AACK!!! Need a hotel in San Fran May 17th and 18th

[Beaverhausen]

My step daughter graduates from SF State- YEAH!!! But I'm having so much trouble finding rooms. I go to Yelp and I'm afraid of booking a room we can afford if it says the neighborhood is bad.

Oy. I love San Fran but it's sooooooooooo expensive.

[slutticus]

1. I recommend this one:

http://www.metrohotelsf.com/

Great location (lower Haight), center of the city. Used to have my family stay here when they visited me as my house was right around the corner.

[movonne]

2. looks like a nice place and the prices are reasonable...

[Beaverhausen]

3. It's already booked those nights. I think its going to be really hard to find something

graduations, etc. But thanks for the tip.

[CreekDog]

5. if you post the ones you're thinking of, i'll tell you if the neighborhood is okay

if you need to stay in SF itself, the big name hotels near the Embarcadero are generally okay (though pricey)

the major hotels near Union Square are okay, but be wary of any outside that immediate area (the neighborhood away from Union Square is a bit sketchy "The Tenderloin" and smaller hotels tend to be iffy there.

if you're staying near the Airport, the major hotels there are generally fine, down in Burlingame, Millbrae, South San Francisco. (majors only --no promises on small independents there).

there are some really sketchy hotels/motels on Lombard St.

it will be hit or miss choosing hotels near Fisherman's Wharf, there will be some good hotels and lots of sketchy ones. be aware.

there are some nice hotels just south/east of Market around the 2nd/3rd St. area...probably pricey, but nice...Palace Hotel, W Hotel, Marriott Courtyard, regular Marriott, etc.

a word on crime, San Francisco is one of the safer large cities and most neighborhoods are pretty good, even at night, but there are a few sketchy areas and a couple of those are fairly close to tourist areas (Tenderloin, Lower/Mid-Market Street and south area).

[Beaverhausen]

11. We would like to spend as little as possible- also we leave Saturday morning for Sacramento...

and return Monday and fly out of Oakland. So we don't want to stay near the SF airport although lots available down there.

Stayed at the Stanyan Park hotel last time...would live to stay near there but don't think there's much available.

thanks for your tips.

[Bennyboy]

4. Try this (or these)

Alpha Inn and Suites. Lombard and Divisadero in the Marina. About 120 per night, huge rooms, free parking, easy Muni connections.....http://www.secure-res.com/res/vn4/avail.aspx?hotelid=3009&checkindate=5/4/2012&nights=3&rooms=1&adults=1&children=0&childrenages=&trr=1FFFFFD8DE7B62&culture=1&culturename=en-US&wtpid=1&scid=1&scdomainid=0

I checked, 80 bucks and open this weekend.

r try any hotel motel in the marina on Lombard. Cow Hollow Inn is nice. Google hotels Lombard and they will all pop up. The area around here is amazing. TONS of great restaurants (DO NOT EAT AT HE WINGS PLACE at Lombard and Divis though). Judy's has amazing breakfasts. my favorite neighborhood in SF. Union Street and Chestnut Street are full of cool places.

Also the RED COACH at Turk and eddy is cool if in a sketchy hood. About 100 a night, huge room with balcony that overlooks a weird street scene. One block from van Ness Avenue.

Or if you are going to pay top dollar go to the TRITON. Best hotel in the city and reasonable rates. PERFECT location.

[CreekDog]

6. Real risky to choose Lombard Hotels sight unseen

some are fine, but the chances of picking one of the nightmare ones is too high.

i'd verify that it's a good one. the Marina neighborhood is great, that is true, but not all those places are created equal and i'm not exactly picky, having done okay at those $16/night places in Holbrook, AZ many times.

[Gormy Cuss]

13. A second req for Cow Hollow Inn

I have friends who stay there every time they're in town. Smallish, has garage parking and is in a nice area in terms of walkable amenities including decent restaurants.

Lombard St has lots of cheaper places but I agree with CreekDog: choose carefully because some are dumps and the price charged for rooms has little to do with it.

[CreekDog]

7. here's a link to Kayak listings for those dates in SF, but...

http://www.kayak.com/hotels#/San-Francisco,CA-c13852/2012-05-17/2012-05-18/2guests

i would add stars or sort by rating because when you sort by price, most of those hotels I would not stay in, either because of the neighborhood or place itself.

if you restrict it to 3 star ratings and up, you end up with a somewhat decent list of places.

if money is no object, i'd stay at the Hyatt or Palace Hotel.

[BlueToTheBone]

8. Which neighborhoods are you interested in?

There's a Travel Lodge on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge around the Tamalpais exit that was around $70 last time I was there...probably about 4 years ago. The St. George is close to Union Square and I just saw a $79 rate. It's an old hotel, but still has class.

Here's an amazing deal:
http://www.hotels.com/hotel/details.html?pa=9&pn=1&ps=9&tab=description&destinationId=1493604&searchDestination=San+Francisco&hotelId=129367&arrivalDate=05-11-12&departureDate=05-13-12&rooms[0].numberOfAdults=2&roomno=1&validate=false&previousDateful=false&reviewOrder=date_newest_first

Have fun in the city and don't forget to dress in layers as you will probably freeze.

[Beaverhausen]

9. thanks for your suggestions- I'm at work so have to check on them later

you all rock

[KansDem]

10. I've stayed at the Baldwin when I've visited SF

321 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60713-d119665-Reviews-Baldwin_Hotel-San_Francisco_California.html

Very nice!

[roody]

12. Hostelling International has private rooms.

[Beaverhausen]

14. ended up booking a room at Hotel Whitcomb

spending way more than we wanted to. There were very few rooms to be had in town those days.

http://www.hotelwhitcomb.com/main/WHITCOMB-Page.asp?p=1

It looks nice...hope it is. Anyone have any experience there?

[KamaAina]

15. Well, you're near BART

so it'll be really easy to get to Oakland.

Market and 8th is the very definition of a "sketchy neighborhood" , but transit options including BART, Muni Metro, historic Market St. streetcars, and several Muni bus lines are right downstairs, so you can explore the rest of The City. Enjoy!

edit: SF State is a straight shot from there on Muni Metro line M, on the first level of Civic Center station.

[Beaverhausen]

17. well of course, being as we are from Los Angeles, we are renting a car

we don't do public transportation OR walking. ha ha. yes I know, I know. But husband has a bad back and can't walk much.

and yes, we are paying dearly to park the car at the hotel.

Note to self...make sure graduating children tell you long in advance when the ceremony is.

[KamaAina]

19. Srsly, BART and Muni are right at the corner

don't know where graduation is at State, but the M car goes right to campus at 19th and Holloway. Parking for graduation might be just as far away.

[Gormy Cuss]

21. I agree with KamaAina.

You're practically at the entrance way of the Civic Center BART/MUNI station and the M Oceanview train will have you on campus in 25 minutes. Of course, you'd have to mix with the rabble of locals and other out-of-town visitors trying to get to graduation too so it may not be THAT easy.

Since you prefer to drive though it would make much more sense to find lodging south of the city (Burlingame, Redwood City, San Bruno, Millbrae, San Mateo.) Those areas are easy to get to from OAK airport by way of the San Mateo bridge.

[Beaverhausen]

23. thanks for the tips. The train is probably a good idea- except is it really a bouncy/bumpy ride?

husband's back is bad as I said and that would not help!

[Gormy Cuss]

25. It's light rail which is generally pretty smooth unlike heavy rail systems.

Last edited Sat May 5, 2012, 12:36 AM - Edit history (1)

I don't recall it being bumpy but I have a good back. I used to take that train twice a month to the Stonestown stop which is one stop before SFSU.

If you choose to take the train, it's MUNI, not BART and the cars are labeled M Oceanview.

[dana_b]

28. well good luck and get there early to the ceremony

because there are only a couple of lots at SF state and they will probably be full quickly. There is parking in the nearby neighborhoods but again - get their early!

[pinboy3niner]

16. My choice would be something near Ghirardeli Square

Only to be near the Buena Vista Cafe and their great, world-class Irish coffee.

I'm being facetious, but that is a SF highlight not to be missed.

[Beaverhausen]

18. Ok I will look it up and try to go there.

Irish coffee is a good thing!

[pinboy3niner]

20. You'll find that their Irish coffee is world-famous

They use Jameson's and Turbinado sugar, with a home-made whipped cream that is so thick that it sticks to the glass and every sip runs through it.

They also look out on the cable car turnaround, and have round tables near the windows where you will find yourself conversing with strangers.

Like Rice-a-Roni, it's a San Francisco treat!

[Beaverhausen]

22. will definitely try to get there. Is there any time that's less crowded than others?

we have such a short time in SF I don't want to spend too much of it waiting.

thanks for the tip!

[pinboy3niner]

24. Generally, having to wait isn't a poblem

One of the locals may have current information (like you, I live in L.A.).

You can always try calling ahead when you want to go. The phone number is at their website:




http://www.thebuenavista.com/home/home.html

[shanti]

26. if you like prime rib

you must check out the house of prime rib! their prime rib + extras is to die for! http://houseofprimerib.net/

a bit pricey, but for a graduation dinner, it rocks! make a reservation though!

[mitchtv]

27. if you are going to hang around SFSU

I would suggest you look for something in Daly City

[Beaverhausen]

29. Well, I changed hotels to one that was recommended in this thread, but we are only staying one night

Wish I could stay in SF longer but you are an expensive city, so we leave for sacramento on Friday night.

I will be visiting the Buena Vista!!!

thanks for all the recommendations everyone!

[pinboy3niner]

30. Have a wonderful time!