Thank you for all the great tips. I am traveling on a budget and don't want to stay around $120 a night and am even thinking I might need to stay outside of the city. I did find a hotel called Cow Hollow Motor Inn which is located on Lombard street in the Marina District. Any thoughts on this hotel or on hotels outside the city? Thanks again for all your help.
Kelly

Cow Hollow would be 1000% (no exaggeration) better than the Andrews or Halcyon. Make that 10,000%. (starrsville recommended it last night - see post at 11:22 p.m.)

No, I would not recommend staying outside of the city - the cost of transport and time wasted getting back and forth will more than eat up any savings.

Have you thought of PriceLine as mentioned a couple of times. You can get a very nice hotel well w/i your budget.

DO NOT STAY OUTSIDE THE CITY

let me repeat

DO NOT STAY OUTSIDE THE CITY

Stu Dudley

We are staying at The Mosser in early March. They have significantly reduced rates if you stay for 7 nights. We are paying $75 a night for a deluxe room. Some of the rooms use a hall bathroom, which lowers the cost too.

http://www.themosser.com/

Stay in a safe place that will put you in the heart of where you want to be so you can eliminate wasted travel time.

I checked using June 15 -22 and the rate for a queen with a shared bath for 7 nights is $79 a night.

Their reservation format is weird, go to promotional rates and check the weekly rates.

Deb

I have a friend who works here but lives in Sonoma. She says that when she is caught in the city late and needs to stay over rather than make the long drive home, she stays at the Coventry Inn on Lombard. She says it's cheap and clean and very safe.

But I do encourage you to contact the bemyguestsf.com people. If you could get the 28th and Noe studio for a good price, I think you'd be very comfortable. However, it's a residential neighborhood. But terrific restaurants nearby and an easy ride on the J downtown.

Some fodorites have suggested Hotel Boheme in North Beach. That would be a good area, too.

I know my boy was a bit older but he found the drive down south very boring as well. He did though like the Aquarium at Monterey. He loved Alcatraz so make sure that is on the agenda. To be honest riding the cable cars up and down was a great success. Make sure you go at night time as well to see the city lights. Buy a Muni pass for the time you are there. It covers the cable cars, which if you buy separate tickets are very expensive, as well as the buses and trams/light rail. We used public transport the whole time we were in SF. Also walking across Golden Gate Bridge was good fun. Another winner was going up to the top of the Mark and looking out of the windows, fantastic views at night time. There are also some lovely walks through the residences near Coit Tower. (another place to check out) The cable car museum was interesting as well. so much to see and do, it is a gorgeous city.
Schnauzer

We are interested in taking a couple of inexpensive day trips (ie Muir Woods, Old Faithful). There are quite a few tour groups to chose from and I hoped my fellow "fodorites" could recommend good ones? Any other tours destinations that you could recommend would be appreciated as well.
Thanks in advance

Old Faithful? The geyser is in Yellowstone National Park - is there something called Old Faithful in California?

Lee Ann

Hi giggles, here is the website regarding our Northern California "Old Faithful, but living here in Northern California I do not have a clue about any tour visiting Old Faithful. Do enjoy your 40th birthday and your trip with your son. Travelling with children is wonderful in my opinion!

http://www.oldfaithfulgeyser.com/

I'm curious how you even learned about Old Faithful?? It is definitely not a major attraction - more of a curiosity. I seriously doubt any day tours go there.

I haven't heard about "Old Faithful" in a good 30 years... wow!

Honestly, I would skip it. There's nothing else out that way that's really going to be attractive to a 12 year old boy - it's pretty much wineries and quaint little towns (to 12 year old boys read as: can we go yet, this is boring, there's nothing to do here, I don't want to look at another house, I don't want to go into another antique/gift shop").

Do Fisherman's Wharf - it's tacky, the shops are expensive, and it's crowded, but kids love it. Be sure to check out the sea lions - that in itself is worth the visit.

Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.

A fun day trip would be to take the ferry from the Ferry Building (great market and restuarants) to Sausalito and walk around the town. Fabulous views.

Of course, I'm sure you'll spend time in Golden Gate Park and if you like art, check out the De Young Art Museum.

SF is a good city for public transportation.

Maybe get the Fodors SF book--it's full of good information.

"Old Faithful" a miniture verson is in Calistoga--Northend of Napa Valley--3hr trip from SF and is really and is really NOT a destination...

Actually giggles, most young fellows your sons age love taking the tour of Alcatraz more then going to Sausalito. Here is the official website for touring Alcatraz which you might like to review with your son to see if it would be of interest.
http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/


Dear Fodorites, I always try when possible to answer another Fodorites question..so thus I posted the website regarding Old Faithful. Who knows why someone has an interest in a particular spot.

If you decide to go to Alcatraz, if possible, buy your tix in advance. We were disappointed one trip because they were sold out.

LI,
You're probably right--a 12 yr. old will probably enjoy Alcatraz more than Sausalito. Guess I was thinking more of what I would enjoy.

I agree about Sausalito, but a 12yo would probably enjoy a ferry to Tiburon and then over to Angel Island. Hiking, Civil War up to WWII sites, wild life . . . . .

Our kids liked seeing the Fort Point National Historic Sight
http://www.nps.gov/fopo/
also Alcatraz

SF Maritime National Park has historic ships
http://www.nps.gov/safr/

The Exploratorium is a good hands on museum

I agree with JanisJ as my kids at that age enjoyed Angel Island more than Alcatraz. Actually, DH and I did also. Agree with Beach Boardwlk & MB Aquarium. There's lots to do in the city also: Golden Gate Park, Metreon, Embarcadero, etc.