Where to stay -- North Beach or Union Square?

Hi all,

I%26#39;m doing some research for a mid-August trip to SF (the opportunity popped up recently because of a work trip, hence the late planning!). My husband and I are looking for a hotel for two nights in the city. We live in the city of Chicago and are 31 years old, so we%26#39;re looking for something in the heart of it all--bars, restaurants, unique SF atmosphere. We%26#39;re happy with smaller, ';quirky'; or boutique hotels--no need for 4-star or top amenities. We%26#39;d love to avoid the tourist hordes, although I know that can be tough.

It sounds like Union Square is terrific location-wise, although it%26#39;s touristy and a shopping mecca (we%26#39;re not interested in shopping). I%26#39;ve been looking at Hotel Rex. But then, Hotel Boheme has also caught my eye. What about staying in North Beach? I know SF isn%26#39;t that big, and it sounds like North Beach is a pretty cool area in itself...

Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks!

Where to stay -- North Beach or Union Square?

north beach is a good idea for you. you might never need to leave the neighborhood. check out the washington square inn. also hotel boheme I think it%26#39;s called. the san remo is another possibilty.

Where to stay -- North Beach or Union Square?

* ';We%26#39;d love to avoid the tourist hordes, although I know that can be tough.'; *

Not gonna happen. This is the height of the season, and if you went up in a hot-air balloon and looked down on San Francisco, you%26#39;d think that an anthill had broken open. I went downtown (Union Square) one day last week and it was swarming with tourists. How did I know they were tourists? When the temperature was in the 60s, they had on shorts, tank tops, sandals, and a fleece SF logo jacket over it all (vendors sell these at strategic spots on windy and foggy days).

So North Beach is a good a place to stay even if it will be packed. You won%26#39;t have a car, right? Don%26#39;t even think about it. And if you succumb to a little tourist fever and want to go to Fisherman%26#39;s Wharf, Chinatown, or Coit Tower, or ride a cable car, North Beach is an ideal location. Oh--and since you want quirky, don%26#39;t miss the Wild Parrots.

Thanks, guys! Living in Chicago, I know what you mean about prime tourist season. I think we%26#39;re going with North Beach and Hotel Boheme. Looks like a better option for us than Union Square. And rest assured, there%26#39;ll be no shorts, fanny packs, or SF fleeces in our suitcases. :)

You may not arrive with SF fleeces, but when you%26#39;re cold and see them in chinatown for $10, you may succumb. just get different colors for each of you for pete%26#39;s sake. I see WAY too many matching fleece-wearing couples. :^)....

* ';I see WAY too many matching fleece-wearing couples. :^)....'; *

Awwww, that%26#39;s so-o-o-o- cute! :o)

We just got back and I thought North Beach was much more interesting than Union Square. Tons of restaurants, cafes and bars. Union Sq is good for shopping.

I had a very good experience at the Baldwin Hotel, check out the reviews. It%26#39;s nothing fancy, but meets all of my requirements (cheap (realative), clean, large enough, safe and a good location). It%26#39;s about 2 blocks from Union Square and just south of the Chinatown gate.

I%26#39;ve also stayed at the Grant Plaza (or Inn?) - pretty sure it was Plaza. My experience was not quite as good as the good at the Baldwin and the other one, has similar reviews - somewhat mixed - I think mostly based on peoples expectations. One of them (the Plaza) has a honeymooning bride complaining that her honeymoon was ';ruined'; b/c the hotel was so %26#39;crummy.'; Can%26#39;t say what she expected, but when you%26#39;re paying less than a hundred dollars a night instead of the 200+ at nicer hotels in the same area (and even more if you decide on something fancy, say $400+), I don%26#39;t know what she expected?

There are a couple of others within a few blocks of the Baldwin that seem to be similar and I would consider.

Personally I%26#39;d probably stay away from North Beach, just because choices will be more limited (%26amp; probably more expensive) and in in my opinion the whole area is not as convenient to the rest of SF. Particularly if you%26#39;re going to use public transportation. (Lived in SF for over 7 years, so I know my way around town on the public transportation.)

The truth is Union Square is not that far from North Beach (what a 20 minute walk?) and is more centrally located/better situation for the Market Street spine of public transportation.

Anyway, that%26#39;s my $.02 (or was that a nickel?)

hunt