Suggesion---are you planning to drive to San Fran?? Driving and parking is also very expensive. Suggestion--look a bit further north to Petaluma, Santa Rosa etc, but look for tours from those cities. You might not see as much, but could be cheaper. There are cities off the 805 freeway, also, but DO NOT stay in Stockton--very high crime rate. Tracy is not bad, and you could drive to where the BART rapid transit starts and take that in. Have you done this are before? We have traveled that route many times and will be glad to help out if you wish so. You can go on line to find out more, or maybe some of the gals who live closer to the are can give you additional/better ideas. Don't stay in Oakland--high gangs and high crime now, didn't use to be. See if you can get a map of BART and that might help.
Good luck
Marie

When I go to San Fran I stay a little closer to the airport in San Bruno. The Villa Montes is part of Choice hotels, but a very lovely hotel at a reasonable rate. I checked the rate for Sept 12 and it was $149.
It is very easy to find and a below ground private parking.
I really like this place, but it is not a walking or tourist location. You will need to drive into the city.

Choice Hotels does have a rewards program and generally two nights earns you enough points for a free night another time.

Here is a link that might be useful: villa montes

Thanks for the info. I live in Newfoundland Canada. We wil be flying. We like to stay downtown that way we can walk around and see the sights. I am not interested in staying on the outskirts and having to deal with transportation every day. I'll just keep looking for a cheaper hotel.

Is the Columbia Hotel still in business? we've stayed there a couple of times and found it reasonable (for San Fran, that is). One time, we had a rental car, but parked in the hotel garage and never moved it, the other time, we didn't bother with a car, knowing that the hotel was within walking distance of a lot of what we wanted to see, and only a couple of blocks from a cable car stop.

Also, be sure to call each hotel directly, that you might be interested in--and ask what discounts they have (try asking for the business discount--it's usually the best price you'll get). Often the online prices aren't the lowest ones, but you have to make the effort to call and ask for a better rate. However, SF IS and expensive city. On the other hand? It's one of the best to visit so it's worth it.

How about Sacramento? Then take tours/buses into San Francisco? Just a thought.

Try this one. We stayed there before Easter for a night. Ask for the KGO radio special, will include parking and other discounts. Great location, nice hotel.

But truth is, if you've picked a weekend when something major is happening in town, nothing will be cheap. It's all driven by convention events, holidays. etc.

I think Marie meant 580. There is not 805 in the area. And if you stay out of the city, you'll be best to go down the Peninsula towards the airport.

Here is a link that might be useful: Had=ndlery Hotel

Goodness! If they want to visit San Francisco, why on earth would they stay in Stockton, Tracy, or Sacramento?? Hours away, all of them! The extra travel alone would cost as much as a nice hotel in SF.

(And by the way, Stockton isn't all that bad - it's my home town, and most of my family are still there.)

Yes, SF is expensive - so is any other "destination" city. Las Vegas doesn't really count, because they expect you to be dropping money in the casinos - they make more money there, so can afford cheaper hotel room rates.

Did you try priceline?

Downtown in a major metropolitan area is going to run that and more. I shudder at the thought of downtown New York City!

Even in Duluth, MN, which is not what I'd call a major metro area (but still a tourist trap) hotels can run $200 quite easily especially in the canal area.

Check for discounts and perks. Generally you can get a discount for staying a certain number of nights.

It really varies from city to city. Have you tried VRBO rentals? I've been using this site a lot lately.. I can find a condo as cheap as a nice hotel here. You may find something inexpensive in the area you want.

Here is a link that might be useful: VRBO San Francisco

Casey, that sounds like a wonderful vacation. I would want to stay close to the places I wanted to visit.

Lydia, that is an interesting site and I'm saving it -- maybe just to dream about.
A couple years ago we went to Pennsicola, FL and stayed at a place like that. It was a GORGEOUS condo right on the beach. It was actually part of a huge complex of several very tall condo buildings. We were there before the tourist season, so it was quiet. We had a 2 bedroom condo with everything you could imagine, and we shared it with friends we were vacationing with.

Casey, we stayed here in June,2002. An older but nice clean moderately priced hotel in a good neighborhood (we were comfortable walking around after dinner)close to everything. Short bus ride down to the wharf (senior fare 15cents!). Trolley through Chinatown to Union Square was also easy, and the free breakfast got us off to a good start.

Here is a link that might be useful: Comfort Inn By the Bay

That's why my parents always took us on vacation with a tent trailer. We camped from city to city at a fraction of the cost.

That Comfort in looks promising! breenthumb! It has
roll in showers, accessibility, looks like a good location.

Yup - some demand destinations are expensive especially if you want to stay right in the heart of the city in a prime location. One way people afford to go on vacation is not to choose one of those locations if it's not in their budget. I personally wouldn't chose a low budget hotel in a place like that but I've just reached a point in life that I'm no longer willing to stay in a marginal hotel. I'd rather go somewhere less pricey or save up until I can afford to go and stay in a decent place.

Here's a link to some of the B&B's in the area.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bed and Breakfasts in SF

It has been a long time since we were in SF but when we did we did not stay right at the tourist spots, I do remember that. The BART was very easy, that I do remember. If you find something a bit away, you could always take the BART.

I believe September is the peak tourist season, at least that's what someone told me. Maybe someone here though would know more.

Try this: $165 a night for a condo in Nob Hill. I love this site! VRBO.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Nob Hill Condo

Here's another one, really nice for $245 a night. How many people in your party? Ron and I have used this website many times and just love it. They always have a full kitchen so you save on eating out and usually have washers and dryers, too.

Here is a link that might be useful: San Fran Condo

Debby_ab, I'm sure tent camping is a lovely experience - but you can't DO that anywhere near San Francisco. It's just not possible. It also doesn't conform to Casey's desires - i.e. in the heart of San Francisco.

So I became curious, and checked on hotel prices in close-by Austin, Tx. I've never considered this area a "destination", because I've lived here for 25 years - but we are a "destination"! A nice hotel here will be $195 - $295 during normal times. I am talking about a nice hotel, with room service, a restaurant, and a pool or gym - not a Motel 6, If you want to come here when the Austin City Limits music festival is on, or during the South by Southwest festival is on, you can triple or quadruple those prices.

That Nob Hill rental is about 3 properties away from my stepdaughter's property. Very desirable, taxis are easy to get, if you are willing to walk a block or so. Hilly terrain.

Very nice area, Casey, if that's the thing you are looking for.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Nob Hill place already referenced

My DDs ub-laws liked the Castle Inn on Broadway in San Francisco for its price, nice owners, and convenience.

We always stay at The Wharf Inn right down on the wharf. It's not a four star hotel but it's 150 a night or used to be and that includes parking which is why we stay there. I can't believe how much hotels charge to park in addition to their outrageous hotel costs. Ask for a room that isn't on the street because it can be noisy on the street side with traffic. I read some of the reviews of this hotel just now and while it is an older place, it has always been clean and comfortable and the office people are always nice.

San Franscisco is a high cost town in regard to hotels. Before I retired, the only way I could stay there was to book through one of the corporate cards issued to me by the company I worked for. These cards carried special rates that had been negotiated between the company and the credit card comapny. Also, if I booked through the travel agency used by my employer, I got the corporate business rate which was much less than regular quotes.

If you are employed, look into booking through your employer's travel agency.

San Francisco is an interesting city, but does not warrant the prices it commands. Some things to do:

1. Grab a ride on a cable car.

2. Tour the cable car power house where the cables are powered. Its an amazing system.

3. View the Golden Gate Bridge from the park on a high bluff overlooking the bay. At least that is free. While there, look down to the rocks far below on the shoreline facing the ocean. Try to spot the seals.

4. Shop China Town. One street is lined with shops offering a large variety of jewelry and art objects. Price range is large from inexpensive to cost-a-fortune. You can tell which display window has the good stuff because it will have extra theft deterent. Some Chinese merchants keep large live trantula spiders in the case with the jewels to discourage pilferage. (The spiders are mild and slow to provoke, but don't tell anyone.)

5. Do at least one walking lunch at the Embarkadaro (sp?) on Fisherman's wharf. There are many sidewalk food stands offering a large variety of foodstuffs. Buy a small sample at one stand, walk and munch and then a buy another sample of whatever catches your fancy.

6. Lunching at sit-down resturant. The resturants in the central city are very busy during the noon hour. The waiters try to serve (grab) as many tables as they can during the rush period. The waiters are gruff if you take too long to order. What to do: Many resturants post their menu and prices outside. Look these over and make your choice before entering. When a waiter comes to your table during the noon hour, He expects you to order immediately. If you do not, he walks away to serve another table, and subsequent service you get may be slow.

In midafternoon, if the lights dim you know that the luncheon prices have changed to dinner prices.

In the motel/hotel rooms, there may be a fruit basket. Do not touch it or disturb any of the wrappings unless you really want it. If you sample one piece of fruit, there will be an additional charge on your hotel bill for the entire basket and it is high. If you want a fruit munchie, get it somewhere else.

Thanks everyone for the information!!

I've changed our travel dates when looking for a hotel and the prices were much cheaper. We were going to travel in late Spetember but now we are looking at late August. I wouldn't have thought that would make such a big difference. Hotel costs still aren't cheap but they're cheaper.

I know hotel costs are going to be high in big cities but I wasn't prepared for the very high costs. A couple of years ago we went to London, England and stayed at a very nice hotel next to the London Eye, near the Thames, for only 99 pounds a night (about $160). London, one of the most expensive cities in the world!!!

Long time lurker, part-time poster.....

Lots of 3 star hotels available in the City for around $150/night the last week in August.

Be sure to dress in layers as the weather is famously changeable.

How long are you staying? I hope you have a week. There's so much to see.

SF is very expensive. We've been there several times, most recently this past October. We were fortunate to stay at the Westin St. Francis right on Union Square because my DH was presenting at a convention.

Be prepared for costly meals too. As I recall there was an extra tax on our dinner bill to cover some ridiculous 'health care coverage.' As a Canadian that one will really annoy you. Not all places add the fee.

This is from the link below:
......... "The next time you eat in a restaurant in San Francisco, take a closer look at the bill. You may see a new line item there, a "health" fee to cover employeesâ healthcare....
The rationale for this one is to cover the employersâ mandatory contribution to the CityâÂÂs "Healthy San Francisco" health-coverage system. The charge actually is levied on employers, but at least some restaurants are adding a few dollars or percentage points to each customerâÂÂs bill to cover this charge.

The restaurantsâ excuse for assessing this charge separately is to let customers know how much theyâÂÂre paying for employeesâ health coverage. ThatâÂÂs the same excuse hotels use when they add "resort" or "housekeeping" fees to unsuspecting guestsâ room bills. ItâÂÂs the same excuse airlines would use to exclude fuel surcharges from their advertised fares if the Department of Transportation would allow them. And itâÂÂs sheer nonsense. Employeesâ health insurance is no less of a cost of doing business than rent, property taxes, food costs, security services and all the other inputs businesses require to operate. To single out health care for a separate surcharge is unwarranted."

Here is a link that might be useful: another fee

Be sure to take a Grey Line Tour around The City one of the first days you are there. I always do that when I visit a new city. Enjoy.

Well, if you get those stupid pop up ads you'll see Kayak's list of cheap hotels for San Francisco on your post! The cheapest being $80.76 for the hotel Whitcomb. ( :

I've been looking at hotels in and around New York, thinking of taking the kids there on a trip this coming year. Everything is expensive, but have also been looking at apartments for rent, which seem to be a little cheaper.

San Fran is a FUN place! Definitely get some seafood at Fisherman's Wharf or Ghiradelli chocolate. I would also recommend taking the boat over to Sausalito (cute little expensive town). You'll pass Alacatraz on the way there, which is pretty cool.

I would prepare for cold weather, because I was there in June and that FOG never burned off!! We were trying to buy jackets and pants in "summer" season. It is also extremely hilly-I mean extremely!

Have a great trip!

Casey, SF is a wonderful city to visit if you are able to walk up and down hills. I agree with the advice - off peak times are cheaper, and the temps can vary widely in a single day/evening.

We travel five weeks each year and rarely stay in four star hotels - usually its more like two star. We just want clean and quiet, as we don't spend much time at the hotel itself. We are there to see the sights, not sit around the hotel room. Just sharing one philosophy.

We also save on food by bringing breakfast cereal and eating in the room. We get lunch or dinner at the grocery store some days, so we are only paying for one meal out. It saves costs, but more importantly, it saves calories. Three restaurant meals/day and I really start gaining weight.

We love the Park 55. It's very conveniently located near BART, a cable car stop (Powell St.), Union Square, shopping, dining, theaters... We've found great deals with online booking sites. The higher the floor your room is on the better. Anything lower than about the tenth floor will be REALLY noisy if you're downtown.

I LOVE San Francisco, even with the urine smell and the aggressive pan handlers.

Casey, I see you've received some good ideas and good to know you could change your travel dates.

Even though I lived outside of Oakland in the early 60's, I never got the chance to enjoy San Fran like I wanted to.

Have always wanted to go back and sightsee like you'll be doing. Enjoy! :)

Casey, sometimes staying a weekend night is cheaper than a weekday night. This usually works in business based cities like San Fran. The exceptions are things like holiday time in NY or special events. But if you can adjust your dates it may be worth your while.