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My wife and her two or three sisters are going to Napa Valley on an exchange in September 2014. They want to spend two day, 3 nights in San Francisico on the front end of the trip. Any recommendations on places that they should investigate that is close to everything? Also are the two airports they should consider - San Francisco and Oakland?
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I also responded on your post on TUG. We like the Union Square area. It's convenient to most other parts of the city by walking, cable car, bus, BART or cab. If you are a Starwoods member you can use points for the Sheraton St. Francis. We've also stayed at the Hilton and liked that. I've also gotten some good prices on Priceline.
Either airport would be fine. If they are using public transportation there is a direct BART route from SFO into San Francisco. SFO is closer to the city. From Oakland they'd need to take a BART bus/shuttle from the airport to the BART station.Luanne -
I agree with Luanne that the Union Square area is very central and nice. Not sure where you are flying from, but those who prefer Jetblue choose Oakland.Comment
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I use SFO since it is connected directly to the BART.
SF is very compact so its not too critical where you stay to see the sights.
CheersComment
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I like the Marriott at Fishermans Wharf. Its a block from the trolly and busses.Comment
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I would echo the recommendations for Union Square. Also, the Financial District or Embarcadero are quite accessible areas to stay, and sometimes the hotels there can be cheaper. All three or those places are easily accessible to the BART, Metro or buses, and fairly centrally located to other parts of the city. Fisherman's Wharf is a nice place, but it's usually busy during the day and dead at night, and getting to other places in SF from Fisherman's Wharf can take more time. If you're thinking timeshares, I've stayed at (and like) the Nob Hill Inn, Inn at the Opera, and Powell Place. The Donatello also looks nice, but I haven't stayed there.Comment
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I find Fisherman's Wharf a bit too touristy.LuanneComment
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I find it a lot too touristy/honky tonk. Fine for a day visit, or an hour before doing the Alcatraz tour (a must!). Jmho.Originally posted by Luanne View PostComment
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It's also good for a nice, roasted crab at Scoma's (or a cracked crab from one of the carts) and some clam chowder. Also for checking out the Sea Lions at Pier 39, or some shopping while wandering through Ghirardelli Square or the Cannery. Not a place that I would want to stay for my whole trip. But one of the best walks in SF starts at Fisherman's Wharf and traces the bay, through Fort Mason, the Marina, the Palace of Fine Arts and under the Golden Gate Bridge to Fort Point.Originally posted by Glitter Brunello View PostComment
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It's great for a visit. We used to live about an hour outside San Francisco and when we'd stay overnight it was usually in the Union Square area, although I've also stayed near the Embarcadero (through Priceline). Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 are fun to visit, but I wouldn't want to stay in those areas.Originally posted by Hoc View Post
Also the shopping is much better around Union Square.
LuanneComment
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You didn't really ask for this but if you'd like to see the area , most for the buck, do Dylan's tours. I recommended him to another tugger/ts4ms and they loved him as much as I did. We went everywhere including Muirs Woods. One of the best tours I've ever done. ShaggyComment
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It kind of depends on what your interests are as to where to stay for a few nights. The waterfront may be touristy but being that Im a tourist I like it. I feel safe walking around this area even in the evening. I get the weebe jeebees walking around some of the other areas even during the daytime.
I could be wrong but it seems like there are more homeless panhandlers near the Bart stops than near the waterfront.
Also, there are a bunch of old Irish Pubs down by the waterfront and walking is easier as the terain is relatively flatish.
Our favorite dinner restaurant is the Oriental Pearl in China Town.
I sent my wife and her sister to the Inn at the Waterfront for a week and they had a blast. The Marriott is a hotel but the center rooms are very quiet.
Its fun to just ride the trollys and site seeing busses.
What am I missing up on Nob Hill ? I saw a show up there a few years ago but there really isn't anything touristy going on up there, imo.Comment
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No, there really isn't much touristy on Nob Hill, but there are some of the best hotels, or at least the iconic hotels, up there.Originally posted by easyrider View Post
Also Chinatown is closer to Union Square than to Fisherman's Wharf (I assume that is what you mean by the waterfront?).LuanneComment
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Im not a SF expert by any means but I thought the water front area is a different than the marina area.
Isn't Fishermans Wharf in the marina area and the area north of this area called the water front or beach ? idk.
Even though I like the Oriental Pearl I can only hang out in China Town for about an hour before I get bored. I like the Irish Pubs. Every one is so friendly in the pubs and the live entertainment is great.
Union Square has too many panhandlers when we were there. They were almost as bad as timeshare sales people.
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I'm really not sure (and I lived outside San Francisco for years). To me the "waterfront" would be the entire stretch that fronts the water and would include the marina, the Embarcadero and whatever else is on the water.Originally posted by easyrider View PostLuanneComment
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