My husband and I are going to San Francisco in August for the 1st time. We like to sightsee, shop, and eat good food. What area would you recommend staying (Union Square or Fishermans Wharf area?) And if you have any hotels to recommend about $200 per night, please let me know) Also, what are some "must do's" in San Francisco???

Being from the East coast a great find was The Andrews Hotel on Post Street, two blocks from Union Square..rates are very reasonable..very European boutique type..very difficult to get in only 48 rooms.

www.andrewshotel.com rooms under $200.00 a night easily..including breakfast, wine in the evening at their fine restaurant, Fino

as a former resident of pacici heights, one of the best areas of s.f., i recommend the el drisco hotel on pacific.
i can't stand the noise and pace of union square, downtown and the wharf areas--this is an upscale hotel offering large rooms, and even larger 1 bedroom suites. you can ask for city or bay views on higher floors, and breakfast is included. the whole atmosphere is remindful of a mayfair district hotel in london--quiet, elegant and very good service--discreet
and unique. the dolby (as in the sound system) family are investors. parking is avaiable on the streets, and you'll feel like a resident of the very best area of the city by the bay! jack mccarty

pls excuse my typos--that's pacific heights area of san francisco for the el drisco hotel--ask for coporate rate, and/or best rate available--it'll be a bit higher than your $200 budget, but you'll have an excellent stay...jack mccarty

further to my hotel recommendation--you asked about things to do in s.f.--get hidden coast of california, a great travel book by ray riegert--it will include s.f. activities--this is the best guide book series; author also does hidden hawaii--THE guide to the islands... restaurants: radiccio on union for italian, garibaldi's in pacific heights (walking distance to el drisco), lunch at saks fifth avenue in union square, lunch in the rotunda at neiman marcus, lunch at the cafe at the interesting art museum, the palace of the legion of honor. lunch at MOMA, modern art museum... jack mccarty

Parrot Mom, I am pleased to hear your recommendation of Andrews Hotel, I am booked in for end July...

Any tips or bits of info about the hotel, the local area and restaurant recommendations for someone staying at that hotel?

Many thanks

Kavey

Most every one on this forum suggests Union Square or Fisherman's Wharf. I also suggest Pacific Heights. We stayed there and saw most all of the suggested "musts." Union Street shopping and restaurants were within two blocks of our lodging, the Pacific Heights Inn. We had a kitchenette and it's not new or massive but a great deal and it had its charm. It was way under $200 a night. I think I got it for $110 on a quickbook or hoteldiscount.com bid. Don't miss the Japanese Tea Garden or the play- Beach Blanket Babylon. Another nice area to stay in would have been near the play by Washington Square. (I think that was the name.) We originally stayed down by Union Square about a day and couldn't stand the congestion and noise. It was our least favorite part of the city.