What 'area' to stay in for 1st timer to San Francisco?
 

Trying to plan a future trip to SF. Have started researching . It is a little overwhelming
to figure out what is the right area to stay at to be able to easily access all the 'tourist'
areas we should go to as first timers. Want to rely on public transportation and walking.
Would appreciate some comments and suggestions from those of you who already
know and have been. Will probably be a week long trip.

Thanks
Sherri

San Francisco Hotel Areas
It seems that about once every week, there is a discussion about “where to stay” while visiting San Francisco – especially for first timers. Most people ask about either the Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, Embarcadero, or the Marina hotel areas. Here are some thoughts, with a little of my bias thrown in:

1. Union Square - This is downtown’s fashionable shopping/dining/hotel area. The “Grand” hotels are here, and a few blocks north on Nob Hill (very steep to walk there, however). The big department stores are close by, along with many smaller shops and “boutique” hotels. It is also next to the theater district. Perhaps our most “elegant” restaurants are in this area (Fleur de Lys, Farallon, Masa’s, Michael Minna, etc). There are fewer “simple”, “Mom-n-Pop”, or ethnic restaurants than you will find in other parts of the City – except a little west in the Tenderloin, which might scare a few first-timers at night. The Cable Cars run by Union Square, so you can get to the Wharf area quickly. You can get off the Hyde St C.C. line at Union St for a walk downhill to Union St/Chestnut St (Cow Hollow/Marina). The major drawback is it’s proximity to the gritty Tenderloin, which is immediately west & south of Union Square. I don’t know if crime rates are higher, but you will feel a little more threatened than you will in the other three districts I’ll describe. There are many high-rise buildings, so there’s a little less sunlight than you will find elsewhere. Union Sq. is perhaps not as “family oriented” as the other hotel areas. It gets more business travelers, and people who want a little more “luxury” in their hotel. Union Square is a bit “dead” on Sundays, and not as lively as the other places in the evening. I don’t enjoy strolling after dinner in this area as much as I do on Union St/Chestnut St. If you have a car, you will regret it. Parking is very expensive ($50 per night or so), and driving is difficult.

2. Fisherman’s Wharf. The Wharf is mostly inhabited by tourists. Plenty of souvenir shops selling T-shirts & other things to remind you of your visit to SF. Local entertainment includes a wax museum, Ripley’s Believe-it-or-Not, and many fast food places – things kids might enjoy. You won’t find many locals in this area (and if you did – they wouldn’t admit it). Most restaurants are tourist oriented, and most locals feel they are mediocre at best. Good proximity to the Cable Cars, which is a plus. Nice views out into the Bay. It’s also within walking distance of North Beach, which should be on everyone’s agenda for at least one Italian dinner and “people watching” evening. With the Cable Cars, it’s quick to get downtown, but you might have to wait in line for 30 mins or so at peak times. It’s about a 30 min walk to the Union St/Chestnut St areas (see 4th option for description). The Wharf is a perfectly safe area (from crime, vagrants, etc). Hotels usually charge $25-$40 per day for parking. Lively (with tourists) every day. If you want to stay in a typical non-San Francisco environment, this is a good choice

3. The Embarcadero This area is directly on the waterfront at the “foot” of Market St. It’s on the eastern edge of the Financial District – so it’s quite active on work days. This area is great for public transportation because the cable car, Muni Metro, normal Muni, and BART are close by. The Ferry building is located here, so it’s great for taking the ferry to various locations around the bay. There is a Farmers Market on Saturdays & Tuesdays at the Ferry Building, and food stalls & restaurants inside the Ferry Bldg which are open every day. It is an easy walk or public transportation to the other hotel areas - except a little difficult for the Marina & Union St. If you like to be near the water & out of the touristy Fisherman’s Wharf area, then this would be a great choice. Lots of restaurants in this area. If you like to take long walks or jog, the Embarcadero is perfectly flat, so it is great for a morning or evening walk/stroll/jog.

4. Marina. There are many motels along Lombard St, which are (in general) cheaper and much more simple than the ones you will find in the other districts. The main advantage to this area, in my opinion, is that it has more typical SF “flavor” than the other spots. Lombard St is one block from Chestnut St, and three blocks from Union St. Both these streets are loaded with boutiques, restaurants, and buildings with unique architecture (Victorians on Union, Art Deco on Chestnut). When we first moved to San Francisco almost 37 years ago, I remember a poster that said “If you left your heart in San Francisco, you will probably find it on Union St”. This is a residential area and you will find many locals doing their daily “stuff.” On a Sunday morning (especially if it’s sunny) you will see many folks going to the exercise studio, having breakfast at one of the many outdoor café’s, and standing on the street with their “lattes” and chatting with friends. There are no “elegant” restaurants in this area, but many of the type that locals enjoy (Isa, Betelnut, Balboa Café, A16). This is a good area for strolling during the day, before dinner, and after dinner – it is quite lively, especially on weekends. It’s about a 30 min walk to the Wharf, where you can catch a Cable Car (or walk up Union St to catch the CC). East of the Union St shopping area, (just past Van Ness) is Polk St, where there are more nice shops & restaurants. Also on Polk St is La Folie, which is one of my favorite restaurants (if someone else is buying) and also one of the highest “rated” in the City. This is a perfectly safe area. One of its best advantages, is that you can park a car free at many of the Motels. Also, it is an easy area to drive in (although there are steep hills just south), and it’s a quick trip across the Golden Gate Bridge to my favorite view in all the Bay Area (GGNRA, just north and to the west of the Bridge).

More info here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley

Stu, you are a treasure. Thanks for your information.

I like Union Square best, especially for a first timer.

For my first trip I wound up in Japantown. This was partly because of cost - in case my inbound train was late I wanted somewhere with a front desk operating 24 hours a day, which meant I couldn't stay at some of the B&Bs - and I got a good price at the Hotel Tomo. I had no trouble getting to places I wanted to visit by bus (I bought a transport pass in the Ferry Building when I arrived), and I was walking distance from the cafes and restaurants on Fillmore Street (where I followed Stu's walking tour). I was also walking distance from the Kabuki spa, where I indulged in an excellent shiatsu massage and a long soak in a hot bath. I'd be happy to stay there again.

We loved our time in the Lombard area, great cafes on Union St, and very close to bus stops on Chestnut St to get us into the cenre of the city.

Stu Dudley, you are the man! Excellent advice!
First time in San Francisco, late-'60's, I stayed at a hotel in the Tenderloin. Beat a hasty retreat to another area early the next morning!
Next several visits, I stayed in motor inns on or near Union St. Loved the vibe there in the '70's.
Now I stay at my son's house in the East Bay.

Please allow me to jump on this thread with my question. We recently visited San Francisco for the first time...one day on a cruise. It made us realize we would love to stay a few days, then drive down the coast. The info about the Marina area sounds perfect, especially because we are budget-minded travelers. Dies anyone gave a hotel recommendation in that area? I have checked Tripadvisor, and none of the 5 motels sound enticing. Is the Marina Motel okay, or any other suggestions? Thanks.

We stayed at the Coventry Motor Inn on Lombard St, and found it to be in a good location and the motel was fine, nothing fancy but perfect for us. If you have a car, there is free parking, there is also free wi-fi. For an extra $ 5.00 you can get a refrigerator in your room. The rooms on Lombard St are a bit noisy but you can request a quieter room. We have also stayed at a sister motel the Columbus Motor Inn which is closer to Fisherman's Wharf.

Nelsonian, the Coventry sounds perfect for us! Thanks so very much.

Another thumbs up for the Coventry Motor Inn. Had a perfect 5 day stay there August 2012. Be sure to reserve the refrigerator ahead of time.

Good Luck! I wish it was me planning another trip to San Francisco.

Thanks for your endorsement of the Coventry, Roisin1. Since we only spent one day there, we are really anxious to go back and do some exploring. We went to Alcatraz and Pier 39, but that was about it. Any "tips" on restaurants, things to do, etc. would be appreciated.

Mr. Dudley is the man! What great advice - I've lived in San Francisco for the past 15 or so years and have nothing to add except to say he is correct and accurate in every thing he says! Lucky to have such and expert!

I have lived in and around, and worked in San Francisco, for 40 years - I agree with almost everything Stu said, but do have a couple of small quibbles - one is that Union Square is a bit dead on Sundays - it is NOT! Maybe Sunday nights, but definitely not Sunday days, which is a prime shopping/hanging out day. (I was there just yesterday)

Second, the reference to the Tenderloin. I wouldn't call that a major drawback to Union Square at all. Although they abut each other, they are distinct neighborhoods, and if you're in Union Square, there is no reason to go "west", and as long as you don't, you'd never even know the Tenderloin exists. (However, there's an excellent Thai restaurant in the Tenderloin - Lers Ros - so I wouldn't avoid it either).

Third, Nob Hill is another area (alluded to in Stu's post) that has elegant hotels - the Fairmont, the Mark Hopkins, the Stanford Court, the Huntington. I would personally never stay there because as I always say, when I walk out the door of my hotel, I want to be somewhere. I don't want to have to hail a cab to go get a cup of coffee. Add to that the hill, which isn't just a hill, it's a mountain LOL.

You can even go a bit west of Union Square. We just stayed 5 nights at The Serrano which is on Taylor and O'Farrell. It is cattycorner to Hilton and next to The Monaco. Area is ok as long as you don't go south on Taylor to Market or any further west on O'Farrell. Lovely hotel, very happy with it and got it for a great rate using their best rate guarantee.

If you want to be near the base for most tour buses and trams then stay at Best Western Tuscan Inn Fisherman's Wharf. We loved it. Take the L train to Castro, passes most of the areas you may want to see. Also the hotel does a lovely wine reception every evening. The last time we stayed in SF we stayed near Union Square, but enjoyed the Fisherman's Wharf better. Much more convenient for trams and buses etc.

>>>The last time we stayed in SF we stayed near Union Square, but enjoyed the Fisherman's Wharf better. Much more convenient for trams and buses etc.<<

If you want to go north out of The City over the GG Bridge, or boat to Alcatraz - then the Wharf has transportation to get you there. However, if you want to take public transportation within The City, there are more options (BART, Muni Metro, buses, Cable Cars) from the Union Square/Market & Powell area. I've never taken a bus to Muir Woods - but I bet you can catch a bus there from Union Square. The L line to the Castro passes Market & Powell.

Stu Dudley