San Francisco accommodations challenge. Help?!

[insahmniak]

So DP's business office took their time registering him for a conference at the Moscone Center for the week of Sept 20. The only conference-discounted hotels left are near SFO. The hotels in the city are outrageously priced and I've looked at some great SF B&B's but every one I've contacted is booked.

So....now where? DP will be at the conference all day. I'll be with a precocious 5 year old. We stayed at the Berkeley City Club once and I really liked that, so we're thinking Berkeley might not be a bad option, with DP catching BART to get into SF every day. There's also room in Pacifica at the Best Western and being on the ocean would be fun, but getting to the city would be a bit more difficult (would have to drive to a BART station).

I'm wondering if I'm missing any other good options. We want to be near a BART station or within easy access. We'd like it to be relatively safe, and not outrageously expensive. Is Berkeley our best bet? Should I look elsewhere?

Gratitude in Advance~
Ann

[LemonPie]

Concord is another area you might look at. We've stayed there a few times and used the BART to get into the city. The Concord station is in a business district that seems relatively safe and there are several hotels within 1-2 miles. If I recall correctly, the parking is free too.
HTH

[insahmniak]

Hmm. Will check out Concord. Seems kind of far off, though.

What about the Alameda area? I heard it has a decent beach and parks and some nice views....? Yay? Nay?

[WC_hapamama]

Originally Posted by insahmniak

Hmm. Will check out Concord. Seems kind of far off, though.

What about the Alameda area? I heard it has a decent beach and parks and some nice views....? Yay? Nay?

Alameda isn't quite so public transit friendly... you'd have to drive to Oakland to get to a BART station.

I live one stop down from Concord BART, and it takes about 35 minutes to get from the closest BART station to Powell St. BART. The problem with staying in Concord is that most of the hotels and motels are out near the municipal airport, which is a few miles from the BART stations.

Check the area around Walnut Creek BART and Pleasant Hill BART. Both of those BART stations have hotels and motels within walking distance. Walnut Creek is pretty family friendly. The hotels near PH BART are within walking distances of restaurants and parks, and the hotels near WC BART are as well, plus there's the free downtown shuttle in WC.

[insahmniak]

Thanks for the advice. I feel pretty lost about where to stay. I'll look into Walnut Creek.

I heard back from Belvedere House (598 Belvedere St) and they have a room available when we need it. No idea about that area but it seems so close in. I think it's a gay B&B but I'm hoping it'd be straight-friendly. We'd have to share a bath, but they have a piano!

[insahmniak]

Oh, yay! The Embassy Suites in Pleasant Hill (Treat Ave?) has nice rooms at good prices - definitely walking distance to BART.

What about the Berkeley area? When we were there it felt a bit rough, but manageable and definitely interesting! I just don't remember many hotels near the stations there.

Should I pass on Belvedere House?

[jaye]

I know nothing about Belvedere House but that is an awesome neighborhood to be in - it's Cole Valley which is just lovely but it is also within walking distance of Golden Gate Park, Haight St, Buena Vista Park, the Castro, the Inner Sunset. Cafes, parks, restaurants - tons of things within walking distance or a short streetcar. So much nicer than Pleasant Hill - no offense to any folks from there!

[WC_hapamama]

Originally Posted by insahmniak

Oh, yay! The Embassy Suites in Pleasant Hill (Treat Ave?) has nice rooms at good prices - definitely walking distance to BART.

What about the Berkeley area? When we were there it felt a bit rough, but manageable and definitely interesting! I just don't remember many hotels near the stations there.

Should I pass on Belvedere House?

Treat Blvd and Oak Road... it's right across the street from PH BART. All you have to do is cross one crosswalk and you're there. I live in the same neighborhood actually. It's actually not even in Pleasant Hill, but unincorporated Walnut Creek.

I asked my DH about hotels in Berkeley (he's a Berkeley native) and he says to avoid anything west of San Pablo Ave that isn't right on the Marina. You're right though, there aren't a lot of hotels near the BART stations in Berkeley.

I'm not sure that I'd stay at a Bed and Breakfast with a 5 year old.

[muse]

Cole valley is a great area to be in.

If you're looking in berkeley, look for somewhere walking distance to north berkeley bart. I just found this one in a google search. It's in my neighborhood, so PM if you have any q's. Lots of playgrounds, stores, cafes within walking distance. How long will you be here?

http://www.gardencottage.net/index.html

[insahmniak]

Thanks for the tip about Garden Cottage. That sounds lovely but turns out they only have a few of the days available that we'd need.

Cole Valley - well I like interesting and I'd prefer to stay at Belvedere, but it would mean sharing a bathroom with three other rooms and that doesn't sound relaxing. All the others I contacted near there don't have room or don't take kids.

Thanks for all your suggestions and information. It's been a real help esp. trying to get this done so late in the game. It's all good though - a Happy Stress!


Ann

[jazcat]

Too funny, I happen to live across the street from there! Awesome neighborhood indeed. The MUNI train is about a 5-10 min walk, then 15 min train to downtown. The kicker, besides the shared bathroom, is we're at the top of a hill, which could be bothersome for some people. There's the 37 bus that comes every 30 min which would take you to the top of the hill.

Have you checked out Hotwire? Before we moved to the city, we spent a weekend here and we used Hotwire, the day of our arrival, and got a nice 3 star boutique hotel in the Union Square area for like $65 maybe. That was several years ago, but maybe worth a try. GL!

Originally Posted by insahmniak

Thanks for the advice. I feel pretty lost about where to stay. I'll look into Walnut Creek.

I heard back from Belvedere House (598 Belvedere St) and they have a room available when we need it. No idea about that area but it seems so close in. I think it's a gay B&B but I'm hoping it'd be straight-friendly. We'd have to share a bath, but they have a piano!

[insahmniak]

Jazcat-
I found this one near Castro on VRBO. Happen to know anything about this place?

TIA!

Oh- ETA that there are a few coming up in Noe Valley. Any comments on that general area?

[jazcat]

The only thing I would be concerned about is it appears to be right behind Castro street, which is a major street. But it does say quiet, so I guess you gotta go with that. Do you have the exact address?

Noe Valley is a great neighborhood, but make sure you're close to the MUNI line (because you have to get downtown, right?). There are places in Noe Valley which would be quite a hike, up/down some major major hills. If you give me the address I can tell you.

Originally Posted by insahmniak

Jazcat-
I found this one near Castro on VRBO. Happen to know anything about this place?

TIA!

Oh- ETA that there are a few coming up in Noe Valley. Any comments on that general area?

[Madeleine'smom]

Have you tried the vacations rentals on craigslist?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/vac/

My mom likes to escape winter and visit for extended periods and she often stays in a vacation rental. She has had good luck finding nice places.

[insahmniak]

Thanks for the craigslist tip. I did contact quite a few listings and didn't have any luck. DP's business trip is for a huge Oracle conference at the Moscone center and I think the city is packed. Finding something that has availability for the entire conference is what's most problematic. At this point I'm resigned to being in the burbs and taking Bart into the city. It's a long trip but we'll just bring books and have snacks I suppose. We'll have a car but I'd like to keep it parked.

I'm really looking forward to checking out Golden Gate Park this time. Last time we went we hung out in Berkeley where we stayed (we stayed at the Berkeley City Club which was amazing) and that was awesome. I loved the energy and we took the bus up to the gardens almost every day. This time I'm all about Golden Gate Park and the city, even if it means long commute times, dangit. I've just heard such great things about the park and what there is to do. So in case you have any "don't miss" recommendations I'm all ears. (I have a five year old who is captivated by things like Greek and Roman mythology, astronomy, books and music, if that helps. )

[jazcat]

Originally Posted by insahmniak

Thanks for the craigslist tip. I did contact quite a few listings and didn't have any luck. DP's business trip is for a huge Oracle conference at the Moscone center and I think the city is packed. Finding something that has availability for the entire conference is what's most problematic. At this point I'm resigned to being in the burbs and taking Bart into the city. It's a long trip but we'll just bring books and have snacks I suppose. We'll have a car but I'd like to keep it parked.

I'm really looking forward to checking out Golden Gate Park this time. Last time we went we hung out in Berkeley where we stayed (we stayed at the Berkeley City Club which was amazing) and that was awesome. I loved the energy and we took the bus up to the gardens almost every day. This time I'm all about Golden Gate Park and the city, even if it means long commute times, dangit. I've just heard such great things about the park and what there is to do. So in case you have any "don't miss" recommendations I'm all ears. (I have a five year old who is captivated by things like Greek and Roman mythology, astronomy, books and music, if that helps. )

I'm a regular at the eastern half of GGP. Big hits with my kiddo are the big playground at the southeast corner (next to Kezar Stadium). It's new, for all ages and has an old fashioned carousel. Next, the butterfly exhibit at the Conservatory of Flowers which I believe is around till November. Next, the DeYoung Museum, go up to the observatory on the 9th floor and see a beautiful panorama. Picnic lunch in front of the DeYoung is nice. Then there's the Academy of Sciences which is a aquarium, natural history museum and other stuff rolled into one - grand opening September 27th. This is right next to the DeYoung. Lots of cafes and shops at 9th and Irving (Arizmendi Bakery is a fav), about a 10 min walk from the DeYoung. The N-Judah Muni stops at 9th and Irving - takes about 20 min from the stations downtown where you can transfer from Bart.

No luck with anything in the city, huh? We took the Bart to Berkeley last weekend...that would be kind of a drag if you had to do it every day. It was longer than I thought. Have you looked for a VRBO in the Inner Sunset?

[insahmniak]

Thanks for all that information about the park, jazcat. I'm going to make good use of it. Chihuly will still be at the museum while we're there so we may get to see that eye candy. The grand opening of Academy of Sciences happens the weekend we're driving back home, so we'll have that to look forward to when we come back. Soon I hope!

I did search VRBO for inner sunset and there's nothing in our range. We can't do $300/night (DP's employer is paying but won't approve that rate) and don't need room for 4-6, either. Anyhow, I ended up finding a room at a hotel near the coast and closer to the park - Seal Rock Inn ....I think? They didn't have room for us except for the last three nights so we're going to have to relocate midway, but I'll take it. I understand it's not terribly close in, but it'll definitely be a change from Walnut Hill. I'm hoping it's much closer to the park.

Lesson learned. Next time we'll make sure we have more lead time.

Anyhoo - thanks for the help. We're super excited to get into something different for a change. I : the energy of urban life.

[jazcat]

Glad you found something. It's out there, but SF is very small. Way way closer than Walnut Creek. With a car, or even the bus, it will be easy to get to GGP and wherever else in the city. Have a great trip! Love to hear a report when you get back.

Originally Posted by insahmniak

Thanks for all that information about the park, jazcat. I'm going to make good use of it. Chihuly will still be at the museum while we're there so we may get to see that eye candy. The grand opening of Academy of Sciences happens the weekend we're driving back home, so we'll have that to look forward to when we come back. Soon I hope!

I did search VRBO for inner sunset and there's nothing in our range. We can't do $300/night (DP's employer is paying but won't approve that rate) and don't need room for 4-6, either. Anyhow, I ended up finding a room at a hotel near the coast and closer to the park - Seal Rock Inn ....I think? They didn't have room for us except for the last three nights so we're going to have to relocate midway, but I'll take it. I understand it's not terribly close in, but it'll definitely be a change from Walnut Hill. I'm hoping it's much closer to the park.

Lesson learned. Next time we'll make sure we have more lead time.

Anyhoo - thanks for the help. We're super excited to get into something different for a change. I : the energy of urban life.