As we will have our car in San Francisco on the last night of our holiday prior to going back to the airport, please can anyone recommend a decent motel with parking? We want to be fairly near downtown, not out by the airport. Thanks

You'll have to look along Lombard Street (there really aren't "motels" downtown -- well there are a few South of Market but you don't want to stay there).

From Lombard, it's an easy shot down Van Ness to 101 South to the airport (go south on Van Ness, cross over Market St, stay in right lanes and jump on freeway.

bluestar is right. Cow Hollow Motor Inn or Chelsea Motor Inn both on Lombard are two nice motel properties with FREE parking. Columbus Motor Inn between Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach is another.

thanks - just what I need. Especially the instructions to the airport.I am having a problem though seeing my postings sometimes - I thought you just looked under your name, but I couldnt see this until you replied. Also have posted a question (twice I think) abut Columbia State historic park and I cannot see that..very odd.

Hilary, I'm seeing that post. Are you clicking on your name next to where it says "welcome" and bringing up all your posts in the left hand column?

maybe its something to do with the way my screen is refreshing or perhaps I need to clear the cache. The top post when I click on my name at the top next to welcome is the one about golden gate park but if I then click on my name at the top of the column the motel message appears at the top... odd! Anyway, I am going to try posting one more question then I am off to bed as its 1.30am in UK!

This is from a post in July, mostly on the Lombard Street Motor Inns that I posted:
"If you want something in the $80.- to 130.- range the motor inns on Lombard would be good:
Coventry Motor Inn, Chelsea Motor Inn and Cow Hollow Inn & Suites are three of them. They have free parking and are in the Cow Hollow/ Marina area. I've also seen Columbus Motor Inn, mentioned many times with good reviews."
I stayed at the Coventry Motor Inn and it was fine. Just ask for a room away from Lombard Street if possible, as it can be noisy!

Another possibility is Pacific Heights Inn, near Union Stree (great for shopping and dining).

Good one HappyTrails. Union Street is a great spot for dining and shops. We "discovered" it when we stayed at the Coventry, as it was only a 3 block walk away.

The Pacific Heights is great. I wrote about it in another thread. We stayed there along with wedding guests when my daughter got married as they live in the Marina district. The staff was wonderful and the accommodations were very comfortable. The price was right and the area for dining can't be beat for choice of good restaurants. Of course thre is free parking as well.

None of these motels have vacancies - can anyone help with other suggestions. I posted this last night but cannot see my posting so am trying again (I think I must have problems with the cache as I cannot see some other threads or their replies!)

Keep trying. Travelers frequently cancel. Did you try Pacific Heights Inn?

Here's another place on Lombard you might try: http://www.lombardmotorinn.com/.

please see my long reply to your other post

I also posted on your other thread . . .

which is here:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34866142