DK Travel : San Francisco

San Franciscans will, rather candidly, admit that they are the most fortunate people on earth, the occasional earthquake notwithstanding; and most visitors, after a few days of taking in the sights and sounds of this magnificent city, will agree. Ask anyone who has been here and they will tell you it’s their favorite US city. The geographical setting evokes so much emotional drama, the light seems clearer, the colors more vivid, the cultural diversity of the ethnic neighborhoods so captivating and inviting, that it’s a place almost everyone can fall in love with at first sight.

Higher Ground Coffee House

A variety of sandwiches, omelets, and fresh salads, served with amazing homemade French fries.
Highway 9 and Big Basin State Park

This gently mountainous region is almost entirely undeveloped. The main town, Boulder Creek, is like a small frontier settlement, where craftspeople sell their wares, and country stores cater mostly to locals. This is an area that time happily forgot.
Hiking

The Bay Area is replete with magnificent hiking trails for every type of nature-lover. Land’s End offers some wild terrain to scramble over (see A Two-Hour Hike Around Land’s End), and Mount Tamalpais is criss-crossed with trails. But just scaling the city’s hills is enough hiking for most people.
Home Exchange Inc.

Home exchangers simply trade their homes at a time that is convenient to both parties.
Hotaling Café

A great spot for a quick breakfast or lunch. Daily specials include such dishes as lasagne or baked snapper with baked potato.
Hotel Del Sol

Called “festive and spacious,” this place really is a ray of sunshine. Bright colors and cheerful patterns greet you around every corner, and the staff is just as nice as can be. An especially great place to bring the kids.
Hotel Del Sol

A 50's-style motor lodge converted into a cheerful, colorful boutique hotel. The rooms are arranged around a central courtyard complete with covered parking, a postage stamp pool, palm trees, and hammocks (in season).

There are ten 1-bedroom suites (three with tiny kitchenettes, two with fireplaces). These rooms have 1 queen bed, and another room with twin trundle beds. They range in price from $149--209, breakfast included.

The service is outstanding, as is the location (in Cow Hollow, between the Marina and Pacific Heights). Free Wifi, free afternoon cookies, free gift bags for kids on check in.

Fun and funky!
Hotel Drisco

This Pacific Heights property is one of the Leading Small Hotels of the World, and, although the elegance is perhaps a little too understated, it delivers on service. Details include complimentary breakfast and morning newspaper – and some of the very best vistas in the city.
Hotel Nikko

High-tech and minimalist white marble interiors radiate modernity in this Japanese-style environment. Its cool comfort and tranquil luxury, such as silk wallpaper, soothe the spirit and free the mind. The excellent Anzu restaurant creates the same peaceful atmosphere.
Hotel Tomo

Hotel Tomo offers lots of style and good value in funky Japan Town, just a mile from Union Square (with frequent and cheap bus service), and walking distance from the many shops and restaurants of posh Fillmore Street.

Rooms are inspired by Japanese pop culture, and have eye-popping murals, beanbags, on-demand video gaming, and (important for families) minifridges. Hit one of the nearby grocery stores (Safeway, Mollie Stone, or a smaller Japanese grocery), and use the table and chairs in your room to save on dining. Or don't, there are plenty of restaurants to tempt you too.

Ask nicely for a corner room, the views are amazing! Staying here is just plain fun.

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under $100
- $100-$200
- $200-$250
- $250-$300
- over $300
Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under $20
- $20-$40
- $40-$55
- $55-$80
- over $80