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.