can anybody recommend a nice hotel in san francisco? preferably one near the center of town or at least walking distance. I'm going up there with some friends. Also, any cool sights I should see? things to do?
Honestly there's not much to do in San Fran unless you're 50+ years of age, or possibly gay (no offense to anyone).
San Fransisco is really the 5 minute city. Lots of trashy places, bums, over priced parking, cold weather (sometimes warm).
It's pretty much the city you would drive through while looking out the window and miss nothing it has to offer.
The better parts of the area are north of the goldengate (if you like the coast, wild parks, ect.)
But seeing you're from LA. I would have to say you would find a better time LA>San Diego. Even if you are with friends for any matter.
But then again, if you are interested in art museums. San Fran has a few.
To keep it simple and short.
"A city that reaks of urine with a 5 minute square radius to travel, that's over priced, and the weird, sometimes dangerious/strange people that live in it that beg for money"
Whatever you do, don't go to San Diego, unless you're down with trust fund conservative yuppies in used Beamers. If that's the case, get your ass down to San Diego.
I think CrazyMatt's description of San Fran is a little one sided, similar to my description of San Diego.
I'm sure there's plenty to do up in that city. I had a ton of fucking fun there enjoying the nightlife and bumming around everywhere during GDC.
Hotel Des Arts -nice hotel, good prices, good location.
If you are into jeans check out Self Edge on Valencia.
Musee Mecanique has a great collection of old mechanical penny machines (Zoltar!!!!) and early video games, and it's a short walk away from the submarine.
Its walking distance from Market St. and the BART.
I would try to visit the pier 39 and all that stuff over there.
Walk up and down Embarcadero near the bay.
Also go to ghirardelli chocolate factory and get some ice cream. Its also located near ILM so you can walk over and see the Yoda statue. Or if you know someone TAKE A TOUR..........:)
It wasn't too expensive (though they might have upscaled since the renovations), but it was a cool hotel with a little bit of a different flair than the normal hotels I've stayed at. It was connected via a garden and tunnel to a japanese mall with manga stores and sushi galore. It was pretty central to the main bus routes too, which are easy to figure out (compared to boston and DC at least)
Going to try to counter some of Matt's haterade. There is quite a bit to do in San Francisco, although right now is the busiest time since it's summer and there are tourists everywhere. You'll probably want to check out Union Square and the Piers, that's probably the most popular spot and will have the most tourists. The Mus
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San Fransisco is really the 5 minute city. Lots of trashy places, bums, over priced parking, cold weather (sometimes warm).
It's pretty much the city you would drive through while looking out the window and miss nothing it has to offer.
The better parts of the area are north of the goldengate (if you like the coast, wild parks, ect.)
But seeing you're from LA. I would have to say you would find a better time LA>San Diego. Even if you are with friends for any matter.
But then again, if you are interested in art museums. San Fran has a few.
To keep it simple and short.
"A city that reaks of urine with a 5 minute square radius to travel, that's over priced, and the weird, sometimes dangerious/strange people that live in it that beg for money"
http://www.shellhospitality.com/hotels/donatello_hotel/index.html?chebs=gl_donatello_09
Morning breakfast on the roof, hot-tub, live music in the lobby certain nights, spacious rooms.
I think CrazyMatt's description of San Fran is a little one sided, similar to my description of San Diego.
I'm sure there's plenty to do up in that city. I had a ton of fucking fun there enjoying the nightlife and bumming around everywhere during GDC.
Southern California... *shudder*
If you are into jeans check out Self Edge on Valencia.
Musee Mecanique has a great collection of old mechanical penny machines (Zoltar!!!!) and early video games, and it's a short walk away from the submarine.
There's a MoMA too.
http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/sanfrancisco/good
Its walking distance from Market St. and the BART.
I would try to visit the pier 39 and all that stuff over there.
Walk up and down Embarcadero near the bay.
Also go to ghirardelli chocolate factory and get some ice cream. Its also located near ILM so you can walk over and see the Yoda statue. Or if you know someone TAKE A TOUR..........:)
there are so many cool things to do there.
http://www.gaylordsuites.com/
conveniently located in the heart of the city
I stayed in this hotel:
http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/kabuki/?cid=gl_myh
It wasn't too expensive (though they might have upscaled since the renovations), but it was a cool hotel with a little bit of a different flair than the normal hotels I've stayed at. It was connected via a garden and tunnel to a japanese mall with manga stores and sushi galore. It was pretty central to the main bus routes too, which are easy to figure out (compared to boston and DC at least)
I went there once while in SF, pretty neat if I remember. Alcatraz is probably worth hitting at least once as well.
So if you're into skating around. You'll have a great time.
(Sorry if my opinions seem rotten, but i've grown up in the bay area most of my life so it's pretty boring) :P