https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 03:19:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1296445 Sun, 22 Dec 2013 12:02:05 +0000 fancyfunction 1296445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: They did it automatically :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1294599 Fri, 20 Dec 2013 15:20:54 +0000 Alivoo01 1294599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@fancyfunction: Did you have to ask for the upgrade or did they bump you up automatically? We're staying at Hotel Nikko in their smallest room, but if there's availability for a bigger room, I'd love to get that since we'll have a stroller, but don't want to pay more for the upgrade. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1263295 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 16:29:09 +0000 fancyfunction 1263295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We stayed at the Parc 55 in Union Square. It was really nice and when we got there, they upgraded us to a better room on a higher floor b/c they had it available. No complaints! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1262992 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 15:17:54 +0000 MaisyMay 1262992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: BART! You can use <a href="http://tripplanner.transit.511.org/mtc/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?#tab1Selected" rel="nofollow">http://tripplanner.transit.511.org/mtc/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?#tab1Selected</a> to verify schedules and get to most places. I live in the Bay Area and love being able to just catch a train. Plus under 4's ride free. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1262957 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 15:12:00 +0000 Alivoo01 1262957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dagret: Good to know! Thanks!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1261112 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 09:37:13 +0000 dagret 1261112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: oh, and a heads up - even though the Hilton is called Hilton San Francisco Union Square, it's closer to the Tenderloin. It's a nice hotel, but it's right on the edge of an iffy area. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1261077 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 09:30:22 +0000 Alivoo01 1261077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarah.clarisse: We love to eat so eating is definitely a top priority for us! Thanks for all your recommendation! </p> <p>@dagret: No super shuttle - got it! Nice to know the city is nursing friendly!</p> <p>@septca: Looks like I'll be hunting down for hotels in Union Square! Thanks for all your food recommendations also! I'm excited about the ever growing list of must eats!</p> <p>@Honeydew: Oh sweet!! I'll look into it! Thanks for link!!!</p> <p>@sunny: Cancelled my car reservation. Figured if I need to rent a car once we're there bc public transit isn't working, then we can.</p> <p>I've had Beard Papa's! They're soo good. I'm a fan of their strawberry filled ones.. Mmmm. I'll have to try the green tea one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1259868 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 15:40:23 +0000 sunny 1259868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: Yes cancel your car if possible! Cab will run you $50 or so. That is cheaper than paying for parking for days and days. You can also take the BART but with a stroller and lots of luggage you just might want to cab it.</p> <p>Have you ever had Beard Papa's cream puffs? It's a nice treat to have! There is one in the basement of the Westfield SF and there is also one near Yerba Buena Gardens. They are Japanese style and not very sweet. I recommend the green tea and normal one!</p> <p>If you have your hubs helping with the stroller, it should be ok to carry it up &amp; down the Muni's 3 steps. I was by myself and I'm very petite so it was a little tricky for me. Especially since I wasn't sitting near the driver and couldn't take my time since I was afraid of missing my stop. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1259849 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 15:35:01 +0000 Honeydew 1259849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@alivoo01 Just saw this ad from travelzoo today for the LeMeridian in San Fran:</p> <p>$139 -- San Francisco 4-Star Hotel incl. Weekends, Reg. $279<br /> <a href="http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/76352842-1632803" rel="nofollow">http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/76352842-1632803</a><br /> Source: Le Meridien San Francisco </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1259799 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 15:20:33 +0000 septca 1259799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: I would say Union Square because it's a more lively area. There is lots of shopping and restaurants. The Financial District is very close to Union Square, but it can be really dead at night. F.D. is closer to the Ferry Building (great coffee and snacks), but I am not sure that would give it an edge over U.S. for me.</p> <p>Restaurants I love:<br /> Bar Tartine<br /> Cafe Joqueline (funky little place that only serves souffles)<br /> Zuni Cafe (amazing roast chicken)<br /> Farrallon<br /> Greens<br /> Boulevard<br /> Fog City Diner<br /> Brenda's French Soul Food<br /> farm:table</p> <p>Across the Bay:<br /> Rivoli<br /> Chez Panisse (obv)<br /> Zachary's </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1259786 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 15:12:34 +0000 dagret 1259786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: DO NOT take Super Shuttle. They didn't pick me up for my return trip and i was almost too late to pump before I got on my plane! </p> <p>Also, SFO has "nursery rooms" private, keypad-protected rooms with a nursing chair, sink, and changing table. Very nice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1259771 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 15:06:43 +0000 sarah.clarisse 1259771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What types of activities are you looking to do when you visit? That might help you choose where to stay. </p> <p>Also, the car will be useful to get to some areas so it isn't bad to have it. Once you aren't in the main tourist areas street parking isn't that bad. It'll be convenient with the little one when going to dinner and stuff. </p> <p>My first food thoughts...</p> <p>Ferry Building at the Embarcadero. - farmers market on Saturday is busy but the food stalls are great. Any other time it's worth a visit to try the shops and food inside. Hog Island oysters, Blue Bottle coffee ( if the line is reasonable), Prather Ranch Market ( great!!!), and Gotts burgers are all excellent places for an inexpensive lunch. </p> <p>Best ice cream: bi-rite creamery. Parking in the area isn't too bad. The line is worth it :) </p> <p>Pizza delphina - small and busy. Very good. Near bi-rite</p> <p>Craftwich - sandwich place from Tom C of top chef. I've only been once a couple years ago. It was really good. </p> <p>I'll be back with more later... I'm so jealous of your trip! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1259635 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 14:26:39 +0000 Alivoo01 1259635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: I'll check out the Financial District! Totally writing down Tartine Bakery and R&amp;G Lounge. Thanks for those recommendations!! We're total foodies so can't wait!!</p> <p>@septca: Thoughts on Financial District vs Union Square? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1259327 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 13:09:14 +0000 cascademom 1259327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We stayed at the Argonaut Hotel in Fisherman's Wharf. I love Kimpton hotels, </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1259297 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 13:03:04 +0000 Freckles 1259297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We stayed at Le Meridien in the Financial District. The nice thing about the Financial District is that it's within walking distance to the Ferry Building, and decent walking distance to Union Square without having to deal with the noise and crowds at night. </p> <p>We got a fantastic deal on the hotel, and the room size was great (it fit a crib). </p> <p>Definitely go to Tartine Bakery! Also, if you like Chinese food, you have to go to R&amp;G Lounge. It's so good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1259129 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 12:28:56 +0000 septca 1259129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: Definitely bring your carrier.</p> <p>I *think* you can take the train or BART from the airport. You can definitely take Super Shuttle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1259098 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 12:24:29 +0000 Alivoo01 1259098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septca: @Emsmems: Crap! I rented a car first before looking at hotels. If I'm able to cancel my car rental, what's the best way to get from the airport to the hotel? Cab?</p> <p>@MrsMcD: I'll look into those hotels! Thanks!!!</p> <p>@Honeydew: TravelZoo and Buena Vista! Written down to go visit. And 2-3 weeks?! Holy cow!!! </p> <p>@dagret: We're always up early when we're on vaca so we'll definitely be up for some yummy breakfast! Thanks!! </p> <p>@sarah.clarisse: Going to check out your blog now! </p> <p>@sunny: Thanks for the warning about the steps and stroller because we're bringing ours! Would it be better if we carried him in the carrier instead? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1259053 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 12:13:13 +0000 sunny 1259053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We stayed at the Intercontinental on Howard street and I thought it was great! We had a fairly large room and it was an easy walk to the BART and to Union Square. </p> <p>***Please*** make sure that you check with your hotel concierge about how to walk to restaurants in the Tenderloin area as it is not safe at night in certain areas!!<br /> Our concierge recommended using Powell street vs another route. Tenderloin seems to have tons of highly rated restaurants on Yelp.</p> <p>I loved the Ferry Building and checking out Chinatown. Bund restaurant had great XLB! </p> <p>And I would avoid bringing a car into the city if possible. Parking is ridiculous and it's just easier to take transit. If you are bringing a stroller be aware that you'll need to find the lone elevator down into the BART and if you take the Muni you may need to carry the stroller on/off it since there are 3 steps to the street level. That was a rude surprise for me :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1259021 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 12:05:31 +0000 sarah.clarisse 1259021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>San Fransisco is one of our favorite places to visit. We drive up from LA a few times a year. When we stay in the city we book our room through Hotwire. Its one of the sites where you don't know your hotel until you purchase, but you can select the neighborhood and number of stars the hotel is. We like the nob hill and embarcadero areas. It's a safe bet if you select 4 star or above and you'll save a ton of cash. </p> <p>I'll try to post food and sightseeing recommendations when I can use the computer and not my phone. I think I may have posted a few trip reports on my never updated blog, link in profile. </p> <p>One thing for sure, driving in the city is a pain. Parking is expensive so just leave the car at the hotel and use transit. I would recommend gettin out of the city and heading North to see Muir Woods and the Point Reyes area. It's beautiful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1258954 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 11:52:31 +0000 dagret 1258954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i was just there last month and had the best breakfast sandwich of my life at farm:table <a href="http://farmtablesf.com/" rel="nofollow">http://farmtablesf.com/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1258935 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 11:47:41 +0000 Honeydew 1258935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We stayed at the Mark on Nob Hill. It was a decent sized room, for the price. Check Travelzoo for hotel deals.</p> <p>I still crave the Irish coffee from Buena Vista on the wharf. Warm boozy coffee yum!</p> <p>And if you want to see Alcatraz, book your tickets way in advance of your trip. They fill up 2 -3 weeks in advance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1258919 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 11:41:54 +0000 deactivated_account 1258919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Westin St. Francis or the W Hotel. Best room sizes. So worth the expense if you are picky about hotels. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1258911 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 11:38:42 +0000 Emsmems 1258911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septca: ditto to what you said about a car. We drove to San Fran a few years ago and vowed never to drive again. It was sooo expensive to park!! It was cheaper to find stuff to do to drive around than to leave the car parked, but we didn't WANT to drive because most places we wanted to go to were more accessible by using public transit or walking! Next time we will rent a car for a day or two to go outside of town because that will be way cheaper! We didn't have a LO though, so I can't speak to that. I'd think with a good stroller you will be fine though!</p> <p>The restaurants are all good. We just used trip advisor to pick based on what food we were wanting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1258870 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 11:25:44 +0000 septca 1258870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If there is any way you can avoid having a car in the city, I would do that. SF is a very easy town to get around on foot or via public transportation, and driving and parking are just going to be expensive and annoying. </p> <p>I think Union Square is the best place to stay in terms of access to everything - it is walkable to lots of things and is right on the BART. Fisherman's Wharf area is REALLY touristy, so I would avoid that.</p> <p>In terms of restuarants, there are SO many amazing places to eat, I am not even sure where to start. Google is going to be your friend here. If you have the time and inclination, I highly recommend taking the BART across the Bay to Berkeley for a day/afternoon. Berkeley is known for its amazing food culture and is a good place to walk around - especially around the campus. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/san-francisco-hotel-and-food-recs#post-1258849 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 11:18:16 +0000 Alivoo01 1258849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're traveling to San Francisco over the Christmas holidays, and will be there for 4 days. I'm clueless as to what hotel to book as reviews say many of them have small rooms and parking is high (approx. $55 per day). I know this is part of being downtown, but the hubby thinks this would be the best option for us since DS is young (will be 5 months) and we can come and go to the hotel as needed vs driving out and dealing with traffic.</p> <p>I've heard to stay in Union Square/Fisherman's Wharf/Japan town. Can you recommend a hotel that would be good for us? And if you have food recommendations, I'd love to hear them also!! Thanks!!! </p>