We are in SFO for a family wedding - the family lives in the San Mateo area. I would like some advice as to whether we should stay in a hotel in the Wharf/Square area or in San Mateo area. My Dad is insisting on a rental car. If we do stay in the city centre how hard will it be to drive to San Mateo each day. We are looking for a hotel around $80 USD.

It will not be too difficult. Just make sure to avoid morning and evening rush hours and you should be fine.

There are very few hotels/motels in SF that have free parking--and that can run you $30/day or so.

And I'm not sure what you're gonna find for $80/night, at least without carefully using Priceline. One possibiliity is some place like the Lombard Motor Inn--might want to give it a check.

I live on the northern side of San Mateo, and it takes me about 20 mins to get to/from Union Sq and 30 mins to/from Fisherman's Wharf. Add another 10 to 20 mins if you hit rush hour traffic. Parking a car is expensive in both locations. Don't think you are going to be able to stay within your budget for a room AND fees for parking a car.

SF is certainly more charming than anything in San Mateo. I would encourage you to not stay at the Wharf, however, if you want to see why SF is such a fantastic place to live & play. If you stay on "motel row" on Lombard St in SF, you can easily find a motel that offers free parking (and a less expensive room too). You will also be next to Chestnut St and Union St shops/restaurants, etc which is one of our most interesting "browsing" areas. It's about 35-40 mins from northern San Mateo to Lombard St motels in very light traffic.

Stu Dudley

I don't think you will find a hotel - or even a decent motel - in SF for $80 - easpecially when you factor in the high transit occupancy taxes. If you use Priceline you might be able to get a hotel - but city center hotels charge from $25 to $40 per day to park.

And your chances aren't that much better in San Mateo. The hotels/motels in San Mateo won't generally charge for parking but anyplace decent will be over $100. The Super 8 and Homestead Suites in San Mateo are probably your cheapest options. I think their rates run from about $75-$100.

The Bay area is a pretty expensive place to stay. One hint - Priceline often gets EXTREMELY good rates for hotels at SFO. 3 and 4 stars like the Doubletree or Hyatt regularly go for $35 - $60.

I wouldn't stay in San Mateo-there isn't much out there for people from out of town and it will take you 30 minutes to get into the city and parked.

Having said that, DT hotels, as noted earlier, charge between $15 and $30 a DAY to park your car. So given your budget, I am guessing Lombard street motel row is your best option as there will be free parking.

Unless you have strong nerves, do not stay at the budget hotels South of Market street - eg the Pickwick. After dark, there are unsavory people walking around. North of Market is fine, but you are will be hard to avoid $100+ rates.

>>San Mateo-there isn't much out there for people from out of town<<

I don't agree with that. Compared to San Francisco, there isn't much to see & do. Folks from many other parts of the US would find lot's to like about the San Mateo/Burlingame area. Burlingame Avenue is a very nice shopping/dining area - perhaps the best between SF and Palo Alto. Downtown San Mateo is enjoyable also. Draegers Grocery store is worth a journey to see - and then there's Whole Foods too. The SF bay is one side of SM, a very scenic coastal mountain range with a lake/resevoir & thousands of redwood trees, and then the Pacific Ocean isn't something midwestern "out of towners" are likely to find back home.

Stu Dudley