Staying near Fisherman's Wharf is a great choice for families
With four months of the year behind us and the summer rapidly approaching, we know that many travelers have vacation on their minds. And we don’t blame you! It’s time to get out of that office chair and stretch your legs, which is why last week we started to inspire you with our picks for the best luxury hotels in Miami. Below, we’ll turn to San Francisco. We’ll tell you about some of our favorite hotels for a family trips, girlfriend (or dudefriend) getaways, and, for unfortunate practical reasons, business trips.
Family trip: Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is one of San Fran’s most vibrant areas, and it’s sure to be a hit with the kids. The Wharf is covered in seafood restaurants, souvenir shops, and – quite literally – the city’s famous sea lions. Ferries to Alcatraz leave from here, and the Powell-Hyde cable car line starts here as well. Below are four of our favorite affordable, kid-friendly hotels on the Wharf.
Average price: $142/night
Pearls: 3.0
With a knockout pool area and direct access from the hotel grounds to the waterfront in Fisherman’s Wharf, the Radisson is as family-friendly as a San Francisco hotel gets. The 355 rooms have some blemishes and the service is minimal, but the pool will keep kids happy and the convenient location will keep adults sane.
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The sea lions of Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco
Not seeing themselves for the tourist attraction they’ve come to be, the sea lions of Pier 39 simply rolled over, splashed into the Pacific and swam away.
At first no one even knew where they went. One of San Francisco’s landmarks had simply vanished. The protective signs posted around Pier 39 seemed ironic at best. Staring down at the vacated wooden floats from the surrounding docks would have been akin to peering into a football stadium the morning after a big game. Some sea lion debris remained, but the sounds and smells, and the star players themselves, were notably absent. Read More »
Angel Island in San Francisco
There’s a reason the Bay features so prominently in the region’s moniker. The San Francisco Bay connects San Francisco to the East Bay, South Bay and North Bay. How best to see it all? Get on a boat, of course!
Sausalito Ferry: The Golden Gate Ferry runs boats to Marin, including quaint Sausalito. It’s such a good time that the prestigious Society of American Travel Writers voted it the second most exciting ferry ride in the world. From the boat, you can see the Golden Gate Bridge, the Berkeley Hills, Alcatraz, and San Francisco. Rent a bike from Bike and Roll in North Beach or Fisherman’s Wharf, and cycle over to the Ferry Plaza to catch the boat. Some people take the ferry one way and then bike the other, to experience the Golden Gate Bridge two ways. Try the Hotel Vitale near the Ferry Plaza as a base. Read More »
Breakdancer at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco
The attention span and focus of their audience is minimal. Most passersby are simply looking for lunch or the next ferry to Alcatraz. Street performers, or “buskers,” must relish the act of performing enough to ignore being ignored. Exposing a bit of heart in hopes of an answering smile, a bit of applause and hopefully, a dollar bill or two… This is not for the faint of heart or those desiring a steady income. Read More »
