<p>We will be watching a golf tournament in San Francisco next weekend and need hotel accomodations. I’m not too familiar with the city. The golf course is very close to San Francisco State University and our first choice would be to stay near Union Square (to squeeze in shopping and dining). However, we’re not set on it.</p>
<p>My questions are: Are there hotels south of SFSU that you can recommend? We will have a car so hotel parking is a must have. How is traffic in the city from Friday to Sunday? I know it costs more to stay there but if the traffic isn’t too bad, it might be worth paying.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t stay near down town, parking is gonna be $$$, like $20-30 a night on top of your hotel stay. are you flying in or driving in from a California local?</p>
<p>If i were you, i’d just stay down in South San Francisco, near the air port. I am sure if you use a travel site to book (kayak for example) will get you a really good roomrate.</p>
<p>If you stay in SSF - the drive will be equal distance to the golf course and downtown.
Friday’s traffic around downtown toward the bay bridge is horrendous, stay away if possible. If you’re trying to get downtown with a car, be prepared to hit a small amount of traffic. Another alternate form of transportation into downtown from SSF are BART and Muni locals. I’d take BART, save yourself the headaches and time.</p>
<p>I recommend the Harbor Court…very near to the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero. From there it’s easy to get on 280 get across the City and end up near SFSU. You’re still close enough to Union Square but the views and walks along the Bay are great.</p>
<p>Where is the golf tourney? If it is at, say, the Olympic Club, I would stay in South S.F. or even San Bruno. You’re about 5 miles to this course from those areas.</p>
<p>I too recommend The Harbor Court…delightful hotel with views of the bay bridge! We also stay at The Orchard Hotel…1 block off Union Square…we stay there and power Christmas shop at Macy’s!</p>
<p>if you don’t live here and rarely get to visit SF…then don’t stay by the airport! San Francisco is a special place that should be enjoyed up close! </p>
<p>But yes…add $40 per day for parking. Just life in the big city!</p>
<p>Hi, thanks for the replies. The tournament is at TPC Harding Park, on Lake Merced near the Riviera Country Club. The last time we were there, we stayed at the Grand Hyatt. It was a good location but we didn’t have a car. This time we will.</p>
<p>Lilmom…
O.K., I’m familiar with Harding Park. But, to my knowledge, there is no Riviera CC in SF–I believe it’s in LA(Pacific Palisades).<br>
Staying near SFO will make your life easier to get to Harding. BUT…you won’t have shopping or dining near–like you would have in the City (Union Square area), nor the local “color”.<br>
I think BreadySF’s guestimate of $20-30 for parking is optimistic for a weekend in SF…try $40-50. And mass transit to Harding is doable, but can be time consuming.</p>
<p>I agree with every bit of ilovedcollege’s post #6. (Harbor Court is lovely. Hotel Vitale and Hotel Griffon nearby, too.) And SF IS a fabulous City. You can’t spend all day and all night at Olympic…go see the many sites!</p>
<p>Enjoy! The weather has been fabulous lately. But do remember that Harding is out towards the ocean…plan for many weather scenarios…hats/mittens/scarfs/umbrellas/raincoats/parkas are not uncommon here in February & March.</p>
<p>Union Square it is! D and I are looking forward to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory overlooking the square. I’m not looking forward to driving in the city. Gotta get used to the one-way streets!</p>
<p>gosmom, DH is watching the golf channel as I type. He may have been distracted and gave me wrong info! It is Harding.</p>
<p>If it’s a nice day, have lunch IN/ON Union Square. Terrific spot (Rulli) and great people watching. Also, nearby Maiden Lane has delightful spots to eat as well.<br>
If you go to CHeesecake, their portions are enormous. My D and her pals took their leftovers in doggie bags and gave to the homeless (which, unfortunately, are plentiful around SF).<br>
And, when I was in Union Square last week, I could have sworn that pot had been legalized…</p>
<p>Oh lordy, if you wanna talk restaurants, I can give you list. Cheesecake Factory wouldn’t be on it.</p>
<p>I work out near Harding Park two-three times a week, dragonboating, I highly suggest bringing a coat, headwear and gloves for this time of year!</p>
<p>Hotel parking at the Hilton near Union Square is $50 a night, but there is a place across the street with a hotel special, including in and out, for $35. for restaurants, if you want semi upscale, my current faves are Boulevard, Aziza, and Zuni. Ethnic food all over the place, and cheap. There are Cheesecake factories elsewhere, but SF is a great food destination. If you are there Saturday, go to Ferry Plaza for an amazing farmers market and food fest.</p>
<p>When I was in high school my choir made yearly trips to SF and we always stayed at the Handlery. The rooms were pretty nice and it was right in Union Square. Always a good time. I do believe they had hotel parking though obviously we never used it.</p>
<p>There is the Parc 55 Wyndam near the BART and the terminal for the cable car to FW, a few blocks to Union Square. Much cheaper than the Hilton. Easily the best SF location. Request a room on the upper floors.</p>
<p>We stayed at Orchard Hotel last year. Loved it. They also have an excellent restaurant. Parking was $20. Street car stop was a few steps away. When we got on the operator pretended the only spot available was on the side to hang by the post. Not funny but my kid liked it a lot.</p>
<p>OP here. I agree with some of you that SF is a foodie’s dream. One restaurant that DH and I went to was Kuleto’s on Powell. It was delicious! We shared one meal since the portions were generous. That was 5 years ago. Has ayone been there recently?</p>
<p>And, if we have time, I have to go to Chinatown. I love the bakeries there. Any Chinese restaurant suggestions?</p>
<p>Some say the best “Chinese” food is not in Chinatown but</p>
<p>"The Chinese area of town along Kearny Street and Grant takes City crawlers into an entirely different world of sights, sounds, smells, and of course, tastes. Unlike North Beach’s ghost of an Italian past, Chinatown is still a thriving and active Asian community of young and old, families and teens, all shopping the streets, or playing games or practicing Tai Chi in Portsmouth Square. This is a world of strong reds (symbolizing happiness) and green bamboo sticks (for good luck); a neighborhood where one can find ginseng roots, perplexing herbs piled into bins, colorful knick-knacks, silk, sandalwood soap, and long-time neighborhood residents elbowing their way through the packed stalls of bargain-priced produce and fish tanks. Chinatown offers a mix of haute cuisine with large, elegant dining rooms, and an equal amount of cash-only tiny, dank hole-in-the-walls serving excellent cuisine. Surely its numerous eating venues cater to all kinds of price ranges and tastes.</p>
<p>*</p>
<p>Its heart is the corner of corner of Kearny and Washington, and it’s difficult to miss the multi-colored sign for the much-touted House of Nanking (919 Kearny), "</p>
<p>Welcome to my hodd! Depending on size tournament, there may be shuttle buses to Harding ifmyou have to park far away. A coulpe of fun places after are cliff house and beach chalet for happy hours. </p>
<p>We are looking forward to the us open. I’m tempted to rent my house and go elsewhere but someone has to drop dh of!!!</p>
<p>For a fun evening go to Johnny foleys Irish pub near union square. Food is good great atmosphere and the dueling pianos downstairs is a hoot. North beach is fun, especially with originals joes open again. If you want real Chinatown, go on Stockton street.</p>
<p>The Marina…Chestnut and Union St. are nice areas to visit. Small boutique shops and many restaurants…</p>
<p>If you like to look at homes…Broadway between Pierce and Lyon…great houses…Broadway between Divisadero…I think it is Divisadero and Lyon…is billionaires row.</p>
<p>Two of my favorite restaurants in the world will be close to you - Joes of Westlake right near Lake Merced and Khan Toke Thai restaurant on Geary St.</p>
<p>Joes is the most old-school of italian restaurants and hasn’t changed much since I first went there as a boy almost 40 years ago. No reservations, but you might still see a $20 bill discreetly handed to the maitre d by an old italian guy to get a table instantly. Ravioli and pasta with meatballs are my favorites.</p>
<p>At Khan Toke you leave your shoes at the entrance and eat family style Thai. I have never had a bad dish there.</p>
<p>These are both a bit off the beaten path and are known mainly by locals.</p>