SF - 1st time visitor
Mar 20th, 2003, 02:37 AM
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SF - 1st time visitor
First-timers to SF. 3 full days, just for fun. Two related questions: 1) Lodging suggestions (<$200). 2) We're happy to walk. Do we need a car? --- Thanks for any help.
Mar 20th, 2003, 05:07 AM
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I got my lodging for Memorial Day weekend thru Priceline - a 4**** Hilton Towers for $300.00 for 4 nights.
Check out biddingfortravel. They have guidelines and strategies on how to bid in the FAQ section. Good info.
Check out biddingfortravel. They have guidelines and strategies on how to bid in the FAQ section. Good info.
Mar 20th, 2003, 06:16 AM
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For lodging I would go to Priceline.com
If you can, I would advise against staying in the downtown area whic includes Union Square and the South of Market. Although there are a number of places to stay in this area, in recent years it has become somewhat run down. During the day it should be okay(if you don't mind the aomewhat aggressive encounters of some homeless people). At night, however I would be careful. Look into hotels in Fisherman's Wharf or Nob Hill.
Many people have different opinions about whether a car is needed. I visit SF every so often, and think that a car is a definite benefit, especially when visiting areas outrside of downtown (ie:Golden Gate Park) It is not uncommon to have to wait about 45 minutes for a bus, even during the day, even though they are supposed to come at 15 minute intervals. Cabs are not readily available as they would be in a big city. Usually at hotels getting a cab should not be much of an issue, but you cannot hail a cab on the street as you would in New York City or Chicago.
If you can, I would advise against staying in the downtown area whic includes Union Square and the South of Market. Although there are a number of places to stay in this area, in recent years it has become somewhat run down. During the day it should be okay(if you don't mind the aomewhat aggressive encounters of some homeless people). At night, however I would be careful. Look into hotels in Fisherman's Wharf or Nob Hill.
Many people have different opinions about whether a car is needed. I visit SF every so often, and think that a car is a definite benefit, especially when visiting areas outrside of downtown (ie:Golden Gate Park) It is not uncommon to have to wait about 45 minutes for a bus, even during the day, even though they are supposed to come at 15 minute intervals. Cabs are not readily available as they would be in a big city. Usually at hotels getting a cab should not be much of an issue, but you cannot hail a cab on the street as you would in New York City or Chicago.
Mar 20th, 2003, 11:25 AM
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San Francisco is blessed with many great hotels. You can choose from Union Square, Nob Hill, Fishermans Wharf, etc. Each has its advantages. I usually recommend the downtown/Union Square area because of access to public transit and ease of getting around.
Depending on when you travel, there are hotel bargains for sure. Friends stayed at the Mark Hopkins last week for $150 a night.
Don't rent a car. I can't imagine why anyone would choose to drive in the city AND pay high fees to park when public transit goes everywhere!
Depending on when you travel, there are hotel bargains for sure. Friends stayed at the Mark Hopkins last week for $150 a night.
Don't rent a car. I can't imagine why anyone would choose to drive in the city AND pay high fees to park when public transit goes everywhere!
Mar 20th, 2003, 11:39 AM
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I agree with the previous recommendation of not staying in downtown or Union Square. I still cannot understand why there are people out there who would recommend to someone to stay in such a bad part of town. I really question if "sfnative" really lives in SF based on his/her suggestions. Having said that, other areas like the Wharf or Cow Hollow would be better.
By all means rent a car, unless you want to waste your time waiting for buses most of the day. It's bad enough that you have to wait almost an hour for a bus, but some of the people that you encounter on public transportation are downright scary.
By all means rent a car, unless you want to waste your time waiting for buses most of the day. It's bad enough that you have to wait almost an hour for a bus, but some of the people that you encounter on public transportation are downright scary.
Mar 20th, 2003, 01:02 PM
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Barkster,
Part of the answer about the car depends on what you're hoping to see here. If you're planning on staying within the confines of SF proper, then by all means save yourself the hassle of renting a car. You truly won't use it much, and you'll save a lot of money in terms of parking when you're not using it.
I also think you should consider Union Sq. for lodging. I don't know if kam & susanspike are aware that the merchants & the city collaborated and really put a lot into restoring Union Square. Previously it was really gritty, a nasty homeless campground. No argument there. But that has changed. Additionally, while one side of Union square sort of abuts an area called the tenderloin, a) it's only one side, and on the far side of the theater district at that b) some of the city's less expensive lodging is found there. c) It's very central to siteseeing and transportation.
I personally don't care for the shopping, but it is also the shopping hub, if you're into that sort of thing.
Part of the answer about the car depends on what you're hoping to see here. If you're planning on staying within the confines of SF proper, then by all means save yourself the hassle of renting a car. You truly won't use it much, and you'll save a lot of money in terms of parking when you're not using it.
I also think you should consider Union Sq. for lodging. I don't know if kam & susanspike are aware that the merchants & the city collaborated and really put a lot into restoring Union Square. Previously it was really gritty, a nasty homeless campground. No argument there. But that has changed. Additionally, while one side of Union square sort of abuts an area called the tenderloin, a) it's only one side, and on the far side of the theater district at that b) some of the city's less expensive lodging is found there. c) It's very central to siteseeing and transportation.
I personally don't care for the shopping, but it is also the shopping hub, if you're into that sort of thing.
Mar 20th, 2003, 01:13 PM
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Hi. I can't imagine you would need a car with only 3 days. The difficulty and expense of parking is unnecessary when you should be able to access the major tourist sites via public transportation. Although I have my personal gripes with muni, in the central part of town everything is pretty close together and muni should get you around easily, even to areas outside the center. If you like to walk, even better. This weekend I walked from Union Square through Chinatown to North Beach, then back to the start of Market St., up to MOMA, then back to Union Square. My legs were tired, but it wasn't overly exhausting.
I would recommend the eastern part of Union Sqare for your hotel. I'm not sure why people keep insisting the area is bad. I've walked through there about 6 times in the past two weeks and all was well as usual. You will see homeless people and be asked for change, but they aren't overly agressive. Just walk right by them and that's it.
Welcome to our city. Hope you have great trip!
I would recommend the eastern part of Union Sqare for your hotel. I'm not sure why people keep insisting the area is bad. I've walked through there about 6 times in the past two weeks and all was well as usual. You will see homeless people and be asked for change, but they aren't overly agressive. Just walk right by them and that's it.
Welcome to our city. Hope you have great trip!
Mar 20th, 2003, 01:52 PM
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Well just for fun consider staying in Sausalito or Mill Valley-there is a Holiday Inn Express in Mill Valley right on the bay (terrific views of Mt. Tamalpais)with paved trails to Sausalito and into Mill Valley. Rent a car and leave it at the hotel then ferry into the city and trek around. Once you have discovered Marin and Sonoma/Napa you may reconsider downtown Union Square. Just another way to consider it-Have fun!
Mar 20th, 2003, 02:09 PM
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Barkster,
I like rasnes5's idea of staying in Sausalito or Mill Valley. It will be much nicer and safer than staying in SF. Despite what the naysayers are saying, even if you plan to stay in the city of SF, a car will make it alot easier for you to get around within SF. Parking is readily available both downtown and in the outskirts of SF at either parking lots or garages. Parking rates are not nearly as expensive as people make them out to be. In fact there are places to stay that offer free parking.
Bay Area,
I live in Palo Alto and go to SF to see my son on a regular basis. Yes, I have seen the remodeling activity in the Union Square area, but it is still a dirty and smelly area. While the city has tried to improve downtown and Union Square, it still remains an area populated by street people and drug addicts. Not too desirable a place to stay if you ask me.
I like rasnes5's idea of staying in Sausalito or Mill Valley. It will be much nicer and safer than staying in SF. Despite what the naysayers are saying, even if you plan to stay in the city of SF, a car will make it alot easier for you to get around within SF. Parking is readily available both downtown and in the outskirts of SF at either parking lots or garages. Parking rates are not nearly as expensive as people make them out to be. In fact there are places to stay that offer free parking.
Bay Area,
I live in Palo Alto and go to SF to see my son on a regular basis. Yes, I have seen the remodeling activity in the Union Square area, but it is still a dirty and smelly area. While the city has tried to improve downtown and Union Square, it still remains an area populated by street people and drug addicts. Not too desirable a place to stay if you ask me.
Mar 20th, 2003, 03:22 PM
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Kam,
I always wondered where you lived. It was always clear that it was nearby, and on the peninsula somewhere.
Anyhow, I'm sad to hear that you equate all of Union Square and Downtown with the kind of atmosphere that permeates the block of say, 6th & Mission. That truly is a nasty stretch of humanity.
Barkster,
I hope you're able to ferret out useful tidbits of info betwen the various opinions here. Hopefully this thread won't devolve into dreadful negativitiy.
MUNI is a "you pays your money you takes your chances gambit" I personally have only ever waited about 20 minutes for a bus, usally more about 12 minutes. In general I prefer the underground street cars if they'll take me where I'm going.
There are homeless, weird, people in SF. Our climate doesn't kill them in the winter and summer, and our motorists are usually alert enough to swerve. Black humor aside, I think that's an element common to all big cities.
One Hotel that people on this forum often rave about is called the Andrews hotel. It has a lot of fans.
I always wondered where you lived. It was always clear that it was nearby, and on the peninsula somewhere.
Anyhow, I'm sad to hear that you equate all of Union Square and Downtown with the kind of atmosphere that permeates the block of say, 6th & Mission. That truly is a nasty stretch of humanity.
Barkster,
I hope you're able to ferret out useful tidbits of info betwen the various opinions here. Hopefully this thread won't devolve into dreadful negativitiy.
MUNI is a "you pays your money you takes your chances gambit" I personally have only ever waited about 20 minutes for a bus, usally more about 12 minutes. In general I prefer the underground street cars if they'll take me where I'm going.
There are homeless, weird, people in SF. Our climate doesn't kill them in the winter and summer, and our motorists are usually alert enough to swerve. Black humor aside, I think that's an element common to all big cities.
One Hotel that people on this forum often rave about is called the Andrews hotel. It has a lot of fans.
Mar 20th, 2003, 03:31 PM
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IMO it's ridiculous to suggest that someone who will only have three days in SF should stay in Sausalito or Mill Valley. A visitor with three days might decide to spend a few hours ferrying to and from Sausalito, having lunch and walking around, but to stay there or in Mill Valley would mean spending half an hour just getting into the city to sightsee (and if starting out early in the morning, being in the midst of rush hour traffic), and not having the option to return to the hotel midday or in the evening to drop things off, change before dinner, etc.
Also, saying that staying in Mill Valley or Sausalito would be "much nicer and safer than staying in SF" implies that staying in SF is unsafe, which is just not true. Yes, there are grimy streets and there are homeless people on the streets; that's life in the city. There is nothing unsafe about a Fisherman's Wharf or Nob Hill hotel, and nothing to cause discomfort in those areas, even for people who find Union Square too gritty.
I also vote no on a car. You will only be here for three days, so it's unlikely that you'll actually be heading to the areas within the city that really require a car (I doubt that Golden Gate Park will be a priority in such a short trip). Hotels in the most central areas do tend to charge high garage fees, as well. You really can hit the highlights fairly easily using public transportation, and parking around the city can be a lot more difficult (and therefore time consuming) than some have implied. Add to that the fact that SF is a quite compact city, which makes a lot of it very walkable during the daytime, and you've said you're happy to walk. It is very difficult to hail a cab, but if you are at your hotel or a restaurant and want a cab in the evening, for example, calling for one is no problem. Really, I have many friends who live in SF and don't own cars, and they do not find it terribly inconvenient or difficult to get around.
www.transitinfo.org is a great resource that gives info on all the transit agencies that serve SF and the surrounding counties, including MUNI, cable cars, ferries, etc.
Also, saying that staying in Mill Valley or Sausalito would be "much nicer and safer than staying in SF" implies that staying in SF is unsafe, which is just not true. Yes, there are grimy streets and there are homeless people on the streets; that's life in the city. There is nothing unsafe about a Fisherman's Wharf or Nob Hill hotel, and nothing to cause discomfort in those areas, even for people who find Union Square too gritty.
I also vote no on a car. You will only be here for three days, so it's unlikely that you'll actually be heading to the areas within the city that really require a car (I doubt that Golden Gate Park will be a priority in such a short trip). Hotels in the most central areas do tend to charge high garage fees, as well. You really can hit the highlights fairly easily using public transportation, and parking around the city can be a lot more difficult (and therefore time consuming) than some have implied. Add to that the fact that SF is a quite compact city, which makes a lot of it very walkable during the daytime, and you've said you're happy to walk. It is very difficult to hail a cab, but if you are at your hotel or a restaurant and want a cab in the evening, for example, calling for one is no problem. Really, I have many friends who live in SF and don't own cars, and they do not find it terribly inconvenient or difficult to get around.
www.transitinfo.org is a great resource that gives info on all the transit agencies that serve SF and the surrounding counties, including MUNI, cable cars, ferries, etc.
Mar 20th, 2003, 04:50 PM
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I concur with rasnes5 with regards to staying in Sausalito. It's a beautiful area within close proximity to SF and very safe. Lots of great restaurants and shops also. Staying in SF would not be my first choice.
I think that Livesincali has hit the nail on the head. The persistent advertising from the representative from the SF tourist bureau is just destroying this great forum. Just look at Caitlin's bashing of rasnes5 becuase of the suggestion to stay outside of SF. No doubt that Caitlin, Partick, and Bay Area are the same chamber of commerce booster that infiltrate nearly every California thread. What a sad way to promote your city.
Barkster, Just disregard what these lunatics are saying. Union Square and Downtown SF is NOT the place to stay. I am in SF a couple of times per week and I can't tell you how many times I have felt uncomfortable when being harrassed for money, not to mention the many close encounters with pickpocketers in that area.
I think that Livesincali has hit the nail on the head. The persistent advertising from the representative from the SF tourist bureau is just destroying this great forum. Just look at Caitlin's bashing of rasnes5 becuase of the suggestion to stay outside of SF. No doubt that Caitlin, Partick, and Bay Area are the same chamber of commerce booster that infiltrate nearly every California thread. What a sad way to promote your city.
Barkster, Just disregard what these lunatics are saying. Union Square and Downtown SF is NOT the place to stay. I am in SF a couple of times per week and I can't tell you how many times I have felt uncomfortable when being harrassed for money, not to mention the many close encounters with pickpocketers in that area.
Mar 20th, 2003, 05:44 PM
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In reply to rasnes5:
I'm sorry you found my comment offensive; I meant nothing personal by it. However, I don't think I need admonishing about how to behave appropriately in this forum. I don't get involved in flame wars or off-topic debates, I post when I feel I can offer useful travel advice. I've been a regular poster under the same name for over three years (and contrary to georgi's contention, I have no connection to the travel or tourism industry, and have never posted a response to one of those SF love/hate threads - I don't even bother to read them). I was simply offering my view based on my own experience, and trying to keep in mind what might be most appropriate for barkster99's circumstances. Therefore I gave reasons why I think staying in Marin County would be very impractical for a brief visit that would presumably be centered around sights within the city.
Please note that I said nothing negative about either Mill Valley or Sausalito. I've never lived in Mill Valley or stayed in a hotel there, because I've lived in other Bay Area cities, but that doesn't mean I'm not familiar with it. The pleasantness and safety of those places is not the issue I was addressing; I'm sure the kind of stay you suggested would be very pleasant, but to me, it's not practical in the context of a short visit.
I'm sorry you found my comment offensive; I meant nothing personal by it. However, I don't think I need admonishing about how to behave appropriately in this forum. I don't get involved in flame wars or off-topic debates, I post when I feel I can offer useful travel advice. I've been a regular poster under the same name for over three years (and contrary to georgi's contention, I have no connection to the travel or tourism industry, and have never posted a response to one of those SF love/hate threads - I don't even bother to read them). I was simply offering my view based on my own experience, and trying to keep in mind what might be most appropriate for barkster99's circumstances. Therefore I gave reasons why I think staying in Marin County would be very impractical for a brief visit that would presumably be centered around sights within the city.
Please note that I said nothing negative about either Mill Valley or Sausalito. I've never lived in Mill Valley or stayed in a hotel there, because I've lived in other Bay Area cities, but that doesn't mean I'm not familiar with it. The pleasantness and safety of those places is not the issue I was addressing; I'm sure the kind of stay you suggested would be very pleasant, but to me, it's not practical in the context of a short visit.
Mar 20th, 2003, 07:18 PM
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Some of these posters would make you think downtown SF is like Bagdad. I've stayed in union Square and it was fine, really and very convenient for getting around the rest of the city. You just need to watch where you're going and who's around because there are plenty of weird drugged out homeless people. But truth be told, they're all over San Francisco and you won't be able to avoid them.
