Hilton Brand Hotel In/Near San Francisco

[PDXGolfer]

Looking for a Hilton brand hotel (so we can use HHonors points) in or near San Francisco, for two nights later this month. Preferably something close enough to the local attractions (Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, etc.), as we'll be taking our kids (grade school age) with us. Planning to rent a car so we can get around, though we hear that parking is expensive in downtown. Would it be better to stay in one of the Burlingame hotels -- Embassy Suites or Hilton San Francisco Airport Bayfront? Others we should consider? If there are no decent Hilton brand hotels in the area, we may consider other brands (but, as noted, would prefer to use our HHonors points first).

Thanks in advance for any thoughts/recommendations.

 

[jlp879]

There aren't too many Hilton properties to choose from in the city proper. There is a Hilton in the Financial District, Hilton Union Square, the Parc 55 San Francisco and a Hampton Inn in SoMa.

I'd take whichever one has points availability for your stay, though if there is lots of choices then I'd probably choose the Parc 55 for it's closeness to the BART station and public transportation lines.

Not only is parking a hassle in San Francisco, it's expensive. The rate at Parc 55 is $58 per night. San Francisco is a city best explored on foot. From any of the above locations you could walk to most of the attractions you'd want to see in a couple of days.

For your short stay, I would not recommend staying outside of the city in one of the suburbs. You would waste a lot of time getting back and forth to the city's sights and you would experience rush hour traffic, which is not pleasant.

Your best bet is to pick one of the hotels in the city, and experience the city's sights from there. San Francisco is walkable, or you could use the excellent public transportation system. Buy a 3 day transit pass and make use of it on the city's cable cars, which just raised their prices to a flat $7 per ride. There is also a fleet of historic streetcars which run along Market street and the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf. Uber is another alternative to a rental car.

In regards to Alcatraz, it's necessary to purchase tickets in advance. Probably not so critical in January, but in the summer the tour frequently sells out weeks ahead of time.

 

[vacationtime1]

Janice's advice is sound. A car is actually a liability in downtown SF unless you need it for a specific purpose. Parking is expensive, traffic is terrible, and the distances to travel are short anyway. (I deal with this daily.)

If you want to get out of the City to vista Muir Woods or Napa (although your kids would be bored by the latter), rent a car for the day.

 

[b2bailey]

Two nice choices

The Parc 55 is now part of the Hilton brand. We stayed there when it was Marriott and I liked the location.

Have also stayed at the 'main' Hilton near Union Square. It is a convention type place with little charm but lots of rooms.

 

[Uscjusto]

I lived in SF for 5 years and I go back there frequently to visit friends.
I always stay at the Embassy Suites in Burlingame because it's a nice hotel, easy parking ($10 or $20 fee I think), scenic location, close to SFO airport, and close enough to SF if you have a rental car.

If you are motivated, you can also catch BART nearby and BART into SF and not deal with driving and parking. I'm familiar with the streets there and I'm patient enough to drive around looking for meters or willing to pay for the parking garage.

If you are willing to spend a lot more hhonors points, then you can find a Hilton hotel in SF that the others here listed. However, I don't think that is necessary because you can get the same experience at Embassy Suites in Burlingame and just commute into SF.

 

[presley]

I always stay at the Embassy Suites in Burlingame because it's a nice hotel, easy parking ($10 or $20 fee I think), scenic location, close to SFO airport, and close enough to SF if you have a rental car.

I'll second that idea. I stayed there before and it was great. Easy drive into the city and hot cooked breakfast every morning included in the stay.

 

[Luanne]

If you want to be in San Francisco, stay in San Francisco, not in Burlingame.

We usually stay at the Hilton Union Square (which is actually a couple of blocks off the square). Much of San Francisco is walkable, or accessible by BART or bus.

 

[Uscjusto]

If you want to be in San Francisco, stay in San Francisco, not in Burlingame.

We usually stay at the Hilton Union Square (which is actually a couple of blocks off the square). Much of San Francisco is walkable, or accessible by BART or bus.

This is good advice if you don't mind spending extra hhonors points or money, or if you don't mind the parking hassles that come with having a car in SF.

I lived in the heart of SF and loved that experience. Commuting is not the same.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

Personally i would stay in San Francisco rather than near it.. I certainly agree an airport hotel will almost certainly be less costly, but its a whole different experience than staying in the city..

We live in San Jose, and stay in SF for the weekend with some regularity.. My favorite Hilton locations are either the Parc55 or Hilton Financial District. The Parc gives you easy walking access to Union Square shopping area, and the Hilton Financial District gives you easy access to China Town and North Beach.

Some of the premium rooms in the Financial district offer amazing views of Coit Tower and bay..

 

[Luanne]

This is good advice if you don't mind spending extra hhonors points or money, or if you don't mind the parking hassles that come with having a car in SF.

I lived in the heart of SF and loved that experience. Commuting is not the same.

I don't recommend having a car in San Franciso. That's why I said the city is walkable, you can also get around with public transportation.

 

[Kendall in Texas]

A little late to this, but we LOVE the Hilton Financial District. It really should be called Hilton Chinatown. If you enjoy Chinatown, then this is the place for you. Also walkable to Washington Square, Columbus Ave area, the Ferry Building and a lot more.

 

[Wgk101]

To me it depends on your plans. If you are going to be out of your hotel touring and basically using your hotel for sleep, I would consider staying outside of the city. I would suggest the embassy suites in walnut creek. It is across the street from the pleasant hill BART statio, a 30 min BART ride Into the city. Full hot breakfast included in the rate. True suit experience , can sleep up to 6. Then if you want to drive to see other sites can rent a car in the lobby.

 

[LynnW]

We have the Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport Waterfront booked for 1 night following a cruise. How easy is it to get downtown from there?

Lynn

 

[1Kflyerguy]

We have the Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport Waterfront booked for 1 night following a cruise. How easy is it to get downtown from there?

Lynn

I don't think there is any public transit from there, so i think you would need a car, or just take a taxi or Uber..

 

[Luanne]

We have the Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport Waterfront booked for 1 night following a cruise. How easy is it to get downtown from there?

Lynn

If you can get to the airport easily you could take BART into San Francisco. It looks like there may be a free shuttle to the airport. Check with the hotel.

 

[DeniseM]

[Redacted - I missed Lynn's more recent post.]

 

[Luanne]

To me it depends on your plans. If you are going to be out of your hotel touring and basically using your hotel for sleep, I would consider staying outside of the city. I would suggest the embassy suites in walnut creek. It is across the street from the pleasant hill BART statio, a 30 min BART ride Into the city. Full hot breakfast included in the rate. True suit experience , can sleep up to 6. Then if you want to drive to see other sites can rent a car in the lobby.

Again, Walnut Creek is NOT San Francisco. We lived two towns down from there for years. For us to get into San Francisco it took a minimum of an hour. I guess the 30 minutes you're quoting is that it is a direct ride from BART. I'm basing it on either driving, or driving to a BART station, then catching the train.

If you stay anywhere in the East Bay, Walnut Creek included, you need to car to do just about anything.

 

[Luanne]

Please note that the OP's trip was in January.

OPs trip was in January, but there was a later post from LynneW who posted for an upcoming trip.

 

[DeniseM]

Sorry - I missed that.

 

[Wgk101]

Again, Walnut Creek is NOT San Francisco. We lived two towns down from there for years. For us to get into San Francisco it took a minimum of an hour. I guess the 30 minutes you're quoting is that it is a direct ride from BART. I'm basing it on either driving, or driving to a BART station, then catching the train.

If you stay anywhere in the East Bay, Walnut Creek included, you need to car to do just about anything.

That is true, you would probably need a car, but as I stated in my reply, that if you are only using the hotel for sleeping and will be out the remainder of the day, then the walnut creek embassy would work as it is in the complex that houses the pleasant hill BART. It is about a 1/4 block from the train. No car needed and it will take you to either airport.

 

[Luanne]

That is true, you would probably need a car, but as I stated in my reply, that if you are only using the hotel for sleeping and will be out the remainder of the day, then the walnut creek embassy would work as it is in the complex that houses the pleasant hill BART. It is about a 1/4 block from the train. No car needed and it will take you to either airport.

I understand your point.

But, I've done vacations where we've stayed "out of the city" for one reason or the other. We found we missed a lot of the day due to transportation.

If you are going to be out and about in San Francisco, that is where you want to be staying. It's just not the same experience staying out in the burbs (remember I used to live there ).

 

[DeniseM]

We go to SF about 5-6 times a year, and usually get great deals on hotels IN San Francisco proper on Priceline. We always take BART (subway) into the city, and then walk and use public transportation, which is cheap and easy.

You REALLY do not want a car in SF.

 

[Luanne]

We go to SF about 5-6 times a year, and usually get great deals on hotels IN San Francisco proper on Priceline. We always take BART (subway) into the city, and then walk and use public transportation, which is cheap and easy.

You REALLY do not want a car in SF.

And just to add. We will be spending two nights in San Francisco at the beginning, and end, of a trip to the Big Island. By continually checking I was able to book at the Hilton Union Square for $150/night. I have also used Priceline and gotten really good prices. You just need to know which zones to bid for.