Weekend in SF - hotel questions and more
 

I will be in SF with ds for three nights next weekend. I'm looking for a hotel that is very clean, not too expensive with a good location. I am considering The Orchard Hotel and Hotel 480. Could some of you locals and travelers give me some input? Are these a mistake? There were others that fit the bill, but they only have one bed per room.

I'm also considering what to see and where to eat with my 21 year old. He is considering grad school in the area and has never been here. (I was here in Oct with dh). I think he would like the Sci Academy and will buy tix online. Do you think going to Muir Woods Fri afternoon is a crazy idea? We will have a car. I think I once read that there are redwoods near Palo Alto. Is this true? I would love recs of restaurants that we can walk to - ethnic is fine, good food a must (no Gary Danko prices!). And lastly, do you think people his age enjoy the Ferry Bldg market on Sat mornings? I remember seeing a lot of people eating breakfast there.

Thank you for any suggestions that you may have!

I do not have any great advice - I am hardly an expert on SF but just wanted to say have a fabulous time with your son. I enjoyed SF on two occasions with my son - when he was looking at schools. It was great :). I will say that I like the Union Square area more then the Warf area. Looking forward to reading the thread.
Dawn

We were in San Francisco last weekend, and our son who is in Grad School up there took us for lunch to a historic restaurant. It's called John's Grill, and is one of the oldest in the city.

I had what is called a Jack Lalanne Salad that was fabulous. It had fresh Dungeness Crab, shrimp, avocado, mushrooms and tomato in their famous creamy blue cheese vinaigrette dressing.

http://www.johnsgrill.com/

cpg..I stayed at the Orchard but it was back in 2002.
Very nice and a good location. Short walking distance to a lot of fine restaurants.

Have you considered Priceline? We always get some nice 4((*)) hotels for under or right around $100/night.

Just scored the Fish/Wharf Sheraton for $65/night.

"I'm looking for a hotel that is very clean, not too expensive with a good location."

Columbus Motor Inn is worth a look - inexpensive and not fancy but pretty well maintained, great Columbus Ave location, and free parking to boot. They have suites that both of you could stay in, and still have a good amount of privacy.

Muir Woods - not a crazy idea at all. It's not far from San Francisco, beautiful drive including the Golden Gate Bridge, and it's very nice. A nice stop along the way is the park area on the north side of the Golden Gate, which offers wonderful views of SF.

Ferry Bldg. Market - If he likes to eat, he'll love it.

Hi Kal - I've never used Priceline. When it designates a neighborhood, like Union Square, it looks like it might extend into the Tenderloin. Is it difficult to use?

"Have you considered Priceline? We always get some nice 4((*)) hotels for under or right around $100/night.

Just scored the Fish/Wharf Sheraton for $65/night."

That's good advice - I actually have a room at the Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf on March 8 for $65.

"When it designates a neighborhood, like Union Square, it looks like it might extend into the Tenderloin."

If you're worried about that, just don't include Union Square West. Stick with Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square East, and Financial District / Embarcadero. Only bid for 4* or 3.5*, and you can add other districts that don't have those levels, like Lombard St/Marina or South SF to get targeted re-bids.

With Priceline, can you select the number of beds you need (two doubles as opposed to a K or Q)?

You can request it when you check in, but there is no guarantee. If you want to be certain that you are going to have separate beds, the only thing you can do is bid for two rooms. I've encountered the same situation when traveling with my kids, in their late teens and 20's, and I've always bid for multiple rooms.

I usually stay away from Union Sq East but last time I used it for the GTG I got the SF Hilton for pretty darn cheap.

Dunno about the types beds. I think they do comment on it in "the rules"
Just remember, once your bid is accepted, your card is charged and unless you bought their trip cancellation insurance you are SOL.
But, knock on wood, I've never had a prob and have been quite statisfied for years.

Centralparkgirl:

I went to grad school in SF and I absolutely love the bay area. Now when my husband and I return I always book our hotels via priceline. It's a great way to get a 4* for usually around $100. You might want to try betterbidding.com to find out rules and strategies for bidding on priceline if you decide to go that route. They'll also let you know how much hotels are going for. I think the last time we returned to SF we got the Westin St. Francis for $99. You will have to pay for SF parking though, so keep that in mind.

And I think kids of any age would enjoy the market at the Ferry building on Saturday! I'm always sad when we miss it.

Of the hotels mentioned here, I greatly preferred the Sheraton Fisherman's wharf to the Columbus Motor Inn which is repeatedly touted here. And, I paid less than half the price for a place that is much more stylish.

Kal, ask for a room on the top floor. I also got that deal for $65 and it was fantastic!!! I loved the style/decor. My only critique is that soundproofing was not great and the people in the room above me were running around, seriously, nonstop for over an hour. I had to change rooms. As far as I know, they were still running. A top floor room will avert that possibility.

Hi CPG - I just emailed you back.

Union Square East is fine (it would include Campton Place - isn't that where you stayed last time?). Union Square West heads toward the Tenderloin. The Hilton is right at the edge (go out the wrong way and you're in the Tenderloin, go out the right way and you're closer to Union Square).

Will you have a car? If yes, remember that parking in the Union Square area is very expensive.

I don't know the hotels, but I don't see how you can go wrong with the Orchard (from looking at their website).

Oh, and no, Priceline will not guarantee two beds.

There are so many choices of places to eat -- we recently had an excellent meal at Bong Su (upscale Vietnamese, like Slanted Door without the view). I've heard that Three Seasons in Palo Alto is better than both.

nc...;)

Regarding Ferry Bldg on Sat AM, IMO, anyone who likes food and likes to eat, will enjoy that. :)

I agree, yk. The Ferry Bldg is marvelous. We also had a good meal deal at Butterfly near Pier 39. Happy hour is from 4-7 pm on Monday to Friday. Appetizers are only $5. You can make a meal with these. I had the shanghai noodles and the pulled pork in lettuce cups. Both were great. Don't get their happy hour wines by the glass though; that was weak and NOT from their regular wine menu.

nc...Butterfly is one of our faves too. Been going since it was opened. We've had several lunches there and occasional noshes.

http://www.worldisround.com/articles...6/photo12.html

Love the decor.

Public transportation is quite good; buses, trolleys, cable cars and taxis so you may not need to rent a car. If you get to Union Square of Fisherman's Wharf there will be abundant choices for eating and plenty to see. Just got back Sunday from a trip there will my college-aged son - he loved it. Good luck! Not familiar with the hotels you mention - sorry - if you can get a 4-star on Union Square you'll be fine and close to everything, particularly transportation.

The Hotel Monaco is my favorite hotel. I love the vibe and I think your DS would too. The reviews always talk about the small rooms but the rooms with two beds aren't small. The Grand Cafe next door is wonderful too.
http://www.monaco-sf.com/

Priceline is great and you may snag a convention style hotel at a great price - but there is no guarantee you will be put in a 2 bedded room. And, you can't assume the one bed rooms are king beds. For your situation, I wouldn't Priceline this trip. Hotwire maybe - if you can choose the room type. The rate won't be as low, but it would be better to get the room type than have to share 1 queen bed.

But, I'd still vote for the Monaco!

kurieff snagged a great deal at another Kimpton hotel around the corner. If the Monaco doesn't have a good rate check the other Kimpton group hotels in SF.

check out stu dudley's san francisco guide. It is amazing. He probably tells you when to go to the Muir woods, lol! He does mention recently best time to bike across the GG Bridge to come back on the ferry.

One of my 5 favorite restaurants (when I have to pay) was written up in Wednesday's Chron - with "raves".
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...sn=001&sc=1000

The article says it's Moroccan - but it seems more like Calif/Moroccan to me. It is out on Geary, so you will have to take a taxi, 38 Geary, or drive. Street parking is difficult, but they have valet parking.

Another favorite is Firefly in the Noe Valley
http://www.fireflyrestaurant.com/index.html

Take the J-Church Muni Metro there and sit on the left side (side you enter on from downtown), to get a good view of the City from Dolores Park. Get off at 24th st, and walk about 6 blocks west (towards the huge tower), and past all the cute shops, cafes, restaurants, etc on 24th st. Best side of 24th is the south side.


Someone mentioned South SF as a priceline location. Be aware that there is a seperate city called South San Francisco - which would not be a good place to stay.

Here is my "post" of recommendations:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35129049

Not sure I've ever visited Muir Woods - if we have, it was many years ago. I have 3 huge redwood trees growing in my back yard, and another 50 in the immediate neighborhood. They create a mess & I have a difficult time keeping annuals alive because of all the needles that the redwoods drop with high acid content. I consider them large (but beautiful) weeds.

Stu Dudley

Could you try to see Muir Woods at another time? If you do go on Saturday afternoon,make certain you leave SF well before 1 pm or the traffic will dampen your joy! If you are going that far, I recommend you also spend time in Point Reyes(nothin' like it).

Thank you all for the info and good suggestions.
I think I will have to pass on Priceline because of the bed issue. I wish someone had stayed at one of the hotels. The Orchard is at Bush and Powell and Hotel480 is on Sutter and Powell - I think both locations are good. Is Powell a very noisy street because of the cable cars?

My plan is to try to get to Muir Woods Fri afternoon. If traffic is bad, then we'll just go across the GG and follow Stu's route for the great views and come back.

Butterfly's happy hour sounds like it might work for dinner Fri because I think we'll be tired and want to eat early.
We'll do the Ferry Bldg Sat am for breakfast,etc. And the Sci Academy Sunday morning. The rest will be figured out.

Is there anything we should absolutely see in Palo Alto on Monday and can anyone suggest some options for dinner there or in that area? Also, when driving from SF to Palo Alto, is there a route that's scenic that you could suggest?

>>And the Sci Academy Sunday <<
Even their web site suggests that you not go on a weekend - too crowded. We went on a rainy Friday a couple of weeks ago - and it ws too crowded for us by 11:30.

Stu Dudley

I second Starr's rec of Hotel Monaco -- in the theater district of downtown SF -- and a GREAT restaurant, Grande Cafe; a beautiful large art deco room and bistro food, usually a happenin' place, especially before the theater/symphony.

Let us know where you end up and maybe we can suggest restaurants.

In Palo Alto I like La Strada on University Ave downtown. California Cafe, adjacent to Stanford Shopping Center, is also generally good "California cuisine."

PS on Stanford campus take a look at the Univ Art Museum, the Cantor Center. Wonderful outdoor Rodin sculpture garden, and a nice little museum cafe.

Hi Centralparkgirl, I just popped on to the US Forum for a minute and saw your thread. I haven't stayed at either hotel you are thinking of but in answer to your question yes Powell is noisy. It never bothers me but it does some people. But staying around Union Square one tends to hear noise. I would suggest you call whichever hotel you decide to stay at and ask them if they have any quiet rooms. And since you will be in SF next weekend it will be chilly so you will probably keep the windows to your room closed so that should help somewhat. Wishing you and you son a delightful trip!

Stu - I know how crowded it can be. I was there in Oct. I am planning on becoming a member online. It's tax deductible and it will allow us to enter an hour earlier on Sun - and it's for a good cause. I'm also gambling that ds will decide to go to school nearby and I'll be back to visit and able to use the membership again.

starrs and annw - the Hotel Monaco looks great, but it will run over $900 - I'll look into it when I'm back with dh.

LoveItaly - thanks for the heads up. Calling the hotel is an excellent idea.

annw - I also would like to take a tour of Stanford which they offer daily.

The hour early must only be on Sunday.

If we visited again, we would time things a little diferently. Last time we entered as soon as they opened - 9:30 I think. We immediatly got a pass for the 10:30 planetarium show, & they told us to get in line at 10:10. We then went down to the aquarium. Then we saw the show at 10:30. When it was finished around 11:15 we went back to the aquarium - and it was mobbed. Not enjoyable!! If we had to do it again, we would have watched the 11:30 planetarium show and spent the first 1 3/4 hrs only visiting the aquarium. We never got to the rain forrest - the line was too long.

Stu Dudley

Stu - yes, I am planning to visit on Sunday; I think it opens at 10 for members. I think I had a pass for the planetarium at 11:30 last Oct. The aquarium got mobbed before then too (this was on a Fri). Did you see the 1/2 hour film, 'Bugs?' It was great. We also didn't get into the Rain Forest and I think I read that it will be closed while I'm there next week. What did you do for lunch? Any suggestions? We ended up in the Moss Room because the lines to the cafeteria were so long.

We had lunch at the cafetria. Lines went fast.

Stu Dudley

There are two ways to get to Stanford, same amount of time, one is a scenic route, the other is mostly commericial/industrial. If you want to take the scenic route, get on 101 South heading out of San Francisco (to get to 101 from Union Square, go east on Stockton, at Market you zig and it becomes Fourth Street, and the 2nd and 3rd lanes bear right onto 101 South). Then from 101 South, take the Highway 280 South turnoff. It becomes scenic around Millbrae, and is postively gorgeous as you get into San Mateo and south. It's got signs calling it "America's Most Beautiful Highway".

Get off at San Hill Road headed east. In a few miles, you turn right on Alpine, which immediately becomes Junipero Serra, then bear left onto Campus Drive. (If you miss Alpine, no problem, you can turn into campus on any of the following streets before you hit Stanford Shopping Center. Even the street between Nordstrom and the shopping center (Arboretum) actually ends up on campus. Look at google maps. Then you'll just have to find your way to where you're going. Do not park in permit parking, and be sure to get a parking ticket, or you will get a "real" parking ticket!

That's "San<b>d<b> Hill Road".

Thanks sf - sounds great - I will type up the scenic directions.

I'm now worrying about the weather on Fri for NY and Boston departures as well as SF's continuing rain - will reread DebitNM's thread on rainy day activities!

Like I mentioned on DebitNMs question about rainy day activities, there are several City Guides Walks that are good for rainy days. The Palace Hotel walk is entirely indoors. The City Scapes & Public Places walk (Deb went on this), has some indoor places.
www.SFCityGuides.org

Stu Dudley

I just spent one night last week at the Larkspur Union Square Hotel and was incredibly impressed with how nice it was for the unbelievab le price of $86 a night. The room was a bit small but very clean, comfortable and well-appointed. We had a queen room, but they also have a twin-twin option. They had wine available in their lounge from 5:30-6:30 and coffe in the morning (as well as a coffemaker in the room). The hotel is located on Sutter near Powell(the street with the cable car line), so it's just a block north of Union Square - a really great location.

CPG, don't worry about the weather! Saturday and Sunday is dry on the forecast, it means Friday will be dry in the city, and probably the rains are over.

Orchard on Bush @ Powell - OK location, safe, but on a hill - do you have good knees? :)

Hotel 480 - which is that? Google didn't pull it up.

Strange. Tried once more, got hotel 480 on Sutter @ Powell. Prime location!! I'd jump on it. Check TripAdvisor to see reviews, if any.

I just found the 480's website. The hotel is at the corner of Sutter and Powell. Was that the old Westbury/Holiday Inn? It appears to be a very large, but newly-remodeled hotel. CPG, note that the website says the room remodeling is done, but the hotel is still being renovated, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. May not matter to you, though, if that doesn't include weekends.

Dayenu (why is it every time I see your name I start to sing?)

It used to be the Crowne Plaza - see link - I think they're still renovating the exterior or the lobby, but if the rooms are new and pristine, the construction won't bother me. Maybe that's why the rate was good. Weather.com is showing rain now until 3/09.

http://www.hotel480.com/index.html

hazel1 - I will take a look - thanks!