San Francisco is a bustling, interesting and fun place to visit all year long. Home to some of the best restaurants in California, and shopping at such high end stores as found in Union Square within the San Francisco shopping district. From the moment you view the world famous Golden Gate Bridge, bringing millions of visitors into the city, you know you have arrived somewhere special.
When to Visit Based on Price
The winter months, although usually with mild temperatures, bring the best hotel rates because of the cloudy and rainy days, and offer fewer crowds.
• Low Season: January through March is less busy. Average Daily Rates of:
- 2 Star: $49-$225
- 3 Star: $99-$290
- 4 Star: $146-$549
• High Season: June through September offers the best weather, and destination for families. Average Daily Rates of:
- 2 Star: $59-$230
- 3 Star: $134-$399
- 4 Star: $180-$557
Public transportation within the city is excellent, and traffic usually extremely busy. It really isn’t necessary to rent a car, and probably will reduce anxiety and money spent if you use public transportation.
Sights you mustn’t miss
Take a stroll down the Embarcadero to the famous marketplace within the Ferry Building, and taste your way through its local artisan delights. Spend some time on Fisherman’s Warf, experiencing the sights and sounds of the waterfront. There’s no place better to enjoy a casual seafood lunch or dinner, with such a scenic environment to walk it off afterwards. And what visit to this historic city is complete without taking the historic voyage on the ferry out to Alcatraz Island, and a tour of the prison. You can experience the living quarters and grounds of this historic prison that housed some of the worst criminals of days gone by. The added attraction of viewing the city and Golden Gate Bridge from out on the water is a great photo op.
Fun things to do
Spend a day strolling the shops and restaurants of Pier 39, a 45-acre waterfront shoppers haven. If you happen to get hungry, fear not, there are fourteen restaurants to choose from. Relax along he decks to the sights and sounds of a major clan of sea lions below. Another fun downtown adventure is taking the historic cable car journey to the top of the hill, and down, also a nice photo op. Another fun thing is to take a tour of a fortune cookie manufacturing facility while visiting Chinatown.
Wine and Dine Tips
San Francisco is heavily Asian populated, so take advantage of the restaurants here, especially within Chinatown. Asking your hotel staff for recommendations, or someone you might meet out and about.
Day Trips
The most popular and rewarding day trip from San Diego is a day trip to Napa/Sonoma Wine Country. Just an hour’s drive puts you into a beautiful green countryside, with relaxed casual downtowns, and wineries that not only make you smile, but happy.
It is suggested that you take one of the tours there on a bus, van or Limo Service, because there’s always the chance of too much “happy”?
Where to Stay
If you want to stay in the trendy downtown area, book into The Orchard Hotel, one of the 'greenest' hotels in the city. If you choose to stay at its sister property, The Orchard Garden Hotel, you'll be at the gates of Chinatown where you can buy authentic Asian wares and souvenirs. For a unique experience in the area, take a tour of a working fortune cookie factory.
The Hotel Vitale offers modern and luxurious accommodation to visitors wanting to stay in this prime location. The boutique hotel also provides incredible views of the Bay Bridge from its guestrooms.
After a day of sightseeing, head back to your room in the Palomar Hotel, an eco-friendly hotel close to the busy Market Street and some of the city's best galleries.
Staying in the W Hotel San Francisco will put you in the center of the South Market District where you have easy access to popular tourist stops.