Mini-Vacation To San Francisco, CA

A cheap and clean place to stay is the Baldwin, it is close to Union Square and Chinatown. I know many people say not to visit Fisherman's Wharf, but I disagree, I really like walking around that area, especially if you have never seen it. Have dessert at Ghiradelli's. Ride a cable car. We walked around AT&T park area too. We were there for a wedding at the DeYoung museum, it was beautiful. Alcatraz trips were full so we missed out on that, if you want to do one of those book online early. Have a great time!!

I've lived in SF and being only a couple of hours south we spend lots of time there. It's a great city. I would NOT go to Fisherman's Wharf, especially without kids. It's a generic tourist district with chain restaurants and tacky stores.

My top picks would be the Ferry Building and walking along the Embarcadero in that area. Alcatraz is fun and has a ferry ride built right in. Koit tower has a gorgeous view. Golden Gate Park with the Conservatory of Flowers, Botanical Gardens, The DeYoung, Academy of Sciences and Japanese Tea Garden are all very worthwhile.

Just walking around the city is really fun. The Haight for hippy "alternative" scene, Chinatown, Filmore Street for music, shopping, food, the Mission, Marina etc. Check out Tripadvisor.com for lots of ideas and info on different neighborhoods.

Beach Blanket Babylon is a crazy play that changes over the years to include current pop culture references. It is very San Francisco and lots of fun, that's in North Beach-great place to have dinner and perfect for people watching at night. Have fun!

K-Bell gave you some good advice on sights to see. Stay away from Fisherman's Wharf, it's a tourist trap. (Unless you're going to Scoma's to eat Cioppino, which is well worth the schlep to the Wharf - but once you're done eating, leave, because that's all that's worthwhile over there!) Golden Gate Park is MUCH more worthwhile, and has so many of the great spots in the City - the DeYoung museum, the Academy of Sciences, the Conservatory, the tea gardens... walk over to Park Chow for lunch or dinner... check out the Strybing Arboretum... SO much better than the Wharf!

We always direct friends and family toward The Handlery hotel. It's right on Union Square (coincidentally, where all of the best shopping in the City is, the trolleys, etc).

If you have a free night and enjoy blues music, I'd recommend going to Biscuits and Blues (just catty-corner from The Handlery). They always have great bands.

September is a great time to go to Napa and Sonoma for some wine tasting, as well - right in the middle of the harvest, so there's a lot to see and do. Napa is less than an hour from downtown SF.

Even if it's still hot where you live, remember weather in SF changes from minute to minute, so pack lots of layers! And comfy walking shoes, because walking is the best way to see the City!

Restaurant, if you like garlic, called The Stinkin Rose - YUMMY!!!

Try VRBO. That's your cheapest bet. Hotels are a small fortune in San Fran.

If you're renting a car, do a drive up the coast.

Fishermans Wharf is the one place I was going to say stay away from. Very crowded, touristy, boardwalk type of stuff. Take a city tour, ride the cable cars, visit Lombard Street, Chinatown. Nob Hill. That's San Francisco.

Ferry ride to Sausilito or Tiberon. The latter is less touristy. Or rent bicycles and ride across the Golden Gate and then take the ferry back or ride back. Fisherman's Wharf is touristy... The charm of San Francisco is the views and beautiful architecture so just walking around the Marina District and Pacific Heights is great. Union Street is fun to walk and eat. Top of Coit Tower is cool.

You've been given some good info. I'd also recommend taking the ferry out to Angel Island if you enjoy hiking. There's a nice hike to the top of Mt. Livermore that offers amazing views of the city along the way. You can also rent bikes and circle the island.

Also, Muir Woods is just across the Golden Gate and is very pretty. Great chance to get an up-close view of redwoods. Flat, easy walking trails.

Alcatraz. It's really cool!

I just read about a site that lets you rent a room in someone's home or their studio apartment like a hotel and it's really cheap. I was curious and looked at it and for some reason chose San Fran to check it out. There was a nice looking studio in the marina cheap. I thought how awesome. Might be worth checking out. I do t remember the website but it was a spin off air mattresses. So if you goggle, you can probably find it. It's like vrbo but not a whole house.

While you are in the Wharf area, Pier 39 is great. Also Alcatraz and China Town, Koit Tower, and Golden Gate Park has a lot to do - Japanese Tea Gardens, Aquarium, etc. and Union Square for great shopping.

Be sure to bring some warm clothes. It may be September, but it's still on the coast and they don't get very many warm days. Temps will probably be low 70's if you're lucky.

As far as reasonably priced hotels, you're on your own there. Everyone's idea of "reasonable" is different.