San Francisco - San Francisco,CA

Updated on January 21, 2015
E.B. asks from Sour Lake, TX
4 answers

Planning to stop a few days in San Francisco this August with my family. We will be staying in a vacation rental but I'm unsure which would be the best locale for our needs. It'll be a family of 4 and we want to be close to transit (if needed) and in an area we could walk to restaurants, attractions etc. if possible. Any ideas of specific neighborhoods that would be safe as well as convenient?

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W.W.

answers from Washington DC on

E.

Your best bet is to stay by the Wharf. It will be expensive. I would recommend the Hyatt Regency on Drumm Street. You can walk to the Wharf...and along Embarcadero street.

You need to make plans for Alcatraz if you want to go there....

Union Square is shopping - Macys, Tiffany's...much more...that's Geary Street and Post Avenue. Union Square is considered the "heart" of San Francisco by some....

Lombard Street is the curvy street that goes one way....no public transportation goes through there that I am aware of...at the top of Lombard street you have an AWESOME view of the Bay!!

If you are going in August?? Check out a baseball game!!

I've never stayed in SFO in a rental, only hotels. Sorry can't be of more help to you!

Have a blast!!

2 moms found this helpful

C.C.

answers from San Francisco on

I agree with Mamazita, Union Square is where you want to be. In addition to her hotel recommendations, I'd add The Handlery because it's one of the few hotels in San Francisco with an outdoor pool. It's heated, and in a central courtyard, so it's a lot of fun for kids. The hotel itself is a block off of Union Square, so it's close to everything.

If you're doing Airbnb or the like, then try Russian Hill or Nob Hill. Both are close to Union Square, and accessible by trolley (fun!) as well as bus. Do not stay in the Tenderloin. When I was young and poor, I lived there and... yeah. Don't stay in the Tenderloin. Or near Civic Center. Sketchy. Pacific Heights is a good neighborhood, but isn't as close as Russian/Nob hills to all of the things you'll want to see. South of Market is probably mostly okay, too, if you had to.

Staying near Golden Gate Park could also be fun for your kids. That would put you near the DeYoung Museum, Academy of Sciences (not to be missed; it's my kids' favorite place), Conservatory of Flowers (also fun - they have a big exhibit on carnivorous plants, which kids love), and so on. The only caveat to staying out near the park is that it's a long haul on Muni to get there. With a car it's not bad.

As far as neighborhoods to avoid... Hunter's Point. Don't stay there under any circumstances. Ocean Beach/Outer Sunset probably wouldn't be good (only because it's pretty far out there if you're using public transit, although I used to live there and loved it). Depending upon how adventurous you feel, you may want to avoid the Castro (it's, um, pretty wild sometimes, and could possibly be a little shocking!).

2 moms found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Look at tripadvisor for specific reviews, you'll find a LOT more information there than here.
As a local, I can tell you that the Union Square area is where you want to stay. It's the most central, closest to all transportation, and you can walk to MANY activities from there. The wharf/pier 39 area is not as central, and the hotels aren't nearly as nice as the ones in the heart of the city.
Not sure what your budget is but if you can afford it stay at the St. Francis, absolutely stunning, classic San Francisco beauty!!! If that's too much there's a couple of Hyatts (Union Square and the Embarcadero) and the Hotel Nikko, all places we've stayed and enjoyed as a family on a budget.
Have fun!!!

2 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

you'll get much more useful responses if you target this question to folks local to SF.
khairete
S.

1 mom found this helpful
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