Suites at Fisherman Wharf is a much nicer place than Inn at the Opera. That is where I would stay.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a pleasant, touristy town about 120 miles south of San Francisco. If you stay there you can engage in such activities as lolling around the town, visiting the aquarium in Monterey, and driving down spectacular Highway 1 to Big Sur and the Hearst Castle.

HTtY

The Highlands Inn is the best of the three -but it is NOT a place to base for SF.

Are you stuck w/ exactly 1 week? (I know the timeshare is a week but is your entire trip limited to a week?)

If you have say 10 days . . . Then I'd stay in a hotel in SF for 3 days and the Highlands Inn for your timeshare week. Carmel/Carmel Highlands/Big Sur/Monterey/Pebble Beach/Pacific Grove is a world famous area w/ AMAZING scenery and more than enough to fill a week.

But if you only have a week and want to see SF, then take the Suites @ Fishermans Wharf.

Agree with JanisJ's plan if you could add a few more days.

Dang - lost another post trying to get a webpage.

Anywhooo - the 10 day plan offers the best of "both worlds".

You could visit SF and zip around and see the sights for 3 days - and then kick back two hours down the coast at the beautiful Carmel Highlands - and there is plenty to do in the Carmel area, including driving down/through Big Sur (Jules Pfeiffer Burns state park is a favorite of many - http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=578 )

and beyond to Hearst Castle/San Simeon - and taking a tour of the magnificent castle, http://www.hearstcastle.org/ ,

seeing the Elephant Seals on the beach a couple of miles north of there,

going to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium on Steinbeck's fabled Cannery Row, https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/

checking out the artist colony of Carmel, having coffee at Nepenthe - and enjoying it's great view http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/ ,

scuba diving or snorkeling or just walking around at the beautiful Point Lobos reserve http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=571,

taking the 17 mile drive and having lunch at the world renowned Pebble Beach golf course, http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/camontereycarmel/ss/17-mile-drive.htm ,

and on and on.

Have a blast.

I always try to discourage visitors from spending time at Fisherman's Wharf (tacky, tacky, tacky).

However, we had dinner at the restaurant associated with the Inn at the Opera last Saturday - and I would never "base" in this area of The City. Lots of vagrants/zoned out/homeless sleeping in doorways - and perhaps a little scary if you are not use to seeing them.

Carmel Highlands is at least 2 1/2 hrs away on a "non-commute" day.

Stu Dudley

Thanks everyone. Seems like the 10 day plan is a good one. What do you suggest for lodging in SF for those three days? Nice but not super .

>>Nice but not super<< doesn't tell us anything much. What is your actual budget?

I found the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero to be the perfect location for my 3 day visit to SF at the end of June. If you're flying, you wouldn't need to pick up a rental car until you leave the city.

I love the Hyatt, but it is pretty expensive (unless one gets lucky bidding Priceline)

smmp wants 'Nice but not super' - the Hyatt is on the super end of things.

You will love the Highlands Inn. It is the prettiest place I have ever been. The view is fantastic. I like the fireplaces in the guest rooms.

BTW. The rooms have fridges and microwaves if you want eat in or prepare a picnic a couple of meals.

The Highlands Inn is really special - with incredible views and everything else being top drawyer.

Friends spent their Honeymoon there and they try to go back every year.

Smmp- We really need to know your budget. SF can be very expensive, depending on time of year or days of the week. I have never stayed here, but several posters have recommended the Mosser. Budget friendly and great location downtown SF.

Better than the Mosser - IMO - is the Chelsea Motor Inn - or one of the groups other motels along/near Lombard Street - in the Marina - which is much nicer than staying in busy/noisy downtown.

http://www.chelseamotorinn.com/

There are also a couple of good B & B's in the Marina area.

>>in the Marina - which is much nicer than staying in busy/noisy downtown.<,

For some people it is nicer - but certainly not for all people.

I don't want to give visitors unfamiliar with hotel locations, to get the impression that staying downtown is "bad".

Stu Dudley

Amen Stu. Maybe it's time to bring up your where to stay in SF thread.

BTW I think Lombard Street--a busy, six lane, divided, road that is major artery through San Francisco-- is quite busy/noisy.

One block from Lombard street is the very traditional/cute/clssic neighborhood street - Chestnut - http://www.chestnutshop.com/and close to the magnificent Palace of Fine Arts - http://www.palaceoffinearts.org/Welcome.html and also close to the beautiful Marina Green/view of the Golden Gate, Alcatraz - Sausalito/Marin, - and three blocks the other way is Union Street, a bit more upscale. http://www.unionstreetshop.com/

You won't find anything like that near the Mosser, which in fact has some seedy areas close by.

I love going to the Marina area, and dining at restaurants on Chestnut but I prefer to stay closer to the lively action of Union Square area if I am going to stay in a hotel.

We are scheduled to return to the Mosser next month; great location and priced right. Don't knock til you've tried it.

Not everyone has to stay in a "pristene" area, though we have no issue with where The Mosser is located. The Marriott is directly across from it and the Hotel Palomar is just up the street.

San Francisco Hotel Areas
It seems that about once every week, there is a discussion about “where to stay” while visiting San Francisco – especially for first timers. Most people ask about either the Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, Embarcadero, or the Marina hotel areas. Here are some thoughts, with a little of my bias thrown in:

1. Union Square - This is downtown’s fashionable shopping/dining/hotel area. The “Grand” hotels are here, and a few blocks north on Nob Hill (very steep to walk there, however). The big department stores are close by, along with many smaller shops and “boutique” hotels. It is also next to the theater district. Perhaps our most “elegant” restaurants are in this area (Fleur de Lys, Farallon, Masa’s, Michael Minna, etc). There are fewer “simple”, “Mom-n-Pop”, or ethnic restaurants than you will find in other parts of the City – except a little west in the Tenderloin, which might scare a few first-timers at night. The Cable Cars run by Union Square, so you can get to the Wharf area quickly. You can get off the Hyde St C.C. line at Union St for a walk downhill to Union St/Chestnut St (Cow Hollow/Marina). The major drawback is it’s proximity to the gritty Tenderloin, which is immediately west & south of Union Square. I don’t know if crime rates are higher, but you will feel a little more threatened than you will in the other three districts I’ll describe. There are many high-rise buildings, so there’s a little less sunlight than you will find elsewhere. Union Sq. is perhaps not as “family oriented” as the other hotel areas. It gets more business travelers, and people who want a little more “luxury” in their hotel. Union Square is a bit “dead” on Sundays, and not as lively as the other places in the evening. I don’t enjoy strolling after dinner in this area as much as I do on Union St/Chestnut St. If you have a car, you will regret it. Parking is very expensive ($50 per night or so), and driving is difficult.

2. Fisherman’s Wharf. The Wharf is mostly inhabited by tourists. Plenty of souvenir shops selling T-shirts & other things to remind you of your visit to SF. Local entertainment includes a wax museum, Ripley’s Believe-it-or-Not, and many fast food places – things kids might enjoy. You won’t find many locals in this area (and if you did – they wouldn’t admit it). Most restaurants are tourist oriented, and most locals feel they are mediocre at best. Good proximity to the Cable Cars, which is a plus. Nice views out into the Bay. It’s also within walking distance of North Beach, which should be on everyone’s agenda for at least one Italian dinner and “people watching” evening. With the Cable Cars, it’s quick to get downtown, but you might have to wait in line for 30 mins or so at peak times. It’s about a 30 min walk to the Union St/Chestnut St areas (see 4th option for description). The Wharf is a perfectly safe area (from crime, vagrants, etc). Hotels usually charge $25-$40 per day for parking. Lively (with tourists) every day. If you want to stay in a typical non-San Francisco environment, this is a good choice

3. The Embarcadero This area is directly on the waterfront at the “foot” of Market St. It’s on the eastern edge of the Financial District – so it’s quite active on work days. This area is great for public transportation because the cable car, Muni Metro, normal Muni, and BART are close by. The Ferry building is located here, so it’s great for taking the ferry to various locations around the bay. There is a Farmers Market on Saturdays & Tuesdays at the Ferry Building, and food stalls & restaurants inside the Ferry Bldg which are open every day. It is an easy walk or public transportation to the other hotel areas - except a little difficult for the Marina & Union St. If you like to be near the water & out of the touristy Fisherman’s Wharf area, then this would be a great choice. Lots of restaurants in this area. If you like to take long walks or jog, the Embarcadero is perfectly flat, so it is great for a morning or evening walk/stroll/jog.

4. Marina. There are many motels along Lombard St, which are (in general) cheaper and much more simple than the ones you will find in the other districts. The main advantage to this area, in my opinion, is that it has more typical SF “flavor” than the other spots. Lombard St is one block from Chestnut St, and three blocks from Union St. Both these streets are loaded with boutiques, restaurants, and buildings with unique architecture (Victorians on Union, Art Deco on Chestnut). When we first moved to San Francisco almost 37 years ago, I remember a poster that said “If you left your heart in San Francisco, you will probably find it on Union St”. This is a residential area and you will find many locals doing their daily “stuff.” On a Sunday morning (especially if it’s sunny) you will see many folks going to the exercise studio, having breakfast at one of the many outdoor café’s, and standing on the street with their “lattes” and chatting with friends. There are no “elegant” restaurants in this area, but many of the type that locals enjoy (Isa, Betelnut, Balboa Café, A16). This is a good area for strolling during the day, before dinner, and after dinner – it is quite lively, especially on weekends. It’s about a 30 min walk to the Wharf, where you can catch a Cable Car (or walk up Union St to catch the CC). East of the Union St shopping area, (just past Van Ness) is Polk St, where there are more nice shops & restaurants. Also on Polk St is La Folie, which is one of my favorite restaurants (if someone else is buying) and also one of the highest “rated” in the City. This is a perfectly safe area. One of its best advantages, is that you can park a car free at many of the Motels. Also, it is an easy area to drive in (although there are steep hills just south), and it’s a quick trip across the Golden Gate Bridge to my favorite view in all the Bay Area (GGNRA, just north and to the west of the Bridge).

Stu Dudley

Good summary Stu. And as you described for The
Embaracadero - there is good bus service from/to the Marina - and if you take the 41 Union - and get off at Hyde St - you can catch the cable car there. Lived half a block from there during 3rd year of law school - and took the cable car down toward UC Hastings many times, and hopped off and walked the rest of the way.

And don't forget to take a Ferry Ride on the bay - my favorite being the one I once commuted on - from Sausalito to the Ferry Bld - and then returnred at night - and certain times of the year - you were rewarded with the sun setting under the Golden Gate. Good summary Stu. And as you described for The Embarcadero - there is good bus service from/to the Marina - and if you take the 41 Union - and get off at Hyde St - you can catch the cable car there.

And don't forget to take a Ferry Ride on the bay - my favorite being the one I once commuted on - from Sausalito to the Ferry Bld - and then returned at night - and certain times of the year - you were rewarded with the sun setting under the Golden Gate. http://goldengateferry.org/schedules/