<p>Teriwitt…Hotels:
Palomar is probably most chic/newest accomodations (Kimpton hotels are great)…
Holiday Inn and Sheraton are typical chains…but tired in terms of decor.</p>
<p>While I would prefer Palomar… it’s close to Union Sq./ Moscone Center/ MOMA/theaters, etc., the area can be a little dicey after dark. Use common sense.</p>
<p>The other two are in wharf area, great views, easy (and many) transit options…but is “touristy”, soooooo…it depends on what appeals to your family…</p>
<p>Whales can be a crapshoot: somedays a lot of sightings, others not so much. Be sure to check out the sea lions in residence at Pier 39…your ears will lead you to them…noisy—but cute!</p>
<p>“The sea lions camped out in PIER 39’s West Marina have been endearingly coined, “Sea Lebrities.” The boisterous barking pinnipeds started arriving in droves, taking over the docks in January 1990 shortly after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. At first they numbered from 10-50, but due to a plentiful herring supply, available dock space and the marina’s protected environment, the population grew to more than 300 within a few months. Each winter, the population can increase up to 900 sea lions, most of which are male. During the summer months, the sea lions migrate south to the Channel Islands for breeding season, but in recent years a small group stays year-round at PIER 39’s K-Dock.”</p>
<p>I noticed this thread too late to be of any help for several travelers, but just saw something in this morning’s Chronicle that might be helpful, on the best crosstown walks in San Francisco: </p>
<p>My favorite things, having lived in the Bay Area for 30 years (Marin and Santa Clara Counties), include: </p>
<p>Sunday brunch in Tiburon at Sam’s Cafe,
taking the ferry to Angel Island to hike around the island and enjoy the views; lunch and a spa treatment at the Claremont Hotel and Spa in Berkeley/Oakland;
walking through Pacific Heights to see the amazing Victorians and the jaw-dropping views of the Bay;
the DeYoung, the Asian Art Museum and SFMOMA and that area; AT&T Park and walking along the Embarcadero;
going to something at the Opera House;<br>
and the Ferry Building and farmers’ market there (rated the best in the country by the NY Times earlier this year).
Oh and having a drink at the Top of the Mark on a clear night.</p>
<p>My teenage girls still love Ghirardelli Square, Lombard Street (crookedest street part), and the shopping downtown off Union Square.</p>
<p>And yes, bring layers of clothing! You just never know whether it’ll be windy and foggy or warm and beautiful. Enjoy!</p>
<p>I guess it’s too late but another couple of things to do in that area - </p>
<p>If you have a car, drive down the wiggly part of Lombard street. It’s kind of fun. </p>
<p>If you like nature and sea mammals, take a drive to Ano Nuevo state park where elephant seals go to rest, breed, and birth. It’s about 55 miles south of SF (between SF and Santa Cruz). It’s a little hike from the parking lot out to where the animals usually are but it’s very scenic. Depending on the time of year you might be the only person out by the elephant seals. These animals are huge. Note - it can be kind of cold with the wind off the ocean so dress appropriately.</p>
<p>For those with a longer trip planned who are heading down to Hearst Castle there is a great beach for viewing the elephant seals.
Piedras Blancas rockery</p>
<p>Just wanted to send a shout out to Menagerie in post 39. I had some recent business in SF and was able to fit in three of these. Highly recommended:</p>
<p>Has anyone been to the new California Academy of Sciences? They just reopened in October. The old Steinhart Aquarium was fabulous, I can’t wait to see the new one.</p>
<p>I went a few weeks ago on a Sunday with some friends. It was incredibly crowded, but we still had a good time. </p>
<p>I liked the Galapagos exhibit; thought the recycling exhibit was more politics than science; it was too crowded for us to see the rainforest; the roof garden was pretty cool; </p>
<p>Hey i am going to bump this up for a friend who is planning an August trip with only 4 days…more hotel suggestions, please. I recommended around Market/Union Square but I see many who stay at the wharf. Also, if one is driving up from San Diego, where is a good place to stay the night on the coast drive midway between there and SF?</p>
<p>I don’t know if this fits their plans, but … we generally stay in one of the towns that border SF to the south – San Bruno, Daly City, South San Francisco. From there it’s easy to pick a route into the city that matches our plans for the day – I280 on the west side going to UC San Francisco or The Haight or the Golden Gate Bridge or the Marina – or 101 on the east side headed toward downtown or the Bay Bridge. Rooms are much cheaper than downtown or the wharf. JMHO.</p>
<p>overseas-The coast offers different routes and the time length will vary. They can drive up Highway 101 to San Francisco. With that route they still get plenty of ocean views. They can get on Hwy 1 in Santa Monica and take that up to Oxnard and get back on the 101. That gives them the Santa Monica/Malibu views. Once back on 101 they will get ocean views up to Santa Barbara. 101 will go back inland slightly till they hit the Pismo Beach area. Lots of great nicer motels in Pismo Beach on the cliffs. In San Luis Obispo they will have to decide whether to continue north on 101. There would be no more ocean but it would be faster. Or at San Luis Obispo they would head out to Morro Bay and up the coast. Cambria is a nice place to stay. Visit Hearst Castle. Once you leave Cambria the coast drive gets very slow.
Depending on how much ocean they want to see they can cut back over to 101 at different places. If they don’t care about the Big Sur drive they can cut back from Cambria inland to 101. Or if they skip Cambria area they can just go up 101 and cut to the coast at Monterrey and continue up Hwy 1 from there.
Where to stay-
In Pismo we have stayed at the Kon Tiki, The Cliffs and the Sea Crest. The Cliffs is a bit nicer but I prefer the other two. There are quite a few more in that same area. They all are similar. Some more recently updated then others. If they stay in Pismo they should definitely pick a place that is on the cliffs.
San Luis Obispo-nice place for the night. Not on the ocean. But a nice downtown to walk. We have stayed at different motels. They are all pretty similar. Many people like the Apple Farm Inn it is a motel. I prefer the motel area at the north end of town. There is an Embassy Suites and a Motel Six at the south end of town but you can’t really walk anywhere from there. There is also the Madonna Inn. I have never been inside but for some people it is a must see. Each room is done in a different theme.
Morro Bay- some okay motels. Not as well set up as Pismo. But it has a nice harbor area for walking.
Cambria- lots of motels on Moonstone Drive. They are across the road from the ocean. Have never stayed in a motel here. But they all look similar and would probably go for the one with the best rate.
Santa Barbara- if they want to stop earlier. Many motels near the beach. Largest being Fess Parker’s Doubletree. I have not been inside but friends put up out of town guests at the Mason Beach Inn (one block up from the beach) it is supposed to be the cheapest place close to the beach. One warning about the Mason Beach is it is across the street from a large park where homeless hang out.
Solvang- inland tourist area
Depending on the time of the year the coast can be foggy. June gloom. Also do they want to go in the ocean when they stop. Santa Barbara or Pismo beaches will be calmer water and warmer water. The waves at Morro Bay and Cambria can be huge. Plus risks of riptides.</p>
<p>If they want to drive via the coast and want to stop midway I think the best place to stop is around San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay. </p>
<p>Morro Bay is nice and is notable for the giant rock hill jutting up from the beach. It’s not that far off of 101 from San Luis Obispo and if one were driving up the coast via just 101 rather than 101 then 1, they could head to Morro Bay from SLO on one road and then back to 101 on a different road (hwy 41) which connects with 101 further north so they’re not backtracking so much. It’s a small town with some decent hotels. One can walk to the restaurants right on the water and visit the tourist shops along the water. The beaches there often have sand dollars lying about so it can be fun to pick up a few of those.
<a href=“http://www.morrobay.org/cm/Home.html[/url]”>http://www.morrobay.org/cm/Home.html</a></p>
<p>If they wanted to stay closer to 101 they could stay in San Luis Obispo. A hotel it’s famous for is ‘The Madonna Inn’ (the large pink motel). This is truly a ‘different’ kind of hotel with themed rooms. I once stayed in a ‘cave room’ which had a huge rock fireplace and the bathroom custom made with a lot of rock. If one stops there at least to eat, they should go to the men’s room in the restaurant which has a fancy rock urinal (sounds lovely doesn’t it?). I even had my W go in to have a look (and came out to see a couple of guys waiting to go in - haha).
<a href=“http://www.madonnainn.com/[/url]”>http://www.madonnainn.com/</a></p>
<p>I agree that if they have the time, they should just go ahead on up hwy 1 and see Hearst Castle. If they do this then they could also stay around Cambria which is just up the road from Morro Bay but of the two I’d stay at Morro Bay.</p>
<p>Wow, it makes me want to go home. Wonderful places to revisit! Thanks everyone. I have sent the link onwards and I am going to bed. Thanks for all the suggestions! I’ll check more in the a.m.</p>
<p>I believe that both Monterey Aquarium tickets and the Alcatraz tour can be booked ahead of time online - especially important to get a choice time for Alcatraz - and then you can pick up the tickets at the Will Call window thus avoiding the long lines. You’ll need to double check but I did that several years ago.</p>