Union Square or Finacial district?

I always get such great responses from Trip Advisor! I have looked at other posts but don%26#39;t see this info!

Five days in SF, and trying to decide between Union Square or the Financial District. Seems Union Square is busy and noisy these days. I like the sound of the Hyatt Regency%26#39;s location, views of the water, across the street from the ferry and Saturday market, the tram stop etc. Would this seem too %26#39;out of it%26#39;, or a nice alternative to Union Square?

Thanks so much -

Union Square or Finacial district?

If it%26#39;s your first time, Union Square may be a better bet. It is right in the center of everything and you can%26#39;t go wrong with it%26#39;s location.

That said, I like the Financial Dist. and the Embarcadero areas, however, they are more removed. It is still easy to get around, but it isn%26#39;t as central.

I like both, but again, if you haven%26#39;t been to San Francisco, you may wish to stay at Union Square.

Union Square or Finacial district?

Well, I really like the Hyatt Regency, it%26#39;s a kind of hollow pyramid, with a huge atrium in the middle, which includes the lobby and a bar and more, all in a huge open space extending all the way to the top of building 17 floors. The rooms are all along the outer faces of the building, and the ';hallways'; are balconys overlooking and open to the huge central atrium. To get a water view, you%26#39;d need to be sure to get a room on the east side of the building (Embarcadero side), otherwise you%26#39;d have a view of Market Street or some alleyway on the west side.

As for being ';out of it';, well it%26#39;s right on the waterfront, the MUNI metro and BART underground stations are right out the door, as is the F streetcar line to Fishermans Whart, also the Ferry Building is across the street. With a ten minute walk to Union Square, it%26#39;s a lot closer to the ';action'; there than say, the Castro, or Noe Valley or Cow Hollow.

Saks and Bayaturning, many thanks for your replies.

Yes, I have been to SF before, but it%26#39;s been a while.

The Hyatt is sounding good. Could I walk to North Beach from there (I%26#39;m a good walker!)? Have friends I%26#39;ll be visiting, or would it be easier to take transportation?

Any more responses, comments definitely welcome!!!

travelmum asked whether «Could I walk to North Beach from [The Regency] (I%26#39;m a good walker!)?»

Of course! You can walk all the way to The Beach if you wish and everywhere else, too. From the Regency to Broadway and Columbus is about eleven blocks that might take twenty minutes.

«would it be easier to take transportation?»

Yes.

The best on-line MAP of San Francisco is an inter-active PDF created for the San Francisco Municipal Railway: geocities.com/iconoc/Grafix/CityWide.pdf. I recommend 150% or greater magnification. There%26#39;s also a link that will tell you HOW TO GET THERE FROM HERE. Other links on the page, geocities.com/iconoc/Grafix/FlagMaps.html are a map of our CABLE CAR ROUTES and a superb map of GOLDEN GATE PARK.

You don%26#39;t see ';the info'; because the Hyatt Regency is also in what is an area that came into its own in more recent years: The Embarcadero. With the removal of the Embarcadero Freeway in 1990, the rise of development once the gorgeous bay views opened up, and in particular, the restoration of the Ferry Building, the area has developed its own identity.

It is more closely associated with that waterfront area now, as opposed to the Financial District, which doesn%26#39;t get much play on this board because it%26#39;s not an area we send tourists to.

I always consider the Embarcadero an alternative to Union Square or Fisherman%26#39;s Wharf for some travelers. It%26#39;s got views, good transit access and is close to several locations that tourists would like to go. And the Ferry Building is just a walk across the street.

travelmum,

If you are a good walker I have a treat for you...and an especially good one if you choose the Hyatt Regency. One of those days, walk north on Battery St to Filbert St., turn left and climb the stairs...You will eventually get to Coit Tower...but this journey is worth every moment....

Swingcha... great maps, thank you!

BetterthanBang - thanks; good info to know.

TravelinPrankster - I love a good walk and that sounds like a treat!

OK, so now it%26#39;s either the Hyatt Regency - I feel much more conffident about the location, thanks to all of you. Or... great rates at the Fairmont SF that a friend is recommending. Would you still recommend the Hyatt in the Finacial/Embarcado area, than the Fairmont?? Thanks so much, again....

Well ... the Fairmont is on Nob Hill, which is yet another neighborhood. So now you%26#39;re trying to decide between the Embarcadero, Union Square, Fisherman%26#39;s Wharf or Nob Hill?

Nob Hill is on a hill. It%26#39;s very convenient if all you plan to do is use the cable cars (not very practical) and like to walk up and down our storied hills to get anywhere. OK, I lied, the #1California bus is very convenient to this location as well.

Nob Hill is a lovely location, and while geographically central to everything -- Fisherman%26#39;s Wharf, Chinatown, Union Square -- the hill can be a significant factor. The restaurant choice within walking distance is not as varied or as inexpensive as you will find in Union Square. The neighborhood is lovely, the views are nice.

My own preference among the four (this is a local speaking, so I don%26#39;t have all the same interests as a tourist) would be the Embarcadero followed by Union Square, followed by Nob Hill, followed by Fisherman%26#39;s Wharf.

From one tourist to another I would choose the Fairmont. Both are in decent locations, but the Fairmont would appeal to me more. It is on a hill, but I don%26#39;t think that would be too hard to deal with. I think it would be a quick walk to Union Squre. You could always stop in at the Hyatt%26#39;s bar when you are down by the Ferry building. Have fun deciding.

BetterthanBings and CrazyforCali - thank you again! Both had good points. I don%26#39;t think I%26#39;m considering Fishermans%26#39; Wharf, am I?!! I guess I%26#39;ll stick to the Hyatt as I do like the sound of the area, and I love the walk suggested to Coit Tower. It sounds like a convenient area.

The Fairmount sounds lovely, but perhaps not as good a location. Someone just mentioned the Orchard Hotel (actually it was written up in our local paper..) sound nice, but .... now it%26#39;s the Hyatt or the Orchard. Sorry to keep asking - if I were going today I%26#39;d just have someone in my office just book it all for me, but I have too much time to think about it. Thanks againnnnnn!