yestravel, we never found a line at the cable car stop near the Castle Inn. Getting back depended on where you are boarding from - there is more of a line at the turntable at Fisherman's Wharf and the end of the line downtown. We did not find a line at other places. There is also bus service very near the Castle Inn which we used once. We chose that place because of 1. free indoor parking since arriving by air it was more economical to rent a car that roundtrip by airport van for 4 people - we had a very good rate, 2. It had studios that were spacious where we all fit nicely - we took the bedroom, the kids used a sleep sofa and a rollaway, 3. the price was great, 4. good TA reviews, 5. we liked the idea of a neighborhood vibe rather than downtown or touristy area and Russian Hill was convenient to the places we wanted to visit. We used the car once to go across the bridge to Muir Woods for a daytrip.

I do not know the name of the pass we used but since we were able to use the heck out of it, we found it economical.

Clipper Pass is for locals, you'd want:

https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around...tor-day-passes

I would never rely on the cable car system for "normal" transportation. It is mainly a tourist attraction. My cousin from Denmark visited us last February, and it took him over 1 hr to get from Fisherman's Wharf to Union Square. Even if you try to get on mid-way on the trip - if the car is fully full - you can't get on. It's a "must" for and up & back trip - but not for getting around in The City, IMO.

According to ViaMichelin, it is a 35 min walk from the Columbus Motor Inn, down Columbus Ave through North Beach/Little Italy, to the Ferry Bldg, and 40 mins to MOMA. At the Columbus Motor Inn, you are between two hills - Russian Hill and Telegraph hill. This means heading directly west to Polk Gulch or shops on Union St will involve a walking detour around Russian Hill. East to the Embarcadero (south of Pier 39) will also involve a detour around Telegraph Hill. Walking north to FW & Pier 39 is easy - but that's "tourist central" and many people (including me) avoid that area.

Stu Dudley

The car is your issue. Without a car you could stay absolutely anywhere.

Are you using your own vehicle or a rental? If a rental, it might make sense to drop it when you get to SF and pick up another when you leave. Then you could stay right on union square or near the ferry bldg.

But there have been a few confusing posts that got things off track a bit.

Castle Inn, Columbus motor inn, or Cow Holliw would all be good. But forget about cable cars being nearby - they aren't 'transportation' but more an attraction. You probably wouldn't ride one more than once. You will use buses and streetcars . . . And your feet to get around.

I hate to differ with you jasisj but we found the cable cars just fine for getting around. They were quick, easy, and if one has a pass not overly costly. Plus they are fun. The Powell line is just 2 short blocks from Castle Inn.

janisj - Yes, we will have our own car as staying in SF is a couple days in a ~2 month cross country trip. We have been to SF often, but never with a car, thus my question as to where to stay with a car.

Stu - thanks for checking the walking distances for me. Those distances are very walkable for us. I will need to look at prices for the 3 mentioned hotels and figure out which one will work the best for us.

I appreciate everyone's helpful comments.

The problem with the cable cars as transportation is they don't go very many places.(Many years ago, I commuted downtown on the cable car, but it was just a straight 5 block walk from my apartment to the end of the California Street line, and then I just went straight down to my office, also on California).

Bus and muni train routes are far more extensive.

basingstoke: IME only the California line is usable as 'transportation' and it has limited coverage. I take it once in a while -- I often stay neat tje Ferry bldg so it is convenient.

The Powell Street lines are simply too crowded and the waits at the turntables can be enormous. Jumping on in mid route is often impossible.

That is the value of these forums. People report their experiences and these often differ giving a wider perspective than that of a single person.

I 2nd basingstoke's comments. I always appreciate the different experiences and perspectives.

And BTW, we did get a clipper pass for one of our trips and just reload it each visit to SF.

It's actually called a Clipper Card - not Pass (in case anyone is trying to Google it)
https://www.clippercard.com

Stu Dudley

No garage, but street parking is relatively easy here:
http://www.hoteldrisco.com/

Pretty neighborhood. You will probably have to move your car for street sweeping days, though. And generally if you street park you need to move the care every 72 hours.

Also the Laurel Inn has paid parking, but if you stay 2+ nights they usually have a deal with free parking.

http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/cali...ls/laurel-inn/

Another option to consider: Beck's Motor Lodge, on Market Street near the Castro. http://becksmotorlodge.com/ I've never stayed there, since I live in SF, but every time I pass it on the street it looks so cute, clean, and spiffy. Seems attractive in photos I've seen and gets excellent reviews on various sites. The parking is free, and the rates are very reasonable for the city. Great location for its proximity to the Mission, Noe Valley, the Castro, and convenient access to the Muni metro to downtown, buses, and the F train.

Funny, we walked by Beck's just the other day, and commented that it has been there at least as long as we've lived in San Francisco. Although I agree it would be a good choice of location, I don't know that I'd refer to it as either cute or spiffy - to us it looked like a standard issue urban motel! But as aprillilacs said, it is easy access to all the places she listed (and if you're up for a straight-uphill walk, to Twin Peaks too!

Beware Canadians bearing Mexican restaurant recommendations - but near Cow Hollow Motor Inn is Mamacita (the location used to be called Cafe Marimba). Excellent!

http://www.mamacitasf.com/

(yikes I owe you other info - will send)

So many choices. Thanks!
It would be fun to stay in Castro, but Becks is ~$200 a night. SF - Becks actually looks nice inside. I gather they have been doing remodeling per their web site.
So far Colombus Motor Inn while just a regular ole motel is the winner with the best rate at $139. I also like its location ok. Castle Inn is $179. Given how long this trip will be, price is a major consideration.

Ok, Elizabeth, I will make note of any Canadian recommended Mexican restaurants.

Mamacita's is great - but it gets my award for the loudest/noisiest restaurant in San Francisco. If you go - don't expect to have any conversation with the person you are dining with. We go to their "other" restaurant in the Cole Valley - Padrecito instead.

Stu Dudley

Stu -- Well, given we'll be spending ~2 months in a car we can probably manage to skip talking at 1 dinner! I'll be looking for other restaurant recommendations.

Take earplugs with you if you go. Recall the rock concerts you went to when you were in your early 20s. Ringing in the ears (I'm getting old).

My current favorite restaurant in SF is Nico on Calif. St in Presidio Heights. French. Easy parking. Nice upscale shopping street. Reserve at least a month ahead.

Stu Dudley

More on Nico from our local restaurant critic
http://www.sfgate.com/restaurants/ar...-a-5977934.php

It was recently awarded a Michelin 1 star rating - and it is less than 3 years old. As a frequent contributor to the Europe forum, you probably know that my wife & I spend 2 months in France every year, and that means about 30-40 "nice" French dinners a year. And we're major foodies. Nico is as nice as any Michelin 1 star in France. Not pretentious at all - more of a "neighborhood" restaurant. We're dining there Feb 13.

Another recommendation - Kokkari in the Jackson Square area. You can walk to it. Greek. Reserve as far in advance as you can - both Nico & Kokkari "book up" as soon as the first "opportunity" to book arises. A few times, I've booked through Opentable at 12:05 am - which is 5 mins into the "first opportunity" day.

Stu Dudley