I'm heading to San Francisco next week on vacation and I'm looking for tips on hotels/parts of town to stay in. We are going there for a show at the Greek Theatre in Berkley, but I'm not dead set on staying in that area if there are other places that would be better. Would like to be in a lively area with good restaurants and stuff to do. Any recommendations are appreciated. Thanks!
If you decide to get out of the city and do Napa, stay here: http://www.winecountryinn.com/ We were there last month and had an amazing time. For wineries, these were our favorites: http://www.kuletoestate.com/ <-- especially this one http://www.reveriewine.com/ Some of the restaurants in the area are phenomenal.
Most of the hotels are around union square / theater district, and it's just packed with tourists. Since you're going to spend money anyway, either move eastward (and stay on the Embarcadero) Like Hotel Vitale http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/sanfrancisco/vitale/guestrooms Or head northwest from Union square and stay on Nob Hill, stay at the historic Fairmont, Mark Hopkins, or The Huntington. Finally, if you want something a *tiny* bit quieter, with fewer crowds, go stay near Japan town and enjoy the upper fillmore neighborhood. You'll save money too, at a place like The Queen Anne Hotel (love this place.) http://www.queenanne.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=places&utm_campaign=google_places_ms I put up business guests there all the time, and they love it.
I stayed at Hotel Shattuck Plaza in Berkeley when I saw a show there once, then hopped on the BART for a convenient ride into the city...
Hotel Vitale is a great suggestion. Right by the Ferry Building, and away from all the crowds in Union Square. There's a patio bar/lounge called Americano's there that sits right along the Embarcadero, that has a nice view looking out at the bay. There's also a Hyatt there and couple of other spots next to the Vitale. Since you're going to a show in Berkeley, the BART station is right there as well. Nob Hill is a good spot, with some nice boutique hotels. Whatever you do, don't stay in Fisherman's Wharf - it is tacky and filled with mouth breathing tourists, Euros in manpri pants, and screaming kids in strollers.
When I've stayed in Emeryville for business, I've stayed at this hotel - http://www.thehardagegroup.com/woodfin-hotels/index.cfm It's near Pixar Animation Studio and not very far from the Greek Theater. I happen to like this hotel for it's quality and it's within walking distance of shops and restaurants (kind of touristy ones but safer).
Heh heh, I'm driving up there this afternoon for business. I usually stay at the HI there. I don't mind it - I get the points and a couple of Irish pubs are within stumbling distance.
if you have never been to SF staying at Union Square might not be such a bad idea. I think most people that recommend staying away from union square have been to SF and want to avoid the crowds. A good way to plan your trip is to explore the rest of the city like Golden Gate Park or if you want quiet definitely visit Muir woods for a nice hike in the redwood forrest. Then go back to your hotel and park your car in a lot somewhere (don't use the hotel parking since they usually charge $60 overnight. Most parking lots charge $20 overnight). Since you are right in the middle of union square you will have plenty of shopping, restraunts, stores, bars, etc to keep you busy for the night and everything is within walking distance.
Yep, across the street from Fiddler's and right by Buena Vista. We start our St. Paddy's pub crawls from there.
another +1 for union square, esp. since you said you want to be near some stuff. just watch out for ridiculous hotel parking fees. financial district kinda gets empty at night except for a few restaurants, and chinatown can get noisy into the really early morning... fisherman's wharf is full of touristy trash. telegraph hill is pretty and quiet if you rent an apartment or something. it's close enough to walk to touristy things.
stayed at a hotel in the union square area last summer - the mark twain - reasonably priced and pretty nice hotel. our room was off the street and it was totally quiet. if you are flying in it is convenient too, as you are only a 5 minute walk from the train that goes to the airport. http://www.hotelmarktwain.com found a good sushi place a couple blocks from there called 'the sushi boat'.
