What about the Air Conditioning?
 

So . . . do I need to be concerned about having air conditioning? Think: "Empty Nester" = "Over 50" (Female) = uncomfortably hot at times. Will I be wishing for AC in a hot, stuffy room or is S.F. cool enough?

Oooh. The suspense, waiting to find out where you're going. San Francisco! But, it's still a teaser. When are you going?

Well, two mornings ago when I got to work, it was 52 degrees. That night, when the Giants game started, it was also below 55 degrees. Today, about 80 degrees. In other words, you never know in SF. I'd probably go for A/C if I had a choice, even though I don't have it in my house (hardly anyone here does).

We'll be in San Francisco for 4 nights Aug. 6-10. I've just NEVER stayed at any hotel that did not have A/C. I was assuming that if so many places didn't have it, that would be because they didn't need it. But I don't want to have to answer to hubby as to what the heck I was thinking when I booked a hotel without AC!

<i>I was assuming that if so many places didn't have it, that would be because they didn't need it</i>

That's what everyone says about homes here, but that doesn't mean it isn't sweltering for about 2 weeks a year!

Depending on your hotel and room, it may be noisy to have windows open.

In 35 years in SF I can count on the fingers of one hand how many times I would have liked AC in my house. That's not to say that it does not get hot in SF sometimes, just that it rarely ever stays hot into the night. However, if you are in a hotel in SF on that rare night that it stays warm, you will never believe or understand why we don't have AC. If your vacation will be ruined by the chance of one warm night, get a room with AC.

In a SF home I do not think you'd need it, but staying in a hotel when traveling I always want it.

It's not only about the temperature but about noise in the city.

My first job was in San Francisco, 1970. The office did not have AC, but on several occasions we were sent home early when it got hot. I personally would not want to be in a downtown hotel without AC. I can also remember being at a convention in October when the temperature was over 100 in the city for I think 4 straight days!

Thanks to all for your insight on the A/C issue in San Fran. Although we've been offered a great rate at the Chancellor Hotel (Union Square) at $125/n, they don't have A/C, so I think I'll continue to search . . .

I have been more often chilled to the bone in SF rather than warm. I have felt warm/hot there in the sunny afternoon only on a few occasions, and always I am chilled when the sun goes down.

I think it depends on the building. I was in the Hilton in '89 during the earthquake. It was apparently designed to be a &quot;closed&quot; building relying on AC and when the power went off, it became very uncomfortable. In older buildings, built when AC was not common, youmight be allright.

BTW: I have nothing but praise for the job the Hilton did during the emergency. They had water, food, flashlights, a full staff, and did everything I think possible to make guests comfortable [including a cook driving me to the airport in his pickup truck]at 5am so I wouldn't be one of those touists burdening the system.].

The Hilton at Fisherman's Wharf has A/C. My family just returned the 22nd of Jun. We used it only the two days when the city broke it's 30 plus year record.