We are planning a trip to San Francisco in October. What kind of weather can we expect? Also, we are looking at staying at the Allison Hotel - we were told it is decently priced at under $100 a night and close to alot of things. What is worth visiting in the two days we will be there? Also, we want to rent a car and go to Taho/Reno and Napa Valley. Any suggestions on how to use our 5 other days. We fly out of San Francisco so need to return there. Thanks!

Not to sound snooty, but I don't know the Allison, yet under $100 per night sounds questionable...meaning could be a fleabag.

Also, don't plan on your basic itinerary coming from these pages. I personally view this as a way to enhance my already mapped-out itin.

Sorry, not just aiming at you, Pat, but people have to do some initial reseach about their destinations too.

While 100/night does sound very low for San Francisco, the Allison Hotel is nicely located at Stockton & Sutter, just north of Union Square and just west of Chinatown. AAA give it two stars, so it's not likely to be a flea bag, just plain and simple accomodations. It would be best if you can find someone who's actually stayed there just to be sure. Have you tried the AOL travel boards? The weather should be most pleasant. October is one of the best months for visiting. Be advised that the second the sun goes down it's likely to get really chilly, though, so do have a sweater or jacket along if you plan to be out and about when the sun sets. As for what is "worth seeing", you really should get a good tour guide or peruse the many websites to see what is most appealing to you, then see what you can fit in with only two days. A ride on the Trolleys and a visit to Coit Tower (for the views) are a must.

Use Priceline to get your hotel. You will get a great hotel for much less. I stayed at the Radisson in Fisherman's Wharf for $45 and one of my friends stayed at the St. Francis in Union Square for $65.

Found the Allison Hotel to be quite noisy, as it is very close to the Stockton tunnel which amplifies the sound of traffic. I think you can get the Grant Plaza near Chinatown or the King George on Mason for under $100. Check hotelres.com, they seem to have very low prices for SF hotels.

I've stayed at the Allison, albeit about 3 years ago. It is safe, cheap and clean, but one thing I found disconcerting is that the rooms really are "studio style" - that is, the sink and so on are right in the main room. The location is good, although further south would be better - you might try the Chancellor Hotel in Union Square as another option - I moved there from the Allison after one night and as I recall it was much nicer, more centrally located, and only slightly more expensive. I wasn't bothered by noise in either place, but I can see how a light sleeper could have problems at the Allison.

Check out Priceline for a SF hotel. There have been some incredible rates for great hotels recently. Take the time to go to www.biddingfortravel.com and scroll down to the hotel section and click on SF hotels to read about recent successful bids. Helpful moderators at Bidding for Travel will help you construct your bid. No, I dont work for PL or BFT, but am a happy BFT user and PL customer.

You may want to have a cancellable back-up hotel reservation in your pocket and do your PL bid about two weeks before your trip date.

In answer to the other part of your question, the Monterey/Carmel area is nice for a day trip - if that's too far for you, stop in Santa Cruz and/or Capitola. Mendecino is nice. Coastal areas will be cold in October, naturally, but are nice places to visit.

Pat,

I concur with previous posts about the $100 rate in SF sounding kind of low.

The Lake Tahoe and Reno areas are a great sidetrip(www.renolaketahoe.com). From SF I would go straight to Reno via Highway 80. There are lots of great hotels in Reno. If you want to be where all the gaming action is, check out one of the hotels downtown. My favorite is the Harrahs due to its central location. If you prefer more of a relaxed atmosphere, John Asquaga's Nuggett in Sparks or the Reno Hilton would be your best bet. From Reno, you can head over Mount Rose nad down the east(Nevada)side of the Lake toward Inlcine Village and South Lake Tahoe. I would also recommend a drive up Highway 89 on the California side. The scenery is spectacular. If you have time, take a cruise on the lake. The tow that I would recommend are M.S. Dixie and Tahoe Queen.

Other side trips to consider would also be the Monterey and Carmel areas(www.monterey.com) (www.carmelbythesea.com) In Monterey the highlights include the Monterey Bay Aquarium, 17 Mile drive, and Fisherman's Wharf. Carmel is a has a quaint downtown with many restaurants and shops, which can be explored on foot. If you have time, I would also recommend a drive down to Big Sur along Highway 1 and south to San Simeon to visit Hearst Castle(www.hearst-castle.org)Be sure to make reservations. On the way to Monterey and Carmel, off of the scenic 280 freeway, in the town of Woodside is the Filoli Estate(www.filoli.org) There are daily tours of the Gerogian Mansion and Gardens. As with Hearst Castle, reservations are recommended. Further south on the 280 San Jose and Silicon Valley(www.sanjose.org) would also make a great daytrip. Some of the key attractions include the Tech Museum(www.thetech.org) the Rosicrucian Egytian Museum(www.rosicrucian.org) as well as the interesting but touristy Winchester Mystery House (www.winchestermysteryhouse.com) A visit to Kelley Park, south of Downtown San Jose is also worthwhile (www.historysanjose.org) for a visit to the History Museum of San Jose and the Japanese gardens. There are many great restaurants in San Jose, especially in the city's downtown area. On of the more popular restaurant areas is San Pedro Square(www.sanpedrosquare.com)
From San Jose you have easy access to the Monterey Bay Area via highway 17 south to 1 south.

Hubby & I just returned from S.F. for two weeks. Stayed for five days at the four-star (or is it five star?) hotel, The Westin St. Francis, right on Union Square. It was AWESOME! $105/night! We stayed in the older part of the hotel and though our room was small, it was verrry nice. Couldn't ask for a better hotel or better location. Room rates very high, so we got our's on starwood.com Good luck!

Come in early October, and you probably will get sunny weather, with little fog. Contrary to a previous posting, it might be warmer along the coast at that time than when the fog rolls in.
Point Reyes is a nice day's outing: the light house, Drake's Beach. For a fancy meal in a romantic setting, try Manka's in Inverness, although it has been written up so fabulously that reservations may be hard to get.

Stayed At the Park Hyatt in the Financial District for $60 a night [thru priceline]in Mid August. Just about the fanciest place I have been in. Solid marble throughout. Was within walking distance to everything I wanted to see Chinatown to Fishermans Wharf to Lombard Street etc. Parking was $36 more a night but could have got cheaper across the street $18. Just watch the room service thats what gets pricy.
Have fun I sure can't wait to return.
JAn

Priceline often uses the Park Hyatt in SF at ridiculously low prices, so good for you, Jan! It's a gorgeous hotel and well positioned to see lots of interesting sights.

Pat, I think you'd be OK bidding on any 4-star that PL uses in SF. Welcome to SF. The weather is glorious today!

PS: I don't work for PL or the Park Hyatt.

It can start raining in October but it shouldn't be cold yet.

If you go to Tahoe/Reno come back through Yosemite National Park by coming down Hwy 395 to Hwy 120 Tioga Pass thought the park. Make sure you go to Yosemite Valley. This is a great location to spend one night before going back to the SF Bay Area.

Utahtea....who lives in the Bay Area

I live in the Bay Area.

I would recommend that you go to the Monterey/Carmel/Pacific Grove area as others have suggested but I would not try to do this as a day trip from SF.

The drive is too far and you will enjoy the area and its restaurants more if you stay at least one, maybe two nights.

Some will say the mileage is not that far. It ain't the miles, its the traffic! It took me over 1 hour to get to work this morning...a 17 mile distance. Just something to think about.

Bob's right about the time it can take to get from point A to point B, but a day trip to Monterey/Carmel can still be OK.

I live in the Bay Area as well (Marin), but am originally from the Monterey Peninsula. I often end up going there just for the day -- without traffic the drive is a little over 2 hours. If you want to check out the area for future stays, a day trip is fine, but definitely not relaxing. Have fun!

October is the BEST month (and I say that because we often have to travel east during that month and wish we were home) Don't know the Allison Hotel, but as others say, there are many bargains to be had in the Financial District business hotels which are lovely and easy walking to the California Street Cable car, the trolleys on Market or down to the Embarcadero. I've never done a bid on Priceline and I live near SF so don't stay here often, but I might be tempted to try. The St. Francis and the Westin are both great choices. I can almost guarrantee you no rain, but bring something to wrap up in after dark. The temp falls quickly.

We always go to SF in October, the weather is fine! Check out "cityguides" for some touring possibilities, they give fantastic walking tours of different neighborhoods and a great one of the Palace Hotel. They have a website, so you can just do a search and you'll find them easily.

You may have already booked your hotel, but if you can get the $105 deal at the Westin St. Francis grab it! We have stayed at the Cartwright (basic property, but VERY clean, with free coffee in the lobby and a complimentary wine reception each evening.) We paid $89/night and I would stay there again. It's right in Union Square and despite what you'll read on this forum, we had NO problems in the Union Square area, and I felt safe. We have also stayed at the Andrews, a kind of "European" hotel. Wonderful value with breakfast included and a very friendly staff, I don't remember exactly what we paid but I know it was under $100. We booked at the properties last year, before I was hooked on Price Line!

I have used PL for other cities and always got a lot of value for my money. If you decide to bid, do you homework so you know what areas you want and how much you should bid so you don't pay too much.

If you like theater, there is a half-price ticket booth in Union Square. This really make theater affordable and you can see some very good productions.

Don't know when you are going or where you have decided to stay - but be aware there will be an anti-war demonstration this Sunday (Oct 6) in Union Square.

Would someone tell me exactly where is the half priced booth in Union Square? Thanks. On-line info?