We did the Chinatown walking tour a couple years ago and had a great time. I'd been to Chinatown gobs of times, but never taken a tour. Found it fascinating. And afterwards we got a list of recommended dim sum places. We still went to our favorite - New Asia on Pacific.

I've heard the Chinatown walking tours are great. I believe one company is called Wok Whiz (or something similar.)

Recently I've heard that a Duck Tour is operating here. I haven't been on it here yet but recently rode one in Boston which was great fun and definitely unusual. (You ride in an amphibious water vehicle on land and in the bay.)

Lastly, I think walking across the Golden Gate Bridge is fun.

Hope this helps. Have fun planning!

I agree with the previous posters and strongly suggest the Wok Wiz tour of Chinatown (WokWiz.com). We did it this June and had a wonderful time. It was a small group, our family of four, and I believe 5 other people. Very interesting tour of Chinatown and it included an incredible dim sum restuarant for lunch.

Graceann Walden, who writes a column in the San Francisco Chronicle, offers walking/tasting tours in North Beach called "Mangia!".
As to a hotel with pool: are you aware that the weather in SF is generally cool? There aren't a lot of hotels with pools. The Four Seasons has one but is an expensive property. Also, October is the wrong time of year to plan for a baseball game unless the Giants are in the World Series.

Okay, hotels.

I agree about thinking twice about the the Sir Francis Drake. It has a beautiful lobby and was supposedly renovated a few years ago...we used to love it....it's gone downhill.

Lately we have been staying at the Donatello, a block away from the theatre district, two from Union Square. Very large, nicely decorated rooms, with a chaise-type sofa, refrigerator, coffee maker, microwave. Free breakfast in a nice lounge at the top of the hotel, with a terrace and a fireplace. Fitness center. Three times this year we got a room there, including parking (almost impossible in SF) for less than $200.

For booking, go to .... hotelres.com ...they specialize in discouunts for San Francisco and Silicon Valley hotels.

Another hotel I like, but it may be too expensive...unless you can get a deal...is the Nikko. My very favorite is the Pan Pacific. Look at a web site, you will love it. Very occasionally they have a special. Outstanding lobby with a fountain with statues dancing around it, glass elevators, marble bathrooms in the rooms to die for. Even a small TV.

Sounds like a lot of fun. Good luck.

Thanks for the hotel tips. I will check that out. I did look at the Nikko and the Pan Pac. Nikko good price, Pan Pac. too $$$

ttt

Crowne Plaza, near the Drake, is very nice. Nice roomy rooms and very comfortable. We stayed for 5 nights and really liked it. Cable car runs by the hotel. Across street from Sears For Breakfast.

Yes, the Crowne Plaza is fine. But I like the location and large rooms of the Donatello. However, it is probably a toss-up...price being the difference.

My mom prefers an indoor pool. The Crowne has one I believe, the Donatello does not.

I will try to convince her to forgo that option for a great hotel experience.

I'd rent a car for one of the Days and go to Sonoma. It's only 90 minutes away (driving slowly), and hey, the wine's good. In particular, check out "Valley of the Moon" and eat lunch at "The Girl and the Fig" in the Sonoma Town Plaza.

thanks jenjake. I think that rather than drive. Get a driver and car to take you around. Then you can really drink the wine. I love it thre it is so pretty. I will keep the restaurants in mind.

Another recommendation for visiting the Winchester Mystery House which would be quite appropriate for a mystery vacation. The have flashlight tours of the mansion around Halloween if you will be in California then. You could also combine the visit with a day trip to San Jose as well.


http://winchestermysteryhouse.com/


http://winchestermysteryhouse.com/events.html

I think that I will pass on the Wincherster. However I like the idea. Thanks again.

Christina

okay...now I have the dates and such. Still looking for ideas onad hotel. Want it near Union Square. Around $250 per night. We need an indoor pool.

If you are interested in being near the theatre district, I would suggest the following places:
Hotel Diva, Hotel Monaco, Hotel Adagio and Hotel Bijou. I've stayed at the Adiagio & Bijou and have also heard great things about the other two places from friends. Oh, and my cousin likes the St. Francis (still a Westin hotel I think).

Have you searched on hotels.com or similar for a hotel with an indoor pool? I don't think there are too many of them, although I haven't ever checked with that criteria.
Back to the Winchester Mystery House. If you all are shoppers, there is a great complex called Santana Row across Winchester from the Mystery House, with upscale shops and restaurants. Actually some of the dining is quite affordable. There's a big mall across Stevens Creek on the other side of Santa Row called Valley Fair with a Nordstrom's and Macy's among others. Just in case you decide on that day trip (it's about 45 miles one way).

Thanks. We would really like an indoor pool...Yes they are there, but lowers our options on where to stay.

definitly going to do the wok wiz tours It looks great!!!

Still looking for other ideas.

has anyone had lunch in the tea room in the Golden gate Park? Can you only do lunch or can you do dinner.

Do you mean Japanese Garden inside of the park? I heard it's tea only, maybe somebody else knows better.

So many posts, sorry, are you looking for a tea place? Cheesecake factory on top of Macy's (huuuge portions if you have lunch or dinner!), they have a balcony with those lamps to warm up the space. Also Garden Court at Palace hotel, tea on Saturday. There is also something on top of Nordstrom - all in the Union square area.