My adult daughter and I are thinking about staying at the Westin in San Francisco, in July. Any thoughts on this or other nice places to stay?? Thanks!!

The St. Francis is old SF and lovely. If you're going shopping, it's right at Union Square and you can walk to all the posh stores. Since it's on Powell Street, the cable car is outside your door. Walk downhill 1/2 block and have a wonderful meal at Kuleto's. I think the St. Francis would be my first choice, but others are Sheraton Palace, Mark Hopkins, the Clift, the grand old Fairmont etc. These are all quite luxurious! Enjoy.

If you pick the St. Francis, we prefer the old section in contrast to the new tower in the rear. We like the old style rooms overlooking Union Square. We have not been there for some time. I hope they still wash all the coins that they give for change and they they still have a string quartet in the cocktail area.

In San Francisco, I stay at the Ritz Carlton (opt for their 'club floor' for even more luxury) or the Inn at the Opera. The ambience, room comfort and service at the Ritz all are remarkably wonderful whilst the Inn at the Opera is a deliciously 'old-world' experience, also tres comfortable (and, fascinating guests!).

The St. Frances was great. The location is convenient, the hotel charming, and the hotel services all you could wish for. If you want to capture the feeling of San Francisco, avoid the accommodations at Fisherman's Wharf - very touristy. The Wharf is worth visiting, that's where you get the boat to Alcatraz (a must see). Enjoy SF. It's truly a wonderful city.

I too love the Inn at the Opera--especially their charming little dining room before something at Davies Hall, but these ladies sound like they are not from anywhere around here, and that neighborhood is not exactly in the midst of the SF scene. From your email address I think you are probably from the Bay area or come here often and know SF. I think Union Square and the St. Francis is better---and I agree to ask for a room in the older part of the hotel, to have tea in the lobby, to see some of the "performers" in Union Square, and please, beware of your purses if you ride the cable car. SF is very safe, but I've seen many purse snatchings on the cable cars---tourists ride on the outside of the cars with their shoulder bags hanging over the side. Oh dear......it can happen here too. You might leave more than your heart!!! We recommended the St. Francis and the Palace to French friends of ours a couple years ago--they stayed at the St. Francis and had tea at the Palace and all agreed it was the equal of Paris where they live! What better recommendation could you want? Please let me know what else you need to know about SF or the Bay area, and please, unless you really need to do it, don't rent a car---take a taxi from SFO--there are no parking places in SF unless you want to squander your money.