay in the Union Square area. Too many vagrants/homeless people there. The less time I spend near Union Sq - the more I enjoy San Francisco. Follow Janisj's recommendation & stay on the Embarcadero near the Ferry Bldg. Your teens will love Union St (not Square) & nearby Chestnut St on New Year's Eve. We've celebrated NYE there for the past 15 years.

Stu Dudley

Should say >>Like the Columbus Motor Inn or any of its several <u>sister</u>properties<<

Don't take a "tour bus" as San Francisco is very walkable and with the public transit options, it is easy to get around.

IF you want to do tours, check out:
http://www.sfcityguides.org/

There are dozens of donation only tours, sure to meet every interest.

https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/transit

A 3 day pass may be just what you need:

https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around...tor-day-passes

Thanks Deb!!

One more question please....Yeh, I am an obsessive planner. Let me know if I am missing something. Leave LAX in a rented car, get a hotel close by, and then the next day, head north, 1st stop is Solvang, then, Hearst Castle, San Jose to the Winchester House and then San Fran. But is there any other places that I don't know about??
Thanks!!

Head north on Hwy. 1 from Hearst Castle, thru Big Sur to Carmel/Monterey/Pacific Grove. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is fabulous. You could see redwoods up above Santa Cruz on your way to the Bay Area. I would skip the Winchester House.

The monarch butterflies will be overwintering near Pismo Beach, Santa Cruz and Pacific Grove.

http://www.monarchbutterfly.org

>>But is there any other places that I don't know about??<<

The mystery house is not a must for most people and San Jose doesn't have all that much of interest to visitors. Solvang is OK for maybe a couple of hours but not more.

You haven't mentioned Santa Barbara, or Pismo Beach, or Big Sur, or Carmel or Monterey, or Santa Cruz or the redwoods.

But in late Dec you might or might not want to be driving up the coast- it could be absolutely fine, but of there is a winter storm it could be awful.

>> Let me know if I am missing something. Leave LAX in a rented car, get a hotel close by, and then the next day, head north, 1st stop is Solvang, then, Hearst Castle, San Jose to the Winchester House and then San Fran.<<<

That's a 2 night trip minimum. - and IMO, Solvang, San Jose/Winchester would not be where I would choose to stop.

Day 1 - LAX to Hearst Castle. Visit, then on to a night in either Big Sur or Carmel. If Big Sur - visit Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, then stay overnight at Big Sur Lodge in Pfeiffer State Park. Have dinner at Nepenthe.

Day 2 - visit Pt Lobos just south of Carmel. Visit Carmel for the day & stay overnight there.

Day 3 - more Carmel - then on to San Francisco.

Stu Dudley

Thanks so much!! I need to read about those places!!