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San Fransisco Hotels... any recommendations please
- Thread starter TheDuke
- Start date
Beach Hut
Brighton Bhuna Boy
Hire a bicycle and cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge - it is an amazing experience.
Buy a City tour card as free Trams and pre-book Alcatraz as it gets busy.
We stayed for 5 nights and it was a fantastic place to go to.
Buy a City tour card as free Trams and pre-book Alcatraz as it gets busy.
We stayed for 5 nights and it was a fantastic place to go to.
Baaaald
3rd time lucky
We stayed in a very average hotel but didn't really spend any time there as there is so much to see. Golden Gate bridge and Alcatraz are an absolute must. However we spent some time walking through other parts such as china town and along the docks. It is a great city we only had four days there would love to go back.
I used to go a lot with work, put up in swish hotel so can't help there but things to do ... other than the obvious (Alcatraz, Fishermans Wharf etc)
Get out to Napa, it's only an hour away and there's just loads of great vineyards
Take the ferry over to Sausalito and try out a restaurant on the water called Scoma's for lunch (very short walk from the ferry drop off)
Drive down to Monterey and get on the Coast highway as far as Big Sur ... go through Carmel on the way down/back
Get out to Napa, it's only an hour away and there's just loads of great vineyards
Take the ferry over to Sausalito and try out a restaurant on the water called Scoma's for lunch (very short walk from the ferry drop off)
Drive down to Monterey and get on the Coast highway as far as Big Sur ... go through Carmel on the way down/back
Tom Hark Preston Park
Will Post For Cash
- Jul 6, 2003
- 71,878
You've got to ride on a tram car up the steep hills, clinging to the outside. Take a trip to Berkeley to see the remnents of the old hippy culture, catch a baseball game at the Oakland A's. As well as the more obvious stuff like visit to Alcatraz. I always found Best Western hotels good value.
We stayed in the Le Meriden it's in the financial district and is good value for a nice hotel.
Go for a walk early morning to mamas in Washingon Square, the breakfast is amazing but you will have to queue to get in.
Alcatraz is great, bus tour and Golden Gate a must, Fishermans Wharf, Pier 39 and Chinatown all good and the City Hall and Lombard Street (the windy road you see in films)
We loved SF it's safe, clean and a god vibe, enjoy..
Go for a walk early morning to mamas in Washingon Square, the breakfast is amazing but you will have to queue to get in.
Alcatraz is great, bus tour and Golden Gate a must, Fishermans Wharf, Pier 39 and Chinatown all good and the City Hall and Lombard Street (the windy road you see in films)
We loved SF it's safe, clean and a god vibe, enjoy..
Beach Hut
Brighton Bhuna Boy
Oh yes, forgot about Lombard Street which was at the top of the road where we stayed, we were 10 minutes walk from Fishermans Wharf which is OK but not really that much to do there bar eat.
severnside gull
Well-known member
Holiday Inn at the Civic Centre does all you need and is as well positioned as any - guarantee you won't spend any time in your hotel.
Walk the streets. ride a tram and go somewhere different every day for breakfast
Do hire a car a couple of days and visit a vinyard or two in Napa Valley and drive down to Big Sur and see the coast line
Cycle the bridge - great idea! We didn't. Wish we had.
Haight Ashbury hasn't been mentioned - worth a visit if you're my age
Walk the streets. ride a tram and go somewhere different every day for breakfast
Do hire a car a couple of days and visit a vinyard or two in Napa Valley and drive down to Big Sur and see the coast line
Cycle the bridge - great idea! We didn't. Wish we had.
Haight Ashbury hasn't been mentioned - worth a visit if you're my age
AIT76
The wisdom of a fool
- Jul 29, 2004
- 457
If you book an Alcatraz trip, try going for the last one of the day. After the guided tour finishes, instead of getting a scheduled ferry back you get left to your own devices for an extra hour to explore as the sun goes down. When it's time to leave, a guide rounds everyone up and walks you down to get the staff boat back.
Arnois2
New member
Give the Sheraton in Fishermans Wharf a try it's really nice and quite reasonable, then walk round the corner to Johnny Rockets for breakfast.
Nice. I'm well jel
If you have a car (although you don't need one if you're only going to San Francisco), then the Coventry Motor Inn is an excellent money-saving option. Nothing flash but really good value - big rooms and very clean. It's well rated on Tripadvisor. Much, much cheaper than the hotels. Can walk into the main parts of town in 20 minutes or so.
One really good thing to do in SF is hire bikes down by Fisherman's Wharf. From there it's an easy ride to the Golden Gate Bridge, across and down the hill into the pretty village of Sausalito where the ferry will get you back to drop the bikes off.
One really good thing to do in SF is hire bikes down by Fisherman's Wharf. From there it's an easy ride to the Golden Gate Bridge, across and down the hill into the pretty village of Sausalito where the ferry will get you back to drop the bikes off.
getz
Active member
- Jan 15, 2010
- 221
Last time we stayed at the Chancellor hotel near Union Square in the middle of the shopping area. Very reasonable hotel which has amazing breakfasts. As has been stated catch a day long coach tour to Carmel, Monterey and 17 mile Drive .Also go to Sausalito across the bay. The Golden Gate Park, with the amazing Japanese garden,Coit Tower for the views across the city.One could go on and on, there is so much to see. Look on Expedia for flight and hotel deals.
Seagull over Canaryland
Well-known member
Am very fortunate to have visited SF many times as we have family nearby and is our favourite city alongside Sydney and Boston, all have a similar vibe with the big bay and bridge and waterside bars/ restaurants which seems to give the place a very relaxed and easy atmosphere.
We have stayed at various tourist hotels including the Sheraton and Holiday Inns and Argonaut on Fishermans Wharf. Maybe try for a deal at The Argonaut which is handy for the cable car, cycle hire, ferries etc. Try breakfast at the Buena Vista overlooking the bay and cable car stop where they serve irish coffee for breakkie which goes down well if its a cool SF morning, yum yum.
Do ride the proper cable cars as this is a relaxing way to see the city with all the houses perched on the steep hills which gives a nice feel for the local neighbourhoods. As suggested do cycle over the Golden Gate to Sausalito for lunch and savour the views of the City and bridge on the ferry that brings you back to Fishermans Wharf. You don't have to be Bradley Wiggins it is quite relaxing apart from the very short climb up to the bridge but well worth it for the ride over the bridge itself and views.
It should be the baseball season so maybe try for some tickets, there is a great newish stadium.
Having made the effort to get to SF you should really try to explore some more of California. Napa and Sonoma are easy drives and is very tempting to get stuck into the wineries and restaurants but be wary of drink driving as the Police are ruthless (you will get jail time) so try to book a night there and ditto if you go down to Monterey & Carmel. That way the driver gets a chance to chill out and have a few drinks. The aquarium on Cannery Row in Monterey is worth a visit although you should get free sightings of the Sea Otters in the bay which are so cute.The 17 mile drive is great and if you are into golf then try wandering into the Clubhouse at Pebble Beach for the view over the 18th and blag a beer.
If time permits and you are really feeling up to a bit of a drive then the Yosemite national park is stunning but probably needs an overnight stop to do it justice - or maybe drive on to Vegas from there which is do-able if you fancy a two-centre trip and possibly fly home from there? Have a great trip.
We have stayed at various tourist hotels including the Sheraton and Holiday Inns and Argonaut on Fishermans Wharf. Maybe try for a deal at The Argonaut which is handy for the cable car, cycle hire, ferries etc. Try breakfast at the Buena Vista overlooking the bay and cable car stop where they serve irish coffee for breakkie which goes down well if its a cool SF morning, yum yum.
Do ride the proper cable cars as this is a relaxing way to see the city with all the houses perched on the steep hills which gives a nice feel for the local neighbourhoods. As suggested do cycle over the Golden Gate to Sausalito for lunch and savour the views of the City and bridge on the ferry that brings you back to Fishermans Wharf. You don't have to be Bradley Wiggins it is quite relaxing apart from the very short climb up to the bridge but well worth it for the ride over the bridge itself and views.
It should be the baseball season so maybe try for some tickets, there is a great newish stadium.
Having made the effort to get to SF you should really try to explore some more of California. Napa and Sonoma are easy drives and is very tempting to get stuck into the wineries and restaurants but be wary of drink driving as the Police are ruthless (you will get jail time) so try to book a night there and ditto if you go down to Monterey & Carmel. That way the driver gets a chance to chill out and have a few drinks. The aquarium on Cannery Row in Monterey is worth a visit although you should get free sightings of the Sea Otters in the bay which are so cute.The 17 mile drive is great and if you are into golf then try wandering into the Clubhouse at Pebble Beach for the view over the 18th and blag a beer.
If time permits and you are really feeling up to a bit of a drive then the Yosemite national park is stunning but probably needs an overnight stop to do it justice - or maybe drive on to Vegas from there which is do-able if you fancy a two-centre trip and possibly fly home from there? Have a great trip.
Gazwag
5 millionth post poster
Do the night tour instead, excellent and you get to see extra bits.
To opening poster do a search there are quite a few threads on NSC about SF
Johners
Member
Book a tour with Dylans Tours - look up on Tripadvisor - only small minibuses used with the owner himself driving you on the tour around his home town.
tedlit
Member
Second for the Argonaut on Fishermans Wharf.. plus there's a million and one places to eat along there.. especially if you like sourdough!
If you can, I'd also suggest springing for a night at the Fairmont - or at least dinner at the Tonga Room. It's quite special.
If you can, I'd also suggest springing for a night at the Fairmont - or at least dinner at the Tonga Room. It's quite special.
swindonseagull
Well-known member
I will be there with Mrs from Sept 19th -22nd I really struggled to find a reasonable priced hotel,
There must be something happening that weekend,
Eventually I got one at £100 per night on Lombard Street.
I used trip advisor. and Trivago..
There were plenty of hotels priced at over £200 per night. Good Luck
after the 22nd Sept we are driving on to Vegas where there will be no hotel problems!
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Stoaty Ferret
Active member
I stayed at the Chancellor Hotel off Union Square a few years ago and it was great value for money. Definitely do a Napa Valley tour. Best city I've ever been to - have a good one.