Priceline Hotel: San Francisco Hotel advice

[bee814]

Hello,

First post, I'm sure more to come. I hope this is appropriate,

I am traveling to california, spending 2 nights in san francisco and then heading to Napa. I know nothing about San Fran. never been more north than San Jose. I am confused as to which district to stay in. Basically this is the deal, would like a 3.5 - 4 star, safe area and clean. Ideally I would like to spend no more than $200 a night if that is reasonable in San Fran. I have done a little poking around and I think that might be do-able? I do not want to rent a car until I drive to Napa so public transport is necessary. 2 adults, no children. San francisco, I want to explore the city and have some fun :D (I know that is relative though)

Dates SanFran - Sat July, 21 and 22

Napa - July 23 - july 26

Can anyone recommend which section of San Fran to base out of? Are there any Pricleine or Hotwire deals for the Napa Sonoma area?

Thanks

Bee

[thereuare]

We'll use this thread for the San Francisco leg of your stay, feel free to start a NEW TOPIC for the Napa leg of your trip.

Others are more local to the area than i am so hopefully somebody will chime in, but to get you started:

USE and USW are the 'main' downtown areas and are centrally located. When bidding 3.5* and below some hotels in the USW zone can be in/near the 'tenderloin' area of the zone, which has a fair number of homeless people. They may beg for money, but otherwise i haven't heard of any major problems, but still it makes some uncomfortable and you may want to exclude this zone at 3.5* and below (but of the 'known' hotels in the area should be fine at 4* and above).

Some also like/prefer the Financial District which can also offer some good value relative to the other zones.

Lastly, Fisherman's Wharf is the 'touristy' area... no train service here but there is cable car access. Some tourists like the area because after all, they are tourists... but others find it too tourist-y and prefer 'the city' environment the other zones above offer.

I'd start reading a little about the zones above, let us know your thoughts, and we'll take it from there.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[bee814]

ok I looked at the zones and I am open to quite a few. I don't think I want japan town or the airport areas. Although Fishermans Wharf sounds popular, I can always get there via public transportation. Is there much to do in the financial district? I stayed in a similar area in another city and after everyone went home for the evening from work it was dead.

SO I really would like to keep it under 200 bucks. I will do USE, USW, Nob Hil,l Financial District, Fishermans Wharf. should I just start low and increment up while adding zones each time I get rejected? That seems to be the strategy you suggest in other posts? I really am open to other options but as you point out the homeless situation makes me a tad nervous only because i was in a semi-mugging incident one time so I am ultra cautious.

Thanks for all your help. I need to get moving on something, my dates are creeping up on me :)

[slruud]

Lastly, Fisherman's Wharf is the 'touristy' area... no train service here but there is cable car access.

Also F-line trolley service.

[thereuare]

Although Fishermans Wharf sounds popular, I can always get there via public transportation.

I will do USE, USW, Nob Hil,l Financial District, Fishermans Wharf.

It's not clear to me from your post... did you want to include Fisherman Wharf or not?

Unfortunately i'm not well versed in San Francisco nightlife so hopefully somebody else may add their thoughts confirming if all the zones above would meet your goals.

Did you want to first bid up to your limit for a 4* hotel, then if rejected try for a 3.5*... OR is your goal the least expensive 3.5* or better for this trip?

Let us know the above and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Thanks.

[bee814]

Ok sorry for being vague, ya sure I will include fishemans wharf. I could start with the 4 * and then reduce to 3.5. I have a feeling getting a 4* will be hard for under 200 but I suppose you never know.

By the way I don't need a wild nightlife scene just a place to kick back eat, have a drink walk around that kind of thing.

Thanks so much for your help

bee

[slruud]

Just wanted to chime in here with my $.02. We pretty much stay in the Financial District/Embarcadero...usually the Omni...when we visit. The area does quiet down in the evenings, but there are plenty of places to kick back. A Muni pass is great way to take advantage of the public transportation options: Cable cars, F-line trolley, Muni buses, and Muni subway, though not BART. There are a lot of high end bars/restaurants in the area, some of them quite well known like Michael Mina's. In the area there is Bob's Chop House in the Omni, near MM's is Tadich Grill...best seafood, Perbacco, Barbacco, Wayfare Tavern, Palio's, Alfred's steakhouse and others. The Ferry Building has a boatload of small establishments that always look busy. The Slanted Door gets rave reviews for Modern Vietnamese. With your Muni pass, you can hop on the cable car and head up California Street and visit the Top of the Mark in the Mark Hopkin's Intercontinental, or any number of establishments along the way. All in all, I would consider the FE/E area to be safer than the USE/USW, but always be aware. Good luck.

[bee814]

Excellent thank you so much for the extra info. I feel better about the financial district now. I'm traveling with my husband and no children For the first time in a long time so we are game to hop on any transportation and roam about.

[thereuare]

So to confirm you're looking at USE, USW, FD/Embarcadero, FW... first trying at the 4* level up to $200/nite, if rejected then try at the 3.5* level. Is this correct?

Also:

I have a feeling getting a 4* will be hard for under 200 but I suppose you never know.

Do you meant $200/nite or total for the 2 days? (as per nite i don't think will be too much of an issue)?

Please conirm the above and we'll advise accordingly.

Thanks.

[bee814]

Yes,and would like to keep it under 200 per night. It sure would be sweet if I could get both nights for that price but I don't see that happening at a 4 or 3.5

[thereuare]

When bidding 4* in San Francisco you have SEVEN re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

Select 4* USE, USW, Financial District...

Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $140

Any questions feel free to ask.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.