Be sure to wear flowers in your hair

[bironic]

Does anyone have advice/recommendations on places to stay (or not stay) in San Francisco? Neighborhoods or specific locations welcome. ETA: Fangirl to the rescue!

I've been approved to attend a thing in San Jose in April and want to extend the trip a couple of days on one side or the other to jot up to San Francisco, where I've never been but have been told I'd love. My supervisor needs me to book the flight soon, and I'd rather know on which dates hotels are more affordable, which means knowing where to look (safe for young woman traveling alone, etc.). I was also hoping to hear back from two friends in the city in case they're only available on certain days, but no word yet.

Haven't even had a chance to start research on places I might like to see, beyond a few basics (bridge, redwoods, LOL they offer tours of the kink.com armory) and a couple of film locations (Star Trek IV, Interview with the Vampire building). Suggestions also welcome on sites to visit. I don't care about "tourist must-sees" but rather stuff that is historically/culturally/scientifically interesting, pretty, related to a personal interest...

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you may have. <3

Comments

[framlingem.livejournal.com]

Hi!

You don't know me, but we have mutual friends :) I've stayed at and can highly recommend the HI hostels in San Francisco - they're low-cost, centrally-located, and provide you with more in the way of free wi-fi and cooking facilities than hotels do, and they're super comfortable. (Also a young woman who travels alone!)

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Ah, thank you for the tip! I will check them out.

[flywoman.livejournal.com]

No recommendations on places to stay since I always bunk with friends there, but I like the Ferry Marketplace for local food products and especially the Slanted Door:
http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/

There's often very good theatre at the ACT on Geary. Like to browse a wide variety of music? Check out Amoeba. If you like science museums, I definitely recommend the Exploratorium.

And of course there's a lively gay scene, although unfortunately I can't recommend anything in particular.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Thanks very much! The Exploratorium is indeed on my pre-research list of possibilities; I've heard so much about it. I will check out your items as well! Marketplace sounds especially great.

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

Stay with meeeeee! I have a spare room and everything! And it's free!

[bironic.livejournal.com]

!! How did I not know you live there? How lovely!

I would be delighted to take you up on your offer if the timing works for you, and assuming my "RL" friends (who remain MIA) don't take exception to it. :) I would also love to pick your brain about things to do while in town.

Will follow up in some manner other than LJ comments.

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

laurasha at laurasha dot com. Keep me posted!