I'll be in SF on business for several days in February and was thinking about staying for the weekend. My husband has never been there before so he might fly out to meet me. Can anyone help with some advice on planning?

We were thinking about using our Hilton points to pay for the hotel, but I'm not sure which property (or even which general area) to pick. Ideally we'd like to skip the rental car, and walk or take BART--we're on a tight budget--but is it feasible to see the major sights this way? Any suggested itineraries for such a short trip?

Also, I think the Chinese New Year's parade is the weekend we were looking at (Feb 7th?). Would this be worth seeing or will it be a total mob scene?

Thanks!

For ideas on places to visit, take a look at this thread:

What's your favorite spot in San Francisco?

I agree that you can get around fine using public transportation. The main transit system within the city of SF is Muni rather than BART.

As far as where to stay, I think the general downtown area around Union Square (which is where most of the hotels are anyway) is good. You will be well located for sightseeing and transit.

There are only two Hiltons in San Francisco proper: the Hilton San Francisco (not too far from Union Square), and the one on Fisherman's Wharf.

Unless your budget is indeed extremely tight it would probably be good to EARN, rather than BURN, points here. On a winter weekend there are probably plenty of cheap deals to be had, either on the hotel chains' or other websites, or via Priceline and Hotwire.

Example: The San Francisco Hilton has rates of only $129 (prepaid, nonrefundable) or $139 (no prepayment required) for that weekend (+14% tax). For HHonors redemption, that hotel is listed as a category 6, the highest category, at 40,000 points per night. That is really a very poor redemption value -- paying 40,000 points for a room you could purchase at $158 per night including tax. That is a value of less than 4/10 of 1 cent per HHonors point.

Using Priceline, you could get a hotel room (comparable to the Hilton) in downtown San Francisco for about $50 to $65 per night (or maybe even less), plus tax and fees. If your budget is squeezed, Priceline or Hotwire is probably the best way to go. (Of course, you usually don't earn any points on Priceline or Hotwire stays, but at these price levels, it doesn't matter!)


Kathy

[This message has been edited by KathyWdrf (edited Dec 20, 2003).]

the BART from SFO to Union Station costs $4.25 each way.

A 3 day MUNI ticket (includes cable-car, trolley, bus) covering all downton San Francisco (and offering an extensiv network going everywhere) costs $15/person (one day costs $9).

There is more information on Muni at www.sfmuni.com .

The one-way ride fare (including free transfer) is only $1.25 for adults 18-64. Seniors (65+), youth (5-17), and disabled pay only 35 cents. On the cable car, the fares are higher ($3.00 adult; see website for further details).

Rather than a pass, you might find buying tokens more economical, depending on your situation. A bag of 10 sells for $10.50 (no expiration date), i.e., only $1.05 per ride. (But on the cable car, where an additional payment of $2.00 is required, there is no savings!)

There is a Muni kiosk at the foot of Powell and Market Streets (next to the cable car turnaround) where you can buy tokens and passes. Also, the SF Convention and Visitors Bureau nearby (down the steps) sells Muni passes.


Kathy

[This message has been edited by KathyWdrf (edited Dec 20, 2003).]

I agree that the Union Sq area is the most convenient to stay to see major attractions. I have gone to the Chinese New Year parade several times... you will not have trouble finding a place to see it, since it has a fairly long route. If you like muscial theater, I would suggest booking tickets for Beach Blanket Babylon (website with same name)... it is a unique SF experience. Also, Lion King is going to be playing here during that time. Also, if you like art museums, SF Museum of Modern Art has the Diane Arbus collection through Feb 8... it is outstanding. Have fun!

BEACH BLANKET BABYLON!!!!! What a fun evening!!!

And on the same note, don't forget the recently-opened Asian Art Museum, housed in the magnificently-restored Old Library Building across the plaza from City Hall. The exquisite collection donated by Avery Brundage (former head of the IOC) is housed there:

http://www.asianart.org/


(Half-off admission Thursday evenings ans free all day the first Tuesday of each month)



[This message has been edited by Non-NonRev (edited Dec 22, 2003).]

at Union Sq is also a 1/2 price ticket boot for same day performances.

book Beach Blanket Babylon (I have seen already 5 shows since it started ...) well in advance at
http://www.apple.ch.beachblanketbabylon.com
or tf 415-421-4222

Beach-Blanket-Babylon Club-Fugazzi
678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd (678 Green Stret)
San Francisco
Wedensday&Thursday 8pm, Friday&Saturday 7 & 10pm, Sunday 3 & 7pm

Yes, the TIX half-price booth in Union Square is a great resource!

They have a website where you can peruse the current half-price offerings:

www.theatrebayarea.org/tix/halfprice.jsp


Kathy

Thanks guys for all the suggestions. This is really helpful.

Here's another question. We were thinking too about the possibility of renting a car in SF and taking a few days for a leisurely drive down the coast to LA. As a rule, we're more into eco-tourism than touring cities, and I've heard it can be a beautiful trip. Has anyone done this before? Thoughts on whether it would be worthwhile or suggestions for places to stop/things to see along the way? Thanks again.

I've done the drive on Hwy 1 from SF to LA. My advice: check the weather forecasts very carefully. If it's sunny, it's a stunningly beautiful drive. If it's rainy and foggy, it can be a nightmare. Once I found myself stuck going at 20 mph on a twisty road with zero visibility and nowhere to stop for about an hour, while it was getting dark. It was far from enjoyable.

RE: Driving from SFO - LAX, this is a huge time commitment. Hwy 5 takes 6 hours, Hwy 101 takes 8 hours, and Hwy 1 takes 10-12 hours depending on the weather. These times are conservative during Winter Weather. Do not be deceived by the mileage on Hwy. 1, since the entire length of Big Sur (to San Simeon/Hearst Castle) is driven at approximately 15-40 miles per hour, not 60! It is very narrow, winding, and scary (but stunning).

A better bet would be to rent a car and drive down the coast PART WAY for a day. I would start out early (and stop for breakfast in Santa Cruz or Capitola if you must), then head directly for the Monterey Bay Aquarium which is not-to-be-missed. Cannery Row and neighboring Pacific Grove are great lunch options. Spend the afternoon in Carmel or venturing into Big Sur before heading back to the Bay Area. Trying to cross the mountains through Carmel Valley to Hwy. 101 (via State Rte. 16) is discouraged in winter. HAVE FUN!

Don't do the long drive in February. Short daylight hours and possibly bad weather could make it more of a chore than a pleasure.

The coastline is indeed beautiful but as others have said, storms can make it a scary drive.

Also be aware that in the summer, there is sometimes heavy fog along the coastline, obscuring the view. But at least there are no storms then!


Kathy

Just stayed at the Park Hyatt, which is only a few blocks from Chinatown for $139/night for the weekend. Hyatt is offering great weekend deals, some of which include parking and breakfast throughout Winter. Location was perfect for us, getting some nice exercise walking to the Wharf. If pressed for time, Muni's F Line runs right along the Embarcadero.

We also drove up along Hwy 1 from LA to SF last month. I also agree that weather is a huge factor. If good, I'd suggest allowing two days & staying overnight somewhere along the way like Cambria (on the Central Coast just north of San Luis Obispo).