• More about your Oliver Guide: Jenny Mayfield
• Trip type: Family, City
• Activity level: moderate
• Ideal length of trip: 5 DAYS

Where to Stay

Definitely grab a suite at Cow Hollow Inn and Suites. It is an old school motor inn in the heart of San Francisco’s Marina District. The suites are spacious, affordable, and in a location that can’t be beat — the heart of Chestnut Street. All of the Marina’s best shops and restaurants at your finger tips — and a short walk to Crissy Field Beach and the Golden Gate Bridge.

• More about your Oliver Guide: Sabrina Eliasoph
• Trip type: Adult, City
• Activity level: easy
• Ideal length of trip: 3-4 DAYS/ NIGHTS

to & from

• I am a local living in Marin, so I usually access the city via The Golden Gate Bridge/ 101 South. From Marin, another option are the Tiburon or Larkspur ferries for quick access to downtown, the Embarcadero, AT&T Park, Pier 41 and Fisherman's Wharf.
• Non-Bay Area residents often drive along the majestic California coast, to reach San Francisco. Enter the city from the East via the newly updated (and architecturally impressive) Bay Bridge or from the South use 101 North or 280 North.
• SFO is the major largest international airport serving The Bay Area.

Where to Stay

• The Battery- Very chic and well appointed rooms; great location in an old charming part of downtown with cobblestone streets and smaller-scaled buildings; within close walking proximity to the city's Financial District, Union Square area, the Ferry Building, China Town, and Little Italy. Further, as The Battery is not only a hotel but also a private club, modeled like a SoHo House, hotel guests can still use the common restaurant area and House Bar. On any typical late afternoon/early evening, the spirit of San Francisco comes alive as the popular House Bar fills to the brim with the city's techies and cultural folks alike.
• The Four Seasons- While The Four Seasons San Francisco sits on Market Street, a totally commercial and not charming thoroughfare of the city, once you step inside, you’ll be charmed by the service and serenity. Of course, Four Seasons hotels are famous for offering a top notch stay, and while this one may not be my most favorite location, it is arguably still very close to a lot of the downtown action and close to the pulse of SOMA, including SF MoMA, Yerba Buena Gardens and other wonderful attractions.
• Hotel Vitale- This hotel is not only adult-appropriate, with its bustling bar / restaurant scene off the lobby called Americano, but also situated in a beautiful spot. It is right across the street from San Francisco’s foodie mecca, The Ferry Building and offers gorgeous views of San Francisco Bay (facing East) towards The Bay Bridge. It is stylish, fun, and very vibrant—a place even locals love to stay if they’re taking a weekend away from the kids.
• Hotel Drisco- This hotel is definitely for couples’ seeking something different than the hustle bustle of downtown. It is off-the-beaten-path, nestled in the quaint and quieter neighborhood of Pacific Heights, one of the most beautiful of all of the residential areas of the city. Sitting up high on the city’s hills looking out to the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay, staying in this hotel offers you quick access to the beauty of the nearby Presidio, many restaurants that are locals’ favorites and the luxury shopping on Sacramento Street. The hotel is elegant and very much captures the “vibe” of sophisticated San Francisco.
• Cavallo Point- Note, this hotel is actually located across the Golden Gate Bridge, just on the other side of the city, in Sausalito. With no traffic, it takes about 10 minutes from city across the Bridge down into the Fort Baker, an old military fort, where Cavallo Point is perched. It is more of a full-scale expansive resort-type of hotel, with hotels rooms converted from old military homes, a huge green park in the center for strolling, a full-service spa, and lots of yummy food options on-site, including a world-class cooking school. Whether it's rainy or sunny, Cavallo Point takes the word charming to a new level and it can feel particularly romantic to sit inside the cozy Farley Bar, in front of a fire or on the porch, wrapped in a blanket, and just enjoy the views!

• More about your Oliver Guide: Jen Lane
• Trip type: Family, City
• Activity level: moderate
• Ideal length of trip: 3 NIGHTS

to & from

• Fly into SFO and take an Uber to your hotel. If you plan to stay in the city, no need for a car- can uber and walk everywhere.
• Don’t fly into Oakland. Traffic gets bad in east bay and Uber will be a lot more expensive than flying into SFO. Dealing with BART is the worst.

Where to Stay

• Hotel Drisco: Located in the very nice (and quiet) neighborhood of Pacific Heights, good spot to get more of a feel as a local, but not close to the downtown action
• Hotel Vitale: On the Embarcadero, across from Ferry Building- great location downtown
• Cavallo Point: Across the bridge in Sausalito, amazing spa and gorgeous views- just beware that when those fog horns go off, they will be keeping you up all night. I would suggest the contemporary rooms versus the historic. Amazing spa (see below)
• Inn at the Presidio: Tucked away in the Presidio, quiet and gorgeous location. Close to Marina/Pacific Heights/Cow Hollow.