San Francisco - Where to hotel - Nob Hill or wharf?

Planning a vacation for SF this summer during July4th week. Narrowed down 2 areas to stay in, Nob Hill or Wharf area. Any advice on which is better? Will be vacationing with my family 9 & 10 year old & hubby. Also any advice on where to watch fireworks on July 4? This will be our first trip!

it's often too foggy to see fireworks in SF itself. We have given up.

Nob Hill has more up and down hills, is a bit more residential and s/w quieter. Fishermans Wharf is kitschy tourist central and I personally hate it. But I live here and don't have kids. :)

So if you can try and define what
"better" means to you I think we'd have an easier time making good recommendations.

Nob Hill. Or Union Square. Don't bother going to the Wharf at all.

Any place but the wharf! That area is tourist trap and devoid of anything worth seeing.

I had really good luck with NYE fireworks with this year. I recommend a spot between the Ferry Building and the Bay Bridge. I found parking about 1.5-2 miles away. Just don't wait too close to the time or you'll get stuck in traffic gridlock.

it's often too foggy to see fireworks in SF itself. We have given up.

Maybe in the past but last year I had a blast watching the fireworks, I live aound the wharf and saw everything that day.

BankerBee, it is a point of snobbism in San Franciscans to tell you not to go the wharf area, but it is actually a fun place to walk around and see the sights and you should definitely go there on your visit if you haven't been to SF before. It WILL be stuffed with tourists and locals on that holiday week, though. There are probably nicer hotels in the Nob Hill area, but it will be easier to get to the fireworks viewing from the wharf area.

The wharf area has fun things to do, such as taking a boat ride around the bay and under the Golden Gate, the Maritime National Historic Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Maritime_National_Historical_Park), Pier 39, etc.

I've been in SF 3 times now.

First time I stayed on 8th St
Second time was Wharf
Third time was Union Sq

Each area was fine. 8th street was a bit 'scary' but was close to where I needed to be.

The wharf was good, it was safe and fun in a touristy way.

Union Sq was great for socialising

If you want to do touristy things then the wharf is fine. I'd probably choose a wharf area hotel if I ever went to SF with my wife and kids. If I went to SF with my wife only I'd probably choose union sq area.

BankerBee, it is a point of snobbism in San Franciscans to tell you not to go the wharf area, but it is actually a fun place to walk around and see the sights and you should definitely go there on your visit if you haven't been to SF before. It WILL be stuffed with tourists and locals on that holiday week, though. There are probably nicer hotels in the Nob Hill area, but it will be easier to get to the fireworks viewing from the wharf area.

The wharf area has fun things to do, such as taking a boat ride around the bay and under the Golden Gate, the Maritime National Historic Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Maritime_National_Historical_Park), Pier 39, etc.

+1. Besides, there is really nothing to do (other than your hotel) right on Nob Hill. You have to go somewhere else to do just about anything. At least at the wharf, you can just walk out of your hotel and have access to some interesting things. When my kids were younger (ages similar to your kids), they really liked the wharf area and especially Ghiradelli Sqaure, street musicians, mimes, etc. And the views of the bay, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz are ones you see on TV all the time - and your kids will say "we were there" every time they see it in the future.

^Thanks everyone, my kids will probably enjoy having things to do without having to walk/drive to get to do something. We were in NYC last year and did a cruise to see the fireworks. Anything like that in SF? Didn't think about the fog factor with fireworks. May be interesting.

BankerBee, it is a point of snobbism in San Franciscans to tell you not to go the wharf area, but it is actually a fun place to walk around and see the sights and you should definitely go there on your visit if you haven't been to SF before. It WILL be stuffed with tourists and locals on that holiday week, though. There are probably nicer hotels in the Nob Hill area, but it will be easier to get to the fireworks viewing from the wharf area.

The wharf area has fun things to do, such as taking a boat ride around the bay and under the Golden Gate, the Maritime National Historic Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Maritime_National_Historical_Park), Pier 39, etc.

There will not be many locals at the wharf, unless they are braving it for In-N-Out Burger. Snobbery or not, the wharf is crowded with shop after shop selling the same Sysco food and tacky trinkets that are available in every major tourist trap in the world. I wouldn't bother spending any time down there unless it is to access a tour boat ride that cannot be accessed from the Ferry Building, or maybe to see the sea lions if you have some time to kill.

Agreed, and when I lived there, the only times I went near the wharf were:
1- I needed In&Out Burger
2- taking visiting friends/family to Alcatraz
3- for an occasional swim at Aquatic Park (only if you have a wetsuit and insulated cap and metaphorically huge balls - it's really cold)

I think the fun places in SF are Lower Haight, the Mission, and Inner Richmond and that's where I stay when I go back. There aren't chain hotels there, though, and if you're tied to them, I'd go with Union Square over the wharf.

There will not be many locals at the wharf, unless they are braving it for Gary Danko

I think traveling with two children under 12 is a different experience than traveling by oneself or with a partner/spouse. My niece and nephew loved hanging out at the wharf and pier 39. I still wouldn't stay there, as it's noisy and crowded everywhere but I can see the appeal for visitors.

A compromise option would be Embarcadero. You get the bay setting, you're close to ATT Park, it's great for transport options around the city and if you can see fireworks, you will from there. And there are some decent hotels in the neighborhood.

I think traveling with two children under 12 is a different experience than traveling by oneself or with a partner/spouse. My niece and nephew loved hanging out at the wharf and pier 39. I still wouldn't stay there, as it's noisy and crowded everywhere but I can see the appeal for visitors.

Well said!

I don't have kids so the idea of staying at FW is not appealing, but I suppose if you have kids, the area can be entertaining for them.

Touche, though I'm not sure people from Berkeley are really "locals." :p

Where are the fireworks done exactly? Some hotels have good views of certain parts of the bay, and even Nob Hill or Financial district could work if it was clear where the fireworks (primarily) are.

Nob Hill and Fisherman's Wharf are polar opposites. Nob Hill is top flight, expensive hotels, Fisherman's Wharf is mostly middle of the road, very moderate hotels with the exception of the Argonaut and Tuscan Inn.

I wouldn't stay at Fisherman's Wharf, but plenty of tourists do. Just don't expect that you are getting an "authentic" San Francisco experience. It is an attempt to separate you from as much of your money as possible with the hokiest, Made in China, souvenirs possible. There are one or two decent restaurants, but the rest follow the same formula as the shops. Use the cheapest possible ingredients, but charge you four star prices.

I would stay close to Union Square or the Embarcadero..... but that's just me.

I'm not a fan of Fisherman's Wharf, but I disagree with those who say it is completely worthless.

Just being on the waterfront makes it picturesque and fun to walk around (in spite of the tourist hordes).

And there are at least a few things worth visiting; for instance, the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park:

http://www.nps.gov/safr/index.htm

Also, the Musee Mecanique:

http://www.museemechanique.org

Agree with others. Stay at Nob Hill if it's that or Fishermans Wharf. Fishermans Wharf is a huge tourist trap.

The streets roll up at the wharf pretty early, and when everything closes the area gets a little seedy.

Hop on a cable car or the F to get there during the day, do the touristy things, and go back to your hotel. Everything's really accessible.