TOTALLY OT!! Need San Francisco people

I really would like to visit your town but I have no clue on a good/safe place to stay.  Best time of year to visit.  I know some of the attractions like Alcatraz, but any suggestions would be fantastic.  So basically, anything you could share would be most welcome!!

Thanks so much.

Spring, Fall and early summer are usually the best time of year. Summer is rather foggy since the heat inland traps the cold pacific air. If you plan to see more than San Francisco, like Yosemite and inland spots, then early summer is great. Good and bad spots can literally just be several blocks apart. There are few to no tourist hotels that I know of in the bad neighborhoods. Having lived and raised children there, I consider most of The City pretty safe. I should choose my hotel based on what my main interests are. Shopping would be near Union Square. Most Museums and such are in Golden Gate Park as well as the Haight Ashbury.  It's fun to walk through the Marina Green and old Precedio in the Marina district. You may want to travel to Muir woods in Marin or on to the north coast of Sonoma for beautiful rugged coastline and wineries. When you are looking for bookings, you can IM me to see if it is an OK area. I had my own home there so never used hotels, but know the neighborhoods pretty well. I wouldn't want to be downtown except for the good public transit.

Thanks so much for the info!

If I didn't live in the Bay Area and was coming here for vacation, I'd come in October.  That's really when we have summer weather.  Kids are back in school so the place isn't as "touristy" as in the summer.  If you are into sports you could time your visit to catch a Giants, 49ers, A's or Raiders games, even college football is happening.  I believe the second weekend in October is Fleet Week so you could come and see the Blue Angeles perform.  That really is a thing of beauty to see them fly over the bay. 

Where to stay depends on your budget.  I'm sure SF has a high hotel tax so keep that in mind to avoid some sticker shock.

Have fun,

Kimberlee

Founder & Facilitator of East Bay Bariatirc

October is good. September is as well. September is a great month if you intend to visit the wine country as well. There's a lot to do. You won't be bored, even if you make no plans. There are great walks along the piers.

A few helpful tips -- Food and gas are expensive, and the hills and one way streets are insane, if you're driving. Bridge tolls (if you plan to go out of SF proper) are $5 a crossing, and there's a ferry, but I'm not sure what that costs. .

I couldn't say about the hotels, but I'm sure if you look outside SF, you'll get a better price.

Hope you have fun

Thanks so much Robin!!