DH has never been to California. I have been to LA and SF a few times and love both places. We have three to four days to travel, Dec 28-31. We will be flying from Atlanta. Considering the time of year and the fact that we don't have a lot of time, which city would you recommend and why? Which hotels? DH and I are in our early 50's, are not sophisticated folks -- think of the Griswolds. We want to do the usual touristy things and stay in a safe area. We will not have a rental car. Fine dining is not a priority.

Forgot to add being close to a beach is not a priority.

>>We will not have a rental car<<

In that case, it's a "no brainer" - San Francisco. Don't know how you could visit LA without a car.

Stu Dudley

LA will have warmer weather, probably...might be even balmy but hopefully at least in the 60's. San Francisco will be a lot more fun on New Year's Eve, but LA has the Rose Parade on New Year's morning... and you can get there by subway.
Oh, and thanks for thinking of me.

I agree with Stu. I would never do LA without a car. Yet we never need a car in SF.

If you are serious about not getting a car -- definitely go to SF.

Gracie,

You're getting great advice here... LA is almost impossible without a car and San Francisco is charming and easy without.

Welcome to California!!

When did the Rose Parade move from Pasadena to LA??? I lived close to Colorado Blvd when I was a kid 40+ years ago, & rode my bike up there to watch the parade.

Stu Dudley

I finally got DH to tell me that he prefers to go to SF. Any suggestions on hotels? I did read previous threads but just wanted some recent input. Also, can we get to Muir Woods w/o a car?

Expedia is having a sale today on SF... depends on what area you'd like to be in... do a seatch here and you will get lots of names and places to start. What is your price range?

We would like to spend no more than $200.00 per night for a room. I will check out expedia right now. Thanks!!

Hi gracie,

Ask your hotel's front desk about tours to Muir Woods - there are buses and vans that make regular trips out there. Take the earliest one available - it's much quieter in the mornings and you'll get a much better "redwood cathedral" experience. Weather here in S.F. post-Christmas is apt to be rainy, but you can also hit a several-days stretch of superbly clear weather after a rainstorm. Rainy weather enhances Muir Woods, by the way. Just bring some shoes that can hike a bit and tolerate some mud.

I probably sound like a stick in the mud, but I think San Francisco is a total bust as a New Year's Eve destination! But it's a fabulous place to visit any other time (I've lived here 35 years), and I agree with the others, without a car, San Francisco for sure.

(fka dmlove)

Thank you for all your suggestions. Although a lot of posters on other threads about SF recommend staying in the Union Square area, I am not sure it is right for us. We are not interested in shopping or theatre -- mostly there to see the sites. Would you still think Union Square is best for us? I really do believe Fodorites have the best recommendations.

Here is a piece I wrote awhile back about the major hotel areas.

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, Embarcadero, 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 – except a little west in the Tenderloin, which might scare a few first timers at night. 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.

On the Embarcadero east of Union Square, there are several nice hotels. The Ferry Building is there which has recently been refurbished and has a “food oriented” theme. There is a Saturday Farmers market at the Ferry building. This area is quite active on a work week. Many people prefer this location to Union Square because of it’s proximity to the Bay and the views. You can catch a ferry from the Embarcadero, and it’s somewhat of a short walk to ATT park, where you can take a tour if the Giants are not playing.

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. The Embarcadero This area is directly on the waterfront around the corner of the Embarcadero (road along the bay) and the “foot” of Market St. It’s on the eastern edge of the Financial District – so it’s quite active on work days. This area is great for public transportation because the cable car, Muni Metro, normal Muni, and BART are close by. The Ferry building is located here, so it’s great for taking the ferry to various locations around the bay. It is an easy walk or public transportation to the other hotel areas - except a little difficult for the Marina & Union St. If you like to be near the water & out of the touristy Fisherman’s Wharf area, then this would be a great choice. Lots of restaurants in this area.

4. 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 33 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, PlumpJack, Balboa Café, A16). 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

Thank you Stu. You area wonderful source of information. I have read your posts about things to see and do in SF.
I've narrowed it down to the Comfort Inn on Van Ness (king suite w/ bay view for $116.00, or the Cow Hollow Inn or one of it's sister properties. I stayed at the Comfort Inn in 1993, and it was perfectly fine.
Or, if I book through Orbitz or one of those sites, I would choose the Hyatt at Fisherman's Wharf.